Layan Damanhouri

Saudi Gazette

 

With a passion for photography and love for travelling, Hussein Almosawi and Mariam Al-Arab decided to transform their pursuits into a fulltime job.



After marrying in 2012, they decided to travel together and plunge into an exciting journey.



Hussein and Mariam named themselves the “Dilmuni couple,” referring to the ancient Dilmun civilization that dates back to the Bronze Age between 3,200 BC and 330 BC in present-day Bahrain.



Speaking to Saudi Gazette, the Bahraini couple shared their exciting adventures and the challenges they faced.



By travelling to different countries in the region, they allowed themselves to experience the scenic nature and culture of the Middle East and Asia.



Together they enrich their travels by walking, driving in the desert, swimming in hot springs, climbing mountains and even skydiving over the Dead Sea.



Their camera is their intimate companion and personal witness in their journey, regardless of whether they are on land, water, or sky.



By taking photos and filming, Hussein and Mariam share their experiences with the world on travel blogs.



This has allowed them to interact with other global voyagers online. Their travels in the Middle East include historical and cultural sites in Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.



They documented UNESCO heritage sites, such as the Old Jeddah City, Ad-Diriyah, Al-Zubarah Fort and the Bahrain Fort.



They also visited numerous sites such as Ayn Al-Thawara, Al-Shahaniya, Al-Hoqain Valley, Nakhal Fort and others.



Sponsored by Nikon, they toured the different provinces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “We saw many beautiful and fascinating places and made new friends. We would do it again,” they said.



Mariam said that Saudi Arabia has a unique charm. “Each region in Saudi Arabia has a unique charm. After traveling there and documenting our road trip, foreigners abroad contacted me.



My Spanish friends suddenly became eager to apply for visas to visit Saudi Arabia,” she said. She notes that the perception of the Arab world has changed.



“People think of the Middle East differently now that there are wars and political crises. This image creates a bias among the general population.



However, we’ve actually met a lot of wonderful people and encountered welcoming societies,” she said.



“Our travels in the Middle East made us realize that the differences make similarities,” she added.



Touring together has allowed them to discover their souls, said Hussein.  “We discovered our souls. We’re closer friends in travel.



We’re like any other married couple, we laugh, we argue. But welearned to trust each other. While traveling you get to know the person more.



It’s also a way of renewing our love,” he said. When they married, the couple went to Kashmir, India’s Switzerland, on their honeymoon.



Kashmir offered them an adventurous yet enjoyable experience together. They went on a 66 km mountain trek in the Himalayas.



When asked what their favorite destination has been so far, they confessed it was their home country.



After exploring Bahrain, Mariam said, “We prefer walking instead of driving because when you walk you experience your surrounding environment.



You need to stop and reflect. It’s also good exercise!” Currently, they both balance between working in jobs in IT and freelance jobs in tourism.



They also serve as local tour guides in Bahrain. In addition, they are often invited as motivational speakers to deliver talks at universities in the region.



Essentially, their goal is to travel the world and share their inspiring experiences through the media.