Bahrain???

This topic was created by Lazyass (deadw8@hotmail.com)
[Thu 13 May, 2:05 Tasmanian Standard Time]

My wife and I intend to spend one year in Bahrain and were
wondering if anybody out there has been?
If so we┤d appreciate info on this country...

[There are 3 posts - the latest was added on Wed 19 May, 9:14]

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  1. You are so lucky!!! Added by: Lisa
    [Timestamp: Thu 13 May, 22:10 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Hey you will love Bahrain. my parents have been living there for two years and they love it. You have to make the effort to get involved yourself though, otherwise you could get very bored. But if your willing to make new friends and generally have a good time it will be great. I'm heading over there in a few weeks and I can't wait. The people are lovely, try and get in contact with some native Bahraini's they will be more than willing to show you everything about their culture. Don't just get stuck in the rut of western life, it much more interesting to see the 'real' Bahrain.
    If you need to know anything else write to me on
    I_am_over_it@hotmail
    Have a good time!!!!



  2. Bahrain is Nice Added by: Gary (gary_daly@hotmail.com)
    [Timestamp: Fri 14 May, 16:37 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I think that you will enjoy your year in Bahrain. I was
    there with my family from 1991 to 1993. For more
    information on Bahrain try the English language newspapers
    on the web ie http://www.bahraintribune.com and
    http://www.gulf-daily-news.com.
    Also, try to get your employer to organize and pay for your
    accomodation as it will be easier and cheaper for you.
    While you are at it ask your employer to assign a local to
    assist you to arrange for your visas, local drivers
    licenses, electricity and telephone connections as it can
    be very time consuming to try to organize all that by
    yourself.
    It is very hot from about April to November. There is a
    short winter from December to January where you will need
    to wear a windbreaker and have a small heater in your house.
    English is spoken in the shops and by taxi drivers and the
    locals are friendly while still retaining their own culture.
    Read other messages on this noticeboard for more advice on
    Bahrain.
    Best wishes
    Gary



  3. More Added by: Euro
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 9:14 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Bahrain is really great and the advice above is spot on for
    the most part, though not ALL taxi drivers actually speak
    English, but they do understand enough to get you where you
    are going. Watch out, some of them are major rip-off artists
    - so ask at the hotel what the prices are and then make SURE
    to agree the price before you get in the taxi.

    As for accomodation, it is definitely a good idea to get
    your employer to pay for it. Try to have the power and taxes
    included as well. Mostly because it is tedious paying these
    bills. The housing costs for expats are extremely high in
    Bahrain, so make sure you get a good amount for housing -
    specially if taxes (10% of rent each month) and power are
    included in your sum! Shoot for about 700 BD - and try to
    stay at least over 500 for the basic rent, as good houses
    and landlords cheaper than this are hard to find.

    You don't say if you have children. If you do, try to get
    school fees included in your contract too, as these can be
    very high.

    There are a couple of really good and active clubs in
    Bahrain. The best one, imo, is the British Club
    http://www.arabian.net/british/ which has lots of different
    sections such as drama, tennis, diving. The club is open to
    citizens of other countries than UK.

    There has been a bit of "trouble" in Bahrain due to a kind
    of democratization agression - there were at one time small
    bombs being set off and many locals being arrested. This was
    in the time of the old Emir Isa bin Salman al Khalifa. His
    son is now the Emir, and I don't know if things are better
    or worse. Things had quieted greatly even before the old
    emir died. You might want to browse
    http://www.hrw.org/hrw/pubweb/Webcat-11.htm and
    http://welcome.to/bhro/ It seems to me that things must
    have calmed down greatly, as I find it hard to find reports
    from this year at all.

    My husband and I lived in Bahrain for 3.5 years, returning
    to Norway last November. Feel free to ask any questions not
    answered by the threads referenced above.




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