Saudi Arabia opens to the world!

[@PolishEddie92]

I love how the camera instantly made you the most important person in that restaurant. They probably went back to the kitchen like "hey! we have a celebrity here and he's reviewing our restaurant and recording so everything has to be perfect!" Looks like they were a little nervous coming up to your table and serving you. 😁 that is a sure way to get great service.

[@swdoctor]

Seems odd in this day and age for any restaurant to even mention it, because that can then lead to a lot more negative comments and criticism. There are dozens of reviews on Google and Trip Advisor so they should be used to customer reviews.

[@DaFinkingOrk]

​@@swdoctorSometimes places don't like people filming just for the privacy of other guests, idk.

[@swdoctor]

@@DaFinkingOrk so people aren't allowed to take videos for famly celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries? F them I am walking out

[@SyBo27]

​​​@@swdoctor I would argue that that's a very different situation to someone whos sitting by themselves with a camera in front of them.

[@isaac5amuel]

Loving the not just the best backstage f1 content but also these casual Travelling and Living.. thanks heaps Kym.

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure.

[@Vabe7]

Love your in-between race vlogs Kym! Never stop!

[@JJB_12371]

Great video Kim ~for me personally your travel days really add an extra spice to your channel ~ it’s unlikely being from Cape Town - I will ever travel to Bahrain and Saudi ~ so we live vicariously through you ~great content.

[@WimRijksen]

I love your airplane, airport, hotel and restaurant reviews. Thanks Kym.

[@shLNG3345]

I love the new found vocabulary. I don't think I've heard the word 'palatial' so many times in a video! Must be great Bahrain and Saudi :)

[@KymIllman]

Glad you liked it!

[@baraaamir7891]

Welcome to saudi 🇸🇦 this new hotel is world class, and at a great location 👏

[@kwaazy]

Absolutely loved this style of video, great way to showcase the cities you're visiting and made me feel like a part of the trip! Hope to see more of them!

[@Adele.Bielski]

Loved this, thanks for a great video .I'm a Kiwi from down under. Id love to visit some time, such a beautiful culture and country

[@mo5ksa]

I met Kym in Jeddah last year, he's as lovely as he seems in the videos. Thank you for great content.

[@scott9393]

The breakfast buffet at the Westin in Bahrain was great. I usually ate enough there to get through the day because getting a good meal elsewhere without breaking the bank was pretty tough.

[@KymIllman]

So good!

[@OMS62]

Fantastic video!!!!

[@KymIllman]

Thank you very much!

[@gregoryepps2642]

Welcome to Jeddah. Often walked passed the Shang but never been in so thanks for the inside view.

[@KymIllman]

Welcome!

[@aat8345]

I was in Saudi Arabia three weeks ago doing the mentioned pilgrimage however, I did go to Jeddah for three days. I stayed in the Radisson Blu Jeddah Corniche Hotel which is the building behind the large skyscraper at 10:46. I checked in around midnight, but there was some confusion at the desk after giving me the wrong room with less beds and not a view. It got sorted it out relatively quickly but was a major inconvenience. The actual room was very nice, with a sea view, overlooking the track. The room's view was actually the main pit straight and Turn 1 and Turn 2 and Turn 22 and 23. You could also see the Red Sea during the day. It is actually possible to watch the race from the room and with live coverage at the same time as there was the massive screen that would display race footage during the race. The room was for four, but was very large, with three TVs, two ensuites (were rather small), a beautiful lounge area. There was also a large amount of water bottles given in the room. There were many promotional items in the hallways and lobbies, but most said 2022 on them. We didn't use the restaurant but smelt nice whenever I went past. Would recommend for anyone going next year.

[@aat8345]

Jeddah itself was very quiet, even with the finishing touches of the GP still to be done. The waterfront has no beaches but a very nice walkway. There are some restaurants. I would recommend watching sunset there as it was nice. The Red Sea Mall is very big and nice, especially if you want designer brands. I have never actually seen so many together. However, many things are jacked up due to the deep pockets of some of the locals. Wanted to buy some Lego sets and all were at least £5 more expensive. Good food court in there as well.

[@aat8345]

Saudia I flew with and in economy it was good, with a good roster of movies and TV. Food was nice as well, but Emirates would blow out the water. The windows are a bit strange in the plane I flew in, with no actual physical blind for the window rather two buttons that you can adjust the tint of the window. The cabin crew autodim it after take-off but can be restored manually. Jeddah Airport is very nice, but the food court is small. Not great for breakfast, unless the Starbucks at check-in.

[@PJhSeth]

Please do more or these videos! For us people who don't have the money to travel everywhere, would at least see what the countries are like

[@KymIllman]

I do one each time I reposition

[@juliswift]

Love, love the extra information on your work/fun/F1 travels! Keep them coming!

[@swpsacs1]

I LOVE the travel videos! As someone who's travelled for work for well over two decades and then haven't travelled for work once in the last two years, it's fun to see! I do wonder why you didn't head home for a week rather than spend a good 10 days in Jeddah? It had to have been cheaper I would think and home is alway home!

[@KymIllman]

It’s cheaper to stay here than travel home.

[@stevegreenall9205]

I got to know the waiter at Plums restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, one of the nicest guys you could ever get to meet and always provided impeccable service,

[@williamwade7059]

Great offtrack info. Love your soundtracks and keep up the good work

[@pengtingdario]

Bahrain was really amazing! Came only for the GP but stayed an extra week just for the place!

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Why?

[@Gbiese]

@@BobbyDazzler888 What kind of dumb question is that? Why? Cos they wanted to.

[@michaeldellorso889]

Good stuff, Kym. Didn’t know we weren’t allowed in Mecca. That’s absurd.

[@ahamdjevan6921]

That's because mecca is a holy city for Muslims only.. Even so, you can watch the city via vids in youtube

[@michaeldellorso889]

@@ahamdjevan6921 I understand the reason, and still find it ridiculous. We don’t have anything like this in Christianity to my knowledge.

[@abobilalalharbi2881]

I really love how you respect when you go to Arab world you don’t show enything that is negative unlike other media thy lie about Arab and thy say lot negative things

[@rachelkoiks]

As an American, I just can't believe how different business class is on flights available around the world. We grow up being told we have the best everything then you grow up and realize we go into debt because of a hospital bill and air travel is like a sardine compared to the middle east.

[@ahmadfrhan5265]

Thank God I graduated and left the states. worst flights and food. no offense, but leave the states am being serious

[@KymIllman]

US business class is generally some of the world’s worst.

[@MrConstanzo]

Excellent Job! Good background music

[@joebonthuys]

Loved Bahrain airport, the wifi there was insane!

[@Max_Flashheart]

Lovely video Kym hope you have a great stay

[@KymIllman]

Thanks so much

[@a.arnaavv]

Travel videos are my favourite

[@vyomakeshaconsultancy3406]

Hi Kym You also seem to be a food connoisseur as well and am sure your travels make you enjoy global foods keep up the good work cheers Gowra

[@KymIllman]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Truckergregg]

No alcohol, no problems. Safe travels- God bless us all.

[@wwooww63]

like always great vid, also liked the little blooper at the end 👍

[@KymIllman]

Thanks! 😃

[@scottgoode9874]

So awesome to see these videos again!! F1 2023! Thank you Kym.

[@eddypraet3536]

I really love your posts,easy to follow and understand and with interesting behind the scenes info👍😍

[@KymIllman]

Thanks so much!

[@Hani_raihan]

U should do more vlogs like this

[@KymIllman]

I do one every time I move cities.

[@tech_rescue_]

Quality content Kym keep it up mate cheers

[@jamal1493]

Such a great video

[@KymIllman]

You are so kind

[@car20105]

Welcome to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia💚

[@alganmiKhaled]

Welcome to new saudi

[@dan7692]

We’re enjoying living vicariously thru Kym. Can’t get enough of smashing that Like button. Haha

[@kondjanegongo796]

Kym, try out double southern comfort and double lime

[@aabdul4323]

Welcome again to Saudi 😍🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦

[@markfabry7476]

Hi Kym. hello from another west aussie. Could you do a video referencing some of the costs you incur from travelling the world in what appears to be some amazing experiences.

[@tshanegilman6278]

You Sir, are my hero.

[@KymIllman]

Hero status accepted

[@LQQJ]

Saudi ❣

[@cjq57]

I was wondering why you got to SA so early, then I saw the hotel where you'll be staying lol... anyone will be excited to spend the week there. Have fun!😁

[@KymIllman]

Cheaper than going home

[@rc2634]

Awesome vlog

[@AussieinUK-x8z]

In the 70s living in Saudi Arabia a road was built from Jeddah that we used to travel to Taif. it was called the Christian bypass so no Christians would enter Mecca if I remember correctly. Not sure if that was the official name lol

[@ericboyle8296]

Watching while waiting for a delayed Frontier flight in the US. Close on 8 hours now sigh. I feel like a steerage passenger on the Titanic lol. Thanks for the brief escape to the top deck!

[@AJames-jr8kw]

🤣😂

[@chulaguy619]

Good day! Nice video, thank you. One question and hope you will indulge me with an honest opinion. If I have to choose between Manama ang Jeddah, which would you recommend? Factor price and mobility.

[@MichaelG1986]

Acqua di Parma soap. Nice. 🙂

[@nuggythebear]

Lady that welcomed you to Saudi Arabia was pretty. She seemed to like you too 😝

[@vrccb]

With all that different food sloshing about in your gizzards, have you ever been caught short at the track on filming day? I was aircrew and had some narrow escapes!

[@KymIllman]

Never at the track

[@vrccb]

@@KymIllman Lucky you x

[@teamredgutz399]

Nice job in convincing them to allow you to shoot. My wife and I will be in the Paddock Club for the Montreal GP. Maybe we will see you on action there!

[@harrisonlenan4424]

This is the type of video i most look forward to in this channel.. less bout the f1 more bout the traveling n hotels...😁

[@joshreeves8916]

Hey Kym! Fellow photog here, and I fly quite a bit with my gear. Usually I carry-on whenever possible, but I am curious how you get your equipment all around the world safely. Thanks!

[@andrewwhitcombe8133]

Question - what are the expectations/requirements to work for F1 as a photographer? What costs do you have to pay to F1 to be "accredited"? (I know your freelancer but your treated as part of the "paddock" so to speak)

[@PilotCR1]

Did you notice you were on a F1 Branded Gulf Air aircraft??

[@KymIllman]

I did not. I would e mentioned that. Thanks for the heads up

[@muhammadasgharasghar1647]

Saudi arab our jaan

[@398lori]

Time lapse of the weekend from hotel window?

[@andrewstorm8240]

Tax back at airport but what do they tax / hotel stay?

[@lama8190]

Kym next time you want bg music for middle eastern trips hit me up :)

[@wesleydebruyne]

The music in the ritz restaurant 🙄😋

[@OBb74]

IN Sha ALLAH.

[@milroyvlog5476]

Hi kim . Can you tell me how do you create boarding pass is it possible to get your magic

[@siddhantsehgal9900]

nice!

[@muhammadasgharasghar1647]

Saudi arab we love you

[@AhmadyasinOrMickeyMoses]

Local tip: never do taxis in Jeddah. You need to rent a car (but driving is a bit hard), or maybe you can take and Uber, Careem, Bolt or Jeeny.

[@MuhammadNiz007]

Love to see Saudi represented correctly

[@KymIllman]

Am off to the mountains tomorrow to have a look.

[@FluffiestWalrus]

Does anyone know why many Brits and Australians refer to the country as “Saudi” while here in America I’ve only ever heard it called “Saudi Arabia?” I don’t think anyone uses Saudi as an abbreviation

[@sereen1192]

as a saudi we do just call it "Saudi" more often than not lol

[@walover165]

Us Aussies will shorten literally everything, giventhe chance.

[@LauraIsOverstimulated]

I had to go look up the word palatial

[@CallieMasters5000]

Kym travels NICE! Did you ever reveal your total travel budget for an entire season? More than US$200k, I'm guessing?

[@freddiefreihofer7716]

Kym has a video devoted to just that - with two tiers of prices!

[@anam.caballerowilson9421]

👌🥰

[@rmdhnz1228]

go to al nasr, sir..

[@miltonbrownrigg8409]

Happy travels And look at that, I have a much sought-after and highly anticipated red dot 😁

[@KymIllman]

Highly deserved!!!

[@De_Séchelles]

​@@KymIllman you alcoholic

[@chipeirachonks5963]

Glad to join you on these journeys i don't think il ever make. I don't even think i can handle all that stress. 😂😂😂

[@jairomelara1308]

bro did you really cut the end of the banana? weird.

[@Drrolfski]

If you're out for a good meal, wouldn't you want to go to a restaurant where the locals would go for a good meal? And get a better taste of local cuisine and culture in the process while likely saving some money as well?

[@peterdemuth]

I’m curious what you said to the manager? Thank for sharing you experience. That’s such an interesting corner of the world I probably will never visit.

[@artifundio1]

Maybe we'll know on the "Shoes of the paddock" video coming soon 🍀

[@pola_droid]

Thanks for always creating such awesome videos, Kym! However, ordering foie gras in not acceptable..

[@avinashsekar2206]

literally nobody: ... Kym: PaLaTiAl !!!!

[@timaz1066]

As I’m sure, you know, more than most, the rest of the world does get ripped off on fuel.

[@disonwijeratne2532]

Drinking game : Take a shot every time Kym says palatial.

[@artifundio1]

Like

[@OBb74]

انشاللا ان شاء الله

[@drchriscov]

Is a nightmare to get Saudi Visa for some countries

[@Mandykiss4500]

F1 Accreditation I think helps Kym…

[@drchriscov]

Last year paid 400 dlls twice and didn't get it. Last minute thankfully a Saudi embassy employee help me ! And I could attend the f1 race

[@Movingforward2000]

Why would anyone ask for it? Only self hating people would go there.

[@Gutenmorgenside]

Geez, that meal was ridiculous. Surely you can get something equally good much cheaper. More money than sense. :-)

[@renicostareni2313]

Kym? He always be important. He doesn't need câmara to be like that. 🏁Nice black t-short he is dressing. The place in Jeddah is one beautiful place to visit I think.👕🏁👗👔

[@alotaibinoor9029]

great! Saudi Arabia save the world from alcoholism!

[@junilog]

Gulf Air reminds me of the ex the way they offered everyone a date

[@mervdsouza2243]

Nice! My place of birth!

[@ibraheem128]

Go to AlBaik before the F1 crowd arrives. Order everything and try the whole menu. Probably still only come to like 10$ 😂

[@MrTARIQSs]

He did last year

[@chrisjameswarren88]

Word of the video = palatial!

[@HAHSIRAODEN]

1:30 that's halwa

[@CallieMasters5000]

-You can't film here! -Why? -Because we got too many bad reviews from customers being told they can't film here! 😳🤔👎

[@Strangekabuki]

Actually, only half the world...

[@grantwest422]

no

[@__-xf3iw]

They can become as fancy and luxurious as they want, im a little bit more concerned on the human rights there. Lets see how long this Comment survives here...

[@zakdaly1985]

0.31p per litre of fuel! OMG! Water is more expensive than fuel!

[@KymIllman]

What are you paying the UK now?

[@zakdaly1985]

@@KymIllman £1.50/1.60 Diesel and £1.30/1.40 Petrol.

[@iliketowatchducks]

you're quite palatial

[@numraali1807]

Thank you for sharing Bahrain with us. A small request, please don't put music of any kind close to the Muslim call of prayers. In this video music almost overlapped the call of prayers. Cheers 🤗

[@losness24]

Did you just buy a Rolex on a whim?

[@KymIllman]

They didn’t have what I wanted but I check every store in the world in the hope that they do.

[@ryanherbert217]

No alcohol on the flight or in the country = Me never going there!!!!

[@mwazze1]

Hi Ryan, it's a shame that people don't know how to enjoy themselves without a drink. So sad really.

[@MKRCinema]

@@mwazze1 Just show's how fake people are! Cannot have fun without alcohol it's sad. I'd love the country. No alchohol. No drunks. How lovely

[@Movingforward2000]

Alcohol bans are crazy. Liqour is available galore in Spain no problems.

[@ryanherbert217]

@@mwazze1 Sorry but I like to enjoy myself sometimes with a drink when I go on vacation

[@ryanherbert217]

@@MKRCinema I know right? I’m so fake because I like to enjoy myself with a drink sometimes when I’m on vacation

[@dreams4357]

That seems so expensive, why wouldn't you sleep in a cheaper place from booking and just stay close to the track on the race days, especially since the race doesn't happen for another week? I don't mean to tell you how to spend your money if you want to and can afford that's lovely. Just from my pov, it seems excessively lavish