A short stint in Saudi (and QR Doha Stopover)

[RooFlyer]

Just reading this

This country is spending billions to boost tourism. It’s not working out

With mega-projects falling by the wayside and visitor numbers to resorts below target, a tourism dream is slipping away.

www.smh.com.au

I think the article is a little unfair. ‘The Line’ wasn’t really a tourist thing and it was just barmy from the start.

From what I’ve looked at a lot of of the new resorts and hotels are over the top, very expensive five and six star resorts. At Al Ula, there were several beautiful $1000 to $3000 a night places; the Accor place is reasonably priced but reviewed as coughpy. I was lucky to get a room at the mid price place by booking about a year out.

As I’ve argued in another thread, they will have to allow booze at some foreigner exclusive hotels before the place really takes off. And I’m pretty sure that will come but ‘MBS’ knows he has to take it slowly.

 

[VPS]

I think the article is a little unfair. ‘The Line’ wasn’t really a tourist thing and it was just barmy from the start.

From what I’ve looked at a lot of of the new resorts and hotels are over the top, very expensive five and six star resorts. At Al Ula, there were several beautiful $1000 to $3000 a night places; the Accor place is reasonably priced but reviewed as coughpy. I was lucky to get a room at the mid price place by booking about a year out.

As I’ve argued in another thread, they will have to allow booze at some foreigner exclusive hotels before the place really takes off. And I’m pretty sure that will come but ‘MBS’ knows he has to take it slowly.

I wasn’t agreeing with the article just sharing. I think Traveller do get a little carried away sometimes especially if Ben Groundwater is writing it

 

[RooFlyer]

We pulled into CGK about 35 minutes early. As I think @SYD has described it, a sea of empty arrival gates which I zipped through and then collected my bag (came out about 20th or something), then there was a short hold up in a queue at customs. I went to the red lane as I had declared to Temazepam in my customs declaration, as I had the last time I visited Indonesia, 5 weeks ago. Last time they pulled me over and wanted to see the packet and my prescription. This time although he obviously saw something on his screen, he just waved me through.

My first time at CGK and I must say the baggage Hall is something.



Onto the Anara airport hotel check-in and I was in my room 30 mins after gate arrival. A quick check-in, top floor, away from elevators and the aircon works well.





Those blinds are going to need the sticky tape treatment.

 

[jase05]

My first time at CGK and I must say the baggage Hall is something.

Yeah, not a bad place to hang out and watch the big screens. The underwater display almost looks real.
All up though I reckon CGK is a pretty decent airport. Arriving is so quick and easy

 

[SYD]

We pulled into CGK about 35 minutes early. As I think @SYD has described it, a sea of empty arrival gates which I zipped through and then collect bag,

I assume there must be a “peak” time that QF41 lands outside of or perhaps they’ve just truly future proof the place? Build it and they will come?

My first time at CGK and I must say the baggage Hall is something.

Sounds like the renos have finished! Finally.

Onto the Anara airport hotel check-in and I was in my room 30 mins after gate arrival.

That’s cheating! Half the “fun” of a cheap CGK stopover is getting to your hotel - that isn’t attached to the airport. The Grab / Rideshare zone is a hot mess but seems to work.

 

[jase05]

I assume there must be a “peak” time that QF41 lands outside of or perhaps they’ve just truly future proof the place?

The last few times we’ve been through it was deserted.
This was arvo time in October

 

[SYD]

The last few times we’ve been through it was deserted.
This was arvo time in October
View attachment 494103View attachment 494104View attachment 494105

Yep, pretty much my experience 8 or more times in the last couple of years. Despite that, luggage can be a bit slow to appear.

Then you get outside and the closer you get to the Rideshare and it’s a whole different world! Like, where did these people come from?

 

[RooFlyer]

Then you get outside and the closer you get to the Rideshare and it’s a whole different world! Like, where did these people come from?

It would be handy if you could explain how to get to that. I’ll need it the next time I come through in a week.

The only starting orientation however I have is the exit that is straight in front of you as you come out of customs or there was an exit ( into a car park?) if you kept going straight instead of turning right into the Anara once upstairs.

I assume Gojek is the go? I noticed a desk in the baggage Hall. Should I use that?