Well I am into my third week in Saudi Arabia. I have now been on all the bus shopping trips at least once. And with this completely limited experience I shall give you my review. At number one in the Dhahran Mall with the Jarir Plaza across the road. Mind you crossing the road at night is an experience in Extreme Sports. Dhahran Mall is huge, but not confusing. It is one big circle with a few side corridors that always lead onto the main circuit. Highlights of a cultural education are the many women in Abaya and trainers power walking around the circuit to keep fit. A few years ago Saudi began to open some all female Gyms, but apparently it did not sit well with some aspects of Islam. But as resourcefulness goes, power walking while disguised with handbag and empty store shopping bag works. The second amazing thing is the Aston Martin, well I think it was an Aston, give away. My Arabic did not stretch to how the competition worked but it was LOUD and CHAOTIC but everyone seemed to be having fun. But I am sure there are quieter death metal concerts. Sports stores are in abundance and you can buy almost anything you desire. I have not as yet seen any people actually exercising, but I am sure if you dress right, the weight will just fall away. But other cool shops include Celio*, for people at home, this is a good thing. Also Next, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Bata for a British feel, GAP for the all American look and Sfera to do grunge Europe.

If you have not completely exhausted yourself with the department stores, you can negotiate the 8 lane highway and cross over to Jarir Plaza. Really small but very yummy for food. A Swiss Patisserie, Olive Oil shop, Tea shop, and great supermarket. Also Ikea at the end of the car park. Time your day well to breakfast in the Restaurant Patisserie in Dhahran, clothes shop until 10AM, and cross to food shopping until 11:45AM. This is important; you have to get inside Appleby's Burger House before the midday prayer. Then you are locked in and eat is comfort and privacy. No, Faye I have not been tricked into Carnivorism, I had all the sides, garlic mushrooms, garlic mashed potato and Caesar salad, no pork in Saudi therefore no bacon to destroy a perfectly good salad.

Tamimi in Khobar is a 24/24 supermarket with a French cake shop and good pharmacy in the same centre. A short stroll to a Souk and the huuuugggeeee Jarir book store. It is also near the Kornaish (sea front esplanade) and the Le Meridian hotel which has internet for SAR20/30 mins. This is expensive, but the speed is great and more important women can use it. The coffee lounge there isn't too bad either.

Now for the Tack-a-rama par Excellence. Dammam Souk. Apart from the fact it is further away than any other shopping centre, it is a world of cheap T shirts and stale perfume. CK rip off jeans that are just as expensive as the real thing. Apparently the fish market is really good and you bring your own bucket to keep fish fresh on the return journey in the bus. Being a Vegetarian, I'll take people's word for it. I went there and lasted 45 mins than begged a taxi to take me to the Khobar Kornaich (see Le Meridian above).

Most of the rest of the shopping centres are good and generally well priced. I guess at the end of the day it is how much you want to spend.

Finally the Rashid Mall. The biggest mall on the Arabian Peninsula. This place is massive on any scale. For Sydney people it would give Miranda Fair a run for its money. I have been there 3 times and managed to get lost on all three occasional. I finally learnt that you chose 1 of the 13 exit gates and circle out slowly from there. The entire Canberra Centre would fit into half the top floor. And there are three floors of shops, not to mention the amusement park, food court, mosques (you'll find them in all centres) and apartments.

If by now you are thinking why I am talking about shopping centres in a travel blog. Consider this, Saudi Arabia has, no cinemas (I miss Harry Potter), no bowling alleys, no bars, no night clubs, virtually no tourism. Expats can travel within the country after their probation and Bahrain is very close, but the social life is to shop. Women don't seem to use the amusement rides, but that might just be the time I was there. Oh, Rashid Mall also has a great go-cart track.

Finally, I nearly forgot. Dhahran Mall has an amusement park and an ice rink