Bahrain    J

 ( C17 taken from Charleston, AFB to Dover AFB. Neat name! -

Thanks Bob, For the Memories!

Here's an itinerary of my trip to & return from Bahrain, a Muslin community off the north-east coast of Africa opposite Saudi Arabia. 

Departed Dover AFB. Arrived Naval Air Station Rota, Spain. Spent 1 & 1/2 days at Rota. BOQ available 1st night. Problem: Rota BOQ requires you to check out at 0800 and to re-signup again at 1800. Makes for a long day if you can't get out Military Standby. There is a Shuttle bus that runs throughout this massive air base. You can get a schedule at the Terminal. Baggage can be checked at the Terminal ($.25) or you can leave it locked up at the BOQ. Made an 0130 standby for a seat on a KC10 OK, manifested thru to Bahrain. Arrived at Sigonella, Sicily where there was to be an 18 hour crew rest. Obtained excellent BOQ and continued on to Bahrain without problems.

Flight departed Sigonella on time. Arrived Bahrain at the Navy "AV" area, and was shuttled thru to the Manay Plaza area where standby quarters can be signed up for. I elected not to take since a nearby hotel (Gulf), 5 star (really!) had excellent accommodations for $54.00 (they give military ID card holders a 25% discount as well as the same for their excellent dining facilities).

There are 3 main military installations that I found in Bahrain. 1. Manay Plaza, 2. ADMIN (administrative) and 3. AV (aviation) with the Manay Plaza the hub. They are all connected via shuttle buses. Upon landing at the Navy AV, you are processed thru this area BUT you Passport may not be checked (mine was not), and then you are transported to Manay Plaza. This is where you can sign up for space A quarters, and sign up for return to the States on Space A. The Gulf Hotel is about 1/2 mile away. You NEED to inform the people where you sign up for Space A back to the States, that you need a VISA placed in your Passport. Space A had two L1011 charters leaving in the next 10 days for Philadelphia. I was assured that I more than likely could get Space A on one of these flights thru to Philly.

The ADMIN area, mostly a MARINE facility, has clubs, snack bar, MWR, small Navy Exchange, and other rudimentary facilities. There is no ATM there AND in Manama (capital of Bahrain) my Nations Bank ATM was not accepted at City Bank. City Bank people called and I discovered that none of the banks in Manama would accept it! C'est la vie! -- and thank goodness for Plastic, accepted throughout Bahrain!

Date Palm - all over Bahrain lining many highways. Want fresh dates? Just pick them. The locals don't mind! Delicious! The hotel has a Muslim in the lobby each morning preparing dates and honey for the residents. Try this - excellent!

Made a Space A call after 10 days and got a seat OK on the L1011. Flight back was most tiring! From Bahrain to Sigonella, Sicily, then to Naples, Italy, then to Rota, Spain, then to the Azores, and finally to Philadelphia! Each stop was for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Advise: The Navy does have military flights back to the states thru Sigonella and Rota. I strongly recommend going this route! Much better and you can get back into Dover, Del OK.

From Philadelphia the sharks want around $90.00 for a limo to Dover. 3 GI's and I rented a car (Hertz) for $90.00 = $22.50 each plus a total of $4.00 gas, but still a hassle you won't endure if you fly via Navy cargo/tanker.

Muslims? Very friendly but no contact with their women! An only seat available in the Air Terminal was beside a Saudi lady (I think) with only eyes showing. I sat down. She got up and stood! Good grief, I got up and walked away. She again sat down! Bahrain is the "Playground" for many Muslims. Kuwaiti's flood Bahrain for fun and games and I noticed most flying 1st class. Flaunt those oil dollars any way you can! Most all speak English and are very helpful in every way possible!

Lucked out at Dover. Arrived there at 2300 hours and manifested on a C17 for Charleston - departure at 0130. 1 1/2 hours later I reclaimed my car and headed for home. Tired, but happy with another great adventure!

Turkey            Antigua