Ramee Suites 4 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.

... it was then that I realized: I loved the desert (deep down inside), why then did I not think of making this trip before?! The bus began to accelerate and we were soon on the Riyadh highway. It was all night, and I could see cars zipping ahead. We went on for abot 200 Kms and the driver decided to make a stop at a highway restaurant. All got down, some to stretch their legs, others to grab a bit/a cool drink, or simply to take a walk around.

Soon, we were back on the ...

17/10
Time to be honest. We're heading home.
The last country is a stop-over in Bahrain (for 2 hours) as we fly through the night back to England
We wanted to surprise a few folks so have sneaked home quietly.

Never the less, Bahrain International Airport looked very nice at midnight, all lit up. This small island state lies in the Persion Gulf alongside saudi ...

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

... and American tourists. For one, after several flights that don't touch the US, I have started to notice a pattern. Flying that doesn't involve the TSA, US airport security checkpoints or crowded US planes. You don't have to take off your shoes, separately produce your plastic bag full of liquids and gels, and best of all you aren't presumed guilty until suddenly your passage through the metal detector and several TSA ...

... them to get away from the strict social rules imposed by the Saudi government and their religion (this is opinion yes but ask anyone who has been here). For many reasons there is a large foreign population here (especially Americans) so it is relatively safe and tolerant. One pleasant surprise was the weather- it is very nice this time of year, pleasantly cool in the daytime and chillier at night, and of course I haven't seen a single substantial ...

... non-eventful, although going across the 25 km causeway to Bahrain itself was interesting. When we got to Al-Khobar on the Saudi side, we found our way to the Causeway easily. Going across, we hit the initial Saudi checkpoint. "First time?" asked the man as he checked my passport and vehicle ownership papers, which were all in order. Apparently after you have been across in your vehicle once, they have your details and going through is faster. The next checkpoint looked ...

... funny blog titles ("Dancing in Bahrain" almost won out). As you need a Visa to get to the country, and as most (including us) just buy one when they land, passport control took some time. We were introduced to the local currency at this point as a Bahrainian visa cost 5 Bahrainian dinar. Of course we, and all those around us, had no Dinar. Fortunately, the passport control people were glad enough to accept basically 15 of whatever currency you ...

... King, and was opened to the public 10 years later. It has a range of grazing mammals from the Middle East, Africa, and India, including various sorts of gazelle, dik-dik, spring bok, goats, sheep, giraffes, porcupines (larger and uglier than I had imagined), camels, and so on. A similar range of birds includes crested heron, stripe-neck geese, ducks, flamingos, ostriches, emu, Indian peacocks, African storks, Egyptian vultures, crowned cranes, and banded doves. For a cute little zoo ...