Eid Mubarak Everybody!

Today we are celebrating Eid Fitr and here is the picture of Kooheji Mosque at Juffair Residence neighbourhood where we did Eid pray this morning at 6 am in the morning.

The Night of Decision

Today is September 29th and today is very important for most of us here, because tonight we will know if it will be our last day of fasting in Ramadan month. Today picture is the inside of the Kooheji Mosque at my neighbourhood Juffair Residence. The photo was taken right after the Imam of the mosque just informed us that tomorrow September the 30th will be the Ied day for Bahrain.

Eid Mubarak Everybody, Ramadan officially ends, 29 days of fasting, renewing our islamic faith, times for self-learning and tomorrow we will be celebrating the Eid.

Shaik Isa National Library

This is the new National Library called Shaik Isa National Library located in Juffair. From the official site here, it is said that it will be completed and opened at the end of 2008. The library will be worth in overall USD 45.3 million and has been equipped in the most advanced technology and will be the most advanced in the region. It will start with having 70,000 titles and will grow into 250,000 titles.

The future library will have collections of literature, philosophy, history, reference, national publications, foreign books and United Nations publications. Further, it will have a mini conference hall with a 400 seating capacity. Wah!!! I absolutely will come on the opening day! I love readings!

Dear Readers, Do you love readings? What are your favourite? Books? Novels? Authors?

The Mosque Series #04 "The Grand Mosque Al Fateh"

The last few days I was having a connection problem in both office and home therefore I was not able to post photos in the last few days. So today, I would be posting some photos to fill in the gap on the last few days.

So today's photo is the Grand Mosque Al Fateh at Juffair Avenue. This beautiful mosque is one of the biggest mosque in the world where it is capable of accomodating 7,000 woshipper at the same time. The huge dome built on the top of the mosque is made of pure fibreglass and weighting over 6 tons (60,000 kgs) and currently it is the world largest fibreglass dome.

The mosque was built by the late Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa during 1990's. It is named after Ahmed Al Fateh "Ahmed the Conquerer". He was a leader of Al Khalifa tribe, the ruling family of Bahrain in 1783.

Durrat Marina Ads

Today's photo is a quick snapshot I took with my handphone and I hope it is clear enough for everybody to see how big this advertisement board is and what is Durrat Marina. Actually I have had a posting about Durrat Marina earlier this month here.

So Durrat Marina is a new develepment project in Bahrain consisting residences, apartment, villas, golf courses and yacthing marinas. The residences and destination getaway with island concept but urban styles. Interesting is not it? Please go here to find more about Durrat Marina.

In this picture, you could see that further behind the ads board, there are the National Library and Al Fateh Grand Mosque further on the right side. Tomorrow I will tell more about the Grand Mosque and National Library.

Al Bairoti Restaurant at Adliya

Today's photo is a Lebanese restaurant located in Adliya. They have the delicious Shawarma and Hummus.

Juffair Avenue

This is a shot of Juffair Avenue which is only a few minutes walking from my flat. This is one of the posh area in Juffair where the young Bahrainis and other visitors (Saudis, Kuwaitis and Americans) come to eat and cruising around at Juffair avenue. It is quite amazing to see such a congested traffic here every evening while having a drink or food at any of these restaurants.

You could also see that most of the shops here are some famous american fastfood restaurants, cafes and even money transfer services, Western Union. You name it! There are Burger King, McDonald, Costa Cafe and even Shawarma here. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern style sandwich. Since I have become so fond of this delicious sandwich, I would be posting about Shawarma tomorrow.

The King's Palace at Sakhir

This is an entrance of one of the King's Palace at Sakhir, near Al Areen area where I am working. The update I heard that the King has 7 palaces all around Bahrain and unfortunately they are not open for public eyes. The closed gate and couples of guard and the hight green plant wall make me more curious how the palace is going to look like inside. Is it as grandeur as we heard from the story?

The Long Legged Shadows

Barbar Temple Miniature at National Museum

Yesterday I was posting the shot of Ruined Barbar Temple at Barbar village, a 1o minutes drive from where I live. The remaining construction survived only shown some parts and Today I decide to post the shot from the miniature at Bahrain National Museum. From here, you could see the obvious similarity between the real temple and the miniature.

Anybody would like to make a guess on today's photo and yesterday?

Barbar Temple of Dilmun

Here is one of the Barbar Temple located at Barbar village. This ancient ruin is part of Dilmun civilisation and was found in 1954 by a Danish archaelogical team. The temple is built by limestone blocks and the oldest ones could be dating back to 3,000 BC. It is thought that it was built to worship the god Enki, the god of wisdom and freshwater, and his wife Nankhur Sak (Ninhursag) from Ancient Sumerian Mythology.

If you are interested to know more about Barbar Temple and Bahrain's Dilmun Era, please go here and here.

Iftar at Isfahani

Yesterday, I was posting a close-up shot of a Persian tile and today's photo is about the restaurant where I saw the tile. :P. The food is good and the staffs are nice. Quite a change of menu for breaking my fast today. I took the shot with my N91 and I guess it is a bit blur. I love Iranian Food errr Middle Eastern Food. So many names that I can not remember or pronounce.

Do you guys ever try any Iranian or Middle Eastern food?

Persian Tile

This is a shot of Persian tile that I saw when breaking my fasting at Geant Mall's food court. I would get back with for further information about Islamic design, pattern and more.

Fuddruckers Corner

This is the shot of Fuddruckers in Al Areen area, near BIC (Bahrain International Circuit).

Sunset at Al Dar

This last week, I have been a bit possesed on promoting Al Dar island. Hey trust me guys, I am giving more exposure here because of its beautiful scenary and mesmerizing aura. I hope the General Manager of Al Dar would hear and see my posting and invite me for FREE!! hahah you wish Ian!!!

Anyway, this sunset shot would be the end of Al Dar shots.

The Lifegueard Tower

Today's photo is the Lifeguard Tower at Al Dar.

A Watch House or An Island Fort?

Today's photo is another shot of an old fort with a beautiful beach shot. I guess so!!! (I posted the similar photo yesterday but this one has a wider shot. Do not you agree with me that this one looks more sentimentally touching?LOL). There is always a question nagging in my mind everytime I am looking at this picture and wondering wether the old building is a fort or a watch house.

Anyone know more about Old Fort in Middle East? Well I might be doing some research later on Wiki or some googling later. Will keep you guys updated. Cheers!

A Lonely Old Fort

Rocks at Al Dar

Yesterday, I posted a photo of Seashell scatttered on the sand and today will be the rocks in the same perspective. Too bad, There is not any colourful stones!!! That is a crime. LOL he3

Seashell Close-up

Today's photo is a a close-up shot of seashell at Al Dar island's beach. Somehow simple things looks marvelous take by camera. Do not you agree with me? Hmm Seashell always has a special meaning for me. I grew up in a beachside of Padang and strolling on the beach was a must in the early morning and while walking and being wet by the water, I always collected some shells, colourful stones I found there. Pssst I still keep all these precious things at Mom's. Mom said it was part of my growing mementos and they all stay at home.

Anyway, as per the official Al Dar's site here, the island is only 20 minutes from Manama and another 10 minutes by Sea Taxi from Sitra Fisherman's port. It is a very nice place for a quick retreat for us who are living in the city.

Interested? I bet you will hehehe

Desert Road Ads

Marina Bay in Juffair

Today's photo is Marina Bay at Juffair Area. The last news I heard about the future of Marina Bay that they are going to built a new modern residence and getaway destination and this new property would be called Durrat Marina. I hope one of these day, I could get a snap of the Advertisement for Durrat Marina.

For you who are interested about Durrat Marina, please go here !

Kanoo Travel Center

Bahrain Hotel in Manama

Today's photo is Bahrain Hotel located in Manama.

Bahrain Financial House at Bahrain Bay

DP Theme - Sister City

Our theme of the day for the 1st of September is Sister City(ies) and I must confess that I had no idea wether Sanabis has a twin city! After searching at Wikipedia, I only found out that only Manama is being twinned with Dubai city in United Arab Emirates. Since Sanabis is under the municipality of Manama, so that is it then!

Here is a nice shot of Manama Skyline from Wikipedia since I do not have any of such pretty composition. For you who are interested for our twin city, we are lucky that Dubai DP does exists but unfortunately not being updated for a year, please go here if you want to see the wonderful shots taken by DXBluey and Chuckeroon.