Look what I found when I was clearing some files from my work database .... a review I wrote after I had been to Bahrain in June 2001.
As part of my job, working within a global conference and events organiser, I used to do so much more International (and somewhat more exotic) travel than ... Read review
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Advantages: Warm, hot, fascinating place to visit Disadvantages: Very humid ! 9 hour flight !
Look what I found when I was clearing some files from my work database .... a review I wrote after I had been to Bahrain in June 2001.
As part of my job, working within a global conference and events organiser, I used to do so much more International (and somewhat more exotic) travel than I currently do ;-( but I still can't grumble and I went to Barcelona on business last weekend and go to the South of France on business (of sorts!) ... ...by a hotel group and was over 5-days including a trip to Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 9 UK based event organisers were invited and all expenses were paid, as we all met for the first time at Heathrow airport and flew over to Bahrain (9 hour flight) with Gulf Air (very comfortable airline).
The oddity of being in such a foreign & alien destination, climate and culture for the first time, was accentuated by the fact that I was with ... more
Look what I found when I was clearing some files from my work database .... a review I wrote after I had been to Bahrain in June 2001.
As part of my job, working within a global conference and events organiser, I used to do so much more International (and somewhat more exotic) travel than I currently do ;-( but I still can't grumble and I went to Barcelona on business last weekend and go to the South of France on business (of sorts!) next weekend.
This particular trip was organised by a hotel group and was over 5-days including a trip to Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 9 UK based event organisers were invited and all expenses were paid, as we all met for the first time at Heathrow airport and flew over to Bahrain (9 hour flight) with Gulf Air (very comfortable airline).
The oddity of being in such a foreign & alien destination, climate and culture for the first time, was accentuated by the fact that I was with 8 people I had never met before. Shame is, I have lost contact with most of them and we had a whale of a time.
This review won't include any pricing, as it was comlpetely all expenses paid, and I have no idea of what the individual prices were. However, Ritz Carlton is one of the most exclusive hotel chains in the world, and you can easily be paying upwards of £400 per bedroom per night to stay in one!
~~~~~~~~ Overview: ~~~~~~~~
Bahrain is an island situated off the East Coast of Saudi Arabia, to the north west of Qatar, possibly comparable in size to Jersey. The hotels are of a high standard and the conference facilities are exceptional, particularly at The Gulf Hotel and Le Royal Meridien Beach Hotel & Resort, which are the largest for meeting space on the island and can house up to approximately 700-800 theatre style. The island has an excellent 18-hole golf course with a small restaurant on the 1st floor and a bar / clubhouse on the ground floor. There are also a number of museums with local artefacts and historical data / information, that are very interesting to visit, providing a number of intriguing facts about local history. i recall when the local travel management company took our group to the museum mid afternoon, I was happy to get out of the searing heat as my little bald head was frying under the rays of the sun!
List of companies included in review:
1. Le Royal Meridien Hotel 2. Riffa Golf Club 3. Destination Management Company (DMC) - Bahrain International Travel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Population / Cultural Details: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bahrain has a population of 620,000 inhabitants, of which about 50% are less than 25 years old. Manama - the capital - is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Gulf, and attracts many western business people and workers from other countries. As a result, nearly 50% of Bahrain's residents are non-Bahrainis or ex-patriots.
The people of Bahrain are very affable, welcoming and hospitable, and are the reason behind why the country is also known as the 'Island of the Golden Smile'.
Bahrain occupies a strategic position on the great trade routes of antiquity, with good harbours and abundant fresh water, and its people have always been natural merchants.
Bahrain was the first place on the Arabian side of The Gulf where oil was discovered. Fortunately for the local economy, the discovery of oil coincided with the collapse of the world pearl market. Since pearling had been the mainstay of Bahrain's economy until that time, oil offset the pearling trade and slipped comfortably into the role as the nation's main economic asset and chief export. Today, Bahrain refines the oil produced by Saudi Arabia. No more pearl necklaces for the locals, just spurting oil !!! hehehehe (Was that one just a little too risqué?!!!) ;-D
~~~~~~~~~ Language: ~~~~~~~~~
Arabic is the official language but English is also widely spoken among the cosmopolitan population. Even Scouse was quite widely spoken due to the number of ex-pats ... we migrate everywhere us lot you know !
~~~~~~~~~~ Currencies: ~~~~~~~~~~
The Bahrain Dina is the currency of the Island and was roughly equivalent to £2.00, when I visited in the Island on 08/06/01.
Visa Required - payment on entry into the country (at the airport) -, costing approximately £10.00. A full 10-year passport is required and must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your planned departure date.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pros of Destination: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Multi-Cultural - The Sun / Warmth - Service: Very high standard - Easily accessible - Good incentive destination - Ample Conference Facilities
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cons of Destination: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Humidity and Heat - Cost ~ Although, comparatively speaking, Dubai is very expensive
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transportation: ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bahrain International Airport is located approximately 10-15 minutes by road from the city centre (Manama) and is serviced by British Airways and Gulf Air from Heathrow daily.
Hotel Shuttle buses provide a regular service and also taxis are abundantly available at a reasonable cost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bank / Religious Holidays: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some holidays within the region are not fixed dates and vary from year to year !
I have detailed below what they were in 2001 and 2002 as I did for my work review, as I cannot find any current infromation on the web ... I may be looking in the wrong oplace, but the below will give you some guidance at least;
Eid Al Adha (Sacrifice feast for pilgrimage to Mecca) 04/03/01 - 06/03/01 21/02/02 - 23/02/02
Al-Hijri (Islamic New Year) 26/03/01 15/03/02
Ashoora (Shi'ite days of mourning) 04/04/01 - 05/04/01 24/03/02 - 25/03/02
Prophet Mohammed's Birthday 04/06/01 24/05/02
Lailat Al Miraj (Ascension of Prophet Mohammed) 14/10/01 03/10/02
Eid Al Fitr (Feast after Ramadan) 16/12/01 - 18/12/01 05/12/02 - 07/12/02
National Day (Fixed Date) 16th December
New Year (Fixed Date) 1st January
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Medical Information: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Typhoid and Hepatitis A are both recommended by your doctor, but not essential if you are staying in first class accommodation. However, it is recommended that you do not drink tap water and keep to drinking water out of bottles.
I recall taking the safe option and having the jabs ... when i went to the doctors and said "Go on then jab me" ... the bastard just kept punching me in the face. I actually had to ask for the typhoid and hepatitis A vaccination!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weather - High & Low Seasons: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As you may imagine in this part of the world, it becomes very hot and humid at certain times of the year.
August is probably the hottest month of the year and temperatures can climb as high as 45-50 degrees Centigrade (approximately 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit - or to put it another way … bloody hot!!!!). The humidity is also very high and is a wet humidity as opposed to the dry humidity we experience in Britain.
The temperature can drop to between 8-15 degrees Centigrade (approximately 46-60 degrees Fahrenheit) during December, and sometimes a little lower. Poor Arabs ... I really don't know how they cope ! God, or should I say Allah, love them.
Even if your skin type is dark and you have dark hair, I would start on a higher factor sun cream, because it's amazing how quickly the sun burns through to your bones ... yeah ... your bones !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Government / Political Situation: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bahrain is ruled by the emir, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. He replaced his father Shaikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa (try and say that if your drunk … or scouse!!), who died in early 1999. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa is the Prime Minister, and Shaikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa is the Crown Prince - Confused?!!!!
There is 40-member Consultative Council, which initiates debates, drafts laws and makes recommendations to the government.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Main Hotel Groups Represented: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Le Royal Meridien Bahrain (Now the Ritz Carlton Bahrain) - Group: Le Meridien (Now Ritz-Carlton) - Modern 5 Star Deluxe Resort & Conference Hotel conveniently situated 10 minutes drive from the international airport and 6 minutes drive from Manama city centre. It is adjacent to the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre and close to the diplomatic district of Manama. This, along with its excellent conference facilities, makes it ideal for the discerning businessman (or woman). - 232 standard deluxe and studio rooms and 32 luxury suites. Every room offers satellite TV, direct international dialling, built-in safes, Internet access and a fully stocked mini-bar (though surprisingly easy/quick to empty!!), 24 hour room service. The Royal Club Floor features an exclusive lounge offering complimentary breakfast and cocktails. - Conference Facilities - Conference centre / Auditorium - accommodates up to 1000 delegates, along with Grand Ballroom and foyer - accommodating up to 1200 delegates and divisible into 4 sections. 3 multi-purpose conference rooms from 20 delegates upward. - Bars / Restaurants - With 3 bars and 4 restaurants to whet your appetite, every taste is catered for. Enjoy light refreshments in the sunken Tea Lounge; relax in the colonial style surroundings of the Plantation Lounge or amidst the dignified elegance of the Burlington Club. Chefs from all corners of the globe provide a range of culinary delights, from exquisite Italian cuisine in sophisticated surroundings to the finest Mughali dishes in a truly regal setting. Live music will also often entertain guests as they dine or sip drinks. - Leisure - The hotel has very extensive leisure facilities. The only hotel on the island with a private beach, which is truly magnificent. The Royal Sporting Club offers an indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium, spa, sauna, and massage facilities. In addition, there is an outdoor pool, bar, tennis court, along with various water sports and beach activities to enjoy.
In fact, I have a story about the outdoor pool ... one of the girls who I was on the trip with suggested that we go skinny dipping at 3am when we (the group) were returning to the hotel after a night out on the tiles ... of course, as I quite liked her, I said yes, but as we were both sneaking off together, we were accosted by the other 7 and had to spend the night in one persons room, telling jokes !! It was a really good bonding session with the whole group, but I was a little gutted I wasn't getting up to no good outside !! hehe
It would have been perfect for such an occasion, and the outdoor pools have secluded areas on the tip on the sea, with landscaped gardens surrounding.
2. Riffa Golf Club Bahrain
- Group: Independent - 18-Hole Golf Course - The Riffa Golf Club enjoys pride of place among Bahrain's golfing fraternity as the country's first 18-hole Championship golf course. - Located - just 15 minutes from central Manama, the club is "…a remarkable oasis of luscious fairways and immaculate greens blooming in the arid desert landscape south of historic Riffa. - Club House - Overlooking the golf course on 3 levels is Riffa's Clubhouse, described as modern Arabic architecture, designed to blend naturally with the contours of the surrounding landscape. - Meeting & Dining Facilities - The Clubhouse houses an informal spike bar, 'Braids', which serves refreshments and light meals all day and 'Juliano's', a New York Italian restaurant with outdoor terraces serving dinner every evening and lunch on Fridays. On the uppermost level, the Riffa Suite offers an exclusive venue for private functions, meetings and small conferences.
This was actually a very entertaining visit, even though I am not a golfer. We had a quality lunch in the golf club and then ventured out onto the golf course, where each of us was provided with a golf buggy! Now, picture the scene ... we are a group of mostly young English boys and girls, all hung over from a late night out in Bahrain, where none of us have ever been before, and we have all been up until 5am telling jokes in one of the girls' rooms ... and now, we have individually been put in charge of 9 golf buggies on one of the worlds most salubrious and expensive golf courses ! Carnage? Mayhem? .... I can without doubt say that this was one of the most humorous experiences of my life, as we all set off in a line, literally racing one another round the golf course, as puzzled members looked on wondering who all these mad English people were, playing bumper cars with golf buggies and driving one another off the greens and fairways, over quite considerable drops onto the paved walk / driveways !!
3. Bahrain International Travel (DMC)
- A DMC run and operated by 'Christine Metzger', a German national who married a local Muslim and settled down in Bahrain. - The DMC offers a full service, including finding locations for special meetings / dinners, providing transfers, organising incentives, touring local museums, arranging flights and so on. - A number of different excursions can be organised for incentive groups or as delegate spouse programmes, such as : 'Magical Capital', 'Culture & Religion', 'Treasure Island', Fascinating Journey Into The Past', 'Desert Miracle', 'Excitement At The Arabian Horse Race'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What to see & do: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a relatively small country, Bahrain packs in an amazingly large number of tourist attractions, such as, Oil Museum, Currency Museum, Bahrain National Museum, A'ali Pottery & Burial Mounds, Basket weaving, Saar Settlement, Barbar Temple, Desert Camp, Heritage Festival, Riffa Fort, Dhow Building, Museum of Pearls and Diving, Bahrain Fort, Arad Fort, Shaikh Isa bin Ali House and many more.
In addition to the many places of historic interest, there are an abundance of shops to scour for bargains. Although, it is more of interest to visit the Sukh markets rather than the large purpose built modern shopping centres / malls.
~~~~~~~ Nightlife: ~~~~~~~
Manama is definitely the place to go clubbing, but Thursday night is the Arabic Saturday night, as Friday is the Muslim day of rest.
Therefore, our group ventured out to a local club on the Thursday evening, which was full of air crews, American and British ex-pats, where we had a wild time. However, on the Friday evening, we ventured out to a different club, and we made the total club attendance up to about 15 on that night !!
In fact, I have a story about Sambuca and Tequila from this trip !! I was dancing with two of the girls, as the rest of the group were getting the drink in and standing around a small circular table. Louise re-joined the group, leaving Jo dancing and me. Once I was a little tired, or disinterested in the music, which had turned from UK funky house to lord only knows what, I returned to the bosom of the group, where some drinks sat on the table winking at me. I saw a brandy glass turned upside down, with a clear thick liquid filling the stem, with a shot of tequila, some salt and a lime sat beside. "Scouse, you have to do the tequila slammer and then snort the Sambuca!" ... "I have to do nothing of the sort I retorted", as Paul rallied "Everyone else has done it you big Jessie !", continuing to the rest of the group... "There's always one wuss isn't there?!" ... Bowing to public pressure, I duly licked the salt, down the tequila, sucked the lemon and proceeded to snorting the Sambuca up my right nostril, as my eye immediately started to twitch and tears streamed down my right cheek ! "Dick head!!" I heard one or two of the guys shout, as the girls howled with laughter!! "What?" I proclaimed .... "Only Paul did it you idiot and he was sick and had an instant nose bleed!" commented Louise .... "Err.... thanks guys!" I retorted.
Anyway, Manama is definitely a place to go for a mad night out in Bahrain, but generally speaking, Thursday is the night to do it !
Advantages: Good nightlife and pearl shopping Disadvantages: Not much there for tourists
I may well be horribly biased but I think this is a fantastic place. After all I was born in Bahrain, but I hadn’t been back for at least 15 years when I visited family friends for a week last summer. It strikes me that Bahrain is far from an up and coming tourist destination. I had great time, but I was with a resident.
As far as background goes Bahrain is a tiny island in the Persian Gulf. It’s not particularly famous for anything ... ...with Qatar and it’s pearl fishing. It’s mainly desert or city, there’s not much else. But for me the place has character. Again this may be being among friends and to tell the truth I’m having difficulties thinking of things for tourists to do.
The best sight I can think of is the royal palace built out in the desert by some particularly batty ruler. It’s apparently based on Windsor Palace and is quite something, rising ...
Rowan 05.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Bahrain
Bahrain is a rare pearl in the Arabian Gulf. More relaxed than it's strictly Islamic neighbours - it combines the rich Arab culture with a more relaxed, somewhat Western, outlook. This small island, connected to the Saudi Arabian mainland by an enormous freeway, is oft a weekend escape for expats who can sample a pint of beer (alcohol is forbidden in most Muslim countries and anyone caught with it is severely reprimanded).
It is also a place for ... ...a range of goods at very competitive prices. From huge displays of 21 carat gold to sumptuous fabrics or hi tech devices, a visitor can take advantage of the competitive prices. Be warned though that you should be prepared to bargain!!
For the historically minded, a visit to the ancient fortress is a must. Alternatively you could go and look at the old pearling dhows, many of which are still in operation.
Arab people are very friendly and in Bahrain, ...
penguin_too 17.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: Bahrain
Advantages: Undiscovered by most! Disadvantages: Soon will be!
As cabin crew i visit Bahrain on average once a month and I never fail to enjoy my trip. I can stay from anywhere between 12 hours and 10 days and love it everytime. Where do I start?
Well, we usually stay in the Diplomat Hotel in Manama which is sheer luxury and caters for all your needs. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the tv keeps you up to date with news from around the world. When you drive up to the hotel really takes your breath away. ... ...step out of the air conditioned bus just makes the whole experience out of this world.
So, what do we do? well, shopping usually features on the itinerary at least once a day and a good time to wander around the souk is after 5 when it is cool and the streets come alive. I can honestly say, hand on heart, i have never seen any women harassed and as cabin crew wandering around with other girls i have always felt perfectly safe. The gold souk is great ...
cheekychunkychops 15.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: Bahrain
Advantages: Can see it all in a day or two Disadvantages: No beaches, lack of tourist attractions, expensive taxis
An island with without any beaches? It doesn't seem possible yet somewhow Bahrain manages to acheive it. A tiny island attached to the vastness of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is a Kingdom with big plans. Like many of the other Gulf countries, it is a melting pot of cultures and there's always something to be looking at - women entirely covered in veils showing only their stunning eyes, Indian workers spending their Friday relaxing on the grass in the middle ... ...new Porsche's - the list goes on.
As a holiday destination I would be reluctent to recommend it unless you were timing it with the Grand Prix or visiting someone you know. I think there are other Gulf countries offering more to the tourist, including the UAE and Oman. There aren't many tourist attractions, there's a couple of museums and the odd souk, but not a great deal more. Thursday nights are fun to 'watch' though as Bahrain become alive with ...
lillygirl 03.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: Bahrain
Advantages: Hot weather, friendly people Disadvantages: Being stared at
I visited Bahrain in 2002 and met my other half who was on R&R from posting in Kuwait. The holiday got off to a good start, I sat next to a lady on the plane from Amsterdam who was from Dallas and we also travelled together on the way back. I was nervous travelling alone but found myself in good company. She was visiting her partner who was on holiday from working in Saudi Arabia.
I liked the place, but found it a culture shock. I stayed at the ... ...The hotel was very nice and I enjoyed spending time by the pool in the daytime.
I made sure to cover up my shoulders and legs when venturing outside of the hotel to observe local customs. I confess I wasn't prepared for being stared at so much, I guess my blonde hair and blue eyes didn't help! I found this quite uncomfortable.
Overall I enjoyed myself, my partner and I visited the gold souk where he bought my engagement ring. We had a lovely meal ...
Abbey11 01.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of General: Bahrain
