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Cave Resorts in Saudi Arabia Offer Unique Tourism Experience

Cave resorts in Saudi Arabia offer unique tourism experience. (SPA)
Cave resorts in Saudi Arabia offer unique tourism experience. (SPA)
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Cave Resorts in Saudi Arabia Offer Unique Tourism Experience

Cave resorts in Saudi Arabia offer unique tourism experience. (SPA)
Cave resorts in Saudi Arabia offer unique tourism experience. (SPA)

Nestled amidst the mountains and valleys of Saudi Arabia's southwestern Al-Baha Region, a unique form of tourism is taking shape: cave resorts.
These creative accommodations, carved into the mountainside by local residents, offer visitors a chance to experience living in nature and the beauty of the region, SPA said on Sunday.
Shada Al-Asfal Mountain, where the cave resorts are located, is a geological marvel. At over 1,700 meters high, the mountain is one of the oldest geological formations on the planet, dating back 763 million years.
The mountain is home to a variety of natural wonders, including ancient caves that were once inhabited by indigenous people, fascinating rock formations, and stunning waterfalls.
The cave resorts offer guests a chance to explore these natural wonders while enjoying all the comforts of modern living. The caves house bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, and balconies with breathtaking views.
In addition to the stunning scenery, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, such as hiking, climbing, and biking.
The cave resorts are also a sustainable source of income for the local community. These resorts showcase the beauty of this region, without encroaching on its natural resources.

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SpaceX Set to Launch Mission to Return Stranded Astronauts

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: SpaceX Crew-9 Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (L) (Mission Specialist) and NASA Astronaut Nick Hague (Mission Commander) wear SpaceX spacesuits as they depart from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Control Building at Kennedy Space Center for Space Launch Complex 40 September 28, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images/AFP
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: SpaceX Crew-9 Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (L) (Mission Specialist) and NASA Astronaut Nick Hague (Mission Commander) wear SpaceX spacesuits as they depart from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Control Building at Kennedy Space Center for Space Launch Complex 40 September 28, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images/AFP
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SpaceX Set to Launch Mission to Return Stranded Astronauts

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: SpaceX Crew-9 Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (L) (Mission Specialist) and NASA Astronaut Nick Hague (Mission Commander) wear SpaceX spacesuits as they depart from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Control Building at Kennedy Space Center for Space Launch Complex 40 September 28, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images/AFP
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: SpaceX Crew-9 Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (L) (Mission Specialist) and NASA Astronaut Nick Hague (Mission Commander) wear SpaceX spacesuits as they depart from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Control Building at Kennedy Space Center for Space Launch Complex 40 September 28, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images/AFP

A SpaceX mission is set for launch Saturday with two passengers on board, leaving two seats empty to return the American astronauts who have been stranded for months on the International Space Station, NASA said.

The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for 1:17 pm (1717 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

It will use a new launch pad, the pad's first use for a crewed mission, AFP reported.

On board will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov.

When they return from the space station in February, they will bring back the two space veterans -- Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams -- whose stay on the ISS was prolonged for months by problems with their Boeing-designed Starliner spacecraft.

The newly developed Starliner was making its first crewed flight when it delivered Wilmore and Williams to the ISS in June.

They were supposed to be there for only an eight-day stay, but after problems with the Starliner's propulsion system emerged during the flight there, NASA was forced to weigh a radical change in plans.

After weeks of intensive tests on the Starliner's reliability, the space agency finally decided to return it to Earth without its crew, and to bring the two stranded astronauts back home on the SpaceX mission Crew-9.

"We know that this launch is a bit unique in moving from the plan for crew members to two," NASA associate administrator Jim Free told reporters.

"I do want to thank SpaceX for their support and flexibility."

SpaceX, the private company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has been flying regular missions every six months to allow the rotation of ISS crews.

But the launch of Crew-9 was delayed from mid-August to late September to give NASA experts more time to evaluate the reliability of the Starliner and decide how to proceed.

It was then delayed a few more days by the destructive passage of Hurricane Helene, a powerful storm that roared into the opposite coast of Florida on Thursday.

SpaceX's Dragon vessel is set to dock with the ISS on Sunday around 2130 GMT.

After a period to allow a handover of duties, the four members of Crew-8 will return to Earth on another SpaceX craft.

In total, Hague and Gorbunov will spend some five months on the ISS; Wilmore and Williams, eight months.

In all, Crew-9 will conduct some 200 scientific experiments.