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[dhennan]

I'm going to Bahrain next December/January and was wondering if anyone has experience traveling in that area? This will be my first trip out of North America and Europe. I'm a little nervous about offending someone unintentionally. Is there anything, especially as a woman, I should avoid doing?

[prytania3]

Bahrain is pretty open. It used to be the watering hole of the Gulf. Now Dubai has probably taken away some of its flash--although Bahrain was never flashy like Dubai. Everyone from Saudi, Kuwait, etc. would go there to party. Yes, there are some observant folk in Bahrain, but they aren't going to fool with you much anyway--other than to sell something. Bahrain has a souk, but mainly, it has banks. Lots of banks and really nice beaches.

No cause for worries going to Bahrain.

[gcaye]

Bahrain is a nice place, very modern.  They are having political problems however.

Avoid talking about, or asking about, internal politics.  Wear long loose fitting clothes outside.  Don't go to bars by yourself.

Other than that, you'll be fine.  If anyone bothers you on the street, even by just looking at you funny or following you, duck into a shop and ask the owner for help, you'll be surprised how quickly a group of people will gather to defend you.

People are very nice and friendly, most people who live there are not from Bahrain.

The weather is great at that time.

[birjest]

Well, I am station in Bahrain.   I been here since January (right at the beginning of the Arab uprise... sweet memories), and I can say, it is very nice here.  You can live anywhere for decent rent and everything here is negotiable.  Bahrain is U.S. - friendly and the threat against westerns is low to moderate low.  I can go on, but if you want to know more, reply back to me.

As for people looking at you strange or going to bars....not true.  Most bars are full of Brits and Americans, but you have to be careful of the Kuwaiti and Saudi guys who comes here to party on the weekend.  They DO NOT abide by the Bahrain's laws...as well as driving.

I was here in 2006-2007, and the place change dramatically.  New Marriott's hotels chains, western businesses are flourishing.  They just screwed themselves out of the F1 racing.

[prytania3]

Well, I am station in Bahrain.   I been here since January (right at the beginning of the Arab uprise... sweet memories), and I can say, it is very nice here.  You can live anywhere for decent rent and everything here is negotiable.  Bahrain is U.S. - friendly and the threat against westerns is low to moderate low.  I can go on, but if you want to know more, reply back to me.

As for people looking at you strange or going to bars....not true.  Most bars are full of Brits and Americans, but you have to be careful of the Kuwaiti and Saudi guys who comes here to party on the weekend.  They DO NOT abide by the Bahrain's laws...as well as driving.

I was here in 2006-2007, and the place change dramatically.  New Marriott's hotels chains, western businesses are flourishing.  They just screwed themselves out of the F1 racing.

I went lots of places (including bars) by myself in Bahrain, and I didn't have any problems, but I was there in, um, 1980, so I didn't know if things had changed or not. The British were all over the place, especially "the Gulf Air girls."