Bahrain advice
Discussion
Hi all, my wife and I are considering going to the WEC 8 hours of Bahrain this year. Has anyone been and is there anything we should be concerned about?
My wife is a bit nervous but everything I have read says the country is pretty relaxed, just don't dress inappropriately. Hoping to stay in a decent hotel and travel down by taxi / uber to the circuit. Any thoughts or tips would be much appreciated.
My wife is a bit nervous but everything I have read says the country is pretty relaxed, just don't dress inappropriately. Hoping to stay in a decent hotel and travel down by taxi / uber to the circuit. Any thoughts or tips would be much appreciated.
Edited by broon5775 on Tuesday 28th June 09:28
Short answer - yes, it’s fine.
Slightly longer answer:
Beachwear is for the hotel beach, not for the shopping mall or public beach. Cover shoulders and knees.
Treat officials with respect and politeness.
Don’t get drunk in public. Especially don’t drink anything and drive.
Don’t make out with your wife like a couple of excitable teenagers.
Don’t try and bring drugs into the country.
Don’t make insulting comments about the country, its people, its religion etc.
Don’t take photos of people, especially local ladies, without asking them first.
Don’t take photos in the airport, of mosques, or of government buildings.
In other words, common sense in a polite and conservative society.
Slightly longer answer:
Beachwear is for the hotel beach, not for the shopping mall or public beach. Cover shoulders and knees.
Treat officials with respect and politeness.
Don’t get drunk in public. Especially don’t drink anything and drive.
Don’t make out with your wife like a couple of excitable teenagers.
Don’t try and bring drugs into the country.
Don’t make insulting comments about the country, its people, its religion etc.
Don’t take photos of people, especially local ladies, without asking them first.
Don’t take photos in the airport, of mosques, or of government buildings.
In other words, common sense in a polite and conservative society.
I'd agree with everything Steve said there.
I really enjoyed my time in Bahrain, but then I love the Middle East in general.
I'd add one extra tip to the above, cabs in Bahrain often aren't metered, make sure you either agree the cost before getting in, or ask for the meter to be turned on. One of the funniest sights on my ME travels was 2 cabbies at one of the malls in Manama actually coming to physical blows because I had unknowingly got into a cab that had just dropped someone off instead of actually going to the rank!
Make sure you visit the National Museum and the Tree of Life also.
I really enjoyed my time in Bahrain, but then I love the Middle East in general.
I'd add one extra tip to the above, cabs in Bahrain often aren't metered, make sure you either agree the cost before getting in, or ask for the meter to be turned on. One of the funniest sights on my ME travels was 2 cabbies at one of the malls in Manama actually coming to physical blows because I had unknowingly got into a cab that had just dropped someone off instead of actually going to the rank!
Make sure you visit the National Museum and the Tree of Life also.
I love going to Bahrain, it is a very relaxed place (I used to help run a 6 rider local motorbike team in Bahrain for 2 years, crew chief for the Ducati championship for 1 year), As Steve and Del dais, be sensible and respect the local customs and you will be fine.
The circuit is about a 3-40 minute commute from central Manama, so you have great range of hotels you can stay in.
The circuit is about a 3-40 minute commute from central Manama, so you have great range of hotels you can stay in.
IanUAE said:
I love going to Bahrain, it is a very relaxed place (I used to help run a 6 rider local motorbike team in Bahrain for 2 years, crew chief for the Ducati championship for 1 year), As Steve and Del dais, be sensible and respect the local customs and you will be fine.
The circuit is about a 3-40 minute commute from central Manama, so you have great range of hotels you can stay in.
If you're looking for a decent hotel without blowing the budget I'd go for a club level room at the Crowne Plaza - the lounge serves free food and drinks at various points throughout the day and can save you a lot of time and hassle.The circuit is about a 3-40 minute commute from central Manama, so you have great range of hotels you can stay in.
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