RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – No question about it: President Bush hasn't given reporters a chance to ask him anything on this Mideast journey.

On foreign trips, Bush often holds mini-news conferences with his hosts, during which two U.S. reporters and two local media representatives get to ask questions. Yet there is not a single such session on his agenda this time as Bush tackles Mideast peace and soaring oil prices in stops through Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

By comparison, Bush held four of these “press availabilities” in five days during a trip to Africa in February. These impromptu back-and-forths are not always announced like news conferences, but are fairly common.

Through the first three days of his current five-day trip, he has not had one.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said that may change over the last two days of the trip in Egypt. In fact, it would be a big surprise if it didn't.

Bush will have a natural opportunity to take questions after any number of individual meetings this weekend, including talks with leaders of Egypt, Afghanistan, the Palestinian Authority and Pakistan.

Reporters can ask – or shout – questions whenever they deem appropriate. Bush decides when he wants to answer.

As for the shutout so far, Perino said, “It's a different trip in many ways,” starting with all of the celebrations for Israel's 60th anniversary.

She also pointed out that Bush, who normally does a round of interviews before a trip, did an “unprecedented” 10 this time.

After all that, maybe he just needed a break from the press.

Bush has been feted by foreign leaders in many a grandiose setting. Friday night's dinner at King Abdullah's lavish farm complex in the desert far outside Riyadh turned out to be one of the more unusual – even surreal.

The evening was billed as “casual” and was meant to be a low-key meal between just the president and the king. But almost nothing about Abdullah's property says “casual” to a visitor: lush landscaping decorates the outdoors, while the interiors abound with marble, detailed woodworking, gilded furnishings, endless Oriental rugs, heavy draperies and elegant upholsteries.

It was no different in the building reporters were brought into to photograph Bush and Abdullah shaking hands before sitting down to eat. The group was led through room after well-appointed room. But then the media ended up someplace wholly unexpected: the indoor pool and exercise area.

The buffet was set out along one side of the pool in a dozen or so warming trays, while a treadmill and other workout equipment, including a belly exerciser – the stand-up model with the jiggling belt – lined the other. A small table was set up in an alcove.

It's not like the pool area lacked for glamour. The room featured a high glass dome and a massive crystal chandelier. Bush and Abdullah sat in chairs in another alcove, a dimly lit, carpeted study that fit the grand decor of the rest of the property.

“This is the first time he's let the press in here,” Bush warned his traveling press corps before they were ushered out mere seconds after being brought in. “Be nice to his majesty.”