What nobody tells you about visiting Saudi Arabia

After a lot of research I thought I knew what to expect from Saudi Arabia. Some things matched: Jeddah corniche is as spectacular as every review says, and Al-Ula has a genuine energy I'd read about. The kabsa obsession is completely justified.

What I wasn't prepared for: genuine hospitality. That element genuinely surprised me and added something I hadn't seen in any review. Also: dress code and behaviour norms to observe. That part the reviews undersell. Overall a wonderful trip — just a more layered experience than I anticipated.