Overdue is probably an understatement for how I feel about the topic in this post. On that imaginary blog to-do list for a while, but it’s been hard sitting down and writing. Not for any terrible reasons though!

I’ve been in Bahrain now for around four months. Four months since I up-sticks and moved a few thousand miles from the one home I’ve only ever known – England. And I don’t regret it for a moment.

How’s life in Bahrain, four months in?

It’s marginally different. For one thing, I work from home now. I think I can feel some pangs of jealousy from some readers out there! Working from home is interesting. I mean it’s great because I work UK hours, so actually start and finish later. But having the discipline to not just sit on the sofa and “work” can be trying at times. Doing well so far!

Watch out for Mother Fudgers on the Road

Driving is a bit taxing here. Back in England I enjoyed driving. So much so, that it wasn’t rare that I’d come home from work and occasionally take the car out for a drive in the evening. Driving here is a whole other ball game. You just have to be very hyper aware of what other drivers are doing around you. Yes, people drive like lunatics at incredible speeds while on the phone and browsing their Instagram feed (Not even joking about that one.). Just learn to look out for them, and you’re fine. Still getting used to it. My solution? Drive incredibly defensively. And check your mirrors like your life depends on it! Because in actual fact, it does.

Things will get done when they get done

The lifestyle here is different. There’s definitely a laid back feel to it. Which can be frustrating for when you just want to get shit done. But it’s a nice change from England.

One thing I really, really like about Bahrain is that it is constantly on the go. Fancy a coffee at midnight? Yes, you’ll find somewhere that’ll be open for that. Heading out for dinner at 10:30pm. Sure, the kitchen’s still open. It never stops.

On top of it never stopping, everything is so bloody close because BAHRAIN IS A TINY TINY PLACE. You’re never far from anything. I’m closer to some of the best Chinese and Thai food I’ve ever had, here in Bahrain than I was when I was in England. Crazy thought.

Let’s go to the mall, today!

While it may be hotter than the surface of the sun a lot of the time, options for “doing things” during the day can feel a bit limited, as you’re restricted to indoor entertainment. But there are some really good options. I’ve already raved about how cheap the cinema is in Bahrain compared to London. (Though we’ve actually not been in a while as films tend to get censored and cut here, sadly. So film choices to be seen in the cinema are chosen wisely.). Bowling is also incredibly cheap. 8BHD (About £13) for 2 rounds of bowling for 2 people. Not a bad way to spend a few hours.

Or you can just people watch with a coffee in hand at one of the many, many malls. So many malls. And the so many coffee shops.

Hey, it’s not so hot anymore

Looking forward to the weather cooling down. Well, when I say cooling down, it’s now on average around 35 degrees C during the day rather than around 40!

We can finally have a few barbecues on the roof. We’ve already starting go-karting again. However, it is still pretty hot for go-karting, even at around 9 in the evening. Wearing the full driving kit is HOT.

I’d like to go visit Bahrain Fort again, except actually walk around it. Again, something that’s better when the weather’s cooler. Also, hit up Al Dar Islands and maybe The Lost Paradise of Dilmun. Funny that we’re waiting for cooler weather before we hit the beach and a water park.

So what do YOU do in Bahrain?

Mostly, it’s eating. We go out to eat a lot. A lot of that is probably due to the fact that OH and my schedules don’t really match up – I work from home during the day and he works nights. So we make the most of the weekends. And it’s not just dinner or lunch, eating out for breakfast is probably one of my favourite things. (Alongside OH’s pancakes, of course.)

Favourite places to eat out

Saffron breakfast, after it got demolished

Gusto pizzas are definitely my favourite on the island

Saffron by Jena in Muharraq – such a beautiful place

Gusto in Busaiteen

1. Saffron by Jena for breakfast. Incredibly Bahraini breakfasts. INCREDIBLE.
2. David’s Stir Fry – some of the best Chinese food I have ever had.
3. La Vinoteca Barcelona – Spanish tapas/wine bar with some fab wines and really, really good tapas. Avoid the paella though.
4. Monsoon and Thailand Restaurant are my favourite for some solid Thai food.
5. Mooyah for a burger any time. Their bean burgers are magical. Meat ones too!
6. Mumbai Spice does the best Bombay Sandwich I’ve ever tasted. To be fair it’s the only one.
7. Coral Bay has some excellent Middle Eastern food.
8. Clay Oven is a bit of a divey Indian place, but they have beer! Not tried the food yet.
9. Gusto has some of the best pizzas I have ever had. And some excellent Italian food. But their pizzas are insane.

… Other than eating?

Well, everything I said above. Go-karting, squash, bowling, consuming TV and films at home, occasional board game nights in with some good food and drinks. The kind of thing you do with your friends, wherever you are.

Oh and one last thing…

The sunsets and sunrises in Bahrain are absolutely stunning. Some of the prettiest I have seen. Almost makes up for missing out on the lovely, misty autumn weather in England.

Sunset through a dirty window – not bad!

Catching the sunset down the highway

Going home at sunset – and it’s a stunning sunset

So all in all, I am enjoying life in Bahrain! Like I said before, it’s not that much different to my life in England. I work, I shop, do chores go out. But now, I get to share my life with my OH.