Al Bahrain

Residents point to an ancient gnarled tree said to be ´the Tree of Life´ from the Garden of Eden. In fact, Bahrain´s many bubbling springs have made the island more fertile than most Arab states. The city of Manama features a magnificent mosque and an excellent archaeological museum, revealing that Bahrain´s roots as an important tading power go very far back in time.

Activities

• Bait Al-Qur’an - Located in Manama, the "House of Qur’an" is characterized by a most distinct Islamic design. It is home to a rare collection of Islamic manuscripts, prints and books that have been collected from all over the world.


• Oil Well Museum - This museum was built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first discovery of oil in the Arabian Gulf. It houses exhibits of old photographs, drilling equipment and a working model of an oilrig.


• A’Ali Burial Mounds - Located in the vicinity of Al A’Ali village, these burial mounds - once as many as 170,000 - date to around 2000 B.C. and form the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world. The village is also known for its pottery workshops. Some of the designs have been handed down unchanged since the late Dilmun era, 3,000 years ago.


• Saar Settlement - This archaeological site is the most recent discovery of the Dilmun era and consists of residential dwellings that were inhabited by the Dilmunite people 4,000 years ago. Other discoveries on this site include the Saar temple and a unique type of tombs labeled "interconnected tombs."


• The Tree of Life - Standing along in the desert, this well-matured tree has raised the curiosity of visitors and specialists alike for many years. It remains a mystery where the tree draws its water, as there is no known water source. The location is south of Oil Well Number One.

Shopping

Bahrain is known for the finest quality in pearls, and gold jewelry comes in a dazzling array, both in traditional and modern designs. The Souq of Manama is a shopper's dream. In addition, there are modern shopping malls plus the government tourist shop, Bab Al-Bahrain, where you can find an extensive selection of local handicrafts such as pottery, basket ware, woven rugs and tapestries. While bargaining is an accepted practice in many small shops and the souq, prices are fixed at Bab Al-Bahrain.

Food

Asian specialty restaurants, ranging from Indian and Pakistani to Thai and Filipino as well as Western cuisine and fast-food chains such as McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King cater to all tastes and pocket books. Lavish hotel restaurants vie with Steak Houses and a Hard Rock Cafe. Bars are almost all located in hotels. Most restaurants add a service charge of 10-15 percent to the bill. However, an additional tip at your discretion is appreciated.

Currency

The local currency is the Bahraini dinar; U.S. dollars are widely accepted.

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