The Regency Intercontinental Manama

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.

... a camel. Later on you might see a mirage of a camel. You may have seen the outskirts of a desert town. Later you might see a mirage of the desert town.<br><br>Well, we chugged along, and at around 1:00 PM, we made an entrance into the beautiful town of Al Taif. I was a bit awed. We had just entered, it was just after mid-day and there wasnt a soul on the mainstreets. Later it reminded me of some town in Austria (minus the greenery), with the feel of hills sloping down into the ...

... to the west and Qatar to the east. We didn't know where it was until we were due to fly home via the island. It's interesting to note the road bridge (King Fahd Causeway) which links the two countries and is 17 miles long. Soon to be surpassed by the Bahrain to Qatar 'Friendship Bridge' currently under construction at 25 miles - it will be the longest bridge in the world.

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... 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 ...

... disguisted and ashamed. Aside from that, I had a wonderful visit to BaHrain. haji and I traveled to the desert in BaHrain where we visited the Tree of Life which is a giant tree in the middle of nowhere. Some say that the tree is haunted, others say it is an act of god, others think that the branches reach so far below the earth that they gain water and nutrients from a deep underground acquifer. Whatever the reason, it was an ...