Bahrain – which means two seas – is a nation comprising more than 30 islands in the Persian Gulf. It is off the NE coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by a 16-mile-long causeway. It was a former emirate but was officially changed to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2002 when the current monarchy declared himself king. Its capital city of Manama, is a modern city with many interesting buildings.
I was invited to attend the 2018 Bahrain International Airshow, which is hosted at the Sakhir Air Base in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The show itself was epic. There were many types of aircraft parked on the runway, most of which you could view up close or even go inside. The most amazing part was the show itself. The show featured aerobatic flight teams, which were amazing! There were military aircraft, civil airlines and historic legends. The show also featured many hands-on attractions, including flight simulators and gaming zones. I really enjoyed my experience.
Manama – I did not have a lot of free time, but I did manage to squeeze in a walk around some of the city. I really enjoyed the “souk” market areas where they had everything from clothes, dried fruits, spices and nuts to gold for sale. I found the local water fountain with its “shared” cup, so you won’t get dehydrated! Many of the buildings themselves are extremely interesting in design. I also had the most amazing sushi at Maki in the World Trade Center.
Overall – I found the Kingdom of Bahrain very interesting. I was limited in what I was able to take in – I would love to go back to a tourist resort and enjoy the water areas, but I was impressed by the city, enjoyed great food and was thoroughly entertained at the Air show. It is a very hot climate, and dress is modest, so you may want to check out the forecast in advance of your trip. I don’t know that I would say Bahrain is a destination but as always, I never say no to an opportunity to explore something new and I am thankful for the opportunity to learn more about this area of the world.
