Bound for Bahrain

We have just returned to Doha after spending a very relaxing weekend in Bahrain. The trip was a requisite for remaining legal in Qatar, as our visitors visas were on the point of expiring and the fines are hefty if you don't comply. The company is busy trundling through the process of obtaining permanent work visas, but there are many hoops and obstacles to overcome first.

Onto Bahrain - a quick 30 minute flight into Manama, the capital city, and after much waiting and fanfare, into a rental car to the hotel just 4 kms away. An hour later, and many wrong turns, reversing, and speculation, we arrived at our destination. (Bahrain suffers from the same map and direction instructions syndrome as Qatar). The hotel is beautiful, comfortable and a great resort destination, although the food in the buffet restaurant left a bit to be desired.


We spent two days exploring the country - a very small island roughly 10 by 30 miles 'big'. We travelled south to the Tree of Life - an ancient mesquite tree that has survived in the middle of the desert. One has to wonder whether it will survive the 21st century social customs of spraypainting, and "let's see how many have to sit on this branch before it breaks". We visited Al-Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve and glimpsed our first views of indigenous Middle Eastern species, like the oryx. Not quite what we expected, as we were shuffled onto buses that sped around a track at a fast clip, allowing all of 30 seconds to view each species - enclosed behind fencing in compounds - felt like I was in the Mazda ad...."zoom, zoom".

We drove on the King Fahd Causeway, a 26km stretch of bridges and roads across a stretch of ocean that links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Loved the Bahrain Fort and all the picturesque mosques in Manama, and towns and villages around. The architecture is as amazing as it is in Qatar. I think that the current generation of designer architects have been given an opportunity to create cutting edge, unique edifices in modern times, much like designers and builders of palaces, monasteries, and churches had in the Renaissance, Byzantine eras, for example. The only question is, will these modern skyscraper structures stand the same tests of time?


We also took some time to amble about in the malls - I have to say that we were amazed and awed by the jewellrey. Diamonds in the 4 and 5 carot range, rings the size of small plums that probably hide three fingers, with between 20 and 30 stones, and nothing under half a carat. There were drop earring the size of toonies, and necklaces dripping in glitter. I stood in front of the displays in eyepopping wonder. One very nice gentleman asked if we would like to go inside and try some on - I didn't know whether to go weak at the knees or giggle with amusement...we thanked him and moved on.


A surprising thing was the exchange rate - 1 Bahrain Dinar is the equivalent of 9 Qatari riyals and 3 Canadian Dollars - needless to say we did not buy much.







But a great weekend and one we will treasure.