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middle east knowledge
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Bahr Ban
Bahrain gives holidaymakers the chance to combine adrenalin-fuelled activities, such as Hummer driving, with luxury, such as a stay at the Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort at Al Areen
(meaning Bahrain fort) dates from the 14th
Bouncing
century and is well worth a couple of hours’
viist. It’s best done as part of a guided tour,
during which we learned how boiling hot
molasses made from dates were used to fire
at invading enemies. There’s also a fantastic
collection of artefacts from the ancient
in Bahrain
Dilmun civilisation, discovered in the
nearby excavation, in the onsite museum.
In Juffair, the Al Fateh Mosque, also
known as the Grand Mosque, is another
cultural highlight. We donned the provided
headscarf and floor-length gown to tour this
Traditionally a destination that has targeted the impressive building which can hold 7,000
business travel market, Bahrain is now repositioning
worshippers.
itself to appeal to leisure clients. By Olivia Hemmings
New culture
You don’t have to wander far to discover
T
here is something incredibly vehicle to the limits of its capabilities for that Bahrain isn’t just about ancient marvels.
unnerving – and exhilarating – the next 45 minutes over this 3km obstacle Not wanting to be left behind by Saudi
about being suspended nose-first course at the Hummer Academy in Bahrain. Arabia and Dubai, a plethora of modern
over the edge of a 50ft crag with a The experience usually forms part of a developments, including Al Areen, Amwaj
seriously steep drop. It doesn’t matter that corporate driving day as a team-building Islands and Durrat Al Bahrain, are already
I’m inside a four-wheel-drive vehicle that exercise but holidaymakers can also get their under way and will open up the island to
looks as if it can withstand a missile attack thrills for £20 per person for 45 minutes. new markets such as families and spa lovers.
and has wheels the width of tree trunks grip- Phase one of Al Areen has already been
ping the ground. I can still feel my palms go Off track completed and includes the Banyan Tree
sweaty and my stomach rise rapidly into my It’s not just the sporting attractions that are Desert Spa and Resort as well as the Lost
mouth. But as Ebrahaim our driver releases attracting holidaymakers; Bahrain also prides Paradise of Dilmun water park. More five-
his foot slowly off the brake and we go itself on having a rich culture and heritage. star hotels, shopping centres and the Al
hurtling towards the ground below, it’s pure Nowadays, Bahrain refines more oil (from Areen Wildlife Park are also planned.
adrenalin that prevents me from shutting Saudi Arabia) than it produces, but it was Similarly, the series of man-made Amwaj
my eyes tight, conceding my time has come. the first Gulf state to discover the fuel back Islands will feature a theme park island,
For some inexplicable reason I want to in 1932. Visitors heading to Sakhir can see hotels, a marina and shopping malls, while
watch this. I feel my seatbelt straining and where oil was first struck, while a small an 18-hole golf course designed by Ernie
feel instantly relieved that even if the back museum near Jebel Dukhan houses old Els is planned for the Durrat Al Bahrain
end of our Hummer flips over I’ll at least be drilling equipment, samples of rocks found development.
securely fastened upside down. underground and topographical maps.
Of course, we don’t flip over, despite this Located on the north coast of the island, Arabian heart
and several more attempts to push our the Unesco Heritage Site of Qal’at Al-Bahrain Because of its location at the
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12.02.2010 39
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