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Published: October 6th 2009
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Howdy People
- And warmest greetings from Sunny Bahrain.
As predicted in our last blog entry - we’ve moved into our new apartment - YAY!!
We are SO happy to be here, have more space and light, and a balcony (Bahrain’s version of indoor/outdoor living) a nice pool and games area, gym and neighbours! (The neat couple next door are from Gisborne!) We found the apartment a month ago, but it didn’t become vacant until last weekend, so we’ve been “waiting waiting”!
The area we chose to live in, Adliya, is very popular with expats due to its plethora of restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and shops nearby. We can walk to 34 or so restaurants and are a 10 minute walk to The British Club - although I might add that it takes FAR longer to walk home (for some reason, hic).
We also have the luxury of parking under the building - so the car is in the shade during the day. There’s a Cold Store (as opposed to a cold sore) across the road, which in our lingo is a dairy - and this one, run by a lovely Indian chap called Arneesh -
is open til 11pm and is stocked like Arkwrights Store - it has everything.
Beautifully air conditioned and double glazed (tho we’re still getting used to some traffic noise) - we also have wi-fi broadband, which is provided within the lease, - as is electricity, Orbit TV and water - all easy peasy. We have a housekeeper visit twice a week, but from her original efforts when we moved in, I can see it’d be easier for me to do it and know it’s done to our standard.
Confession: - we had a “Whoooops” moment while moving in - I suggested we take a break and check out the balcony which we did, closing the door to keep the apartment cool, then “crick” (that’s Chinese for “click”) - the ruddy door locked us out didn’t it? UH OH!! Followed by a grateful PHEW when I realised I had my cellphone in my pocket and the Doorman’s number in my phone . He had a laugh when he came up and rescued us.
Jude started teaching this week, and it’s going great - as expected all her students love her, and they are really nice kids too -
nearly all Girls so far. Jude had the jitters before starting the teaching part - as can be expected, but she’s a natural and has broken the back of the first week ‘back at school’.
Roger (ex Gisborne) next door, carpools with Jude, they even have similar timetables, so that works FAB. Roger’s wife Karen, works as a nurse in Saudi Arabia, across the causeway, and comes home weekends, we couldn’t have wished for better neighbours. Women can’t drive in Saudi, so she has to have a driver collect her!
I mentioned the Brit Club earlier - this is somewhat of a gathering spot for Kiwi’s also, and is a bit like a family version of a working-mans club, with tennis and squash courts, large pool, outdoor dining as well as some indoor restaurants and a number of bars as well as a library and snooker room etc etc. Quite expensive (and a palava) to join ($650 pa for a couple) but worth it as a bit of an oasis over here. Nice and handy it is too - one must be aware to maintain good hydration in this heat! www.britishclubbahrain.com/photo.htm
The Polytech staff, particularly the expats, have
an informal Book Club running - where they share books they have read, as well as DVD’s , meet once a month or so for a drink and a catch-up, and watch a movie. Great idea. Until recently this was run on the side, by the Head of HR who is far too busy as you can imagine, so yours truly has inherited the task.
As a result, we have over 100 books and 75 DVD’s to chose from, right here in the apartment (Immediate thoughts were to hire them out in between meetings for a little pocket money….)
Returning from Dubai, we picked up a brand new Renault rental car - boy, what a car - what a horrible horrible car, so we quickly swapped for a cheeky looking older orange Toyota hatchback which we love and enjoy. We’re hoping whispers of Judes CPR (National ID card) arriving soon are true, which will enable us to buy a car, thereby saving some extra moolay, about $NZ10-12K over 2 years, although rental cars are cheap over here. So the car hunt continues……..
In the meantime, meet Myrtle - my pride and joy from India, as purchased new
from the darkest depths of the Bahrain Souq! She’s a beauty ain’t she?
Note the fully enclosed chain, pinstriping, full rear stand with stand-lock, it has a key operated rear wheel lock as well, mechanical brakes front and rear (none of those prissy cables), solid carrier
(- estimated to carry a 24 box of Heinekin, but mods are in the pipeline), double bar construction, switchable front tinted light, plus rear (dynamo driven, so may leave that unused for now), double sprung seat, plus an awesome bell! The sprung seat IS amazingly comfortable, only “bottoming” out occaisionally.
A quick speed run from the British Club to our apartment was inconclusive, (was using my phone to time it and someone rang me!) but estimated as sub 3 minutes door to door, - and I didn't spill a drop.
If I continue to get the smiles I did while riding it home from the Souq (being the only Honky riding one in the country), I'll be stoked.
Arriving back at the Gulf Hotel on it from the Souq when I bought it, I couldn't resist riding up to the Valet and asking him to park it for me!
His smile was a treat to behold.
Coming up………………
House warming
Its happening this Friday (Our weekends are Fri/Sat, back to work on Sundays) So I’ll shoot invites out today. Fly on over - I dare ya! I’ll even pick you u from the airport myself and we have the loosest slot machines in town!
Bahrain versus Kiwi’s Soccer game
This should be a goodie - we play them HERE this Saturday - I’ve been ‘tasked’ with making a banner - so look out for it on tele! There is quite a contingent going, should be a blast as Soccer has a HUGE following here. (party party)
Christmas
Only around 78 sleeps til Chrissymas folks (or 10 sleeps if you’re a P addict) - and we’ve just booked our hols in Thailand. We’re off to Chiang Mai, which is Northern Thailand - away from the beaches which are bedlam at Xmas, but there’s a nice pool and other essential services. A kiwi Guy from Tauranga lives there 6 months a year and has sorted some bike riding for us - should be great, and some good value accommodation despite it being “high season” everywhere with rates
being hiked thru the roof.
Well “That’s all folks” as Bugs Bunny would say.
We hope you enjoy these updates - sorry it may seem a bit impersonal, but you’ll relate when I say it’s such a pain waiting for photo’s to upload or download, huh!
Don’t let the blog stop you e-mailing us, cos we LURVE that!
Righto, I have domestics to do - I’m off to the Bottle Store - see ya!! XX
Pete & Jude
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Teresa Gooding
non-member comment
Lucky dogs
Gidday you two! Great blog! The apartment looks great - nice and cool looking too which would be a blessing I would imagine. I'm sure the teaching will go fantastically Jude - who exactly do you teach? Is it ex-pats kids or Saudi kids? Or both? The book club, British club etc all sound great - and a good excuse to get out and meet and greet, and drink, did I mention drink????! Look forward to your next blog - all going well here - having a real cold spell at the moment after a gorgeous August, so back to reality! Another southerly is on the way after a real polar blast early in the week. Ah, roll on summer! See ya. Cheers Teresa