shafty
10th September 2009, 06:55
Hi Guys from :sunny: Bahrain
- where the sky is a cloudless blue EVERYDAY and temperatures range between 32C'ish to late 40 degrees celcius!
We're over here on a 2 year working holiday - ie the Wife (GoGal) is working (Tutor), and I'm on holiday!!
The annual religious festival of Ramadan is currently on, meaning the country, Muslims or not, fast from Sunrise to sunset, so no eating or drinkin in public is allowed, no sale of alcohol, and most businesses close for several hours in the afternoon - reopening in the evening, when the 'fast' for the day is broken with a huge feast!
I read where a local was caught having a smoke in public and was arrested - they take it pretty seriously alright!
And before you ask, we have plenty of beers/wine/gin stashed in our hotel suite, being carefully rationed and graphed daily!
Bahrain is an island the same size as the Isle of Man, predominanly arid and very flat - I've only seen 2 minor hills in 3 weeks of roaming. There's plenty of wealth here, with some wicked cars on the road.
The important bit - biking. I'm a bit gobsmacked actually, at the lack of bikes on the road, save the many food delivery bikes - mainly CGL125 Honda's and the like - BTW, want your McDonalds delivered? No probs! KFC or Thai or Indian - no worries sir and no extra charge.
I have spotted a few bigger bikes, HOG have a chapter here, with a nice HD/Buell shop seeming to be trading well, photo's attached of some new Hondas on display in their shop, The Suzy dealer is just around the corner with the latest Busa and BKing on display (sim prices to NZ) - but to date virtually NO second hand bikes to speak of, bugger it!!
I live in hope that after Ramadan, and with continued searching, I may find a 250/400 capable of exploring the island more (and leave the rental car behind) and maybe a sneaky trip thru to a Bike Show in Milan a Kiwi Mate is going to .... we'll see .
Anyway - a few pics which may be of interest, incl some of our stop over in Hong Kong.
1. Hong Kong from the inevitable tourist boat ride
2. V8 Jap people mover!
3. Plenty of large scoots about, some real funky ones
4. VFR800 mounted Cops
- where the sky is a cloudless blue EVERYDAY and temperatures range between 32C'ish to late 40 degrees celcius!
We're over here on a 2 year working holiday - ie the Wife (GoGal) is working (Tutor), and I'm on holiday!!
The annual religious festival of Ramadan is currently on, meaning the country, Muslims or not, fast from Sunrise to sunset, so no eating or drinkin in public is allowed, no sale of alcohol, and most businesses close for several hours in the afternoon - reopening in the evening, when the 'fast' for the day is broken with a huge feast!
I read where a local was caught having a smoke in public and was arrested - they take it pretty seriously alright!
And before you ask, we have plenty of beers/wine/gin stashed in our hotel suite, being carefully rationed and graphed daily!
Bahrain is an island the same size as the Isle of Man, predominanly arid and very flat - I've only seen 2 minor hills in 3 weeks of roaming. There's plenty of wealth here, with some wicked cars on the road.
The important bit - biking. I'm a bit gobsmacked actually, at the lack of bikes on the road, save the many food delivery bikes - mainly CGL125 Honda's and the like - BTW, want your McDonalds delivered? No probs! KFC or Thai or Indian - no worries sir and no extra charge.
I have spotted a few bigger bikes, HOG have a chapter here, with a nice HD/Buell shop seeming to be trading well, photo's attached of some new Hondas on display in their shop, The Suzy dealer is just around the corner with the latest Busa and BKing on display (sim prices to NZ) - but to date virtually NO second hand bikes to speak of, bugger it!!
I live in hope that after Ramadan, and with continued searching, I may find a 250/400 capable of exploring the island more (and leave the rental car behind) and maybe a sneaky trip thru to a Bike Show in Milan a Kiwi Mate is going to .... we'll see .
Anyway - a few pics which may be of interest, incl some of our stop over in Hong Kong.
1. Hong Kong from the inevitable tourist boat ride
2. V8 Jap people mover!
3. Plenty of large scoots about, some real funky ones
4. VFR800 mounted Cops