We didn’t have much time to go around, but all three people who I traveled with have been to Bahrain before. So when we came in at night we were going from bridge to bridge. I have to say that I didn’t expect Bahrain to be this small, but I had no clue where I was going and I was exhausted at night. The guys were directing me to the hotel and when we got there we dropped our things and passed out at 4:00am.
8:00am I woke up and I had to wake everybody else up for our meeting, we finished our meeting around 2:00pm and then we headed towards Seef Mall. I had no clue where everything was but the roads are pretty nice and there is a lot of construction. Also people seem to be well mannered on the road, everyone was signaling and pretty nice towards each other. When we got to Seef Mall we didn’t go in we just went straight to Johnny Rockets to get a bite to eat before heading back to Kuwait.
I have to say that most of the Bahrainis that I met were very nice and always very helpful, even the police were very helpful. At a checkpoint at night I was asking them a lot of questions which was surprising. Overall I think I need to visit Bahrain again, and I need to see the track since I want to drive on the track, they were telling me you can rent a car.
It was one hell of short trip. We were four guys two guys slept and two were up, i was driving and my copilot was a champ.
Rules of Being the CoPilot:
- Copilot Doesn’t sleep
- Copilot helps the driver with whatever he needs
- Copilot provides food and bevearges
- Copilot also provides directions
I was almost about to pass out by the time I got to Bahrain, I stopped once to pour water all over my face, I needed it to stay awake. And going through the check points were interesting to say the least.
Kuwait/Saudi Border (11:00pm):
- Kuwait Immigiration: Good
- Saudi Immigration: Very Nice
- Suadi Customs: Good
Saudi/Bahrain Border (3:00am):
- Saudi Immigration: Good
- Bahrain Immigration: Very Nice
- Bahrain Customs: Pissed off for some reason, maybe because he was at work at 3am
Saudi/Bahrain Border (3:30pm):
- Bahrain Immigration: Good
- Saudi Immigration: Good
- Saudi Customs: Very Nice
Kuwait/Saudi Border (7:20pm)
- Saudi Immigtraion: Good
- Kuwait Immigration: Good
- Kuwait Customs: Nonexistent
That was just short recap of our trip but it was for work but also we had a hilarious time on the drive back. Also the landcruiser’s rear A/C wasn’t working for some reason, and on the way back I was releaved of my driving duties to lack of sleep from this week. So they sent me ot the back, I have to say that the Landcruiser is pretty damn comfortable in the back, it can really lean back which is really relaxing.
I have to say that people drive really nicely in Bahrain and in Saudi you drive like everyone is going to hit you, which usually is the case.
I can’t blame all the people that love this place! The people, the food, and the atmosphere are all great, what I like the is the abundance of nice restaurants and nice places to go to in Beirut and the surrounding areas. I barely had time to rest in my room since I was out until late at night and I had meetings early in the morning, the surprising part was that I wasn’t that tired until I got back to Kuwait.
There is one thing that comes to mind when driving in Lebanon its called Organized Chaos, its about how much the other person will give and how much your willing to risk while driving. From what I understood the tax they put on new vehicles is around 60% if you import the car and try to pay the import fees, that is a steep amount. Suprisingly I saw a lot of Ferraris, BMWs, and other nice cars with Lebanese plates and some nice numbers as well. I barelly had anytime to go to any of the shopping areas because of work and going out with friends. I barely even had enough time to take pictures since I was running around so much, I will be visiting again and I hope soon just to explore it properly and at my own pace. We also visited some family friends who are staying in Lebanon for the time being in the mountain areas above Hamdoon. Lebanon has a very nice mix, you have access to an amazing City Life, and you can have the relaxing lifestyle in the Mountains as well, just beautiful. I just hope things work out in Lebanon since its a such a beautiful place and the people are all amazing, its sad seeing things not working out, I just hope it does soon.
Places I really liked:
Restaurants:
- Claudias
- Mhanna
- Julias
- Zinc
Lounge/Club:
- Krystal
- Casino
- Zinc
- Matees
Boutique Hotel:
- Albergo
These are just some of the nice places, and there are a lot of places I know I didn’t have a chance to visit or even see how the shopping is after all this time. I just have to say that it is really worth a visit. I hope to be going back again in the near future when I have enough time.
We started off a bit late as we were going to Saudi, our meeting had an open time so we were open to what time we were supposed to get there!
We got to the border in less then 40 minutes so we were making good time! To do that I took off the front plate and gunned it all the way to the border, just before the border I stopped and put the plate back on! As we were going through customs, the Kuwaiti customs really really didn’t feel like being there and they were a bit annoying. Suprisingly the Saudi border was nice and they were cordial, I was suprised by the difference. And the Kuwaiti vehicle registration guy jumbled the paperwork so that it said Ahmady instead of Hawally for my vehicle registration paper that they give you to give to the Saudi vehicle guy, but the Saudi officer let me pass and told me to tell him to do it right the next time!
As soon as we cross the border and I directed in the correct direction, I put my cruise control on 195 Km/h because the Landcruiser has a limiter, I couldn’t go faster, I would if I could!
It was a nice drive and we passed a lot of vehicles so I didn’t have any issues! It was a straight line to Damaam, and we made it in good time, but when we got there I jumbled up the directions a bit since I ended up at the airport instead of downton! I was expecting something like that happen!
We left around 6:00pm so the sun was almost gone but the sky seemed someone lit up! Then we stopped Khafji to get a bite to eat since we didn’t have a bite to eat since 10am that morning!
Then we got to the border and when I crossed back into the Kuwaiti border! We gunned it all the way back. I dropped off my boss and then headed to work for a bit! It was a good experience and a good meeting! Lots of traveling these past couple of days!
This is one hell of a place! I have to say I dont know how a person could work here! Working all morning and then out all night! So many places to see and to be! So many beautiful people! I always knew that I liked Lebanese people, and now I know why! Everyone is just so damn nice, friendly, funny as hell, and its fun as hell hanging out with some friends and meeting their friends! I literally don’t stop in my place for long and I’m not getting much sleep! Work and Lebanon just don’t mix well! I dont think I will get much sleep tonight either, and I have meeting at 8 am in the morning plus my flight!
On the plane I had a few things stored on my laptop to watch. Suprisingly I didn’t have time before to watch the last episode of Heroes before the April 23 airing!
Heroes Episdoe 18 is one hell of an episode! I really wasn’t expecting that! So much happened and so many questions, so many new paths have opened and the dots are connecting! And for the first time we have seen Lindermen! Damn, wasn’t expecting that! I can’t wait to see more! I want to see more! I don’t know whats going to happen towards the end of the season but the wait for next season is going to kill me!
I also wastched Naruto Shippuuden Episode 6 & 7! And now I want the other episodes! This is the difficult part when your following a show episode by episode! A crazy fight took place but now there is a big fight ahead and I’m not sure whats going to happen next, but one thing is for sure! Its going to be big!
I’m also happy I charged my mp3 player!
This has been a nonstop week! And last night I was exhausted last night and I forgot about a few things! And I had to pack real early in the morning!
And now I’m at the airport about to take-off! Nonstop running around and this is the first time I got to Lebanon in about 6 years so its going to be interesting! Got a friend or two to meet with, and I have no clue where anything is, so I’m going to be taken around.
That was one hell of a drive! Over 750 Kilometers traveled and I head my foot to the floor the whole time! I lost count how many cops in Saudi I flashed! We left Kuwait around 10:30am and got to Damaam by 1:30pm and of course with my driving and navigation skills in this area I was going no where fast! hehehe
I have a lot of pictures to put up and we had very little time to do anything last night! Our meeting went for about 4 hours, so by the time we left we only got to Kuwait by 10:30pm and I had to make a quick stop at work to finish up some work before leaving the next day as well!
Didn’t get home until 12:30 am and I had to pack for my flight the next day! I passed out! I woke up the next morning with all my paperwork still open! I passed out without realiziing how tired I was.
I’m going to be doing the driving but the navigation will be done by my boss with me.
Distance: 290 KMs
ETA: 3.5 hours
My ETA: 2-2.5 hours
Essentials:
- Saudi Riyals (For Speeding Tickets)
- Spare Dishdasha
- Briefcase, some cards
- Passport
- Full Tank of Gass
- A Heavy Foot!
- Remove front License plate
This is going to be an interesting day, we will be coming back the same day, I’m curious what time we will be back. I’m not sure what time we are leaving but sooner rather then later.
*Note: This kind of traveling can only be done in a Landcruiser those who think it can be done in any other vehicle are kidding themselves!
We got a few things on the list to complete and for that to be done we need to travel to two or three countries at this point. So we have a few things on the list at this point!
- Tuesday: Going to Saudi by car. Traveling for 3.5 to 4 hours to the location, then have our meeting, grab a bite to eat, then drive back.
- Wendesday: Go to Lebanon in the afternoon, brainstorm on Wednesday, meetings all Thursday, come back Friday morning.
There is still one or two trips which need to be planned. I dont think I will be enjoying this weekend what so ever since there is a lot of work and I ‘m hoping to get some riding on Friday since by that time I will be getting my bike back by then! All this travel and all I can think about is riding my bike! The weather will only be cool for a little while longer! And I don’t think this is proper visit to Lebanon since this is my first visit since 2001, I might need to come back again to see it properly, this time too much work! Saudi will be an interesting drive for sure!