Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
need for a 4WD, but take care not to drive into soft sand. There is a signboard at the site
telling visitors how to get there. The Tree of Life is 40km from Manama and a 45-minute
drive away. Note the wind-eroded forms in the escarpment near the site.
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Oil Museum
OFFLINE MAP
Built in 1992, to mark the 60th anniversary of the discovery of oil, this
museum
( 17 753
475; 10am-5pm Fri)
is housed in a grand, white-stone building quite out of keeping
with the surrounding nodding donkeys and sprawling pipelines. In the shadow of Jebel ad-
Dukhan, or
Mountain of Smoke
- Bahrain's highest point at a very modest 134m - the build-
ing is befitting as a landmark of the country's wealth, for it marks the point at which
'Black Gold' was struck for the first time on the Arabic side of the Gulf. The museum has
exhibits, photographs and explanations about the oil industry in Bahrain. A few metres
away, you can see the country's first oil well, which was constructed in 1932.
Ring to check opening times, as the museum is seldom visited despite being clearly
signposted along an unmarked road south of Awali. There is no bus service to this region.
By car, it's about 40 minutes to the museum, which is 35km south of Manama.
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Muharraq Island
POP 189,114
Just over the causeways from Bahrain Island, Muharraq Island could in many respects be-
long to a different country. With some interesting old houses, a fort and a shore full of
moored dhows and lobster pots, there's enough to keep visitors occupied in the atmo-
spheric back streets for at least half a day. The more recent addition of cultural centres, fo-
cused on preserving Bahrain's fast-disappearing heritage, may well detain you longer.
The attractions are easy to reach by taxi from central Manama (around BD3) and are
within walking distance of each other.
DON'T MISS
