Life in Old Manama...

As we mostly spend our visits in the newer area of Manama, we decided to visit the older area of Muharraq to get a better sense of what life was like before the skyscrapers.

The House of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa was built in the 1800s and was the Bahrain ruler's residence from 1869-1932.

It was also used as the centre of government during that time.

The beautiful house is designed around several courtyards that separate the family from its guests, servants and government officials.

Natural elements like the wind-towers, windows, courtyards and overall structure are designed to maximize sunlight during the day but still keep the complex cool in the summers and protected in the winters.

Instead of artwork, the walls are covered with beautiful Arabic engravings.

And although it would have been interesting to see the types of furniture that they used at that time, for some reason, these palaces never seem to showcase the furnishings.  Perhaps it is too personal?

The neighbourhood around the palace is understated, with locals living their regular days in small and quiet houses.  There is an enormous park and many neighbourhood stores, with a surprising number of hair salons and butcher shops!

Manama is working to restore much of its historic architecture in this area, creating something of a heritage village.  There is an art gallery, mosque and other wealthy homes that are being brought back to life to let visitors get a better sense of the city's history.  It will be great to go back and see it when it is done!

After a quick visit to the local souq where we were welcomed with buckets of colourful spices, pashminas galore, "designer" watches for Geoff and more stretch pants options than Beth could ever have imagined, we headed back to the hotel feeling sufficiently cultured to allow ourselves to delve into our new books while lounging by the pool for the rest of the afternoon.

Mindful of Beth's pre-dawn flight the next morning, we headed to Masso at the Palace Boutique Hotel for an early dinner.  Although the dinner did not quite live up to our last visit, the inviting and intimate courtyard and the lovely service more than made up for it and capped off a quick but super weekend away!