The Closest I’m Going to Get

Intriguing news about the future notwithstanding, there are still many blogs to be written before we finally bid adieu to Kenya. So today I thought I would finally tell you some more about our wonderful Christmas vacation in Bahrain. (Yes, I know that was four months ago!)

While looking at billboards depicting the Three Amigos (aka the three emirs who rule Bahrain – we think) was a fun way to pass the time every three feet while driving, we tried to make a point of actually seeing one or two things that weren’t related to shopping, eating, or drinking. On the top of our list was a trip to Saudi Arabia – at least as close to as it non-Saudis can get.

The easiest way to get from here to there (Bahrain to Saudi) is by car over the King Fahd Causeway, which is a 26 kilometer bridge between the two countries. Visitors such as myself are not allowed to obtain visas to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – you either have to be a citizen or have a work permit – neither of which we had.

Luckily, the folks that built the Causeway realized that lame people like me would want to get as close to KSA as possible. With us in mind, they built a mini-city in the middle of the bridge complete with viewing tower and even a (really lame) restaurant.

After paying the small fee for the privilege of seeing the view, Hubby and I made our way up the tower in the tiny elevator and watched as the skyline opened up before us. Sadly it was rather hazy that day so our "taste of KSA" was rather muted.

I have realized in the writing of today’s blog that this trip to the middle of a bridge may have been more interesting to those of us on the trip than it is to read about. Sorry – but it was frightfully cool at the time. And hey, it might not count as a new country for “The List” but we get points for at least trying.