Another injury

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days but I have been very busy lately with going to the pool, playing basketball and squash. lol

On the news front, I twisted a finger playing bball yesterday and it's quite swollen. But nothing that I can't shake off. Not like if it was my first time anyway.

By the way I have a few pictures of the apartment facilities at night. I still don't get bored of the great place we have now.






I'm not really sure of what else to do to get you all to come visit.
Hope it's working

By the way, I feel a bit lonely without Ed, so don't hesitate to call me on skype (ppringuet)

See you soon
Phil

TV

With everything closed during ramadan and the sun setting around 5pm, I still haven't adjusted. Add the fact that I've been quite busy since I arrived, the only thing I've done apart from going to the gym is watching TV.

The TV in the hotel is good with around 40 channels but about 10 arabic channels.
Still 7 sports channels with all the football you want and NBA TV for basketball, I was quite happy.

That's until I saw the TV in the apartment.
Our landlord set us up today with what they call here the DREAM box.
8000 channels, yes you read well, it's eight thousand channels.
with everything from French TV, including encrypted movie channels (canal+), hundreds of movie channels and over 150 sport channels including all the sky sports.
Just incredible.
The time-shifting is in option but with that many channels, there's got to be something on.

And all that on a 46in plasma !
I'm going to have to force myself to go out.
Phil

Edwina is gone back home

Just dropped Edwina at the airport.
Felt so sad. She was ready to cry I could tell.
She should be gone for about 6 weeks. The longest time we've ever been apart.
I know I'm going to feel lonely. or is it that I'm afraid not to be taken care of.

Airport is funny tho. you have to go through security before you check in. I wasn't even supposed to follow her there. weird.

The drive home (The Gulf Hotel is my home for another week) is gorgeous at night ! We can see our apartment almost right from the start. so cool.

Email me loads guys. I need support during those difficult 6 weeks.
Off for a few beers with the lads.
Talk to you later.

A new car

Rented a car for a month last night.
After having rented a Mitsubishi Lancer 1.3L for a week, we went for something slightly bigger but it's a Skoda.
A skoda Supreme 2.8L though. I'ts made by Volkswagen and looks like the Passat.
Quite impressed with it so far: Comfortable, good AC, and good performance.
Everything we were looking for until we get to buy one. But for that we need a CPR (residency card).

By the way I filled the tank for BD5 (€10) for 50L and I just realized that here petrol is cheaper than water !

Special Holiday offer

Special offer on EdandPhil Holidays (we probably need a logo for our new holiday agency)

7 nights
including breakfast, and accommodation
all free of charge.
Just book your flights on
www.etihad.com

Room with satellite TV and internet
Access to large swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis court, squash courts, basketball court, pool table, resident bar, ...

Of course we're talking of our new apartment, and you're all welcome. We've taken an extra room just for you guys. The apartment is situated on the 27th floor of a 3 tower complex. We are in the 'Pearl Tower'

Here are some pictures:

The 3 towers



The apartment

The sitting room with flat screen TV of course



The kitchen


The master bedroom with ensuite (with jacuzzi bathtub)





Your room



and finally the facilities that are situated between the 3 towers

The swimming pool and lounge





The Gym





with jacuzzi, sauna and steam room



The Basketball court and tennis court






Hope to hear from you soon
Philippe

Out and about

We rented a car last week so we have been driving all over to decide where we would like to live. There are three main residential areas, Juffair, Sanabis and Seef on the main Island and then there is Amwaj, a small island. Bascially Juffair is where all the hotels and bars are and Sanabis is where all the shopping malls are. We much prefer Sanabis but still on the hunt for an apartment.

The other night we took a walk around Adliya which is the restaurant district. There are lots of small juice bars and kebab places. We went for ice cream in Baskins and Robins. Scopes the size of a grown mans fist. The weather does get cooler in the evening but around 10 or so the humidity almost doubles. Needless to say ice cream was rolling down our face and arms but it was so good.

Today we said we would go to Al Dar Island. A small paradise island just a boat trip off the east coast. Arrived around half ten to discover that it was closed. Bring on the end of Ramadan!!
It will definitely be a place to bring all of you when you visit.

Oh yes, filling the car is definitely not a hassle anymore. Less than 20cents/litre, a full tank (40L) for 8 euro.

Philippe is enjoying work so far. Great people, great buildings even though AC is put a bit too low. This is only induction week so he can take it easy. It shouldn't be too bad later on either with only 16 hours lecturing per week. The perks of being a lecturer in Bahrain.

Can't wait to see you all again
Edwina

Our first sunset in Bahrain

Even though we're on an island, beaches are not great because the coast is mostly from reclaimed land. Not that you would be able to wear a bikini here anyway.
The nice beaches are only in private clubs (British club, Ritz hotel, ...) where you can sunbath wearing bikinis or shorts.





But you do get amazing sunsets

Bus tour around Bahrain

Today we went for a bus tour around the Island. It wasn't really a visiting trip but we got to see the South and some of the major attractions.
There is a lot of desert






and in the middle there's the tree of life.
Apparently scientists haven't found any water near the tree and don't know how it can be there, let alone grow.

Shooping

Shopping in Bahrain is great. The malls (Bahrain mall, City centre mall, Seef mall, ...) are amazing and you can find anything you need. In particular, City Centre mall is gigantic. Most of the shops from Ireland (River Ireland, new look, M&S, ...) are there and there is even Carrefour (french hypermarket) so Philippe is happy to finally get some french food.
Look at this selection of spices:



Still you see some shops with strange names:


There is still loads to see for us like the suq, the central market for very cheap veg, fresh fish and meat...