Dates

Dates, one of the essential, no perhaps the most important of thing to bring back home and distribute to you kin and kind from the holy land. This time around I got to go to the outlet on the farm itself instead of the date market in town. Prices were more or less the same except for the Najwa or prophet's dates which were slightly cheaper at 60 Riyal per kilo. However, as in any capitalist venture, we were told that it could be had for 5 Riyal cheaper per kilo if it was ordered from the guides friend who happens to work at the farm. Pay in advance and it will be delivered to your hotel room.

It was a nice outing though I was a bit disappointed as I was hoping to actually see, touch and feel the trees themselves, you know, like pick your own strawberry kind of outing. We did not even get to touch the tree, only the dates for sale in the outlet. The do give free coffee and a comfy place to enjoy it. That's our driver in the first photo taking full advantages of the free services. The other plus point is that you can taste/sample as much as you want in the outlet, take even one piece out and you will have to pay for it. I had a ball with fresh dates, dried dates, dried fruits, pistachios and my favourite cashews. The outlet made a killing too as everyone bought at least two kilos each not to mention other dried fruits and nuts.