Unforgettable... (Bahrain)

Name: chaviane

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Product:	Bahrain
Date:	13/05/04 (817 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exotic, Interesting, Different

Disadvantages: Kinda Hot, Still developing

When people ask me why I went to bahrain...I have to say, I have no idea. It just happened. It all began when my dad gave me an ultimatum to be in my country within 4 days for a family matters. Of course, I have to find the cheapest last minute ticket. The one that available with a very reasonable price was gulf air. Although, I'm kinda afraid because I never use this flight carrier and I have to go back and foward, from Europe, I have to go to the Middle East before I actually get to Asia, but as long as its cheap....fine by me.

I was really shocked when I realized that I have to transit in bahrain for 12 hours!!! when I got to heathrow airport, I've tried to made up some reasons not to go...but I can't. My friend cheer me up and said that 12 hours is not bad...since I love shopping, I can do window shopping around the airport....yeah, right!!!! even a woman with nothing to do will not be happy to shop around the airport for 12 hours!!!!! so, with not-so-excited-looking face...I walked into the plane.

BAHRAIN FROM THE TOP

Ok...after nearly 8 hours on the plane the flight attendant told us that we're almost there. I opened the window and looked outside. Its such an amazing view. I can tell how ambitious the government of Bahrain to make their country to be known in the world. I saw very modern road with developing beautiful parks everywhere that will definietly looks fantastic within couple of years.

Wait...I also saw a road above the sea...increadible! a very beautiful bridge and many very arabian buildings...and the sea is sooo...blue...hum..enough about the outside view, from the individual little screen on my seat, I've decided to watch a "preview" of information about Bahr
ain...

ONCE UPON ARRIVAL

Then its the arrival time. Muharraq international airport....I cant think of anything except finding a good seat and just sleep...hoping to be a sleeping beauty for 12 hours...I dont feel like carrying my laptop around and because I just transit and dont have a visa for Bahrain, I got the feeling that I can not leave the airport...a guy told me to stay on the queue for my room...even I'm kinda confuse, I just did it anyway. I was suprise that they gave me a four stars hotel room for free!! *Yipee*...now all I have to do, just wait for the hotel's car to pick me up and take me there.

At the hotel, it was cool...I got my own room and its included breakfast, lunch and dinner..and even cooler that I got a big-big room all for myself!!! But I dont wanna miss Bahrain by just enjoying my room (well...we have that in our country too...*giggle*). After a quick shower and some branch...I went to the lobby, after making sure that its ok for me to go around, I asked them what is the best way to travel around the country...they recommended me to hire a taxi by the hour, that way, I dont have to look for it when I want to go to several places....so, I did that.

A LITTLE BIT OF STATISTIC

I'm not so good with statistic, but I try to remember what I know...The kigdom of Bahrain at the momment is lead by H.H The Amir, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa...it has about 33 islands. It situated at the Arabic gulf surrounded by two Arabic seas. The biggest Island is the one where I was and it also where the capital is. The country itself is not big...only about 707 Km2. As a g
irl from a country with thousands of Islands, I think its a tiny place...my hometown even bigger than that. But still...when I arrived, I had a strange feelings about Bahrain, felt like I'm in a strange exotic yet mysterious place that I'm excited to explore....it just...different.

According to the taxi driver (so its not 100% accurate...hehehe), the population of Bahrain is about 600.000 people and about 80% of them is expatriats...included the Indian taxi driver itself. The weather when I was there (November 2003) is around 35 degree celcius. Even I'm from a tropical country...its still too hot for me. Thank God, that I carried water with me the whole time.

The currency in Bahrain is Bahrain Dinar. I'm not sure how to make it into smaller amount, but US$1 = BD. 0.375 I always have US dollar with me, so I spent that entire time I'm in Bahrain...but I also changed my GBP and I have no problem with it. One thing to keep in mind is to always change your money at the authorized money changer and never change your money at the hotel unless you have no choice, because the difference is very high. Once you find a good money changer, make sure you change reasonable amount, because its not so easy to find it in Bahrain.

DRIVING AROUND

I asked the taxi driver to just drive around before I decided to go to a particular palces. On our way, I saw many city landmarks....the most interesting one is the one look like a jug...its made a smile on my face because I wish there's a ginie come out of it!!!...then we were around the capital -MANAMA- its very different, because it has many modern building, but in general, I like the combination between modern-tra
ditional in the city.

**KING FAHD CAUSEWAY**

Then we driving near the sea, I saw the bridge that I've seen before from the plane...it is an increadible bridge...The King Fahd causeway...it is included as one of the most expensive bridge in the world...not a wonder at all, because this causeway is the connection between two rich kingdoms...Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Too bad that I dont have visa for Saudi Arabia, so, I can not cross the bridge....if I saw a handsome Arabian Prince standing in the other side of the bridge...I'm willing to cross it...even without a visa... fine by me!!! ...hehehe...*kidding* but even just looking at it, I'm satisfy enough...its just amazing!

**AL KHAMIS MOSQUE**

This one is one of interesting building that I saw in Bahrain. The design is unique and very accient. It is also one of the oldest Islamic relics of the region. It is great that they really preserve it well. The beautiful view around it really support the beauty of this mosque.

**THE SEEF MALL**

Well...this is what happened if I'm not so specific to the taxi driver. When I told him I want to go shopping...he took me to a beautiful mall...The Seef Mall...its the biggest mall in Bahrain and yes, mostly rich and famous shop there. What it got to do with me??? nothing. I can not by anything because its expensive and its too standard as well. I mean, inside shops are about the same as you saw in many countries. But I still enjoy it, because its in a beautiful buildings and I love the lighting and the water fountains inside the building.

I found a little post office ther
e, but I have to go upstairs to find book shop that sell some postcards...ta da, at least a visit to this mall will make my postcard-maniac cousin happy...

**THE SOUKH**

-The Gold Soukh-

Well...well...this is the one that I've been waiting for. From the plane info, Bahrain is famous for their gold and this is the market for it....so, it will be a sin for me if I dont visit and buy something!

It is so unbelievable when I saw a building full of gold shops!! Its like...well...how can I say...supermarket of Gold! so many design to choose for...from exotic Arabian style to decent European style.....I have to take a deep breath not to panic. Gold in Bahrain mostly 21 carat and Hallmark...

My eyes were on the Arabian style jewelry....I just wanna look like Arabian princess for once....*ehem*...plus I'm in Arabic country, its good to get something to remember it. You can also made-to-order the jewelry you like....but I dont have time for it...

The service is great as well...you can choose what you wanna see on the wall or inside the table...and the guy will take entire tray so, you can choose it freely. He also very coorporative, he showed me how to wear the earings because its a bit confusing to me (Arabian woman have their own style!) and how to mix n' match it. In general, I'm a very satisfy consumer.

I dont know its more expensive than my country or not....but I already in-love with their collections....I also dont know should I bargain or not for gold shopping...so, with a smile, I asked the sales to give me discount and he gave me a really good deal....one key to shop here, small shop doesn't mean cheaper....and I used credit card, the big shop that I went to didn't charge me extra for c
redit card...but some other shop did...and the prince also different...I guess...shop around!

-The Fabric Soukh-

After I got about 5 earings and 3 pendants *Pheww!* I decided to walk to the other side of the soukh...I saw market full of veggies...but I'm not a plant person...so I went to the other side....the fabric side...same as the gold side...its so full of beautiful fabric...so many colours, style and textures...too bad I'm not so good with sewing, so, I'm just do some window shopping. I want to buy an arabian dress for myself....but I saw a cute little arabian men clothes and little girl dress!!!

It was so cute, so I decided to get some for my nephews and nieces....especially its very cheap only for BD.3 for a whole set! But when I decided to get a dress for myself...I saw the shop closing....what happen!!!

The taxi driver told me that the shop in bahrain is open 08.30 to 12.30 and will be open again around 15.30 to 19.30.....man!!! then I have to go back to my hotel and forget my beautiful dress!!!! *wanna cry!*....I can not return the next market hours, because I have a plane to catch...

**LEAVING BAHRAIN**

After incredible driving and shopping...I spent my entire afternoon sleeping...I packed my shopping stuff and get another shower....have some tea down stair and wait for the car to pick me up to take me to the airport.


At the airport I saw some intereting duty free shops...and I found a good spot to sit and wait for my delayed plane...I dont know why, I felt like my time in Bahrain is too short...I wish I can stay longer...

15 hours on the plane from Bahrain to get to my country, all I can think of was how to tell Bahrain experience to my family...
.I have so many to tell them....none of them even think that I will stop there to get back...

Until today, I always smile when I remember Bahrain...the exotic places I saw...the nice people I met...and...the food I've tasted....when I saw my nephews running around our house with the Arabic clothes....I still feels giggling in my tummy....I wish I have a chance to go visit there again...because...Bahrain...simply unforgettable...

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