Japan in
December 2014
A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month
THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Email: george@bahrainthismonth.com Editorial Consultant Stan Szecowka Editor Charlie Holding Commercial Editor Apple Sharma
contents
BAHRAIN THIS MONTH • JAPAN IN BAHRAIN • DECEMBER 2014
2
Boosting Cooperation
5
Oriental Appeal
8
Filled with Flavour
9
Wintery Delights
Assistant Editors Ankita Mamgain, Georgie Bradley Events Editor Hanna Moore Contributor James Claire Bystander Editor Aisha Siddiqa Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Romeo San Miguel Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa, Katherine Lao Personnel Manager Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Media Sales Marise Prata Dos Santos, Hilary James
The new Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom, HE Kiyoshi Asako, believes that Bahrain and Japan’s relationship is stronger than ever and talks about returning to the island after a decade away.
Akiko Restaurant, located in one of island’s plush culinary districts, aims to set new standards in modern Japanese fine dining.
The land of the rising sun is famous for a number of accomplishments and one of its most popular culinary creations now enjoys a special spot on the menu of Hakisushi.
Sales Manager Sanhita Kar Marya Circulation Manager Fawaz Al Balooshi Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Corporation
Kei restaurant is dishing up a seasonal selection of Japanese specialties alongside contemporary sushi and modern options.
Photography Picture Arabia: andrew@picturearabia.com Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain Published monthly by
RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2014 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.
10
Speak the Lingo
13
Living in Japan
Berlitz helps students to tackle the challenge of learning to speak Japanese without travelling to Japan.
Bridget Lindsay, wife of HE British Ambassador to Bahrain, Iain, talks about their stint living in Japan and their affinity for the country.
•
Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24
Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. Bahrain This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide
www.bahrainthismonth.com
COMMERCIAL INDEX Ali Sharif (Akiko).............................................................. 5 Ambassador Stores (Seiko)........................................... 12 Berlitz............................................................................ 10 Ashrafs (Casio)..................................... Inside Front Cover E.K. Kanoo (Lexus)................................ Inside Back Cover Hakisushi......................................................................... 8
Kei Japanese Restaurant................................................ 7 Maki............................................................................... 11 Mohammed Jalal (Suzuki)............................................... 9 Ramee Grand Hotel (Ruka).............................................. 4 YK Almoayyed (Nissan)................................... Back Cover
December 2014 1
japansupplement
HE Kiyoshi Asako
Boosting Cooperation CHARLIE HOLDING The new Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Kiyoshi Asako talks with BTM about his new role and how he plans to bolster bi-lateral relations.
2 December 2014
H
aving previously worked in the Kingdom as Deputy Chief of Mission & Counsellor at the Japanese Embassy in 2003, HE Kiyoshi Asako is back and more determined than ever to develop mutual interests between the two countries. Ambassador Asako says that some things about the Kingdom have not changed; notably the hospitality, kindness and friendliness of the Bahraini people. “When I was in Bahrain, the financial harbour was still under construction and compared to 10 years ago, Manama has developed greatly,” he says. One of the most prominent developments in recent years is the popularity of Japanese cars on the kingdom’s roads. “I am surprised that the number of cars on the road has dramatically increased and many of them are Japanese. I am proud that Japanese cars are popular among Bahrainis,” says Ambassador Asako. Before embarking on his new assignment in Kiev, Ukraine, out-going Japanese Ambassador Shigeki Sumi, said he hoped his successor would expand our
relationship with Bahrain further so that both sides see each other as “indispensable”. This is a task Ambassador Asako has taken up enthusiastically and as a result of high-ranking visits between the two countries, Ambassador Asako believes Japan has strengthened bilateral cooperation in many fields including: political, security, economic/ trade/investment, education and culture. “I am determined to follow-up on frameworks of various agreements made by top-level representatives from both countries. I will do my best to realise concrete projects,” he says. Besides contributing substantially to various businesses in the Gulf region, Japan has also offered support with security. In November, the first Comprehensive Security Dialogue between the two countries was held in Tokyo and HE Abdullah Abdullatif, Under-Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed the delegation. “We had a good exchange of views. This dialogue was set up when Prime Minister Abe visited Bahrain. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Stability and Security of the Gulf is crucial to Japan,” explains Ambassador Asako. “In this regard, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force sent two minesweeper ships to Bahrain in order to participate in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2014 and showed to the region our contribution to international efforts for maritime safety.” Japan has made a number of investments in Bahrain, emphasising the value both countries place on each other. An example is SULB - a joint venture that was established in 2009 and began operation last year in Hidd industrial area - that sees renowned Japanese company Yamato Kogyo produce steel in the Kingdom. Ambassador Asako highlighted some of the more recent cooperation developments including ASAHI TEC, another joint venture between Japanese and Bahraini companies to produce aluminum wheels for cars. This company will soon establish a factory, leading to more job opportunities. Ambassador Asako revealed that Japan’s SBI Pharmaceuticals would like to establish a factory to develop and produce medicine in the Kingdom and negotiations have already started. “This is a very interesting project. The National Health Regulatory Authority of Bahrain and its Japanese counterpart have been cooperating to establish a system in Bahrain to examine and approve medical drugs which are produced in the Kingdom,” he says. “If this factory opens in the near future, we can offer employment opportunities to many Bahrainis.” Ambassador Asako also stated that in addition to importing Japanese food products, especially fruits, high-quality Japanese Wagyu Beef prepared Halal-style will soon be available in Bahrain. Japanese companies choose Bahrain as a place for investment for several reasons and Ambassador Asako believes that the Kingdom’s ‘down-to-earth’ atmosphere, low cost of living and efficient workers are some good examples. “Compared to other neighbouring countries, Bahrain has a better environment for Japanese businessmen to live in. Bahrain is wellconnected to the Saudi market and the Causeway is an absolute merit,” he says. Japanese cultural events planned for the near future is an area the ambassador is particularly excited about. “Japan is rich in culture and the embassy, with the support of Bahraini authorities, plans to introduce this culture to Bahrain more and more,” Ambassador Asako says. The New Year rings in new possibilities and www.bahrainthismonth.com
exciting cultural developments are in the pipeline such as an authentic Japanese Garden that will be constructed in Al Areen Wildlife Park, funded by GPIC, and built by Japanese gardening company Kosugi Zoen. It will be open for public in February next year. February also sees a planned exhibition of contemporary Japanese crafts at the National Museum where beautiful fine crafts such as lacquer, china and glass arts will be displayed. Japanese educational programmes are already in place to help boost cultural understanding and develop long-lasting relationships. One such programme is Ship for World Youth Leaders (SWY) which gives Bahraini youngsters the chance to travel to
Japan to gain precious experience. During their visit they will receive various training on board, stay with Japanese families and visit cities and the countryside. In return, Japanese youths will visit Bahrain and enjoy a number of similar experiences. In terms of tourism, the purchasing power of Gulf nationals is attractive and Japan is keen to promote itself as a destination for visitors from the region. “We are developing ways to draw more Muslim tourists such as preparing shopping centres with prayer rooms, or recommending travel agencies that can provide information of restaurants or shops where Halal fare is adopted,” Ambassador Asako says. December 2014 3
RUKA
A Perfect Balance Finding the right balance between traditional cuisine and contemporary offerings is a delicate process, but this restaurant aims to bring you the best of both worlds. Located in the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, Ruka brings you the best of ancient Japanese gastronomy and contemporary innovation. Here’s a dining experience, inspired by the land of samurai and sushi, served in a chic environment that adds to the dining experience. Inspired by the Japanese word for a bright blue flower, Ruka’s decor is fresh and tasteful. The interior of the restaurant, which is located on the 24th floor, is complemented by the breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and Manama skyline. The menu, which is essentially Japanese, also has influences from other cuisines and caters to a global and well-travelled clientele. “We handpick the finest quality ingredients and present a fresh take on this popular cuisine that’s not available anywhere else in Bahrain,” says executive chef Jason Lynn. The restaurant recently received the ‘Highly Commended Best Japanese Restaurant’ and ‘Highly Commended Business Lunch’ awards, hosted by a popular regional magazine. From Sunday to Thursday, enjoy a special lunch priced at BD12 or take the express option for BD8. Relax in the lounge during the ‘Sunset Session’ from 4pm to 7pm where you can order a tempura dish and enjoy selected beverages. Visitors can also learn how to make ‘cocktails that you can eat’ at a master class from 4pm to 6pm for BD9++. The restaurant won the ‘Favourite Japanese Restaurant’ award at a ceremony hosted by a regional lifestyle magazine. Drop in on New Year’s Eve for a special ‘all you can eat’ package from 7pm to 2am for BD35++. Call 17 111-971. 4 December 2014
www.bahrainthismonth.com
japansupplement AKIKO
Oriental Appeal This new restaurant, located in one of island’s plush culinary districts, aims to set new standards in modern Japanese fine dining. Akiko is a modern venue that dishes up contemporary Japanese food to match. Located in Adliya’s block 338, right behind Café Italia, this is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. The spacious venue has clean, modern architecture with evident Asian influences. The two-storey restaurant and lounge has a sprawling garden, featuring a refreshing water fountain and ample seating. It is available for dinners, cocktail parties and casual gatherings for up to 80 seated guests and up to 200 people when standing. The Sushi Bar forms the heart of the Akiko experience and can serve up to 10 guests at a time for lunch and dinner. Another signature feature of the eatery is the Robata Grill, offering you a great way to experience the flavours of Japanese barbecue. As you go up the stairs, you reach the Sake Lounge; a modern and sleek space ideal for meeting with friends or colleagues. Akiko offers a number of special promotions throughout the week. Every Tuesdays is Ladies Night where ladies enjoy free selected beverages. The restaurant hosts ‘Grape Night’ every Wednesday where you can try out a variety of wines and canapés for BD10. On Fridays, enjoy a special brunch that’s priced at BD15++ and BD20++ with select beverages and starting from this month, Akiko offers a beer and barbeque promotion every Saturday and Sunday evening. Throughout the week the venue offers 30 per cent discount during happy hours from 3pm to7pm. Call 17 717-080.
bystander
Yukiko & Daisuke
Japanese Movie Screening The Japanese Embassy organised a Pop Culture Festival. A Japanese movie was screened at the opening ceremony. Iijima addresses the audience
Hesham
Eunkyunng & Seunghanhn
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Anusha & Aishwarya
Yousra & Zainab
December 2014 5
japansupplement
ASHRAFS
For Your Listening Pleasure Time, check; music, check; trendy watch with a difference, a definite check! We’re talking about Casio’s innovative G’Mix GBA-400, which was recently launched by Ashrafs. If you want to turn heads with a watch that is packed with cool tricks, then Casio’s newest addition in the G-Shock series is definitely worth checking out. This tech-savvy timepiece is now more versatile than ever, enabling a two-way operation of a watch and smartphone to enhance your music-listening pleasure. You can operate your smartphone’s music player from the watch using the rotary switch and intuitive volume control. When paired with the G’Mix App, a new music app for smartphones, the watch can control the audio settings, add live effects that stimulate concert sounds and identify the names of songs from music playing nearby. The watch boasts an impressive range of other features including a phone finder setting that enables access to your smartphone alarm function, time adjustment by synchronising with time data received from the phone, a music controller as well as a link loss alert which notifies you when the watch loses its connection to the phone. The GBA-400 is available in four different colours - black, black and gold, red and blue. In addition, this model also features a vibrate alert, auto LED hi-bright, 1/100th second stopwatch, countdown timer, five daily alarms and it is water resistant and shock resistant. It costs BD71 and is available at all Ashrafs showrooms and authorised dealers. Call 17 520-218 or email hussain@ashrafs. com.bh. 6 December 2014
www.bahrainthismonth.com
SUZUKI
Promotion Continues There is a special promotion on a range of Suzuki cars at Mohammed Jalal & Sons, the agent in Bahrain for the Japanese automaker. Customers looking for a stylish ride at a competitive price are encouraged to head to the showroom in Al-Khamis to see the
www.bahrainthismonth.com
stunning array of vehicles. One of the most popular models is the 2015 SX4 Sedan which has the elegance and practicality of a saloon,
a roomy interior and the convenience and utility of Suzuki’s high-roof sedan, its maker say. As part of the promotion, it comes with free insurance, free registration, free-five year warranty, free road assistance for a year and free rustproofing. The economical sedan has a 1.6-litre VVT petrol engine that delivers generous power and torque throughout the rev range. The suspension, brakes, and transmissions were tuned in Europe, with further fine-tuning for local preferences. Safety features include a rigid body structure with front and rear side door impact beams and three-point ELR seatbelts are standard for all occupants on all grades. Dual SRS airbags are fitted on all models. Side and curtain airbags are fitted on the higher grades. The system can be upgraded to ESP (Electronic Stability programme). To book a test drive, call the Khamis showroom on 17 252-606 or the Sitra showroom on 17 707-070
December 2014 7
HAKISHUSHI
Filled With Flavour The land of the rising sun is famous for a number of accomplishments and one of its most popular culinary creations now enjoys a special place on the menu of this popular restaurant. The origin of the ramen dish is hotly contested, but almost everyone is in agreement when it comes to its deliciousness and universal appeal. Hakisushi has added this traditional treat to its constantly evolving menu and is aiming to woo customers across the Kingdom. Broadly comprised of two components, ramen is loaded with flavour and taste. The broth is generally made from chicken stock, combined with a variety of ingredients such as kombu (kelp), katsuobushi (tuna flakes), niboshi (dried sardines), beef, shitake mushrooms and onions. It’s then seasoned with salt and miso with soya sauce added for extra flavour. Hakisushi’s nutritious adaptation is available in four delicious versions, namely seafood, chicken, beef and vegetable. With a mix of delicious toppings and exotic ingredients, in addition to its traditional essence, the restaurant delivers a fresh take on this time-honoured favourite. Along with ramen, the menu boasts a variety of authentic sushi rolls and offers other traditional dishes such as nigiris, gunkans, harumaki, edamame and miso soups. There’s also a selection of hot preparations like tempura, teppanyaki and yakitori. One of the most popular items on the menu is the tempura ice cream; a cool way to finish a delicious meal. Hakishushi offers an ‘all you can eat’ meal for BD5.4 which includes unlimited sushi, miso and a drink. Located in Juffair, Hakisushi is open every day from 11am to midnight, with options to dine-in, take-away and home delivery. Call 17 506-070. 8 December 2014
www.bahrainthismonth.com
japansupplement KEI RESTAURANT
Wintry Delights Fans of Japanese cuisine have a reason to rejoice this winter as this popular restaurant delivers fun times and respite from the weather, with its seasonal offerings.
As the weather gets colder and a noticeable chill lingers in the air, Kei Restaurant invites you to keep warm and indulge in seasonal Japanese specialities. Nabemono is one of the popular wintertime dishes in Japan. This hearty favourite is prepared from a variety of ingredients and the experience begins with a large lidded clay pot or ‘nabe’, which is brought to your table. Plates piled up with ‘mono’ such as raw seafood, sliced meats, vegetables and noodles are laid out. The nabe is then placed on a hot plate and filled with a broth made from dashi, soy sauce and sake.
As it simmers, you add your selections into the pot and transfer it into small bowls when it’s cooked. While everyone enjoys this course, more ingredients can be added to the pot and by the time you finish your first round, the next is cooked and ready to eat. The best part about it, in addition to its flavour, is its versatility as there are just so many different ingredients to choose from! As you keep adding more of these to the pot, the broth becomes increasingly rich and flavourful. At the end, after all meat and vegetables are eaten, rice and egg can be added to the remaining stock. The 30-year-old Kei Restaurant offers seasonal Japanese dishes along with a variety of contemporary sushi and modern options. Located in the Golden Tulip Hotel Bahrain, it delivers an experience that boasts authenticity and high quality in equal measure. Call 17 533-450.
* Free Insurance * Free Registration * Trade-in Available * Road Side Assistance * Free 5 years Warranty Unlimited Kilometer
www.bahrainthismonth.com
December 2014 9
BERLITZ
Speak the Lingo Japan’s rich culture and traditions have made it popular all over the world. Fortunately, language enthusiasts don’t have to travel all the way to Japan to learn how to talk the talk - Berlitz helps you learn right here on the island. Japanese is fast becoming one of the most popular languages to learn, be it for exploring business opportunities or understanding the culture. If you have a flair for languages and are interested in exploring this ancient culture through a language, Berlitz in Bahrain offers various courses to get you started. Berlitz Corporation is a global education company founded in 1878 in Rhode Island, USA. Today, it is part of the Benesse Group, a leading global Japanese supplier of products and services for language and global leadership training as well as education and lifestyle. Working with students in more than 60 countries around the world, Berlitz combines experience and expertise to offer a professional, successful and enjoyable learning experience to its students. The institute has been offering Japanese courses in Bahrain for more than 10 years, catering to groups and semi-groups and offering private courses. Berlitz provides personalised attention for individuals and groups, with accelerated programmes taught by highly trained, native/fluent instructors. Proprietary conversational Berlitz Method of teaching is the standard for language instruction, with customised training programmes also available. Berlitz language and communication centres offer more programme options and ways to learn Japanese than any other language training provider, the company says. For those who don’t have the time to learn another language, luckily Berlitz also offers a range of translation services. Call 17 827-847 or email berlitz@berlitz-bahrain.co. 10 December 2014
www.bahrainthismonth.com
japansupplement MAKI
Gluten-Free Menu One of the Kingdom’s most popular Japanese eateries is offering a new gluten-free menu that offers all of the taste with none of the hassle.
Maki recently held a special dinner introducing their new gluten-free menu, which contains new dishes such as taco sushi and favorites such as prawn tempura (now with brown rice batter), chicken yaki tori, edamame fried rice and a variety of nigiri sushi. Maki Group has been working hard on bringing in new healthy ingredients, but has now taken an extra step to cater for specific dietary requirements. The company says it is excited to be contributing positively to society by catering for people with celiac, people that are gluten intolerant and anyone wanting to avoid gluten in their diet. “We want all guests to be able to enjoy our menu, and with this new gluten-free menu, we will hopefully reach out to more Japanese food lovers,” said Amer Zeitoun, managing partner and agricultural expert. Maki group has taken strict measures to avoid cross-contamination. “We have designated an area and special utensils only for our gluten-free options,” he explains. Maki Bahrain is located at Bahrain World Trade Centre, West Tower, adjacent to Moda Mall, King Faisal Highway. Call 17 522-733 or 36 999-102 or email maki.bahrain@olivermaki.com.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
December 2014 11
SEIKO
A Grand Timepiece The makers of the Grand Seiko have been striving for perfection for decades by creating the most ideal watch that money can buy - and the latest offering may have attained it.
Connoisseurs of fine timepieces will agree that a watch is not just an accessory, but a reflection of a person’s individuality. The creators of the Grand Seiko had a vision to not only create the best and most luxurious watch in the world, but to also attain the highest standard of precision and reliability by international chronometer standards. After years of research, the dream was fulfilled with the launch of the first Grand Seiko watch in December 1960. Over the years, Seiko’s watchmaking technology has evolved rapidly, but the spirit and essence of the brand has remained the same, its makers say. The acclaimed timepiece is accurate, reliable, legible and comfortable to wear and offers everything a luxury watch should. Seiko produces every part of the exquisite timepieces in-house, from hair springs to the watch hands. It is the only manufacturer that has mastered all four watchmaking technologies - spring drive, mechanical, kinetic and quartz. Grand Seiko features a range of mechanical calibres, the celebrated 9S series, the unique Spring Drive calibre 9R series and the accurate Quartz calibre 9F series. The watches are crafted between two studios in Japan by 240 dedicated master craftsmen and women. For more than 50 years, Grand Seiko has stood for the same simple yet exacting ideals - perfect precision, beauty and legibility - and it aims to keep those ideal ticking well into the future. 12 December 2014
www.bahrainthismonth.com
japansupplement
Kinkakuji Temple
www.bahrainthismonth.com
December 2014 13
japansupplement
The Lindsay family at Calum’s graduation ceremony in Glasgow alongside postcard images of their experiences in Japan
Japan in our hearts NEWSPAPER columnist Bridget Lindsay, the wife of British Ambassador to Bahrain, Iain, talks of her family’s love of Japan, their former home during two stints of diplomatic service in the 1980s and 1990s.
14 December 2014
Iain and I arrived in Japan within weeks of our wedding. After a year of learning Japanese, he was prepared. I wasn’t. It was 1983 and nothing was written in English. I had never really understood what foreign meant until I saw Tokyo but I needn’t have worried. When I worked up the courage to travel on the Metro, I discovered that the only way I could hope to reach my stop would be to count the stations. It should have been straightforward but I’m easily distracted, particularly in such a new environment. I often lost count and ended up in the wrong place. It didn’t take long to learn that the Japanese are the kindest of people. Strangers led me to the platform and put me on the right train. A couple of times, I was even escorted to my destination. One of my concerns about Japan was the food. I had grown up disliking fish, thanks to my Catholic school that served us fish every Friday that my mother wouldn’t have given to the cat. Tinned salmon and fish fingers were all I would eat. When Iain proposed he already knew he was going to Japan and the thought of raw fish was the one thing that made me wonder if I should accept. Fortunately for our marriage, one of the fallacies about Japanese food is that you’ll be served sashimi at every meal. The food is varied and delicious, including raw salmon, though I
draw the line at sea-urchin. We had three fantastic years in Tokyo. The culture is rich and unique. We learnt so much about appreciating and respecting our own heritage by seeing how the Japanese preserve their traditions. It was our honeymoon posting and when we were asked to go back in the 1990s, we accepted with trepidation. Not because we hadn’t enjoyed it, but because we had enjoyed it so much. It was hard to believe it could be as good again. We knew we couldn’t recreate the same experience. We weren’t newlyweds anymore. We were parents of a three-year-old with all the responsibilities that entails. We lived on the beautiful British Embassy compound the first time round. It is a wonderful combination of East and West, with grand Britishstyle houses, (ours was tiny), amid some of the best cherry blossom in the city. It was a great way to start life in Japan but we soon found ourselves yearning for a more authentic experience. Returning for a second posting gave us that opportunity. We chose to live in a very Japanese area and it was one of the best decisions we have ever made. There’s a funny thing about Tokyo. It’s one of the biggest cities in the world but it is also a collection www.bahrainthismonth.com
of villages. Our neighbourhood embraced us and included us in all the local activities, particularly the festivals. Our son Calum became the star attraction. We often lost him in crowds, particularly if there were high school girls around. We would see his little head bobbing among the sea of black hair as he was passed around for hundreds of photo opportunities. That might have been why sending him to the local school wasn’t the best idea. If the older girls weren’t cuddling him, he was sitting on the teacher’s knee. That’s probably not going to make you popular with your classmates. Calum’s culture shock wasn’t in Japan; it was when we returned to the UK five years later. He missed the neon Coca-Cola sign that he could see from his bedroom window; Hertfordshire was too quiet; and he could walk down the street without teenage girls telling www.bahrainthismonth.com
him he was cute. It comes as no surprise that he decided to go back. Japan has remained part of lives, not least because we have many wonderful Japanese friends, including the previous Ambassador to Bahrain, Shigeki Sumi. Iain and Shigeki have been friends since they were both junior diplomats 20 years ago, and they whiled away many a diplomatic dinner party here reminiscing about their younger days. Calum is now making new Japanese friends. He celebrated the 20th anniversary of his arrival in Tokyo in Fukuoka, where he is now living. He’s teaching English at a high school, eating his way through mountains of ramen, sushi and anything-else he’s served, and enjoying the wonderful Japanese hospitality. He tells me he’s found a substitute mother – the supermarket where he can pick up freshly-
cooked food on his way home from work. We’re going to visit him in the spring. I wonder if he has a crowbar… he might need one to get us out again.
* Read Bridget in Bahrain every Wednesday in GulfWeekly. December 2014 15
instagram.com/redhousemarketing facebook.com/redhousemarketing
youtube.com/user/redhousemarketing
twitter.com/rhmbahrain
FROM A SINGLE BRICK IN 1991... WE HAVE GROWN INTO A HOUSE
Tel: (+973) 17 813 777 Fax: (+973) 17 813 700 | P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Bahrain | Address: Villa 1533 | Road 2426 | Block 324 | Bahrain
RC
FASTEN YOUR EVERYTHING
The Entirely New 2015 Lexus RC The Lexus RC alluring and sophisticated style is a passionate expression of individuality, designed to thrill your senses. A 314 HP, 3.5- liter V6 engine produces a performance so exhilarating, it sparks a heart-pounding response. Visit Lexus Showroom to see the entirely new range of the Lexus RC. Lexus Showroom - Sitra 17 737 773 www.lexus.com.bh