Fact File
Time difference + 3 GMT
Geographical
situation: Middle East. An island in the Persian Gulf
Neighboring countries: Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar
Currency: Bahrain Dinar (Dinars/ notes and
fils/coins)
1000fils = 1 Bahrain Dinar
$1 US = 373fils
Official languages spoken: Arabic
Other languages: English, Farsi, Urdu
Climate: Extremely
hot in the summer (June July and August) with temperatures rising to about
40/43°+C, humidity can rise to 90%.
Mild and pleasant winters from November to March the
temperatures are between 10° and 21°C.
Around about April it can rain very heavy and due to
the drainage systems, the drains get blocked and overflow, so take your
wellies.
Best time to visit Between
November and February
Capital city. Manama
Airport: Bahrain International Airport –
Situated in Al Muharraq
Electricity: 220v
50Hz with the exception of 110v 60Hz in Awali.
Visa required: British
citizens most Europeans and Americans can get a visa on arrival 5BD and may stay
for up to 1 month. Gulf Cooperation nationals (GCC) do not need visas, and may
stay as long as they like.
For all other nationalities, visas are required before
they enter into Bahrain.
If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel can arrange
your visa.
Note 1: If anyone has an Israeli
stamp in their passport they will be refused entry.
Note 2: If your profession is a
reporter or journalist, you may well be refused entry.
Transport Taxis
are metered, the taxi drivers don’t like to put the meter on as they try to
charge you what they like, a word of advice, ask the price prior to getting in
the taxi or insist on the meter. From the Airport to Mamama shouldn’t cost more
than 3BD. Mamama Bab-al Bahrain to the Gulf Hotel 1BD max.
Good ways to see around Bahrain to hire a taxi for
say, 2 hours. The hotels are very good at advising the prices. Remember a
taxi picked up outside a hotel is always more expensive than outside on the
main road.
Train service That’s
easy, there isn’t one.
Bus service A
very very cheap way to get around, but as a tourist and especially a western
woman would be advised NOT to travel on the local buses.
Car Hire At the airport there are all the international companies; there are
local firms, best to be advised by one of the hotels, which are reliable.
About the island
v
The
land of palms, on this beautiful island surrounded by the crystal clear blue
sea, you will find date palm trees everywhere you look.
v Bahrain is situated in the Persian Gulf and is the largest island from
an archipelago of 33 islands.
v During the late 1980’s a 25km causeway was built adjoining Bahrain and
Saudi Arabia.
v This year 2002, Bahrain became a kingdom with King Hamad I taking to the
throne, after succeeding his father the late Sheik Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, who
ruled Bahrain for 38 years He sadly died in 1999.
v Bahrain is mainly flat desert land; the highest point is jebel ad Dukhan
at 122.4m above sea level. As Bahrain is an island the fish is out of this
world with the local white fish hamour being the best fish I have ever tasted.
The tiger prawns are so succulent; they just melt in your mouth.
v Banking playing an important
role on the island and there are many banks from all over the world to choose
from.
v Natural gas can be found near
the Hawar islands, just off Bahrain, this is the main reason these islands have
been under dispute with various neighboring countries.
v There are day trips sailing to
the Hawar Islands, a great day out to set up your portable BBQ and just have
fun.
v Dolphins frequent the seas
around Bahrain. A fantastic sight.
v Oil is just one of the islands
natural resources, experts have predicted that Bahrain will be the first
country of the Middle East to deplete it’s supplies of this liquid gold
v Artesian wells are one of the
special attractions, the island for thousands of years have been supplies with
fresh spring water.
v Horse racing is a must to see,
every Friday at the racecourse, life is full of excitement as the Arab
Stallions compete against each other in pursuit of the trophy.
v Falconry is a sport the locals
enjoy, falcons are treated with the utmost respect and can range in the price
of $25000 +.
v Dhows are the traditional
fishing boat, made by the old traditional methods; they are still used today as
part of the everyday fishing industry.
v Sheik Isa bin salman Al
Khalkifa birth house is situated in Muharraq. Fantastic architecture and a
natural wind tunnel, keping the rooms cool in the hot temperatures
Let’s see what we can do on this Island, there’s
just so much to choose from.
So here we are basking in the sun, sitting at the
hotel swimming pool sipping cocktails, or doing a little jet skiing, now what?
How would you like me to take you on a mystery tour, that would be great, feel
free to ask any questions on the way, this is a once in a life time trip. Are
you ready?
Oops! before we start, are
you dressed properly? Bahrain is predominantly Muslim, we don’t want to offend
anyone, skirts are OK ladies, as long as they cover the knees, and short
sleeves are ok too but no skimpy see-through clothes, the police can make you
go home and change. On my trip today you will need some good walking shoes.
Ready? Lets go!
Mamama
We
may as well start in the capital, here we are Bab-al Bahrain, the gateway,
there are tours everyday departing from here; they will cost you around 10BD.
It’s
9am; I think our first port of call will be the ‘cornishe’ the seafront. As
we walk towards the Regency hotel, we are actually walking on reclaimed land.
In the mid 60’s the sea came almost to the Bab-al Bahrain. Even today land is
being reclaimed. If you see poles jutting out of the sea, that is ‘land’
waiting to be reclaimed and has already been bought by the local people. Many
families take evening strolls along the sea front. In the mid 1980’s the ice rink
was built, this over looks the sea, and a nice ice cold drink sitting outside
watching the sun go down, finishes the day just perfect.
Camel rides
Just to the left of you, you
can experience a camel ride for 500fils.
The cornishe has been designed
with lush green, palm trees and small huts selling cold soft drinks.
Batelco telephone exchange
Looking towards Manama with
our backs to the sea, it always reminds me of a mini Dallas. The tall tower
that dominates Manama is the Batelco building, a grand tower for the humble
local telephone exchange!
Next to batelco are the white
arches of Bab-al Bahrain with its beautiful tower clock of Arabic numerals has
a certain Spanish look about it. Later we shall endeavour through the arches
into a metropolis of eastern aromas and the glistening gold delights.
The Pearl Roundabout
Leaving Manama we approach the
pearl roundabout. The monument is named so because Bahrain used to be one of
the most if not the most famous pearling harbours of the world. You will notice
on the majority of roundabouts there is monumental symbols each portraying the
culture of Bahrain.
Just
some of the beautiful structures you will see representing Bahrain
The fish Arabic coffee pot Map of Bahrain
Monument outside the regency hotel
The Royal Tombs
As we travel on the modern
highway of Budayia towards the tombs you will notice several excavation sites,
this part of the island hosts the findings to the Dilmun period.
The Royal tombs are the
largest of the 85,000 burial mounds, here in A’ali village. To look at they
look no more than a mass of neatly placed sand and rubble, and it’s hard to
believe that they could be (not yet proven) the final resting place of ancient
kings.
A’ali Pottery
Here in A’ali village is home
to the finest potteries, the Kilns used are those from around 4000 years old,
(they don’t make them like they used to eh?) and still use the old fashioned
methods of moulding clay. Using nothing more than the skill of a crafts man, an
old potters wheel, clay and water, The pots are left to dry in the sun, by
their thousands.
The potters are very friendly
and are happy for you to try your hand at pot making, a bit of advice: don’t
wear your best clothes! The shop is very reasonably priced, and like the rest
of Bahrain a little bartering to bring the prices down is always accepted.
Bani Jamrah
Next stop Bani Jamrah, welcome
to the weaving village, here you will see cloth weavers and basket weavers. The
baskets are weaved from dried palm leaves, so that’s why the village is
situated in the middle of a palm grove. Unfortunately they don’t welcome
tourists in this part very well, best to go with one of the local people.
The Portuguese Fort-Those of you
interested in forts, the Portuguese fort is a must, it has been very well
preserved, and the woodcarvings on the doors are awesome. The Portuguese
occupied Bahrain in 1521 AD. They had sailed from India and from the southern
gulf to Bahrain. The Portuguese were expelled from Bahrain in 1602 following an
incident of the murder of a Bahraini businessman, which had been instigated by
the Portuguese governor of that time.
The Tree of Life – “Oh my what big
branches you have”
I think we’ll head off to the
south of the island to the tree of life. For such a long drive I feel
it’s quite disappointing, but it’s one of those ‘must see’ things, here we are
the tree of life, rumours have it that Adam and Eve were at this very spot,
though the tree isn’t an apple tree, so I guess your guess is as good as mine,
it’s called the tree of life because it’s only living thing that grows here.
Just this one tree amongst the arid dry sandy ground. As we stand here you can taste
the sand, your hair will feel dry and thick with sand, the sweat will start to
run down your back and the only shade is here under the huge branches of this
wondrous tree. No other shrubs grow here, not a whisper of vegetation or
plantation, just this huge Acacia tree, that had defeated time and with her
determination to live remains a focal phenomenon in Bahrain’s history.
Even though Bahrain is a dry
arid desert land there is never a shortage of fresh water here. That’s due to
the artesian wells that run underground. In centuries gone by the
traders sailing from India and around the Persian Gulf used to stop here to
fill their water carriers with fresh water. Who knows maybe it’s nature’s way
of ensuring the well being of mankind to carry on their long journeys. Maybe
the tree of life’s enormous roots have found their way to the wells, keeping
this majestic tree youthful.
Time to head back towards the
city, you will notice as we drive back, the oil fields are filled with
decorated oil wells, some in the shape of giraffes a some into large birds,
wouldn’t the world be a happier place if all boring machineries were made to
look more pretty.
I’m feeling a little hungry
now, how about a shawarma?
These are thinly sliced
chicken, beef or lamb, with a tahina sauce, wrapped in Arabic bread and are to
die for, unlike my cooking which, is usually to die from.
They can be found everywhere
on the island, and cost about 200fils each.
