Tuesday, December 18, 2007

THE AL-AREEN WILDLIFE PARK AND RESERVE, BAHRAIN







































The Al-Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve located in Az-Zallaq, Bahrain, is a must see sanctuary especially when you have small children.

Established in 1975, with a total land area of 8 square kilometers, This Park is in fact, the only Natural Reserve in Bahrain.

With a 45-minute drive from Manama City, one would find the the journey to this sanctuary worthwhile. With an admission fee of BD1 for an adult and BD0.500 for a child inclusive of a professionally guided bus tour, one would be able to see most of the desert-habitat animals such as camel, giraffe, ostrich, donkey, arabian orynx, reem gazelle and various types of goats. Species of exotic birds such as pelican, flamingo and ducks can also be found here with their own designated ponds but are freed to enable them to wander around the Park.

This Wildlife Park is also beautifully landscaped with green grass, palm trees, flower beds, lawns, ponds and ornamental features. Just make sure the battery and memory card of your camera has been fully charged and cleared.

Some of the facilities in the Park include a spacious cafeteria, prayer rooms, and restrooms.

Dont forget to grab home some souvenirs for your little ones as you exit the park.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

THE JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN

We landed Bahrain as scheduled, i.e. 4th November at 330pm. It took almost 8 hours for the plane to reach Bahrain International Airport from the KLIA. I hate being on a plane especially long hours flights but thank God, it was a smooth journey. The boys, KS and KA, had a great time since they screened our favorite The Simpsons - The Movie on TV. While for my little KT, surprisingly, she slept almost all the way through. The food Gulf Air served was not that bad at all. But, it would be better if they could serve us satay and teh tarik, once a while.

Being in a foreign land with a totally new environment and surroundings, is sure a pain in the neck. I have always told the children and myself, a change, even though difficult, is always good. We just have to go with the flow and try to see things at a different perspectives. Who knows, this hijrah could lead to a better future. InsyaAllah.


this is where we are now, at least for the next 2 years. (google earth image1)



BUT, most of the times, our mind is here... hehehe (google earth image2)

Sunday, November 4, 2007

KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN, here we come.

Found some information about Bahrain while surfing on the internet.

Map of Bahrain
The map of Bahrain


Flag of Bahrain
The Flag

BAHRAIN INFORMATION AND HISTORY
Bahrain consists of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf). The islands are mostly desert, and most of the population lives in or near Manama, the Capital City. Since the 1930s the oil industry has replaced pearl diving, and Bahrain has become a financial and communications hub. It is connected to Saudi Arabia by the 26-kilometer (16 mile) King Fahd Causeway. Since independence from Britain in 1971, there has been conflict between the ruling Sunni tribe and the Shiite majority. A new constitution in 2002 provided for an elected parliament and gave women the right to vote and stand as candidates.

ECONOMY
Industry: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing, tourism.
Agriculture: fruit, vegetables; poultry; shrimp.
Exports: petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textile

GOVERNMENT: Constitutional Monarchy

KING
: Hamad ibn Isa Al-Khalifah


PRIME MINISTER:
Khalifah Ibn sulman Al Khalifah

Land area: 239 sq mi (619 sq km); total area: 257 sq mi (665 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 718,306 (growth rate: 1.3%); birth rate: 17.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 15.6/1000; life expectancy: 74.9; density per sq mi: 1,080

Capital and Largest City (2003 est.): Al-Manámah, 527,000 (metro area), 149,900 (city proper) 26°13′N, 50°35′E

Monetary Unit: Bahrain Dinar (BHD)

Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Ethnicity/Race: Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001)

Religion: Islam (Shiite and Sunni) 81%, Christian 9%

National Holiday: National Day, December 16

Literacy Rate: 89% (2003 est.)

Time Zone: UTC+3

Internet TLD: .bh

Code: +973


























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