I am a newbie here! A toddler in Bahrain and love it already!

My husband and I have recently moved to this country and the vibe, energy and exuberance of this island is infectious! Am taking baby steps and every day here seems like a new adventure!

There is something in the air of Bahrain, is it that it’s a small island so the people are all inter connected, close knit and merrily going about their daily life? Or is it that the country has consciously attracted easy going, sanguine, positive folk? I can’t fathom, but the vibe for sure is addictive!

At first I was terrified at the thought of moving to a new country. A new country means we start life afresh, make new friends - which seems to become decidedly tougher as years go by. Looking for new work opportunities and keep busy while the husband establishes himself. Basically uproot oneself and begin life anew!

Anyhow, we got here! I behaved like an imbecile most of my first month, constantly complaining about being dislodged from a life familiar to me, having to leave my 'lucrative career' and no more the thrill of meeting deadlines or working round the clock for a presentation. A wise man once said, 'We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us,' and now I am learning how to implement this statement on a day to day basis.

The first task at hand was to quickly get ourselves a house. I began my search with some trepidation, thinking how I would find a good house with my multiple needs, within a budget. I began my search, I looked at houses, oh yes I saw some! Over a hundred of them in fact! And not because I wasn’t finding one but because I found so many! Each one better than the other. I was spoilt for choice; should I pick up a villa with beautiful pink and while bougainvillea blooming in the garden and a small pool for the kids, or do I take a swanky penthouse overlooking the Arabian sea? Then there were regular flats replete with amenities, studio apartments or deluxe houses with classical or contemporary furniture. Toughie isn’t it? I had mind boggling options, do I pick up a house with open kitchen or closed, do I choose between twice a week housekeeping or a laundromat next door and a few apartments also had breakfast on the house. How much better can this get? And most houses or apartments came with roof-top or indoor swimming pools, and fully furnished gymnasiums. I finally settled on a flat, about two minutes walking distance from four 24/7 supermarkets and a food street comprising top of the line food chains across the world. The foodie in me won hands down!

Bahrain spoils you, spoils you rotten.

By the time I finalized the house I was already familiar with the island, I had met some very helpful agents who shared a lot of interesting trivia and helpful information on the country and now I'm sure I could become an estate agent myself. Not bad for someone who has hardly been here, and a pretty lucrative career option I must say, specially in this country.

The thing I like about Bahrain is that it’s definitely not Wall Street; working professional can unplug and enjoy their well-deserved evenings, at the same time there is enough to challenge the jet-setters. I like the fact that my husband comes home at a reasonable hour, I know it’s never too early for us girls but if I had to be fair, life in Bahrain is a lot more balanced than many other countries.

I get super excited on weekends, as that’s when we take off in our car and drive around the coast. One of my most favourite places is the Al Dar islands, about a half an hour drive from the city. This may just be the cutest place to visit, a tiny island with a restaurant and pristine blue sea surrounding it. I love chilling there with a cool cocktail, smelling the salty sea air and gazing at the minuscule sun soaked beach and then finally heading for a spin on the boats, what freedom, what exhilaration! Easy on the pocket and what a delightful way to spend the day! 

A day out with new found friends at the Bahrain Sailing Club at Zallaq beach is guaranteed fun and a fabulous way to spend the weekend. Warm, shimmering waters, mellow surf and crowd lazing in their beach-wear, while people with a passion for sailing and kids keep themselves busy with their chosen water sport. I could go there again and again... and again!

When in a mood for some adrenaline, I head to the Juffair food street, I have concluded that this street never sleeps. Flanked by restaurants on either side, we would invariably see people ripping on their Harleys, Ducatis or Honda’s, high-fiving their buddies on the way. I like to sit in one of the many open air restaurants and enjoy a casual conversation with a kindred soul or watch the crowd buzzing by.

I love exploring the malls on the weekends, am pretty sure all of us girls do! The shopping is to die for; brand after brand. Oh I am so greedy, I want it all. I have been inspired to shed off a few kilos just looking at the gorgeous dresses hanging on the mannequins. 

As winter approaches there is a nip in the air, it also rains once in a while and this is the time I like going to my nearest Starbucks and grabbing a hot cup of coffee. Everything seems tastier and cosier. While walking the streets I am frequently greeted with a customary yet cheerful 'hello' and hand-waves by people driving by, the chatter that I hear is all about Christmas cakes and baking! 

Winter is also the time to take long walks by the beach or just stroll in the by-lanes of Bahrain looking at majestic villas, stunning landscaped greenery and colourful flowers blooming outside many a house. I immensely enjoy the sights of little children riding their mini-bicycles, while their mom’s animatedly chat with the neighbours. The seasonal rains seem to have spruced up the flowers and trees, and they look greener and more colourful as if all set to welcome the Christmas.

A first for me was the visit to Bahrain’s biggest mosque, the Ahmed Al Fateh Islamic Centre (Grand Mosque). What a magnificent place with highly informative guides who shared insights into the religious aspects and highlighted the architectural facets of the mosque. I truly experienced the Arab culture and hospitably that day.

I have met some incredible ladies on this island, many of these women, just like me, have left their familiar world to join their husbands but have managed to create a niche for themselves. Some blog, some are regular columnists, others teach or volunteer counselling sessions, some bake and sell their yummy goodies. It's inspiring to meet these women who don’t get deterred in a new place but establish themselves on their own merit. Taking a cue from them, here I am, penning a few thoughts of my journey thus far in this chirpy little country.

A great experience for me has also been joining local cultural associations or groups or local coffee meet ups. I have managed to meet some very interesting folk at these organizations. There is this extremely ingenious and a now a good buddy, who organises dolphin watching as his hobby. There is another gentleman who conducts poetry writing workshops! 

I don’t complain about not working, in fact I know I will soon land a job for myself but in the meantime I am enjoying the deliciousness which comes with the newness of a country, I am happily soaking up the culture, sights and traditions of Bahrain! 

This is the first time in my life I am taking a break from my career and might I say I am pleasantly surprised at how busy I can still be. I made friends with my neighbour who in turn introduced me to a big bunch of people who welcomed me and who I visit occasionally for a game of cards or sometimes just to meet up to chit chat. 

Deciding to gift my husband an art class on our wedding anniversary, I walked into a quaint art gallery in the jig-sawed lanes of Adliya, and so feel in love with the artist’s work that I have decided to get out my never used paint brushes and try and paint my own little rainbow.

Life is interesting, it leads one to never visited junctures. 

I, for one, find it hilarious when I lose my way, which happens all the time while trying to reach a new destination, much to the annoyance of my husband. But that’s the fun; we get lost so we drive more and we see a lot more of Bahrain in the process!

Bahrain is indeed a gorgeous country and something or other will always catch your fancy. There is so much to do, I love this place! I know I just need to go out there and there will always be something 'newer' to do! Life is good. In the words of Joseph Campbell; 

“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure!”

And I am saying YES!