Elite Suites Manama

So, when I rescheduled my flight with Gulf Air, i had to get business class.  Long story short, I am currently at this amazing lounge in Bahrain (which is close/similar to Dubai) hanging out with all of these super rich Arabs.  I didn't want to pay for another withdrawl in Egypt, so I didnt eat for 28 hours, hadn't showered in 3 days and then I got on this ...

Out of the widow Bahrain looks like lots of dust with skyscrapers on. Inside it is a strange mix of Christmas decorations lots of tour groups who look like they might be going on pilgramage, 25k rolexes in duty free, mcdonalds,costa and free internet to keep us amused. We've got 2hrs to kill - body clocks already out of sink! Am going to try and learn some nepalese from a podcast.

... which had started moving ahead (full marks to the driver for keeping his momentum). I had at some point wondered why the driver wasnt speeding up- it was only later that I learnt that a few days earlier there had been an accident and that all drivers were given strict instructions to keep momentum. Well, I found myself getting in between cat naps, and when I was jolted out of one I realized that we were speeding past some great city - had to be Riyadh, all lit up and awake in ...

... aiport).  About 5 minutes later (about 1.5 hours after getting off the plane), there was an announcement for everyone to go down to the transfer desk we were already at.  The original plane had come from Sana'a, was going to Dubai (where the southerner was going), then back to Sana'a.  All the passengers headed to Dubai were re-booked on Gulf Air flight heading out at 1:40AM.  I was told they could not help me yet as Yemenia had not decided on what to do with passengers heading to ...

... 15 91;ق اللي فيها واللي مافي احلى منها في البحر 10;ن إلا قلوب البحر 10;نيين الطيب 10;ن ...

... Hotel used to be a beach front property -- now it's a mile to the water. Bab al-Bahrain (the gateway at the old customs pier) used to oceanfront, too. M - Muezzin. Cantor who sings the call to prayer. You can hear him as you're driving around town which, I guess, is the point. N - Nirvana. Wonderful and aptly named Indian restaurant. Make reservations in advance and go. O - Oliveto's. Our favorite Italian restaurant on the island. If you're ever here, go and make sure you get some ...

... my swimming shorts. I cursed my foul luck but relaxed and had a good night sleep. The next day I had a good breakfast and then took the short ride back to the airport. I was not there for long and it was difficult to get a feel for the place but the people seemed nice and I think it would be an interesting area to travel through. I think I will have to come back someday and see what it is all about. And of course, being so close to Iraq, you could almost smell the freedom!!!

... within 7yrs Dubai will have the largest "anything" in the world, currently they are will have the largest building in the world this coming September, but plans have already been drawn up to surpass it with another, the largest man made islands (the size of the city of Paris), the largest airport ever, the largest airport and most expensive construction project ever undertaken (Jebel Ali Airport to the tune of $82billion, $62billion ...

... very Western attire to the full abaya (full-length overgarment), hajib (head scarf), and niqab (veil). This covered everything so you could only see their eyes. One of the flight attendants told me that Bahrain is more liberal compared to some other middle eastern countries although many women still wear it when they leave their homes.