Manama Hotels
|
  | |  |
my vacation within my vacation
Entry 46 of 57 | show all | print this entry |
|
I stopped by Bahrain, a small island in the Persian Gulf, to visit some friends who are working here and to take a break from finding places to stay, sights to see, food to try, etc. It has been very relaxing and rejuvenating as I hoped it would be. Having been here once before I knew there wasn't much I wanted to see (and there really isn't much to see anyway) and the goal was to hang out with some friends and relax.
It's been a good time meeting other 'mericans here and hanging out with friends, going to dinner, talking movies and politics, kind of like I wasn't backpacking around the world and just hanging out.
But for travel records sake my impressions of Bahrain. It's a flat, tan, dusty desert island nation that like other nations around here had the good fortune to be located over large oil reserves.
It has a fair amount of money although it has been left behind by the run away oil and trade fueled development of Dubai, and is making a half-hearted attempt to catch up. Like the ridiculously over the top environmentally questionable development projects in Dubai, Bahrain too is creating man-made islands of various shapes encroaching into the Persian Gulf and sticking shiny modern skyscrapers on them. It is largely a business and brief vacation spot for Saudis, as there is a bridge connecting it to Saudi Arabia, and serves as a way for 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 cloud since I arrived. Although it is a bit hazy from the sands and some pollution but not nearly as bad as Mumbai and Bangkok.
The day I arrived we went go-karting next to the new Formula 1 racing track here. The go-karts went quite fast (although mine didn't, at least wıth me at the controls, since I came in second to last or last each time) and it was a fun course full of sharp turns and spin-outs. Car racing seems to have caught on big here- probably because it wastes huge amounts of this area's primary product (I'm not a fan of car racing). Since then I've been relaxing on very comfortable spare beds and large apartments of a couple different friends and going out for nice dinners and drinks.
It's been a good time to kick back and do some research and planning for the remainder of my trip. But all in all not a recommended tourist destination- or for that matter a work destination either, although the pay can be good.
Books: The Interpretation of Murder by (I think) Jeb Sunderlend (?). A unique novel loosely based around Sigmund Freud`s only visit to the United States in the early 1900`s, where he and hıs colleagues are consulted on a murder case ın New York Cıty. Well wrıtten, great dıscussıons on Freud`s theorıes, wıth dıalogue and characters solıdly based on real events. Very good read.
Where I stayed:
with friends
|
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries from Bahrain or try a new search. |
| |
| Table of Contents |
| 46. | my vacation within my vacation - Manama, Bahrain Mar 04, 2008 (  7 ) |
|
|
|
|
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
3 votes 
