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Hi friends. My brother is getting married to a pretty little Arab girl in Bahrain in late June so me and my wife are taking a three week trip there. We are spending the first two weeks at the Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Manama, and after the wedding I want to stay by the water at the Somerset Al Fateh Hotel for a week. I've been goggling Bahrain and I cannot find anything to do there other than visiting forts (?) museums (oh boy!) and malls (who cares?). Is there anything to do there? I bring this up to my brother and he says there's plenty to do, but he can't come up with specific examples and he quickly changes the subject. He's been pestering me to come out and visit him and I think it's because he's bored to death. My wife wants to pop in there for a few days and then go on to Hong Kong, Australia, Tonga or anywhere but the Middle East. I really can't come up with a solid argument against it other than I have to spend a little time with my brother. She says she doesn't want to spend more than a few days in that "god forsaken shithole"

Help

Autonomy

sometimes you have to listen to your wife.... anyway, having SOS for a name is a dead giveaway....

Eva

Hilarious Gingerbreadman

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Thanks

shikra

Well, it is very hard to tell you about Bahrain without knowing your interests. I mean what would you like to do in your brief stay at Bahrain? Boating, Clubbing, Exhibitions, Malls, Cinemas, Museum etc are all there. You will find that Bahrain is a small colorful Island, but again it is a desert so no natural greenery, no hills, few main roads and that is it. You can visit the Bahrain Causeway that has been built over the sea to connect it with Saudi Arabia.
In the end, the question remains the same, what would you like to do and what do you expect to experience in Bahrain during your short trip.

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I like skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing, karaoke, bike riding, brew pubbing, chess, competitive eating, caving, gambling, tv, listening to radio, shell collecting, bird watching, reading, woodworking, and long moonlit walks on the beach.

The Dean

If you can afford to spend TWO WEEKS at the Banyan Tree (now renamed Al Areen after a dispute over the management contract), you can afford to go anywhere after that............ but I've never heard of that Somerset jobby, I'm afraid, so I can't help you there.

Be warned though............... women like the Banyan Tree - the private villa with its own jacuzzi, swimming pool, and that outdoor shower never fails to... er.... impress the ladies.............. I predict you'll stay for three weeks there, and to hell with the Somerset.............

lionheart

It's already climbing towards the low 40 deg C's so I suggest you rule out any outside activities.

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Good prediction. I just read some Trip Advisor reviews on the Somerset. Scratched it off the itinerary, thanks.

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Furthermore, we don't get involved in organized tours of any kind. Wherever we travel to we rent a car, get a map and do everything on our own. We want to break bread with the natives and immerse ourselves in the culture. Although we like 5 star restaurants we'd rather eat in hole in the wall places where the locals eat. Any suggestions?

Millhouse

why? We go out and about all year.

Eva

Yes we can tell....
Cerebral fried one dimensional numbercruncher
Apart from that you are quite amusing.

Millhouse

Wow a compliment... If you ever need your kettleballs polishing just let me know.

Eva

Sweet but I got a man to do that
xxx

Bonny Boy

Although you are more likely to meet a local in Bahrain than say the UAE or Qatar, expatriates of all nationalities tend to dominate.

If tensions are not too high, your best bet are the Shia districts to the south of the Souq in central Manama (Bab Al Bahrain). Look for the black and green flags and the banners. Dress modestly.