Anniversary in Bahrain
Trip Start
May 06, 2006
1
40
48
Trip End
Ongoing
Manama,
Bahrain
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Decided to take the wife to Bahrain for our anniversary. It is only a 140 km flight that takes about 4 hours when you have to be at the airport two hours before the flight leaves and then go through customs and immigration at the other end. Went on the British Airways flight that has a stopover in Bahrain on its way to London.
Interesting that the plane only reached 13,000 feet and traveled at 625 kph. Just after we were served the orange juice (they feel obliged to serve something) the captain said "20 minutes to landing - cabin crew please prepare for landing". We were in the air for 25 minutes maximum. Very few passengers on the plane as most Qatari would fly Qatar Airways direct to London.
Airport was easy - not many people
Al Fateh Grand Mosque 1
. I paid for our visas in advance on the eVisa site. I thought this was a good idea - one less hassle at the airport. Cost 7 BD(Bahraini Dinar) (25AUD) each. Immigration officer said not to buy them online as they are cheaper at the airport - only 4BD each. He just wrote it out. Live and learn. [BTW 1 BD is equivalent to 9.5 Qatari Riyals - I was busy doing conversions in my head] Hired a car from National - easy - open 24 hours. Easy drive to most hotels. We stayed at the Elite Suites and were upgraded to a one bedroom suite. It is an Arabic hotel and has a non-alcohol policy. Breakfast was included and was okay except no bacon (I don't count beef bacon).
Driving is different to Doha. People wait at roundabouts and give way to others. I found myself impatient as I am so used to slotting in to any available space and just flooring it. They also have some pretty roundabouts. Most streets are good except when you go in to the older part of town - just drive and keep your wits about you. Don't worry about cars coming straight at you on the wrong side of the road just go around them on the wrong side of the road - makes sense??!
Day 1 was National Museum (great - best place to visit), Al Fateh Grand Mosque (impressive - see photos), Dolphin Park (closed) and then shopping
Al Fateh Grand Mosque 2
. Malls are great. Our hotel was very close to Dana Mall (has a large theatre complex), Al Seef Mall (biggest and best), Al A'ali Mall (exclusive expensive shops) and Geant Mall (Bahrain Mall). The National Museum on the Corniche was well worth the 1 BD (500 fils each). Had a good history of Bahrain and some very good displays. The recreation of the burial mounds was interesting - real bones and skulls etc.
Al Seef Mall reminded me of the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai without the ski field. Many shops had 50 % off. We saved a lot of money. My wife kept saying that "we couldn't buy this in Australia". Probably why it is cheaper to live in Australia.
There was an impressive antique shop in the Bahrain Mall. We ended up buying a rather large lamp in the shape of a teapot. Saved 40% - only 30BD (100AUD). They had some great stuff - I wish it was easier to ship it back to Oz.
Day 2 was the adventure day. I drove down to the tree of life - a mature mesquite tree standing in the desert by itself. This was two-thirds of the way to the southern end of the island. Took about twenty minutes
Al Seef Mall
. Not worth seeing the tree but drive 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 ended up on the King Fahad Causeway that links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Luckily I was able to find a way back.
We did go to Gold City but it is not as good as Dubai or Doha. Would be okay if this is your first one. I was more interested in watching the Indians playing cricket in the vacant blocks.
Went to swee the burial mounds at A'ali. Intersting - they are just beside the road - no fences, gates... Walk over them, dig them, whatever. We didn't - too much respect for the dead. Made the trip to the museum come to life.
Day 3 - last day in Bahrain
Burial Mounds A'ali
. Really had trouble filling in this day. Asked for and got a late check-out - 2:00 pm. Decided to go to the Water Garden - sounded impressive. Not really. It was a run down amusement park with a kids roller coaster, some ducks in a pond(one was dead - phew), rabbits and peacocks in cages and a small race car track for kids. No photos - don't bother. Went back to the hotel room and watched some TV. Had a good pizza and fruit cocktail drink for dinner at the Al Seef Mall. Bought some more stuff at Toys R'Us - saved 50%.
Drove to the airport. Good duty free section. Had a bar where I bought some red wine and chatted to some South Africans who were working in Kuwait. Kuwait is a dry country they were envious that I had a liquor licence for Qatar. Flight back was good - half empty plane that left early and arrived early.
Overall impression: Bahrain was the first of the Gulf States to "westernize". Now left behind by Dubai and Qatar. It needs another injection of funds. Might get some more tourists when they build the causeway between Bahrain and Qatar. Good for young people who wish to go out for the nightlife. 5 star resorts would be good for a relaxing break but costly. If you have a choice, do Dubai or Doha.
Not for tourist sigtht seeing like Jordan.
