This is Bab al-Bahrain, or the Gate to Bahrain. It was built by the British in 1945, although moved from its original location at the water’s edge. It is aptly named since a huge amount of goods still pass through it to the souq beyond.

We are leaving for two weeks in Morocco tomorrow, and I don’t think we’ll have Internet everywhere (like for sure not in a tent in the desert!), and possibly not great where we do have a connection. I’ll try to keep up when I can, and hope I come back with some good photos!

With this picture, I’ll end this short gallery of our visit to Bahrain. I didn’t actually expect much, but I’d have to say Manama was a pleasant city that I’d go back to for a weekend away from the kingdom. Thank you for all the comments and votes, and I hope it gave at least a glimpse into what this last of the Gulf States we visited was like. I guess we have seen all of them now, with the exception of Iraq (which Tim has visited, but not me, and I’m fairly certain I never will).