Travel |

November 11, 2016

All Roads Lead to the Capital

The famous phrase “all roads lead to Rome” can also be said of Manama, the capital of Bahrain. No matter where you may be in the country, returning to this cosmopolitan city could not be any easier, making it no surprise that it is one of the most diverse and enriching of Bahraini destinations to visit.

Visiting Manama
With all roads leading to the capital, the most efficient way to visit Manama is by renting a car, as there is little chance that you will lose your way. Being a small city, and with maps readily available, this is your best bet when it comes to independently exploring all that Manama has to offer. For those who do not want to rent a car, taxis are easily found, although these can often seem quite expensive compared to taxis in other countries around the world, so be sure to research this in advance, and always go by the taxi meter rather than a pre-arranged fare.

Things to See and Do
With one third of Manama’s population being made up of expatriates, the city is quite the cultural melting pot, and always has an appealing diversity to it. There is such a wide range of attractions to be found here, from the historical and cultural to the sporting and recreational. The Bahrain National Museum is a must-visit, as is the Bahrain Fort and the Bahrain Fort Museum, all of which will teach you so much about the nation’s history and heritage. Shopping is also a popular activity here, and if you are looking for a more authentic experience rather than glitzy shopping malls, the expansive Manama Souq is the place for you. With its warm temperatures and calm waters, water sports are also popular in Manama, from scuba diving to pearl diving to fishing excursions, but there are also plenty of active land-based activities to choose from, such as bird watching and horse riding. Once the sun goes down, the streets of Manama burst into life, making it no surprise that the city is known for its diverse nightlife scene.

Food in Manama

Food and Drink
The local cuisine in Bahrain is packed with flavor and spices, and restaurants in Manama range from local hole-in-the-wall eateries to grand five star establishments. The Manama Souq has a plethora of small restaurants and cafés that are known for serving up some of the tastiest local dishes in the country, while those who are after a more sophisticated dining experience should try Upstairs Downstairs, a classic Bahraini restaurant. Bahrain is often considered to be a gateway destination for those living in Arab countries that have banned alcohol, which is why its nightlife scene is so popular. Whether you are after live music, pounding dance clubs or intimate bars, you will easily be able to find this in Manama.

Manama is a truly captivating city to visit, and, with all roads leading to the capital, just about every visitor to Bahrain ends up in Manama. With everything from world-class attractions to authentic local food, this is a destination that expertly blends its traditional charm with a contemporary edge.

Travel |

November 9, 2016

| OROGOLD

The Bin Matar House

Located in Muharraq, which was the former capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Bin Matar House was built by Salman bin Hussain, one of the most famous pearling merchants in Bahrain in the 19th and 20th centuries. This admirable man was not only wealthy, but also generous and kind-hearted to those less fortunate than him, and the house, which is now a fascinating museum, represents a significant part of Bahrain’s heritage and culture.

The Ground Floor
The ground floor of the Bin Matar House is where you will find a small café, ideal for enjoying a couple of snacks before or after touring the house. This is also where the gift shop is located, which features a wide variety of local products, from books on Bahrain’s history, as well as the famous Matar family, to accessories created by local designers. With the ground floor of the Bin Matar House being so large, this is also the spot where a number of important temporary exhibitions are held, featuring the work of top artists, from the likes of Zaha Hadid to Waheeda Malullah.
Bahrain Architecture
Classic Bahraini Architecture
While the ground floor of the Bin Matar House was used for a variety of purposes over the years, the top floor remained as the main residence of the Matar family until 2002. After vacating the property, the house remained empty and unused for a while, which led to talks about its demolition. However, fortunately, this was never carried out, and the Bin Matar House was fully restored in 2009, now reflecting all of its former glory. The house is a fantastic example of classic Bahraini architecture, with its tall columns and traditional windows, both of which have been around since the house was first built. The ceilings have also been left untouched, enabling visitors to really feel as though they are stepping back in time to when the house was first constructed. Being built in the traditional Bahraini style, the house makes use of a wide range of local materials, from the trunks of palm trees to gypsum to sea-stone, many of which can also be seen in some of Muharraq’s other traditional houses.

The Top Floor
While the Bin Matar House used to overlook the sea, there has been a large amount of land reclaimed since it was first built, meaning that the waterfront is now a couple of kilometres away. However, the sprawling terrace area at the top floor of the house boasts spectacular views of the busy streets of Muharraq, showcasing the hustle and bustle of the city below. There are plenty of educational displays here that teach visitors more about the beginnings of the Matar family, with exhibits that hold the family’s original pearling tools. These also help to explain the pearling process in more detail, from the measuring and weighing to the drilling and stringing.

The Bin Matar House is an exemplary example of Gulf Islamic architecture, and showcases a hugely important part of Bahrain’s heritage. From its displays on pearling to its local art exhibitions, a visit to the Bin Matar House is a great way to learn more about how Bahrain developed into the extraordinary nation that it is today.

Travel |

November 7, 2016

| OROGOLD

A Day at the Bab al-Bahrain Bazaar

A historic building located in Manama, the Bab al-Bahrain, which, in English, means the Gateway to Bahrain, marks the entrance to the Manama Souq. While the building may have undergone several renovations over the years, it has been beautifully restored to its former glory, and is now considered to be quite the cultural landmark.

Gold and Pearls
The Gold Souq is always one of the first points of calls for visitors to Bab al-Bahrain, because, with over 100 stalls packed with glittering goods, this promises to be a sight unlike anything else that you will have seen. Bahrain gold is usually 21 carat, and fashioned into a huge plethora of styles, from the traditional to the contemporary. In addition to its gold, Bahrain is also famous for its pearls, and these can also be purchased from the Gold Souk. The pearls that you will find here are natural rather than cultured, which is why their shape and color are quite irregular, with everything from cream and white to stunning greens.

Spices
Spices are what many believe are the secret of Arab cuisine, as these carefully chosen blends are what provide the dishes with their distinctive flavor and aroma. As soon as you enter the souq, the smell of spices will hit your nose, and, as you wander through, you will soon come across a quiet corner of the main souq that is often referred to as the spice souq. Whether you intend to purchase any items or not, it is still worth exploring the spices on display, as you will learn so much about the intense flavors behind Bahraini cuisine.

Textiles and Handicrafts
While it may initially seem as though the souq is packed with mass-produced souvenirs, you only have to venture a little deeper into it to find the traditional goods on offer. Textiles have always played a significant role in Bahrain, and you will find the most beautiful fabrics for sale here, as well as stunning authentic handmade Bahraini carpets. There are also plenty of handicrafts to be found, all of which are ideal to take back home as gifts.

Traditional Bahraini Cuisine
In addition to the shopping, one of the highlights of a day out at Bab al-Bahrain for many is the traditional Bahraini cuisine that can be found here, and while you will not find any fine dining establishments, these budget-friendly eateries serve up some of the tastiest dishes in town. From the Naseef Café that serves up an authentic Bahraini breakfast, as well as a deliciously refreshing mango ice cream, to the vegetable samosas of Aloo Basheer, which has been around for over 50 years, to Haji Gahwa, the oldest café in the kingdom, there is such a wide variety of local food available here that even the pickiest of eaters will find themselves more than satisfied.

The Bab al-Bahrain has always been one of Bahrain’s most popular attractions, and it is easy to see why. With its wonderfully authentic traditional shopping experience, combined with some of the tastiest local cuisine in the kingdom, it is always a pleasure to spend the day at Bab al-Bahrain.