Unlike most flights departing from Israel, this time the plane turns east, passes over the Jordan River and continues through a never-ending desert. Even then, the excitement is evident. "Ahlan and Sahlen Bikum" greet passengers making their way to the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama.
Between Oil and High-Tech: A Visit to Bahrain // Photo: Sahar Avrahami
The city also serves as the financial, social and educational center in the island nation, located in the Persian Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The kingdom has a population of nearly 1.9 million people, just over half of whom are foreign workers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and more. The rest are Bahraini Arabs.
Reminiscent of Dubai, only in a small way. Bahrain, Photo: Sahar Avrahami
In September 2020, Israel and Bahrain signed a peace agreement at the White House as part of the Abraham Accords. Since then, only 6,000-5,000 Israelis have visited the kingdom. The wide range of hotels, the variety of shopping centers and modern architecture can be reminiscent of the emirates in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, only in a small way, and as befits an island smaller in size than Israel, the supply is also smaller.
Prices like in Israel in most chains. Shopping center in Manama, photo: Sahar Avrahami
Despite everything, there's plenty to see and do if you get to be there for two or three days. On weekends, hotels and bars fill up with Saudis and Kuwaitis, who come for a "free and liberated" pastime compared to the countries from which they came. The British left the island in 1971, and their influence is still evident in modern Western architecture and good English. English is taught in schools from first grade, and this is evident.
The financial center in the capital Manama, photo: Sahar Avrahami
And what about drinking alcohol? Some restaurants and hotels do not offer alcohol for sale. The Muslim country does not encourage alcohol consumption, so it is more expensive than in Israel: half a liter of beer can reach five Bahraini dinars - about 50 shekels. District 338 offers dance bars, rooftop parties and hotels, restaurants, galleries, boutiques, cafés and more.
Harraked Market and Synagogue
As befits the market, the place is more accessible and popular than the fancy and expensive malls, and you can find spices, traditional clothing, fabrics, pastas and sweets. If you want a less authentic atmosphere, under the air conditioning, go to one of the malls. You can find Western fashion chains and perfume stores, and the prices in the chains are similar to prices in Israel.
A blackened market. Accessible and popular, photo: Sahar Avrahami
Not far from a whistled market is the Ten Commandments Synagogue, in a renovated but inconspicuous building. Manama is home to fewer than 40 Jews, most of them descendants of families that arrived from Iraq in the 19th century. Most of the Jews who immigrated to Bahrain, some 1,500 in number, left the kingdom for the United States and Britain. Before entering the synagogue, as part of a group, we were briefed not to draw attention that could lead to an unpleasant incident with extreme elements: not to wear a kippah before entering and not to speak Hebrew near the building. It should be emphasized that during the stay in the country the feeling was always safe and pleasant, even when they realized that we were from Israel.
Diving and pearl collecting
About a 15-minute boat ride from Jarada Island, north of Manama, you can dive and spot oysters and pearls in the shallow waters. Diving equipment and a basket are provided where the loot is to be placed. Then, when you return to the beach, open the oysters. Found a gem? You can take it as a souvenir. Also, there are places that offer a fishing trip.
A little more than half of the residents are foreign workers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and more. The rest are Bahraini Arabs
National Museum and Oil House
The museum includes archaeological finds covering 5,000 years of history. There is a hall that shows the way of life in Bahrain in the period before the discovery of oil - traditional jobs, fishing and underage marriages. You can also find an ancient burial site that was moved from its place in the desert and placed in a museum.
5,000 years of history. National Museum,
When you leave the capital and drive south, it is impossible not to notice that the royal family "recruited" the desert for oil production: on the way you will see pipes, pumping machines and road drills. About an hour's drive will take you to the first oil discovery point in the Gulf Union (1932) and the Petroleum Museum – a room with fossils discovered while pumping oil, the first machines they used and the first documents they signed to promote the industry. As mentioned, the trip to the oil house takes about an hour, so if you are limited in time - you can give up.
Oil House Museum Bahrain, Photo: Sahar Avrahami
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