Travel Destination: Bahrain
About Bahrain
In Arabic, Bahrain means “two seas” which refers to the freshwater springs found amid the salty seas. It is a country with around one million residents and welcomes about two million visitors a year. Tourists are mostly from neighbouring Arab countries but more and more people are discovering its culture and history and so it’s just a matter of time that this island country places its name on the international travel list.
It is connected to Saudi Arabia through the King Fahd Causeway which is to the west. Qatar is to the southeast and both countries are planning to build a link through the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge, purported to be the longest fixed link in the world. Bahrain has every reason to be proud of its past but is continuously working for the future. Knowing that their oil resources wouldn’t last forever, it is priming its projects to be a very modern city with contemporary skyscrapers and cosmopolitan amenities.
The tallest buildings in Bahrain are mostly found in Manama City, the country’s capital. The Bahrain Financial Harbor stands at 260 metres (53 floors), Bahrain WTC is proud at 240 metres (50 floors), Abraj Al Lulu has 50 floors as well, the Almoayyed Tower measures 172 metres (47 floors) and the National Bank of Bahrain is 101 metres tall (27 floors). There are proposed buildings that will dwarf the current ones though but till then, these structures are worth visiting because it shows off modern architecture, a testament to the rapid growth of Bahrain’s economy.
To further invite international tourists and boost its tourism industry, the country hosted The Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in 2004. The FIA Formula One World Championship event will be staged until 2016.
The old world charm of this island country banks on its existing attractions as well. There are beaches and islands to explore and heritage sites to visit.
The Al Dar Island is a well-developed destination for fun and leisure and is perfect for a family adventure. From Manama City, take a 20-minute drive to Sitra Fisherman’s Port then take a sea taxi for a ten-minute travel to reach the island. Al Dar Island has facilities for dining, shopping, docking (in case you want to sail on your own to the island), dolphin watching, fishing, jet skiing, snorkelling and partying.
Other family activities can include a visit to the Lost Paradise of Dilmun (a water park), Al Areen Wildlife Park, Ahdari Park (try their 38 exciting rides), or another island getaway this time to Hawar Island where leisure facilities are available for the guests’ ultimate convenience. It only takes a 45-minute boat ride.
Bahrain is frequently visited because of its historical significance. It is said to be a part of Dilmun, a land where trading partners of the old Mesopotamian Civilisations were based. The Qal’at al-Bahrain, an ancient harbour and Capital of Dilmun, is an important archaeological location cited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Studies indicate that the site was occupied by humans from 2300 B.C. to around 16th century A.D. It was used in recent times as a Portuguese Fort where it got its name. Qal’a means fort. Other archaeological and historical places worth visiting are the Bar Bar Temple in the north of Saar (another Dilmun site said to have existed in 2000 B.C.), Seyadi House in Muharaqq City (built in 1905), Al Hajar Burial Mounds (where an 800 B.C. pottery from the Assyrian period was found), Qanats underground waterways which was used in 7th century A.D., Jebel Al Dukhan (Bahrain’s highest point, the name means “Mountain of Smoke”), Tree of Life (a tree from Acacia family found in the middle of the desert) and the Al Khamis Mosque along Shaikh Salman Road known for its twin minarets and believed to have been established in the 11th century.
Bahrain’s treasures are remarkable and what’s good about it is that they’re generous enough to share it to the world. So anytime you’re ready, you’re welcome to dig in!