we came from Doha to Saudi the blessed land to perform we called little Hajj "Umrah" we travelled by bus and it take us 24 hours or more from Doha to Makkah, the only situational hustle we experienced travelling by bus was in the boarder of doha and saudi it take us about 3 to 4 hours stranded just to avail the exit tags but it never gave us a hard time because by the boarder Masjid is present, kiosk and dietary center is available and sanitary rooms are clean. From Makkah to Madina will take us 6 hours to travel and by the road in between the holy place you can see Endangered species "BABOON" who's waiting by the road to throw them some food, nobody can touch them or hurt them, but be careful don't open your bus or car doors you might end up travelling without food.
any living organism is strictly prohibited by the Government and as it is written in the "hadith" interpretation of the Qur'an that thou shall not cut down trees, hurt any living animals, creatures, etc.,
1. Availing of Visa. Umrah visa can be applied by the counter or by immigration office itself. if you are a Philippines Passport Holder it is not hard to apply for it as long you are a muslim. Umrah Visa has a validation of 1 month. A total cost for our journey that includes our hotel accomodation and bus fare is only about 750.00 QR excluding food. Along travelling you will just spent for your food more or less 200.00 QR.
2. Way of Clothings. Makkah and Madina doesn't allowed you to wear clothings that exposes your body especially for women, and for men if you are performing pilgrimage you are required to use "Ihram" a two piece white kind of big body towel like, if not you can use the normal clothing.
3. Religion. Saudi Arabia is a Majority of Islam Religion. In this places you can observe that people doesn't sleep, every "Ajan" or a call for prayer people are rushing to pray they don't waste time even they live hours away from the Holy Ka'ba(Makkah) or the Masjid of the Prophet SAW (Madina). Where you can see hundred of thousand or even Millions of(mu'min) followers (Hajj time) who make their own duwaa's in oneness by true submission to God (Allah).4. Shopping. In Makkah Qatar Riyals is acceptable in any shopping places, Makkah was the center of trading way back the time of Prophet SAW. and still they preserved the old city with cheaper price of apparels means paying it with no tax included. however in Madina Qatar Riyals are not acceptable in any shopping malls or in sidewalks vendors, but still give you comfort because in every corner you can see Money Changer where 100.00 QR is equivalent of 102.00 Saudi Riyals.
5. Nighlife. Holy places Especially in Saudi Arabia has different nightlife, people visit this holy place came from around the globe with mix culture and tradition with different languages but easy to understand because they all came to visit and worship in one God and one mission.
6. Places to Eat. There's a lot of cheaper food from these cities from Indonasian food, malaysian, indians, and arabic foods etc. but you can also find Pilipino food mostly in groceries and that will make you feel at home.
7. Public Transport. Bus are commonly used especially people came from different boarders, Taxi's are also available but be careful some Taxi driver fool you around if you don't know the place where you'll be heading they will tour you around to make your meter high but still they will bring you in your destination. but in Makkah and Madina policemen are kind if you are lost or waiting for somebody they will offer you any services like using their mobile phone or give you transportation without any charges no matter what human race you belong.
Subject: The blessed Makkah & Madina 
Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:13 pm
Well Done...! I'm proud of you brother.... insha-Allah you and the rest of ur group can go back to mecca again and perform hajj and umrah.. likewise me ( who didnt visit mecca yet) insha-Allah will go with the same purpose soon.... 
