Page 96 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

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COMMUNICATIONS
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The southernmost of this group of routes is the best known, that
from Yambo4 to Medina (Route No. 33). It is much travelled, sijiee,
owing to their insecurity, the direct tracks between Mecca and Medina
are more shunned than used, and pilgrims arriving by the Hejaz
Railway often prefer, and sometimes are obliged, to go down to
Yam bo ‘ and continue their journey by sea to Jiddah. Similarly,
after the Mecca visit, many who wish to see Medina also, reverse
this process rather than risk a caravan journey between the towns.
But even the Yambo:-Medina road is very far from safe, as well as
ill-watered and arduous, owing to the broken, mountainous character
of the country in the last half of it. Tor these reasons also there
are many local variations in the line followed. The track most
frequently used seems to be that by way of Safrah and Hamra.
Supplies. In the first part of the journey water is abundant only
after the spring rains ; there are good springs and streams through­

out the mountainous section. Some fuel and fodder are obtainable
along the route, but other supplies, in any quantity, only at Yambo; .
and Medina. I
i

(v) Coast Routes in Hejaz

The Egyptian Hajj route, from Akaba to Mecca, is described as
Route No. 34. It is a well-defined track along the coastal plain and
keeps generally near the sea. Along the whole of its course it
presents no difficulties for laden camels. Between Hanak and Hura
the Hajj caravan has on several occasions been attacked by the
Juheinah, while in the neighbourhood of Rabugh the Harb tribesmen
„ render it far from secure.
Supplies. Water is obtainable at most stages, but there is none
between Wejh and Hura. Fuel and fodder apparently suffice in
most places for the Hajj caravans. Vegetables, dates, and sometimes
other fruits are obtainable at certain points, but general supplies
only at Yam bo ‘ and Mecca.

The coastal route from Jiddah to Yambo‘, which, with an alterna-;
tive track between Jiddah and Rabugh, is given schematically in the ;
following chapter as Route No. 35, crosses the sandv Tihamah, anil
here and there the going is very bad even for camels. The iournev
is usually made by sea. ' •
Supplies. is plentiful at some stages, but is of poorj

quality ; fuel and fodder are found along the route in sufficient
quantities for small caravans ; other supplies are obtainable onK
at Jiddah and \ambo‘.