(Asia Times - Hong Kong) Tito Drago - The 81-year-old king of Saudi Arabia, King Fahd, accompanied by nearly all of his children and family members and an entourage of more than 3,000, has been vacationing on Spain's Costa del Sol since August 14. He stays in his palace, a replica of the White House named "Mar Mar." Preparing the palace for his visit ran to US$185 million. Luxury villas and 300 rooms in five-star hotels were rented for the rest of the royal family in and around Marbella. Chic restaurants and jewelry shops have cheerfully prepared for the Saudi visitors, who spent $90 million on their last stay, in 1999. During this year's visit, which is to be one month longer than the last one, they are expected to spend as much as $300 million. 50 active-duty Spanish police officers have been hired to moonlight as bodyguards for the Saudi king, princes, and princesses.
2002-09-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive