Any Travels

Bahrain is a small island in the Persian Gulf (or the Arabic Gulf, as the Arabs call it). It is linked to its big neighbour Saudi Arabia by a bridge and seperated by a small strait from Qatar. The population is, like in neighbouring Iran in large majority Shia Muslim.

After World War II Bahrain became the center for British administration of treaty obligations in the lower Persian Gulf. In 1968 when the British Government announced its decision (reaffirmed in March 1971) to end the treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms Bahrain joined the other eight states (Qatar and the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms which are now called the United Arab Emirates) under British protection in an effort to form a union of Arab emirates. By mid-1971 however the nine sheikhdoms still had not agreed on terms of union. Accordingly Bahrain sought independence as a separate entity and became fully independent on August 15 1971 as the State of Bahrain.

The main city and most important tourist destination is without a doubt Manama the capital. All other sights can be visited from there.

Places of Interest:

Manama
Manama is arabic for 'sleepy place', but this name does not do the capital of Bahrain justice. Manama (pop. 152 000) contains the country’s major hotels, best nightlife, nicest shopping and primary tourist attractions. The city is located on the northeastern corner of the island. At the heart of the city is the Bab al Bahrain (Gateway to Bahrain) The suq (market place) is charming. Best known among the different markets is the gold suq. There’s also a craft market where local people sell their work across from the Adhari Hotel on Wednesdays.

Shop under more modern (but less charming) conditions at the Bahrain Commercial Complex and Yateem Centre. On the way there you’re sure to see the swirly Pearl Monument on King Faisal Highway. Just beyond is the Mina Manama (a dhow port where you can watch the boats being built).

Bani Jamrah
This small village is famous for its weavers, whose cloth comes in many different patterns and can be bought at their shacks. The shacks are located a few hundred metres outside of the village proper - a subtle indication that visitors are welcome to drop in on the weavers but not on the villagers. The shack across the road from the cemetery is the one where most visitors go to see demonstrations of weaving and to buy cloth. To reach the village, located about 10km (6mi) west of Manama, take a bus from the capital to the Ad-Diraz Temple and walk the remaining few hundred metres.

Muharraq Island
Muharraq has been spared much of the modernising that's transformed and smoothed over Manama in recent years. Its souk is funkier and more interesting than the one in the capital and there are a couple of well-preserved traditional houses, the Bait Shaikh Isa Bin and the Bait Seyadi.

Both houses date from the early 19th century and are worth visiting. Bait Shaikh Isa Bin features beautiful plaster work and carved doors and has a working wind tower - an ingenious structure designed to direct the slightest breeze into the interior.

Culture

As flashy and modern as central Manama may be, the basic rhythms of life in the island's many villages (and in parts of Manama itself) remain remarkably traditional. By the same token, where there's tradition in the Gulf there's Islamic conservatism: women cover themselves from head to foot and women travellers are expected to wear long skirts and one-piece bathing suits. Bahrain's population is 85% Muslim and Islam is the state religion. Arabic is the official language but English is widely spoken.

Traditional craftwork continues in several places around Bahrain: dhows (fishing boats) are built on the outskirts of Manama and Muharraq, cloth woven at Bani Jamrah and pottery thrown at A'ali. A few goldsmiths still operate in the Manama souk, though a lot of the work is now done abroad. One of the mainstays of Bahraini culture is the drinking of traditional Arabian coffee. You can't go far without finding a coffee pot in a shop or a souk. Traditional Arabian street food like shawarma (lamb or chicken carved from a huge rotating spit and served in pita bread) and desserts such as baklava are also ubiquitous. While a bit thin on Arabic food, Bahrain has a bonanza of Indian, Pakistani, Thai and other Asian specialties.

Xtreme Heat Alert
The weather is humid and hot especially in peak months such as May-late September. It is better to travel in cooler months. Try to stay indoors as much as possible. And leave behind your straightner. No hair product has been invented that will keep the frizz away in those climates.