Our last day in Bahrain. Most mornings we have used the home gym and cooled off a little in the pool; the pool is not heated but quite warm - a little warm for us! I guess close to 30 degrees! The air temperature mid-mornings has been close to 30; we have been lucky as the adjoining countries have been up to 45. Yesterday we visited the souk, especially the gold souk which specialises in the natural pearls set in yellow gold - doesn't appeal to me. The first par...

Arrived in Bahrain Thursday morning about 3 am half an hour before schedule as the aircraft, a new Airbus 340, took off 20 minutes early. Etihad Airways board early and go as soon as they can. Frank and Frances very kindly got out of their bed and met us at the airport; they were there early as they had nearly missed flights themselves because of the "go" policy. Friday morning we slept in being a bit jet lagged after the 14and a half hours of the tr...