Visitors from all across the Arabian Peninsula have come to view the northern Saudi Arabian desert bloom, which was brought on by stronger than usual winter rainfall.
Muhammad al-Mutairi travelled nearly six hours from his hometown in the centre of the kingdom to view the unusual display of colour in the desolate surroundings.
As he looked out over the sea of purple that stretched as far as the eye could see in the desert outside Rafha, close to the Iraqi border, the 50-year-old retired teacher stated that no one anticipates that this view is in Saudi Arabia.
He praised the plants, known in Arabic as wild lavender, saying that their scent and appearance “refresh the soul.” Winter rains brought deadly flooding to parts of western Saudi Arabia late last year. Whereas in northern areas, they have brought life to the desert.
