DOME

The other day we went to Dome in Juffair, one of our fav cafes. As it was most likely to be the last time we went there before leaving for Dubai, I thought we should take some photos. Lilli offered to do the job, and between her and the staff, she created this little expose. The black and white newspaper format has 'helped' a few of the photos :-)

The staff at Dome are wonderful and were perfectly patient and encouraging with Lilli. Apart from the fantastic staff and spacious environment Dome is the only place in Bahrain that I have been to where you can ask for a flat white and they know what you are talking about. It is also very kid friendly.

The food is good too. We particularly like the antipasto.

SWIMMING LESSONS

Lilli started swimming lessons a few weeks ago. It has taken us this long to find a class that isn 't full!

I think the instructor, Rajan, is just freshly qualified as he is very enthusiastic and has lots of nice crisp posters. Lilli needed to go into the 7-10 age group class as her age group was really just about water confidence. This class focusses more on developing strokes which was just the right level for her.

The class starts each time with a revision of the swimming safety rules, and finishes with stretching exercises. It also includes some lifesaving instruction, so is fairly comprehensive.

It is held at the Coutry Club, and the setting is just beautiful. Although it is getting seriously hot (44+) sitting in the shade surrounded by all this greenery is such a pleasure.

OUR HOME

Here are some photos of our 'home' swiped from the Umm Al Hassam Residence brochure. The residence is a collection of villas and an apartment block. We live on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the block with the living area downstairs and bedrooms upstairs.

Mr. TIM'S 42nd BIRTHDAY

Tim celebrated his 42nd birthday last month. The birthday celebrations started the night before his birthday at La Fontaine restaurant with the Xynia's and the Mason's. We ate outside near the fountain with oversized lanterns and candles being the only source of light. It was lovely. The fabulous venue and atmosphere were not let down by the food. Tim and I both felt that it was the best meal we had had recently. The children had a lovely time running around and making cubby houses out of the empty tables - fortunately we had arrived early which meant that the diners coming for a romantic evening did not have to tolerate us all evening.

Tim was shouted breakfast and lunch by Dimitri & Moose, with cake in the office in the afternoon, and the evening was spent outside at the Gulf Hotel at a conveniently arranged staff function. The 3 Amigo's (Tim, Moose & Dimitri) arrived in matching shirts and were quite successful in the prize winning stakes (promotional material from BCC clients) Alex (Dimitri's son) won a trip to anywhere in the world with Gulf Air. Unfortunately the fine print conditions make using it quite difficult.

ANZAC DAY

Anzac dawn service

ARTHOUSE OPEN WEEK

HEALTH CARE IN BAHRAIN

As you may know from previous posts, Lilli became sick on Christmas day and needed to see a doctor. Tim had used the services of a hospital outpatients here and said it was good, I was a bit unsure. As it turns out, ''good'' was an understatement. Apparently the hospital was initially intended as a hotel, then someone (perhaps the King) decreed that that there were too many new hotels taking up sea frontage so it became a hospital. Not sure how much of that story is true, but it definitely could have been a hotel - you walk in to a lovely big lobby complete with cafeteria with a view of the sea. We were directed at reception to outpatients where we filled in some forms and wait a few minutes, from there we were shown to the paediatric waiting room complete with toys - everything shiny and clean and new. Again we waited only a few minutes before seeing the doctor. The Dr was quite alarmed at the state of Lilli's tonsils and after a thorough examination, sent us off for medication and an appointment to see her again in 3 days. The second appointment was as swift and simple as the first and again we have a follow up appointment in 3 weeks. So thorough! Everyone spoke English well, and Tim even had a ring tone added to his phone by a chirpy receptionist while we were waiting for the bill (which incidentally was less than in Australia)


We loved out family GP in the mountains, but getting an immediate appointment was near impossible - nothing usually available within 2 weeks, and going to the hospital outpatients in the BM would have meant waiting hours and hours. Follow ups were only suggested if the symptoms didn't improve. It was a really pleasant (well as pleasant as possible given the circumstances) to have Lilli seen to quickly in such a professional environment.


I'm not sure what kind of healthcare is available for the less fortunate expats here, probably not the same positive one that we have had, but for any of you who might have been worried that we are in some kind of medical backwater DON'T WORRY - WE'RE HAPPY!

Here's a picture of the view from the 1st floor (stolen off the web )

CHRISTMAS DAY IN BAHRAIN

by Shar

Christmas day was lovely and we only felt momentarily sad about being away from 'home' when talking to family and friends on the phone.

The day started not so well, at about 5.30 with Lilli in tears saying her legs hurt, laying on the tiled floor to cool down. After a dose of Panadol she was ready to start the day. By the time she made it downstairs the panadol had kicked in, and with the adrenalin - all was fine with the world.

Santa and Associates were quite generous this year in the Bahrain Dean household on accounta tha fact that Lilli had recently left behind 99% of her toys. She was very pleased to see that he had read her letter and had decided that she had been good enough for a dolls house. She was particularly impressed to see that Santa had gone to the effort to dress one of her dolls in a fairy outfit (that exactly matched the new one from Auntie Nicola et al.) and had placed this doll reclining in a chaise lounge in her new house. She also commented on all the effort that the elves had gone to in making the house - awwwe.

Here is Lilli with her new puppy 'Tessie Too' from Uncle 'E'.

Tim had invited 'Tony' to share Christmas lunch with us. The plan was to have a BBQ out by the pool area. It was too cold so the food was bbq'd outside and then brought inside. Our Christmas Day menu consisted of the following:

Festive Berry Spritzer

Char grilled kebabs of lamb, chicken & halloumi / mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and capsicum

Char grilled corn cobs

Spicy Chicken meatballs

Snowpea salad with feta and pomegranate

Lime & herb pickled prawns

Seasoned rice

Wine compliments of Tony

Cranberry Christmas cake compliments of Tony

Lindor chocolate & strawberries

Marzipan Fruits

Brandy

Here is picture of the main spread:

Tim did all the cooking and it was absolutely delish!

We enjoyed quite a peaceful meal as Lilli slept through most of it on our new lounge. By the end of the meal we decided that she must be quite sick for her to have slept that long. We offered her chocolate which she declined and confirmed therefore our decision to take her to the hospital. The doctor was quite alarmed at the size and state of her tonsils (which made me feel bad) and sent us home with an armful of medicine. Poor little Lilli.