#fancy restaurants in bahrain

[amriyagroup]

Stay informed with the latest news from Amriya Group. Explore our dynamic Newsroom for updates, announcements, and stories of innovation.

[earl-grey-teacake]

Loscar WIP- Denial, Delusion, Daydream

It has been so long since I posted a snippet. I've been a bit under the weather but I'm getting better. This is a WIP that will be finished soon, along with a dragon! AU, and a Baby!Loscar fic. This was made before news of Logan going to Indycar.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

****

@logansargeant and @kyle_kirkwood Happy to be back in the states!🦅

[photo dump] -Logan and Kyle next to each other on the plane -Logan walking with his luggage at the airport and Kyle’s reflection shown on the mirror -Kyle and Logan eating in the car at a Mcdonald’s drive through -Kyle on a boat and holding a giant fish -Logan at dinner in a fancy restaurant with a chocolate lava cake in front of him

It brought an uncomfortable feeling in Oscar’s heart. Logan never really posted about them on his Instagram. Heck, the only driver’s featured on Logan instagram was him and Alex, but mainly Alex. However, Kyle was always there with a like or a comment. When people were attacking Logan about Bahrain, even though it was the steering wheel, Kyle was out there defending him with screenshots.

****

Thank you!

[thevisafly]

Exploring Denmark: Taking Pleasure in Danish Delights

Denmark – a place of happiness, a collaboration of new and old – the perfect place for any kind of traveller. From festivals, art galleries and botanical gardens to EDM raves and snazzy architecture… The country has something for all who choose to travel here! Hygge Ever heard of the term Hyyge? It’s pronounced “hoo-gah”, and translates roughly to ‘cosiness’. But really, Hygge goes far deeper than that: it embodies warmth, enjoying a comforting atmosphere and good people. Things like sitting under the sun reading a good book, cosying up with your family in front of the fireplace, going on a picnic… All of them are Hygge. And Danish people, unsurprisingly, have a lot of it. It’s a Danish way of life, and you’ll find it year-round – probably why Danes top the charts when it comes to quality of life. If you’re unsure of how to go about embodying this culture, they have Hygge and happiness tours that you and your family can embark on – maybe find yourself, and some new friends too!

A Cycling Country Danish people are crazy about cycling. The country is known for its intense biking culture, and you can travel on a cycle whenever and wherever. They’re freely available to the public, and are actually encouraged – if you fancy a romantic bike ride with cool breeze in your hair and the towering sights of Denmark’s coolest castles at your footstep, then cycling it is. Most of Denmark’s terrain is either flat or mildly angled, and the nation has an expansive network of cycle routes to explore as well. The best part is, you won’t feel even a tad bit out of place while doing it – more than 50% of Copenhagen travels by bike, so you’ll fit right in with the locals!

Quintessential Quadruple – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg These are the four biggest – and most popular cities in Denmark. Why, you ask? Well…

Copenhagen If we’re going to start talking about how amazing Copenhagen is, we need to start from the outside: it’s home island Zealand is just as (if not more) enticing as the actual city itself. Zealand is home to an insane amount of interesting man-made and natural spots that spark contemplation and curiosity upon sight – places like the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and the Frederiksborg Castle are a must-see for those interested in the culture and history of Denmark. Other man-made mini adventures include the Six Forgotten Giants (a treasure hunt in the midst of a forest for these 6 gigantic wooden sculptures), and Camp Adventure (a large cone-shaped monument that has a breathtaking view from the top). Copenhagen itself hosts a variety of eye-catching experiences, including their world-class zoo, aquarium, open air museums and range of galleries. The experimentarium hosts fun science interactions, and the Botanical and King’s Gardens are home to expansive glass domes filled with teeming flora.

Aarhus Aarhus – a city where Hygge embodies its natural surroundings, and seeps its way into the Danish creativity: giving rise to all sorts of amazing urban architecture. To pick 3 of the coolest architectural experiences in Aarhus isn’t hard at all – what’s hard is figuring out how not to want more! The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is home to a walkway bridge-like contraption – nothing fancy, until you see it and realise it’s like walking through a rainbow. From the inside, it’s the perfect embodiment of La Vie En Rose – except you’re seeing the world with more than just one rose-tinted glass: there’s the whole spectrum of rainbow waiting! Another really interesting work of art is the Infinite Bridge. Originally a temporary addition to a 2015 Sculpture fest, it was brought back by popular demand and is now permanently placed in Aarhus’ Varna Beach. You don’t just get the pristine cove and luscious high-rise forestry here – this bridge is a loop, meaning you can walk endlessly around it while uncovering bits of Varna Beach’s multifaceted natural beauty at every round. Lastly, The Iceberg.“What’s so special about an iceberg”? Well, it’s actually not even one – Aarhus Ø’s waterfront has one of the coolest-looking establishments ever – and it’s totally functional, too! It looks like a giant, man-made round of icebergs, and is named aptly so.

Odense The island of Fyn (pronounced “foon”) is where Odense is situated. Home to an eclectic mix of literary and environmental wonder, Fyn is a must-see for those looking forward to a laid-back vacation in the depths of Denmark. It’s ideal for those wanting a leisurely cycle around the countryside, because the natural islandic seascape draws many who go there. It’s also hard not to miss one of the many castles that adorn this part of Denmark, and a peaceful visit to these royal structures is always on the cards: for starters, we recommend the renaissance-dated Egeskov Castle. It’s also the home of Hans Christian Andersen, and many a tribute is paid to the legendary literacist here: he even has a museum in his name, that holds up the prestige of his works.

  Odense is a place to slow down and experience the true Danish spirit – its largest market, Rosengaardcentret (yes, we have difficulty saying that too) is a bustling mix of vibrant people and vintage surroundings. Odense is also the only place outside Sydney where you can try your hand at bridgewalking – this is your chance! Their assortment of bars, cafes, restaurants and public spaces are a great place to just hang out and take it all in. Not to mention the many festivals that take place here, including the magical Hans Christian Andersen Festival, the reputed Odense International Film Festival, and of course, the Magic Days Festival.

Apply Visa Online

Apply For France E Visa Online Apply For China Visa Online Apply For Dubai Visa Online Apply For Australia Visa Online Apply For Azerbaijan Visa Online Apply For Bahrain Visa Online for Indians Apply For Cambodia Visa Online for Indians Apply For Egypt Visa Online for Indians Apply For Malaysia Visa Online for Indians Apply For Zambia Visa Online for Indians

[themrestaurant]

Soon it’s going to be Valentine’s Day❤️ and we have just the right evening planned for you and your special someone to enjoy. Take your Valentine on a fancy date @ The M Restaurant, Adliya Bahrain! 📜BD 14* per couple 🍽Veg & Non-Veg options 🕔 7pm onwards 🥩 Perfect ambience *prices are subject to 10% VAT See you both there! . . ☎️For reservations call +973 - 17580777 / 34580777 📱Book on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/2CH8xFr 📍Villa 15, Road 355, Block 327, Adliya, Bahrain 📱Check out our Valentine's Day Menu : https://www.themrestaurant.com/valentines-menu 📧Email for inquiries: info@themrestaurant.com . . #valentinesmenu #valentinedaymenu #valentineday #lovemonth #valentinesdinner #diningrestaurant #veganfood #vegetarian #datenight #romanticnight #valentinesdessert #dinnerfortwo #romanticdinner #food #familytime #indianfood #multicuisinerestaurant #familyrestaurantinbahrain #valentinesdaycelebration #valentines #valentines2022 #candlelightcelebration #valentinevibes #valentinesdinnerparty #offer #14thfeb #themrestaurant #mrestaurant #adliya

[simona-a-marinkova]

February is a great time to escape the grey weather in London by going to tropical paradise like Sri Lanka. Beautiful nature and romantic sunsets, to cash only and dodginess – here is why Sri Lanka can be fun!

After nearly 20 hrs journey from London to Colombo (it was connecting flight, and spent couple of hours at Bahrain), we landed and although it was late evening – it was still so warm and smelled like sea! Local people seemed friendly and welcoming. Immediately we got many offers for “You need a taxi, Madame?”.

We got picked up by a local driver, arranged in advance. It is easy to book a driver before your trip in Sri Lanka – just check reviews on Trip advisor and make a call. It is more expensive than relying on tuk tuks (local taxis) and public transport, but if you want to see the best of the island over few days – driver is the most comfortable option. Prices also vary, so it is good to speak to several providers and see the best quote. Usually a driver for a week would cost around $360 per person (tourist price).

Colombo

We stayed at a hostel on the beach in Colombo that was an hour away from the airport. On the way we got to see the city – long streets full of local shops and street food places, and loads of “don’t drive and drink” billboards. Actually, local Out of home advertisement reminds me old school European ads – big billboards with loads of pictures and big bright messaging. The pics reminded me of old toothpaste ads. On every corner there was a Buddhist or Christian monument, decorated with similar to Christmas lights. That was kinda of cool. I don’t remember seeing mosques, though it is one of the main religions on the island. Overall Colombo is busy and chaotic city, with usual crazy traffic and drivers taking over at all times. There are not many pedestrian zones (even side walks) and crossing a busy street is a challenge. I noticed locals just start walking on the road, and the cars just stop if no other option. If you visit Sri Lanka for limited time – do not waste time in Colombo.

Our hostel was near the beach, so it was great to hear the waves in the evening and wake up to that sounds in the morning. I was happy to see this in view in the morning:

We were hosted by other travellers there, and spent the evening chilling outside in the garden with a cold beer. Apparently some of them were staying in the hostel for months, hanging out together and basically created mini community. I was talking to one of the guys there, who was working on his PHD and travelling around Asia – he was loving Sri Lanka and the “chaos”. Good place to be when you want to escape the old boring and organised Europe. It is cool to be solo traveller, meet new people and create friendships, but then what’s the point of travelling if you get stuck in 1 place for ages? This is what I did not get about these guys. Plus, the beach is 10 secs walk from LBL Colombo (the hostel) but it is so dirty. It looked like locals use it for trash landfill. It’s a shame, given the golden sands!

In any case, I loved the “romantic” bed we had in our room, which was actually anti mosquito bed:

Btw, payment is normally at the check out – and everywhere you pay in cash only. It was funny that the owner of the hostel asked us which rate we were given on booking.com as he did not know the price himself. LOL. He was so chatty though that took us 20 mins to “check out” and go get some water!

Anyway, it was time to head south to the beach in Hikkaduwa.

Hikkaduwa

It’s a small resort town on the South West coast. We stayed at a beautiful guest house “in the jungle”. Villa Red Lobster – it was my favourite accommodation in Sri Lanka – with its beautiful garden, palm trees, birds singing in the morning and fancy room, I was sold. Not to forget the delicious breakfast in the garden.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It was also several mins walk from the beach, which was great!

Hikkaduwa beach is beautiful – golden fine sand, warm water, and palm trees. The coast line is tripped with bars and restaurants, hotels and shops. I loved talking a walk along the beach, sand, sea and sun – paradise for my feet.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

That’s how we discovered lovely beach restaurant, woth a rooftop view over the sea whilst having shark steak and beer.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Not so great is the busy road Colombo – Galle, which is right next to the beach. Crossing there can be deadly, and you see old buses and cars, among pedestrians on the side. Health & Safety does not exist here.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

You can buy a coconut to eat/drink for 200 rupees on the beach. Good for breakfast, but cannot replace the beer! Actually, females are not allowed to buy alcohol in Sri Lanka. If you are a female tourist – it is fine, you get the drink you want…eventually. I got into a alcohol shop and tried to get some beers. The sales guy called me to come in, got the beers at the back of the shop, put them in the backpack to hide what we bought and left. I was surprised given the number of tourists and backpackers there. It is similar with restaurants – alcohol is not in the menu, but when you ask the waiter for beers – it does not come to them as a surprise. Most people drink the local beer: LION. Sometimes it can cost up to 750 ruppies (£3) which is nearly the same as drinking cocktails in SL. I bet the brand is doing well, because of all the tourists – as locals do not cope with alcohol that well and local ladies are not drinking there.

Food wise – most restaurants offer mainstream European food – pizza, pasta, burgers. I was glad to find some curry in the menus, as I have heard that this is the best place to taste curry. Tourism industry had made the food quite commercial and in terms of curry – nothing special. I personally think you can find more curries in London (and good curries) than in Sri Lankan restaurants. To try proper local food – you need to go to their street food places, which may not look very appealing especially if there are flies around. If the food is cooked in front of you – it should be fine and it is tasty! We tried a local place, and the food there was pretty good! Also, local people do not eat out and thus restaurants only exist to serve tourists. Often you will see tables in restaurants labelled with “For foreigners only“. I find this discriminative, though it makes sense for local businesses. For example – compare the two:

Driving license fine in Sri Lanka costs 500 rupees

Curry in Mirissa beach restaurant (Mirissa is another popular resort) costs 1800 rupees (around £8-9).

In any case, I enjoyed having dinner at a open restaurant also called “Red Lobster”. It was quite artsy / urban style – walls were decorated with customers feedback. Most of it was from Russians and people from other Soviet republics (the majority of tourists there are Russians, and apparently Sri Lanka is a popular family holiday destination for them.)

I was happy with my calamari curry and pineapple desert. Sri Lanka is the place to have fresh smoothies and fruit salads – avocado, papaya and pineapple everywhere! Again, the staff were friendly and smiley. That made me an impression – in Europe we are way more grumpy, well at least the customer service is.

To end the night – we made a visit to the top rated beach bar “Refresh”. Indeed, it is a stylish bar on the beach, so getting a glass of wine on a candle light, hearing the ocean waves is pretty cool. I get why Sri Lanka is so popular among couples.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I would stay the staff there was over friendly – started with a nice chat, as we were approached by a guy working in the bar N. He seemed chilled and joint us on our table (not sure how professional that is?). It all seemed perfect – nice conversation, drinks, more drinks and at some point free bottle of arrack (local spirit drink, often mixed with ginger beer). Result is: drunk N and us wanting to leave. The last customers had left long time ago, bar was officially closed and N wanted to come with us, so he followed us on our way to the hotel. We told him “No, we will go alone” and he must have understood somethig else, because he came back with his motorbike asking to join him! OK, this was not funny anymore – we even walked into another bar to get rid of him, still did not work. After several more attempts – we managed to convince him to go away and we rushed into our hotel. So yeah, beware of local men hospitality if you are on your own at night. Btw, night life in Hikkaduwa is overall restricted – most places are closed by 11. Once or twice a week there is a bar open until 1 am (usually Mama’s or Refresh) and this is the time to get some cocktails and dance it out. These are the places to try good quality sea food.

Galle

After 2 days in Hikkaduwa, we headed to the close by town of Galle. It is beautiful coastal town with a tower along the coast, couple of heritage sites, museum and cute artsy streets. Be ware – there are local people, carrying around anacondas – if you fancy a pic with one. I usually go as far as possible from snakes – don’t like the look of it.

Galle is worth a daily visit, walk along the tower and enjoying the scenery. The beach near by is really beautiful, though waves there were quite strong.

  Here we were – end of the beach part of the trip. Time to head north to Ella.

          Destination Sri Lanka: why to give it a go February is a great time to escape the grey weather in London by going to tropical paradise like Sri Lanka.

[shannonmariesmith]

Fancy brunch last weekend! There are some good restaurants here! ... Bahrain https://www.instagram.com/p/B252TVMBLHoVCTwB4EDAoUKHiMfiSx6JC_edZc0/?igshid=1aobauydl08q5

[travelcenter-uk]

10 things to do in Bahrain

Bahrain, derived from the two Arabic words -thnain Bahr- meaning ‘two seas’, referred to the presence of freshwater springs under the seabed. Considered an island country laid along the Gulf of Persia, this Gulf state is flanked by the Qatar peninsula and the north-eastern shores of Saudi Arabia. Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands and a couple of man-made ones. Bahrain has been recognised as the fastest-growing economy of the Arab world while Manama, the capital of Bahrain is also a rapidly growing financial centre of the world, so no disbelief that they attract numerous international trademarks and events.

They have a dominant market for natural pearls while people from all over the world visit Bahrain just for these beauties. Famed for her world heritage sites, oil fields, shopping malls, towering skyscrapers and genuine beaches, Bahrain is a promising country for a decent vacation. The chill pubs, cafes and restaurants alongside the amiable and down to earth locals add colour to the attractions of Bahrain. Bahrain has an arid climate with tremendously hot and humid summers while the winters are mild and clear.

Bahrain and her decuple of events 

Pearl is yours!

No doubt about the excitement you get when you dive through the warm waters of the gulf and eventually find your desired gem inside a glistening oyster shell. Bahrain has a long pearling history and was once the centre of the global pearling industry. Today you can relive this history and cool off from the heat by joining a pearl diving tour: you’ll comb the seabed with help from the experts. The interesting part is that any pearl you find is yours forever.

Adrenalize at the Bahrain Circuit– March 22nd

The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), referred to as the ‘home of motorsport in the middle east’ is the 1st of its kind. The Gulf Air sponsored, Bahrain Formula one is the 1st Grand Prix in the middle east which took place at the Sakhir desert. You can enjoy exclusive benefits including meet-and-greets with some big names, pit lane walks and even a guided tour around the track.

No formula one? No problem. You get to drive around the track with a 3-seater ‘Dragster Xperience’. Oh! You can try karting around the brand-new Karting Circuit which also includes the new Land Rover dune-bashing track too. The BIC is now open for business all 365 days, and be ever ready for the most anticipated time of your life once you visit the circuit.

History at Qal’at al-Bahrain

A dramatic 16th-century site built by the Portuguese, also known as the Bahrain Fort, Qal’ at al-Bahrain is the capital of Dilmun and an ancient harbour. It was named a UNESCO world heritage site in Bahrain back in 2005. It’s the most important archaeological site in the country. The Bahrain Fort has a site museum along with an audio guide including five exhibition halls with over 500 exhibits to stare upon.

Once the floodlights are on, you’ll be amazed to see the most scenic view of the Qal’ at al-Bahrain’s ancient arches gleam in gold when the nightfall.

Block 338 is ready to appetite you!

Bahrain has a thriving café and restaurant culture. Block 338, Adliya is a charming bohemian quarter crammed up with international restaurants, cafes and small boutiques. It’s also known as the best district for dining. Many of the restaurants’ host live music and dancing events on different nights each week, and don’t forget to ask your waiter ‘’what’s on?’’ while you dine out. Adliya also has exhibition centres and private art galleries with handy exhibits of Bahrain’s emerging artists.

Island hopping in the Gulf islands

Bahrain is the only island destination in the Middle East, so better hop on for a fancy boat ride and start exploring the islands in the kingdom of Bahrain. Visit the Al Dar Islands, a group of beach resorts in the archipelago of Bahrain having a wide range of water sports for you to try. Head on to the Jarada Island to feel the pleasing breeze in a purely natural paradise. Peek into Hawar Islands and look out for the cuties of the marine world. The dolphins play in the calm Gulf waters while the busy flamingos stalk through the shallow salty waters. Who doesn’t love dolphins, isn’t it?

Haggle for souvenirs in a traditional souq

Bahrain has several traditional souqs that are perfect places to pick up souvenirs. Bab el-Bahrain souq and the Manama souq, are the largest souqs located towards the centre of Manama. A trip to Bahrain is incomplete without wandering through one of the traditional souqs. Breath in the aroma of spices haggling with local traders, pick up your electronic goods and favourite shisha pipes. An evening or a weekend walk through the bustling streets of a market will evoke the atmosphere of an ancient souk. Oh! And make sure to try some local delicacies at the Muharraq souk just steps away from the capital.

Saddle up on a horse!

Saddle up on a beautiful Arabian horse for an unforgettable Bahraini experience. Enjoy the mild temperatures on a morning horseback ride across the desert and avoid the mid-day overcast. You will be taken on a stallion suiting your level of experience for an hour guided desert trail with views of the UNESCO-listed Bahrain Fort. Natural lighting for photography and the perfect time to capture the break of dawn are the perks of early departure. Roam around the tranquil coastlines of Bahrain before heading back to the stables.

The Old Houses of Muharraq

Just one bridge away from the capital, Muharraq is home for the pearling trail, the country’s second UNESCO World Heritage site as on 2012. Tourists can embark upon a fascinating journey through the country’s pearl trading history visiting the old houses such as Al-Jalahma house and the Al-Ghus house. The site has a collection of listed buildings, a palace, a mosque and old merchant houses, each one an opulent example of Arabic architecture.

Fancy your water sport skills!

Bahrain’s climate is ideal for water sports enabling enthusiasts to enjoy their hobbies all year round. Their beaches and yacht clubs offer an array of water sports such as windsurfing, parasailing, kitesurfing, paddle-boarding, scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing and jet skiing. Amwaj islands offer an oasis of relaxation, inspiration and calmness with a variety of recreational events to invigorate the body and mind. You can also paddle around the islands in a kayak or canoe, or take a boat from Amwaj Marina to enjoy a picnic out on the crystal-clear waters.

History at the Bahrain National Museum

Opened in 1988, the museum was specially built to display the artefacts identified in Bahrain to preserve the nation’s heritage. The story of Bahrain’s heritage is excellently preserved, taking the visitors on a 4000-year journey through its majestic halls. Across nine halls you can find out about customs, traditions, art, burial mounds and ancient documents with brilliant labels in Arabic and English.

The Gulf Island seems pretty interesting, huh? Don’t disremember to plan your much-awaited holiday with Travel Centre UK awaiting with the cheapest flight rates and the best deals for your convenience. Call us and get personalized & specialized services on finding cheap flights and all the advice essential for your getaway. The Gulf islands must be lonely without your presence, so better hurry up!

Read More:- https://blog.travelcenter.uk/10-things-to-do-in-bahrain/

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright) :- https://blog.travelcenter.uk

[pointlessperception-blog]

Eating something culturally new

16. Bahrain part two

Al Abraaj Restaurant: The famous hummus and Naan bread! Now this is something you get across the world. But you haven’t tasted anything like it before. 

This breathtaking restaurant can be seen as a normal day to day for the people that live there. Nothing fancy. Part of the restaurant is closed off behind curtains for families to be able to spend time alone. Or you can book a room with a big table. After the starter you normally order anything which contains chicken as the main meal. In Bahrain it’s actually less expensive to eat out every day than it is to shop and make food yourself.

Now this is a way I can live!

[emily--explores-blog]

Day 6 - Wild horses, wild day

Today was a day packed from start to finish. I love these kind of days because when I am traveling, I like to be constantly doing things and exploring. This day was definitely fool of adventures and some of the craziest stories from the whole trip.

To start the day off, we went to the naval base. First of all, I had no idea that a base was like a mini city! This place had restaurants, cinemas, schools, everything! Getting to tour it was pretty neat, even though I’m not the most interested in the US military.

After eating A&W, which is something that Ive never even eaten in the US, we headed to the old Bahrain Fort and museum. 

The museum was very interesting and I liked this tour guide better than any of the other guides. After we went through it, it was time to go ride horses! This was something that I was very excited about, as I hadn't ridden horses in years. 

To get to the horse stable, we were led through a very interesting part of town. We saw people showering outdoors, selling food, and growing crops. 

To me, this part of town seemed to be poor with trash laying all over the place. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting. After we got to the stables, it was time to jump on the horses! Oddly enough, the guys that ran the place gave us virtually no instruction or guidance on how to ride a horse, so it was pretty much a free for all. 

Once we were all on our horses, we rode around the pin trying to get a hang of the whole thing. My horse was pretty fidgety and often would swing its head back, not move, or move the wrong direction. Although the weird actions, I was able to get some sort of control over the big guy.

As soon as I felt comfortable, I turned over and saw Chrissy flip head first over the front of her horse!! WTF!!! I was so shocked that she actually fell off. I felt so bad for her and I cant believe that even happened! Next thing I knew, others had gotten off their horses as well because they felt so uncomfortable, but I still wanted to ride on the beach!

Although Chrissy fell off, there were still some of us that wanted to continue. When we all got onto the trail, the next crazy thing happened!

The horse that was in front of Courtney’s got spooked which caused Courtneys horse to go crazy and take off running! You could hear Courtney screaming from far away, which I thought was so sad. :-( The horse ran so fast and so far and she was so scared! Crazy crazy time with a crazy story. 

After this happened, almost everyone wanted off of the horses, including me. I was pretty scared at this point because two horses went crazy and mine was kinda acting weird too. But this whole shenanigan was pretty funny, looking back at it at least. 

After we all got off the horses, it was time to leave. Our next destination was Old Muharraq. This was one of my favorite destinations of the whole week! It reminded me of being in a city near the Mediterranean. It was so neat and cute and quaint. 

After walking around the old town and visiting all of the cultural centers, we started walking to Saffron with the help of one of the tour guides.

He was an ass.

Finally, we made it to Saffron and it was also delicious. It was traditional Bahraini food and I tried a little bit of everything here too.

During dinner, I had been talking to Rotana over snap chat and she told me that she was going to a certain neighborhood where there were cool art galleries and displays. After talking to Cate, she arranged for us to skip the concert that was planned and go to this district!

It was so cool to be able to meet up with Rotana again. Once we got to the neighborhood, we stumbled upon a band playing “Hey Jude” by the Beatles. 

After this, we bet up with Rotana and went to some art galleries and saw some cool art on the street.

We then walked to a cafe that Rotana said that she really liked. We sat down and ordered some tea, and just talked for a while. The owner of the cafe came up and I told him that that they didnt have henna plants in West Virginia.... so he cut down the tree outside his shop and gave me these to plant.

We talked to this man for a long time and he was so nice and caring and really wanted me to start a henna farm in WV so I could make some money and spread the joy of henna. 

After this, Rotana wanted to take us to her apartment to meet her friends and see where she lived.

On the way there, we listened to some really cool music, that I later asked her the names of. Her apartment was soooo nice and fancy on the inside. Her friends were also so kind and welcoming. 

I loved being able to have an inside look at her home and her life. She was so open with us and answered all the questions that we could think of. 

She then dropped us off to our dorms and we went to sleep sad because the next morning was our last day in Bahrain. :-(

[amriyagroup]

Get in touch with Amriya Group for inquiries and reservations at our exceptional Bahrain hotels and restaurants. We look forward to assisting you.

[themrestaurant]

Fancy a teatime treat Choco Chip #Muffins eat in at The M Restaurant Coffee House or takeaway. Call for reservations or delivery +973 - 17580777 / 34580777(WhatsApp) Location : https://goo.gl/maps/mTg16mVz6Xn Find more details @ http://bit.ly/themrestaurant #chocolatechips #desserts #brunch #snacks #cafe #bakedgoods #breakfast #takeout #caffeine #catering #cupcakes #cakes #vegan #healthy #themrestaurant #mrestaurant #bahrain #adliya #restaurant #onlineorder #adliyarestaurants

[emily--explores-blog]

Day 2 - Treated like Royalty

Woke up bright and early in my new palace (Well it was actually a dorm, but the way that we had been treated thus far, resembled the treatment of someone who would live in a palace.) And then we ate some breakfast (provided by RUW in the form of fruit, toast, peanut butter, croissants and...juice. So much juice. Juice becomes an integral part of my sustenance throughout the trip.)

Our first task of the day was to have a meeting with the president of RUW. Exciting!! That seemed kind of important and I got a little nervous because...the president? I don't know anything about his university or his country that much, and I’m just gonna waltz into his university without this prior knowledge? As an American, I always feel very hyper-aware when Im traveling. I don’t ever want to be that stereotypical loud, dumb, American. But thankfully, in this context, I was welcomed here. Invited here.

Something that I would like to note is the prominence of these three men throughout the entire country of Bahrain. On billboards, skyscrapers, installments, road signs, EVERYWHERE. (Another example shown below.)

Everyone loves the king, his son, and the democratically elected prime minister. All part of the same family. Literally, everyone loves them! I would ask girls about them all week, just to see how they felt about the constant reminder who rules them and the girls would always respond positively. They didn’t mind that their face was plastered everywhere or that they didn't really know much about their government. Some girls didn't even know that they could vote.... But Ill talk more about that later.

Next, we toured the entire campus. All 4 or 5 buildings that they have there. Pretty small! Crazy small, really. I didn't realize how small that it was until we got there and still didn't really realize until we walked through the whole school in 10 minutes. After getting to tour the gallery, the law room, the auditorium and other places, we were shown the recreation center where I saw my favorite sign ever. 

MEN NOT ALLOWED. Hell yeah. Girl power.

After this, we had the option of choosing a class that we wanted to sit in. One of the choices was “Arabic Font.” This sounded way better than the other options, for example MATH, so my new friend Clara and I decided to go to this class. GOOD DECISION. 

At first, we thought that we had made a terrible decision. We go into the class and immediately, the professor takes the class to the library. We follow and then learn that the class is going through a plagiarize class! Learning what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Boring. Awful. Get me out of here.

Then, Clara and I decide that this is the worst thing ever and that we need to get out of there immediately. So, we ask the professor if instead of sitting through the plagiarism nonsense, if we could go see some examples of what the students typically do in class. He said yes!!!

So, the professor takes us to his office and shows us some amazing and creative examples of Arabic calligraphy that his students have created. They have transformed written Arabic into shapes and have created beautiful art out of simple quotes. He pulls out shirts that the students have created and shows how detailed and intricate all the shapes and designs are. I now have a new understanding of the complexities of Arabic calligraphy.

Then, the professor asks us if we want to see an example of how to actually write in Arabic calligraphy. While he is showing us how the pen moves and how to apply ink to the pen, he talks about his home in Jordan and his passion for art. We asked him to show us some examples of his other artwork and pulled out his phone and showed us a painting he had just finished. Absolutely amazing. 

Then he pulls out a clean sheet and asks how to spell my name. And before I know it, he had written my name out in beautiful calligraphy, signed, and dated it. A very special moment from a very special new friend. You can see my name written out in the picture below.

After this, we had the opportunity to go to a leather workshop that was happening at RUW. Here, we got to make our own bracelets and add whatever design to them we wanted after cutting the straps out of real leather. 

Then, we went to the nearby Indian restaurant, Lanterns, where I tried Indian food for the first time. It was really good! I had this bread that wassimilrar to naan but I dont think it was naan exactly? Whatever it was, it was delicious. And I had my first glass of freshly squeezed lemon mint juice. YUM. 

Then I had the opportunity to go back to my dorm and sleep and relax, and then soon we got ready to go to dinner. Dinner was at Bushido’s which is a fancy Japanese restaurant. We loaded the bus and headed to Bushido and when we got to our destination, the bus driver let us off and said to call when we were done. His english wasn't the best but I just trusted we were in the right place. Seef mall? I guess the fancy restaurant could be in the mall? But when we walked in, we asked the front desk and she said that we were in the wrong place.... stranded.... in a foreign country.....with no phones....

Luckily we had Dr. Stewart’s email and we could connect to wifi, so we emailed him and told him our predicament. He called the bus driver and the bus came back and picked us up and took us to the right place. 

At Bushidos, we had a 4 course crazy dinner filled with sushi, sashimi, rice, soup, and everything in between. And some good desert and good company. At my table sat Noor and May. On this night, I learned so much from these two Bahraini girls. 

We talked about relationships, arranged marriages, Islam, praying, friendship, school, life in Bahrain, the king, Saudi girls and how they are different, their desire for love, and everything else you could thing of. They were open books ready to tell their story. These two girls stayed with us all week and I learned more from them than anybody else. They had so much to say and always answered all of our questions. I miss them terribly! 

After the 4 hour dinner, we were all exhausted and ready to go back to the dorm and sleep. We rested and were ready for our next day.....