Bahrain

Bahrain is a small island nation in the Persian Gulf. Over the years, it’s been ruled by Persians and Portuguese, and served as a British protectorate. Its wealth is largely derived from oil, as well as banking, car racing, and tourism. The pearling trail (a path of divers in this exalted, ancient profession) and Qal’at al-Bahrain fortress have both been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the past decade. A car is probably worth your while in Bahrain. It would take about eight times as long or nearly two hours to reach these sites of antiquity by bus from central Manama, the capital.

There is lots of Indian food around Bahrain, a few Chinese places, and a juice bar or two. Sample the local flatbread, khubz, with or without the fish sauce known as mahyawa. Coffee, or gahwa, has cultural importance. Land space is at a premium in Bahrain, so agriculture is curtailed. Dates pomegranates, tomatoes, and cucumbers are some of the primary crops. Fresh fish is abundant and usually eaten with rice.