Bahrain Sheraton Hotel Manama

Not much - just waiting at the airport for the flight! Bahrain was both nicer and more boring than I thought, the weather is a lot more forgiving but it's not worth more than about 3 days exploration tops.. Unless you like to get really nittygritty :P

Apparently the Bahrain-Saudi border is on a little island [not sure if it has an official name], which hosts a rest point on either side of the border, complete with matching observation towers. The whole road, which is 45km long, is called the King Fahad Causeway on the Bahraini side, with a different Saudi name.. Interesting stuff! :) Due to it being Ramadan and us not being ...

... of Dubai. There were two interesting buildings - the World Trading Centre, which has 3 wind turbines in the middle of it that produce its power, and a pair of buildings I dont remember the name of that's shaped like two quarter-pikes [skate ramps]!

Our driver then took us to some random palace grounds thingy - basically, it's where the king keeps all of his camels. And there were LOADS of the buggers! We got to go in and stroke one of the baby camels, who at 3 ...

... local tribes around the country (normally last several days, victims are treated well and released without harm once concession from Yemeni gov't is obtained).  Additionally, several Westerners (including children) were killed in the Northern provinces, where there is currently fighting with the gov't now on the offensive, and small secessionist fighting/protests in the South.  The thing that worried me the most though was that Al Qaeda, having been hampered in Saudi Arabia, had been re ...

... 8217;t as productive as I’d hoped it would be, but with the key objectives already accomplished, I wasn’t as concerned. Knowing I was interested in local/Saudi food, the admin ordered traditional lamb for the team’s lunch. Again, it was a ton of food with the lamb/rice dish, a cucumber/tomato/dressing salad, yogurt, olives, hummus and bread.

At around 2:30, I was in a ...

... frightening to be so close to such a different place), photographed the Tree of Life (I almost wilted after 2 minutes in the desert -- how it has stood in such weather for so many years is indeed a wonder), hung out with some camels (they were very charming), drove past an aluminum smelting plant, and walked around the mall (truly insane crowds -- even for this experienced shopper). So, my first impression is that this place is small but interesting, quirky but endearing.

So the time had finally arrived...when we move overseas! Saudi has contacted Curtis and we're heading there in December to check out the living, etc! I am so excited I'm bursting at the seams....another dream come true thanx to my wonderful hubby!! Life really couldn't get any better I don't think. It's funny how things work out...about five to six years ago I would never have imagined my life to be what it is today....the bliss is beyond my wildest ...

... top of a small hill. It is called the Tree of Life because it has no known source of water, but has flourished for centuries. It is big enough to fit a 4x4 under! After wandering around and taking photos, we decided to check out Durrat, an area on the south of the island where they have created eleven man-made islands and were in the process of selling villas to the public. All of the classic (small, 500 square meters) villas ...

... was okay as we passed some good roundabouts ( I have a fetish for roundabouts now), saw the first oil well, saw the Jebel Al Dhukhan (mountain range?? 137 metres tall). Also took a drive down to the Bahrain International Circuit where they have the Formula One - also have the Aussie V8 Supercars in December. Unfortunately we were not allowed in as it was closed. Any way I have been there. We did get lost at one stage. I took a wrong turn and ...

... how Bahrainis are much friendlier than, say, Kuwaitis, and how so many of the trees and gardens on the island have been supplanted by houses. It was not clear whether he considered this to be a good or bad thing because he talked about "too many" trees. Friday night brings the people out, and we walked around the cloth souq to not buy stuff or do much window shopping. We also managed to avoid buying the singing camel. Dinner found us at Al Rawazin (Municipality Av., +973-17227227 ...