Why visit Saudi Arabia?

[@samialotaibi6911]

Saudi is in the middle of a transformation within 5 to 10 years u would see a different country Great video

[@Movingforward2000]

What `transformation`? A muslim country with all it`s restrictions is always a muslim country.

[@awex7]

not even middle. just the start. give it 50 years and itll be past any other country in this world

[@asmapnu8052]

it is incredible to see how detailed he described Saudi Arabia, its people and culture and of course its diverse environment.

[@MUMMY9ful]

Welcome to saudi 🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦❤️

[@slm106106]

Great to have you here thanks for your video about my city 🇸🇦

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for watching!

[@hrc1402]

Welcome to Saudi Arabia

[@eddypraet3536]

Another beautiful contribution Kym,love to watch them and one could learn some valuable lessons through them…

[@aeon7748]

Wow that cat at 7:00 is well fed and beautiful!! I'm glad someone is taking care of him/her lol, I'm from Jeddah and Thanks for visiting us we love you!!!

[@KymIllman]

Thank you too!

[@terryrobertson8382]

Nice tour of an interesting country. I thought it mostly flat desert, man I was wrong. As always thanks for your unique approach to the whole world of F1.

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure!

[@Bkr-m6k]

Come again❤

[@PinoyEncyclopedia]

tnx for the museum tour

[@MuhammadNiz007]

Great to see you showing Saudi

[@ducadukeoflondontown9473]

Amazing Jeddah video... love it!! Thanks a lot, Kim. I was also there at the incredible Jeddah Corniche Grand Prix last week, but I never got to visit these amazing places that you went to. Next time hopefully, now that I know what to check out after.

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@shaxxs]

I could smell all those herbs and Arabs perfume from that market all the way over here, my favourite is definitely Oud's smell

[@Coffeelover-tz5lt]

I am form Jeddah I was very glad to see you having a wonderful time in my city 😃

[@nathan_ro]

They really don’t mess about in Jeddah a friend was there with the British embassy official passport did the same as you with photo wise and still had a 15 min discussion with police

[@deepinthewoods8078]

Interesting and mysterious country, which has changed a lot (mostly for the better) over the last couple of decades...

[@SainAsimjee-gd4tc]

Kinggg dhoooom kingsss soudi arabia👍💫💫💫💫👍

[@777Srp]

Another great insight video! Keep up the good work Kym. Just love how you cover it all.

[@KymIllman]

I appreciate that!

[@MassivePaper]

Thanks Kym, really enjoyed this one!

[@KymIllman]

So glad!

[@jonnyonedart]

Hi Kym, great video, balanced. This is my home for the last two years. Can be challenging sometimes, but the country is pressing ahead full steam. Ive seen the huge changes in the last few years. On your next visit, take to time out to go to Alula and Abha. Quite different to the rest of KSA. Absolutely stunning. Worth the visit. Cheers, John

[@KymIllman]

A few people suggested I do that

[@rc2634]

Amazing

[@juanmiguelsuarez]

Interesting video, quite nice details to consider 🤔

[@KymIllman]

Glad you think so!

[@andyyy2009]

Yes! Kyms travel tips returns 👌👌

[@KymIllman]

Enjoy!

[@motorsportfancam]

Would love for Kym to do a motorhome / road trip video on one of the double header European trips

[@PJhSeth]

I love these videos! Thanks Kym!!

[@vrccb]

Wow, how Jeddah has changed in the last 45 years!

[@vyomakeshaconsultancy3406]

Hi Kym as i said before you are a walking encyclopedia on F1 and now a travel blogger as well .Nice video coverage and amazing mountain range to see..Gowra

[@waheed12314]

We would love to see you in Tabuk soon

[@xianated]

Great video as always, wanted to say that your voice is really easy to listen to, and appreciate the balanced content.

[@KymIllman]

Glad to hear it!

[@johnnyquist8362]

Over the years, you have provided some of the most interesting and informative videos imaginable. Thank you Kym, for all the Formula 1 info, but also, so much more. We have visited unique eateries, landscapes, local customs and so much more that most of us could never experience in real life.

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure!

[@miltonbrownrigg8409]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks for all the filming and editing

[@KymIllman]

Cheers MB. See you in Melbourne

[@juliswift]

Wow, thanks for another lovely informational video!! 😍

[@KymIllman]

You are so welcome!

[@ejorbe]

This is a great video! Is this going to be a theme of videos on the different countries that host F1 of why you should visit them? I don’t know if your schedule would allow for it. This looked like a lot of work but very cool video!!

[@KymIllman]

When I have 8 days between events I can do a video like this. I couldn’t do it for back-to-back races though.

[@dennisbrannvalls1fan964]

Feels weird to see you in Saudi Arabia after seeing you in Lancelin this morning 😂

[@yassineelkansouli5060]

Australian Colombus, love it!

[@Movingforward2000]

Right. Gays!

[@ml66b]

Love the elevator tip!

[@KymIllman]

Glad it appealed

[@nkandukataya2813]

Great video Kym.

[@sspacegghost]

Kym have you ever shot iceland or patagonia - the later is last on my bucket list...

[@KymIllman]

Never

[@harbsmoe9627]

Welcome to Saudi Kym! It was my pleasure meeting you for a quick second at the paddock club 😉

[@KymIllman]

Legend!

[@wwooww63]

another well constructed vid , i love your variety, the countries ive watched on F1 for decades , you really only see the track since watching your vids i am learning more about travel, places to visit, to eat, and the sites to see in each of these counties , thanks cobber

[@KymIllman]

Cool, thanks

[@soledieairvideos5974]

I think sometimes we forget about all the beauty in these autocratic countries. Really great insight and really fun to watch, thanks Kym.

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it!o

[@mrdokhaa]

Authoritarian countries are the ones that give you the choice between paying taxes or being homeless, and these options do not exist in Saudi Arabia We live in true freedom, and no one can seize our money in the name of (taxes). As for politics, I have seen many countries talk about democracy, but this democracy is fake and has a certain ceiling

[@mamavswild]

@@KymIllman I was SA’d while walking down the street in full daylight in Kuwait and the police did NOTHING. Saudi was worse. And I was covered head to toe in a black sheet and couldn’t even wear my crucifix, and yet this video is acting like it’s such a lovely place even as 15 year olds and women and being beheaded in the public square. This was awful for me to see, and is EXACTLY what the 5000+ princes want of you…they love videos like this. Perhaps the genuine trauma I went through isn’t helping, but you’re knowingly playing directly into their hands. Another commenter asked genuinely if you would feel all right with your wife walking around in Saudi and you answered quite rudely, ‘do you reckon she wouldn’t be safe?’ Well, she would NOT be…not without you walking directly alongside her.

[@redorange7912]

​@@mamavswild all facts, but youre getting downvote bombed. ill say too im all for seeing the positive in things, but reality of the situation should never be completely hidden or neglected even in videos where the aim is to provide a relatively uncommon positive perspective. besides, "do you reckon she wouldn't be safe?" is a strange view. suggests an ignorance or avoidance of massive issue of womens rights in saudi and neighboring countries. 2017 women finally allowed access to gov services (healthcare, education, etc) without consent from male guardian 2019 women finally allowed to register for divorce, apply for passport, etc, without consent from male guardian law change list goes on and on and occured essentially entirely in this century my 2 cents👌figured id also list some of the history that is hopefully already well known. will i also get votebombed? hmm thats tough one

[@JOSECANUCCJ]

Interesting, but been there, done that during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, no desire to return.

[@martinc.720]

ok

[@graemebolger493]

Very interesting experience you had with the Police, good to know that you understand the rules as a guest in there country. I have never been there but I have had many similar experiences in a country that I have lived in for most of the last 25 years. Lao PDR (Laos) are very protective of there Army Camps. Most are in plain public view and on public streets and roads. However if someone thinks you are taking photos or spending to much time outside a camp you may be detained.

[@SyBo27]

Just out of curiositiy: How are they able to check if your muslim? Do you have to bring a confirmation from your local Imam or something?

[@Movingforward2000]

They give you an IQ questionnaire & if you do poorly on that they know you`re most likely a muslim/fool 😄😆

[@ducadukeoflondontown9473]

I think they just ask people in cars what religion they are & maybe a question or two about it. Someone with basic knowledge of the religion could probably easily blag it thru. I've always sailed thru in a car, never been stopped.

[@kazisamir3411]

Problem with Saudi cops not that not all are aware of the rules. I realised it when I was inside a diplomatic Car which was stopped by cops because they thought it was trying to trespass until another higher level cop came & let us in while also apologising for the others mistake.

[@user-qx9zn2cj4e]

So one junior cop didn’t realise your car has diplomatic plates, that means all of them don’t know the rules?

[@stratis722]

@@user-qx9zn2cj4e he said "not all", not "all don't"

[@RiccoMarselino]

Real quick, what is the entry requirements for Americans please? Free visa on arrival or does it cost an arm+ leg? Thanks

[@martinc.720]

Real quick? Google, instead of asking others.

[@RiccoMarselino]

@@martinc.720you're right. Thanks man.🙏🏾 @ricc0_c

[@AzzaTheGreat]

Nice video. Not somewhere I would like to visit though.

[@SamanthaKavuma]

Stunning! 🤩🤩 Although as a woman, it doesn’t exactly top my travel bucket list

[@manspeej]

It's 2023 not 1993 the country has changed massively, this whole thing about Saudi women being oppressed is complete and utter bs

[@Schmayrak]

@@manspeej hahahahaha

[@moStallion]

Women there are respected more than the women in the west. You get fed propaganda n you obviously fell for it

[@Mohagnito94]

Just go and stop believing in stereotypes

[@user-qx9zn2cj4e]

It’s no different than some of the Emirates like Abu Dhabi. Just media perception

[@drod3434]

Thanks, to Kym's amazing video now I don't need to go there. After watching this I feel like I experienced everything. 😉😉

[@KymIllman]

So glad!

[@mpcp27]

Yeah . That's one reason why i watch... May never make it ever to see these places.. Thank you for the videos.

[@Joseph_Martini]

The mountains reminds me of Jebel Jais in UAE 🇦🇪 - Ras Al-Khaimah.

[@Mandykiss4500]

I think if they made the Jeddah area near the Track a Alcohol area for Tourists Only ( non Muslim) it would go a along way to getting Tourists to Visit.

[@KymIllman]

It will happen.

[@mark123655]

Thanks for the video. Hopefully F1 helps Saudi Arabia to change, as they realise the benefit of tourism to their local economy and that in order to get more tourists you need to make things easy for them.

[@BrianKilgoreCanada]

I really enjoyed the travelogue, including the food. --BAK--

[@KymIllman]

So glad!

[@JimSamuel267]

I hear the Jamal Khashoggi tour is very interesting and fun.

[@q19111]

Am I the only one who notices sensor dust/dirt right away? Lol Great video as always Kym

[@BluefearHere]

I think you did the Saudi government and tourist board a huge service with this video. Those policemen didn't know what they might have stopped! Keep these travel videos coming!

[@DerrickM381]

What?

[@BluefearHere]

@Therealstuartrogers I'm saying the video was great. If the police had banned or discouraged Kym from taking thst footage he may have not been able to put such a good profile of Saudi together

[@DerrickM381]

@@BluefearHere oh yeah, true.

[@karenhicks7816]

I’m sure it is great but women are not too welcome. Love watching you. And an avid F1 fan since I was 12 watching the only race shown, Monaco ❤ on Wide World of Sports.

[@manspeej]

Nah women live fantastically here, it's 2023 not 1993, there's this thing called change, this whole thing about Saudi women being oppressed is complete and utter bs

[@karenhicks7816]

I haven’t been so I cannot judge. I has just going on what I hear and seen on KZbin when other women travel by themselves.

[@manspeej]

@@karenhicks7816 stop listening to women that travelled here 20 years ago and start listening to women that travelled here in the past 5 years, also the women that live here

[@Ziehrer9161]

Karen, stop listening to women that dated me the past 20 years about my so called “abuse”. Start listening to my current partner, also my sister. No you can’t ask them outside my presence.

[@karenhicks7816]

@@Ziehrer9161 lol 😂 ok I’ll just your present partner.

[@colettemoolman4410]

Papers do not mean a lot in the middle-east. It's all about your connections

[@fahadal-swayed]

With new system of government and the rulers in the current period, connections are never helpful and no one will dare to do it to help a friend, I’m an amateur photographer and i took couple good pictures of this perticular site and I’ve had no problem at all. Kim really had bad luck this moment 😅

[@tech9803]

They're supposedly opening up the country to tourism, looks like not everyone has gotten the word.

[@colettemoolman4410]

@@fahadal-swayed He sure did have bad luck lol. I've lived as an ex-pat in the middle-east for the past 15 years, so I'm just sharing my personal experience. I have been to Jeddah some time ago. I enjoyed the visit. Was interesting to see all the changes in Jeddah since then, in Kim's video.

[@AngryBarns]

Ha! I had a chuck at that, I mean you

[@nomiguda]

Great video Kym. I know the race schedule is hectic, and fitting in travel filming when you could be having a break ads a complication to what is no longer a holiday, but I would love to see more travel vlogs like this. This was a great experience. Total surprise that this dropped. Thanks for the vid!

[@williamwade7059]

I hate to say it, but this is more interesting than F1😂

[@KymIllman]

Yep

[@shaas1]

As a woman, it's not a country I would travel to. So thanks for a little insight into what it's like there!

[@Movingforward2000]

Mostly gays would go there.

[@mstarling79]

Great video as always. Interesting as to why you were stopped by police. I’ve lived and worked in Saudi for over 7 years. I’ve travelled and photographed all over the country and have never been questioned. Maybe there was something they didn’t like.

[@dylanw8823]

Corruption follows no logic

[@ThunderTiger0801]

Why are they illuminating the streets in the middle east when every car has headlights?

[@manspeej]

Why does your house have lights if your phone has a flashlight

[@ThunderTiger0801]

@@manspeej you thought youre smart but this comparison doesnt make sense

[@MrTARIQSs]

Maybe because better visibility leads to fewer crashes?

[@thenerdylad4201]

​@@manspeej why are you in every comment thread getting mad at people? 😂

[@Movingforward2000]

Because most fools enjoys wasting money on nonsense

[@bertko1710]

Excellent video about Saudi Arabia. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Stay Passionate!!

[@KymIllman]

Thanks Albert

[@AZ11111]

Amazing video 🤩 I really disappointed about the officer who told you can not to take photos because that illegal act from him, I think he just got the job 😂😅

[@kazisamir3411]

15 USD FROM BALAD TO THE HOTEL? FAM GOT FINESSED

[@bazabal1]

Don't forget the monthly beheadings 🗣️

[@renicostareni2313]

Hi Kym! Let see what your follow , D Rod said after he watched this beautiful video",(..."amazing video now I don't need to go there. After watching this I feel like experienced everything". I made his words, my words. Thank you lovely Kym; you let me know more about costums and traditions from JEDDAH.🏁🖌📗💚😁🤝

[@sebb8789]

Saudi Arabia is a beautiful, safe and inclusive place everyone should visit! This message is sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

[@manspeej]

Respectfully sod off

[@dexon777]

safe?

[@manspeej]

@@dexon777 one of the safest countries in the world, the guy that made that comment is taking a jab by also saying it's sponsored

[@kazisamir3411]

Unless you disrespect the rules it's very safe

[@sloppynyuszi]

@@manspeej I think if you follow the rules, I believe the local people are friendly and nice, and I wouldn’t expect to be robbed, stabbed or fall victim of a mass shooting. But in this video you can see there are strict rules that many wouldn’t imagine to be rules. If I took a photo of that Jeddah sign I don’t have accreditation and would have been fined or detained. I think many westerners are more afraid of something like that. As an Australian we are deeply offended when someone calls a prawn a shrimp during our ceremonial BBQ. Though it causes a lot of emotional pain, we don’t get the police involved. Also we have a tradition of talking smack about our government, to keep them in line ;) so don’t take someone slagging your government too personally. It’s just the internet.

[@nathanolson3135]

Don’t go there , I have no idea why a non Muslim would want to go to Saudi Arabia, Some of us work stressfully jobs , so if I have time to go to holiday I would want to go somewhere where I can let loose and actually have some fun . What fun is there to be had in Saudi Arabia honestly ? Islam is those whole country personally and most historical Islamic place you aren’t allowed , the few things they offer other places offer them better , so what the point ?

[@Evteboda]

the main reason is to get a break from alcohol.

[@Movingforward2000]

That would be a stupid break.

[@rantlyy]

As a lebanese i wish the final dinner changed your mind haha. It isnt exactly how we'd make our food but it does look bloody lovely so hope it was good enough to sway you around!

[@DJMarke]

Great video Kym. Looks a great place. The meals, oh my god they looked divine. just got back to Qld from WA (south west) today and the weather over there last week was awesome, enjoy the Melbourne GP

[@amoldaxikar1738]

Good video but way too many ads and interruptions.

[@garnel66]

This has put me off going to Saudi. If I can’t take pictures and drive thru Mecca it’s not for me. Seems too restrictive.

[@manspeej]

"Seems too restrictive" sorry for wanting to preserve the holiest city in our religion lmao

[@dsg45]

@@manspeej With all due respect the type of tourist who would head to Saudi Arabia would most likely be very respectful when visiting Mecca. Saudi Arabia is never going to get a ton of non Muslim tourists, and it’s not like there’s going to be any drunk tourists either.

[@Movingforward2000]

@@dsg45 Right, the place will never attract any western tourism it`s to dry & have nothing to offer them.

[@SamanthaKavuma]

Well this is entitled

[@valydobos6485]

By the way... You should be hired by F1! With a hefty salary... You make much better videos than they make! You show us the world surrounding F1, not only the cars and the main personalities. Keep up the good work! I'm always looking forward to your posts! 😉

[@KymIllman]

I’d be a terrible employee

[@kak7440]

Another fantastic video- thank you Kym.

[@richardmoult9781]

Wonderful insight into a country I'm unlikely ever to visit.

[@lukaszjaskulski5818]

They have to relax the rules themselves if wants tourism to arrive

[@Fortunate-love]

I am in Dubai I can’t wait to move to Saudi

[@knockeledup]

If they want to attract more tourists maybe they should stop harassing people for taking pictures?

[@Drrolfski]

Other controversies aside (like promoting a place with a fishy human rights situation), I'm not overly impressed with these images tbh. I couldn't care less about soulless 4-star hotels that all look the same and where you find tourists only. If you go for a little holiday yourself, why not drink & eat in places where the locals go? That should be far more interesting and educational. And a modern mountain highway circling around a rock is kinda cool I guess but it's not exactly Mother Nature at its finest. TL, DR: Unless you're a serious Muslim, I found little in this video to convince me to visit Saudi Arabia.

[@Movingforward2000]

The place is as dry as the desert itself in all ways.

[@-.-l]

Die in ur rage😂💀

[@martinc.720]

As mentioned in the video, he was invited to the restaurant.

[@Drrolfski]

@@martinc.720 That doesn't make it any more interesting for the viewer to report on it.

[@martinc.720]

@@Drrolfski I was replying to "why not drink & eat in places where the locals go?" - You see one meal out of the many meals he had while he was there. You seem to assume he always ate at the same restaurant. To you. It's not interesting to you.

[@valydobos6485]

Lovely video! You successfully mixed the positives with the negatives. And you strengthened my belief of Not wanting to visit Saudi Arabia. Thank you for this! 😊

[@shaikhammad8104]

I spent my childhood in such an amazing country. 9 years since I returned to my native, I am shocked so much has changed. Thanks for indepth video. P. S. balad used to be my family's shopping destination 😁

[@memeguyTM]

Please buy Liverpool Me Shaikh

[@Stungray22]

Lovely video Kim, I think it's absolutely disgusting the way people pollute tourist attractions and lookout n such , they then go to other countries and do the same and not feel bad about it

[@KymIllman]

Sad huh

[@Mo7amad_55]

5:00 come to saudi arabia and eat chaines food??????!!!!! lol

[@GraemeBriggs]

Quality mate.😊

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed

[@Gramps935]

Jamal Khashoggi

[@Onlyreem66]

🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@-.-l]

2 millions iraqes!!!

[@martinlanders6135]

Would you travel there with your wife?

[@KymIllman]

I can’t see what not. You reckon she’d be in danger?

[@martinlanders6135]

@@KymIllman Not necessarily. I would have though it would be quite oppressive / restrictive towards women there.

[@ducadukeoflondontown9473]

That's total bollocks! Seems like you've never been there or never got to know any of the local women there, as you've got no idea what you're talking about.

[@sosofofo1379]

​@@martinlanders6135 اغبياء

[@ThatSaudiAhmed]

as a Saudi I had this encounter myself , some the officer don’t know the law properly, the cops who knows the law very well they wouldn’t bother you and let you by your day, film or whatever , good thing even tho they were wrong they made sure to do some searching if it was ok to film or no, still some of these officers they should realize by now, by law they can’t ask a person why they recording with a personal camera in streets , it’s not allowed to do that, I hope you had a wonderful stay Kym

[@AndrejJovanoski]

Beautiful country, although not very open-minded, when the police stop you for just taking a picture

[@KymIllman]

and apologised and thanked me for my patience l

[@Coffeelover-tz5lt]

Our cops are very strict about tourist because they are making sure that everything is save some times the think the are is a boom or anything about Security breach it’s not something about open-mind or any of that stuff

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

Yes… please visit our country, but no pictures 🙄

[@ssxv]

خذ 🤍

[@MrsJoannaG]

The fact that people can’t take pictures of public art without being hassled is another reason I wouldn’t want to visit. It’s a shame because the people seem really nice and the country itself looks beautiful.

[@Movingforward2000]

Don`t judge books from their covers. You can`t see on people how they are

[@MrTARIQSs]

Kym just got unlucky there. A small portion of junior cops tend to sometimes try too hard (probably to impress their seniors) and end up making up their own rules, one of them Kym unfortunately stumbled upon. I took a pic of that sign, and no one batted an eye. Officially, it's only illegal to take pictures of sensitive locations (government buildings, etc...) or focus shots on police cars as that can be suspicious.

[@JohnJackson-hy7dn]

No alcohol. Not going there.

[@katmen24]

sorry,but as a L i would be killed there, disrespect for human life is astonishing

[@conkgord]

Come on KYM, "The Corniche" - I don't think so in the proper meaning of the word??

[@MitsuBits]

First!

[@raghavdave6432]

What a joke! They are basically implying that they don't want tourists.

[@Movingforward2000]

Truth is that they don`t & their conformist culture isn`t anything tourist friendly either.

[@MattHD85]

Yeah a country that you can go to hail for taking a photo isn’t for me. This was obviously a paid sponsorship video you should state that. This country has extremely horrible issues that you neglected to talk about, but hey I guess money talks.

[@KymIllman]

Yeah I paid