The Kingdom may have undergone many a changes over these five years but I would nonetheless want to put down those wonderful memories and experiences etched in my heart.
Manama is the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, an archipelago, with Bahrain island the largest covering 55 kilometers. Yeah you saw it right......it is a little island country with Iran to the North, Saudi Arabia to the West and Qatar to the south-east.
It is one of the gulf countries which has developed financial services and tourism as it major sources of revenue and you will be invited to an endless lineup of high rise, sophisticated, financial structures as you enter the country.
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| Bahrain high rise |
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| Another of the high rise views |
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| Way to airport |
Each of the arabic countries I have visited, Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE, compete in the abundance of man-made marvels, excellent infrastructure and the sophisticated way of life that they have.
Most of Bahrain is concentrated in Manama and Al Muharraq. I was staying at Al Muharraq which is home to large souqs (markets) and had to go to work at the Diplomatic area.
Most of Bahrain is concentrated in Manama and Al Muharraq. I was staying at Al Muharraq which is home to large souqs (markets) and had to go to work at the Diplomatic area.
The country is a shoppers delight with the Dana mall, Bahrain mall and the City Centre Mall being most sought after. One can find all the top brands and shopping was a significant pass time for me. It is also the favored by tourists who come from other middle eastern countries to Bahrain on weekends.
Taxis are available at major areas and on call to go around Bahrain. One can pick up a conversation with the cabbie to know more about the country, its heritage et al.
Being an island, Bahrain coast is another of those places where one can spend beautiful evenings just being there and it is a hangout of Bahraini people.
The King Fahd Causeway is a man made marvel that is a series of bridges and causeways connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. It was unveiled in 1982 and is 25 kilometer long, four-lane road.
The causeway is divided in three parts and we traversed it from the Bahrain side that is connected to the border island with Saudi Arabia. Right from the beginning of the causeway you get this feeling of a mighty sword cutting the Gulf of Bahrain. A watch tower on the Border island (aka Passport Island) gives a breathtaking view of the miles and miles of the Gulf.
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| Partial view of the causeway - Bahrain side |
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| Bridge to causeway |
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| At the Border Island |
This trip to the causeway was kind of a wrap up to the excellent hospitality of the Bahraini people. They are adorable, simple and a delight to talk to. Bahrain being a home to many immigrants from South and South East Asia gives a feel of familiar atmosphere around it. When you visit the bazaar or the delightful eateries in there there is this sense of belonging in the air.
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| Places near the souk |
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| Places near the souk |
- December 2008, January 2009
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