Anyone else in Bahrain?!

[mamaoftwins]

Dear all,
I'm living in Bahrain for the next month or so. Not long enough to join any baby clubs, but it would be nice to get out and meet some mums! I don't suppose anyone else is here at the mo?
MoT
xxx

[mumoverseas]

Hi MoT, I'm your neighbour as I'm in KSA. I know there are a few MNers in Bahrain so hopefully one of them will come along soon.

How are you finding it there in ramadan?

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi MoT, I'm in Bahrain. Not planning any trips out til next week after Ramadan as it's too depressing not being able to get a Starbucks at City Centre.

Where are you staying? Are you trying Bahrain out for size?

[mumoverseas]

Ilove why do you think I returned to the UK until 'silly season' almost over

[FlorenceMattell]

Looked at this thread, as lived in Bahrain as a child and went to school there for many years.
But am very disapointed in your rude comments regarding Ramadan. ie 'depressing', 'silly season',I think you should have more repect for your hosts and the muslim religion.

[mumoverseas]

OFGS! When you have lived in KSA as a catholic adult during ramadan perhaps you can come back and comment

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

I didn't say Ramadan was depressing actually. Being heavily pregnant, it is actually quite difficult not being able to eat or drink outside. That's not great. So I stay indoors, of course.

You know nothing about me or mum overseas other than a snapshot/throwaway comment.

So, go away, please.

[mumoverseas]

Ilove I was heavily pregnant during ramadan a few years ago and I'm pretty sure that pregnant/nursing mums are exempt from the normal rules on fasting. If that is the case in KSA then surely the same applies in Bahrain? I can understand why you would feel uncomfortable doing so though.

In fact, my reference to 'silly season' was partly due to the crazy hours people worked during ramadan. When I had some hospital check ups the week before DD was born I was being offered appointments at 3am which is just silly.

Assume you have having baby there Ilove?

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi, yes I know in theory I'm exempt but I do feel awkward - like I'm "flaunting" the rules iyswim. On the plus side, I can get a manicure at 11pm if I wanted to . Another thing to do if I can't sleep I suppose.

Having the baby here - 7 weeks and counting.

[mumoverseas]

I totally understand feeling awkward as I felt just the same when hugely pregnant during ramadan Have just finished packing (and last ham sandwich and sausage rolls) before I head off to the airport in a few hours to go 'home'.
Good luck with your new baby x

[mamaoftwins]

Hello all,
I've stayed here many times before, but the first time I've been here throughout Ramadan. I am not fasting (I'm christian) but am of course being respectful to those who are so am not out much during the day. I am greatly enjoying iftaar every evening though :-)

FlorenceMattell - I don't think any offense was meant, but it is lovely you have such fond memories of Bahrain. When were you last here? My first visit was 8 years ago, and it has changed so much - its incredible.

ILoveGregoryHouse - you have my sympathies for being pregnant in this heat! I had my twins in January in the UK, when it was snowing, and in the final few weeks I felt hot all the time! I hope you are managing to keep cool in the A/C. Lots of luck to you for 7 weeks time, and if you do fancy meeting up one evening, please let me know. I guess you will be easy to spot in a crowded mall :-)

Mumoverseas - are you back in KSA now? Hope you had a good flight and are settled. What part of KSA are you in? Are you anywhere near the causeway to Bahrain? I appreciate KSA is rather huge, so probably not!


MoT
xxx

[mumoverseas]

Hi MoT, Yes, arrived back in KSA yesterday morning. Of course the DC slept for most of the flight but DH and I were rather worse for wear and he had to go straight into work. Thanks god its nearly the weekend.

We are in Riyadh but used to drive over to Bahrain quite a lot. Not been for a while now as the prices in the hotels seems to have shot up a bit but I've told DH we need to start doing it again to lower our stress levels if nothing else. I used to love going to the Seef mall and watching a film and then sitting where I wanted in Starbucks, not in a cubicle with a curtain pulled around

I'm hoping I can persaude DH to fit in a visit in November as M & S always have lots of lovely christmassy things. Maybe a Middle Eastern MN meet up?

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi MoT, maybe Thursday next week? I've a few bits to get at City Centre and there's a fab frozen yoghurt shop there. Mmmmmmm. Let me know.

Mumoverseas, maybe you can do a break in Bahrain during (the next) Eid? Think that's around 16th November. I might even be walking again by then, ha ha!

[parissmith]

Hi,

I'm in Bahrain and although I have been looking at mumsnet for a while but only just joined it today. Anyway, I've been here 3 years and 8 years altogether in the Gulf.

I'm mum to a 13 year old son and a 21 month old daughter who was born out here.

[LadyWottinger]

I've decided to change my nickname from Paris Smith to Lady Wottinger, much more fun I think. Mrs Wottinger was already taken :-(

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi Lady, where did you have her? Am having mine at Awali. Is she in nursery yet? DS3 went to induction at Little Gems today. He's too wee!

[LadyWottinger]

I had her at Jidhafs Maternity Hospital which is a government hospital. I was supposed to go to Salmaniya but they couldn't fit me in so Jidhafs was the nearest one. I was a high risk pregnancy and I was recommended to go through a government hospital. Even though culturally it was very different from what I was used to they did a fantastic job and really took care of me and my DD.

If I hadn't have been high risk I wouldve gone to Awali.

BTW, I also have a soft spot for Gregory House too, my kinda guy (DH has a bit of House in him, I think..)

[mumoverseas]

Hi, advice required please from you lovely Bahrain ladies.
I want to escape over the causeway for a few days, can you recommend any hotels. We used to stay at the Novotel and the Gulf but want to try somewhere different. DC are (almost) 4 and 18 months

[fedupwithdeployment]

I stayed at the Gulf in June, and the pool was great. Rest was slightly dated. We had a day at the Ritz Carlton though which was lovely!!

[mumoverseas]

ah yes, RC is lovely but rather expensive We often went to Trader Vics for dinner/drinks but DH drew the line at us staying there.

I suppose I should also ask for recommendations of hotels that offer babysitting

I think it might be the Gulf again. Like you say the pool is very nice and the Chinese restaurant was very good (and of course REAL bacon for breakfast unlike some of the hotels with their beef bacon)

[fedupwithdeployment]

We also ate in the Iranian which was nice, but had the most amazing fish in the Thai restaurant on my last night.

Trader Vics was good...as was massage at the RC - but not a chance of us staying there!!

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Well, you never know you may be able to get deals at the Ritz. The Movenpick out by the airport looks nice and has a fab Friday brunch.

What about something like the Fraser Suites in Seef and then you can go to lots of different places for lunch/dinner etc. Like Trader Vics!

You could do worse than the Gulf though, let's be fair! They have a new tex mex restaurant too.

[mumoverseas]

ooh, new tex mex
If only it was that simple to book.
We've just (at the very last minute as usual) been told the schools have been ordered to shut tomorrow for SN day and DH has been given an extra day off. Loads of us thought about a long weekend in Bahrain but can't get any hotels booked
Looks like the weekend will be spent eating turkey or beef bacon and drinking our homebrew

Might try Gulf again next time we escape

[MABS]

i love the RC, very good with kids too.