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)

KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN, here we come.

Found some information about Bahrain while surfing on the internet.


The map 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 KhalifahLand 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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