Bahrain This Month - July 2019

TECHNOLOGY – LIFESTYLE – ENTERTAINMENT

Since 1997

July 2019 ~ Vol. 23 ~ Issue 7 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

HAPPENINGS

The Big Summer-Camp Round-Up Bahrain Summer Festival Returns New Club Launches

FRANCE IN BAHRAIN

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

DESTINATION JUFFAIR What’s New on the Scene

PEOPLE

Comic Jason Manford answers our questions

Photographer Moeez Ali on getting personal with the fash pack Robinson Ian Opiyo – from skinny kid to body builder

TRAVEL

MEKNES – MOROCCO’S IMPERIAL CITY www.bahrainthismonth.com Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Nightlife

Digital Edition

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Issue 263

Contents July 2019 HAPPENINGS

Bahrain This Month previews events happening around the island in July 2019:

17

Summer Festival Fun

Enjoy the action-packed activities of the Bahrain Summer Festival.

20

18-19

Pick Your Camp

A round-up of kids’ summer activities running throughout the month.

20

Get your thinking cap on!

Test yourself at the Royal Golf Club’s Quiz Night.

22

Grand Inauguration

The opening of Beats Lounge at The Arch Hotel.

24

Tribute Party

The Bryan Adams Experience comes to town for a fun brunch performance.

18

24

25

Wet Carnival

The pool and beach carnival party of the year is on at Coral Bay.

Visit www.bahrainthismonth.com for a comprehensive list of daily events.

INTERVIEWS

27

28

27

You’re ‘Avin’ a Laugh

Hotshot UK comedian Jason Manford comes down for an intimate gig at the British Club this month.

28

Training for the Spotlight

Robinson Ian Opiyo tells Liz O’Reilly about his journey to buff body builder and his rap ambitions.

30-31

Life Through A Lens

Moeez Ali on his experience in finding his footing in

35

48 Bystander This month saw national day celebrations for both Italy and Russia.

There were also plenty of parties, new venue openings and Eid celebrations to take in. Our photographers were, as usual, at all the best events. Did they snap you out and about?

www.bahrainthismonth.com

photography.

FEATURE 33-49

France in Bahrain

A special supplement celebrating Bahraini-French

relations including French businesses, trade and travel.

July 2019 5

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• Your hernia strangulates your intestines causing nausea and vomiting.

• You experience pain and discomfort.

Call BSH today for a laparoscopic hernia repair (Inguinal + ventral and abdominal)

17812000

www.bsh.com.bh

Issue 263

Contents July 2019 Motoring 51

Solar So Good

The arrival of a long-range, solar-powered vehicle.

52-54

80

Motoring Bites

BTM brings you the latest news from the motoring world.

COMMERCE 56-57

Business Bites

FEATURE 58-59

Destination Juffair

An in-depth look at dining, retail and businesses in one of the Kingdom’s most popular locales.

Dining 61

51

52

Healthy Heaven

Behnaz Sanjana enjoys a vegan meal at Anais Café.

62-67

Table Hopping

Technology 70-71 72

Gadgets: The newest gizmos in town

Computer Games: The hottest games of the month 73 74

Apps: Essential apps to try

Websites: The coolest sites on the web

Entertainment 75 76

Hollywood faves: Latest film releases 77

58

61

New on TV: Shows to download

Lifestyle 79

What’s New: Must-have products 80-81

83

Travel: An Imperial Journey

Out and About: Seaside Cafés in Bahrain 86

70

Music: Top new tunes

AD Index and QR Codes

74 Connect with Bahrain This Month:

75 www.bahrainthismonth.com

79

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

www.facebook.com/bahrainthismonth www.twitter.com/BHThisMonth www.instagram/bahrainthismonth www.YouTube.com/bahrainthismonth

July 2019 7

EVERY WEEKEND LADIES BD 5 | GENTS BD 10 | Military BD 5

ENJOY THE SUMMER Music by INTERNATIONAL DJs | LOCAL DJs

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THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton

Bahrain This Month July 2019

Editorial Director Liz O’Reilly Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Zilia Monteiro Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Romeo San Miguel, Hatem Monem Photography Editor Muna Yousef Staff Photographers Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Corporate Affairs Director Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales RANDA GHAZI HOWAIS randa@redhousemarketing.com ANURADHA MANHAS anuradha@redhousemarketing.com

The only Lifestyle Magazine distributed with the GDN

DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Content Editor Liz O’Reilly Digital Marketing & Social Media Executive Michelle D’Souza Art & Animation Director Hatem Monem 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 2005-2019 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.

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COVER

The

Cover Picture:

Summer Activities TECHNOLOGY – LIFESTYLE – ENTERTAINMENT

Since 1997

George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

July 2019 ~ Vol. 23 ~ Issue 7 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

HAPPENINGS

The Big Summer-Camp Round-Up Bahrain Summer Festival Returns New Club Launches

FRANCE IN BAHRAIN

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

DESTINATION JUFFAIR What’s New on the Scene

PEOPLE

Comic Jason Manford answers our questions

Photographer Moeez Ali on getting personal with the fash pack Robinson Ian Opiyo – from skinny kid to body builder

TRAVEL

Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine.

MEKNES – MOROCCO’S IMPERIAL CITY www.bahrainthismonth.com Arts

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Happy summertime folks and, boy, it’s a scorcher with countries across the region recording their hottest ever temperatures! But, we’re hardy souls and there’s plenty planned to keep us busy over the coming month. Check out our Happenings pages for another big round-up of summer camps and there’s also lots of information on the Bahrain Summer Festival, which has a range of activities for kids young and old alike. The British Club plays host to one of the UK’s hottest comedians, Jason Manford; you’ll find details in the Happenings section as well as an exclusive interview with him. Keep an eye on our social media pages for a chance to win tickets.

Our other interviewees this month are Bahrain’s own Moeez Ali, who’s now based in London and making a big splash as a fashion photographer, and fitness guru Robinson Ian Opiyo, who’s hoping to make a big splash as a rapper!

This month’s big feature is France in Bahrain, celebrating the relationship between our two nations. Look out for some exclusive behind-the-scenes pictures from the visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the French capital earlier this year. And, if you like those, you’ll find a much larger selection online at www. bahrainthismonth.com We’ve also taken an in-depth look at what’s been going on in Juffair; from new shopping malls aplenty to new hotels, dining and entertainment options. If you live in the area, or just like to visit, it’s a definite must-read.

Alongside our regular round-up of motoring news, this month’s Motoring Section takes a look at an exciting new development – the Lightyear One – a solar-powered car that could be a boon for our sunny island.

And, in dining, Behnaz gives her verdict on a new vegan eatery – I think it’s safe to say, she was rather impressed As always, we have plenty of news from the world of business and the technology, entertainment and lifestyle sections bring you the latest in apps, games, music, movies and travel.

You’ll notice that the magazine is taking on a new look, giving our pages a bang up-to-date feel that matches our content. So, your guide to a great way of life is getting even better and I’d love to hear what you think either via email or on our social media pages.

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Digital Edition

Nightlife

June 2019 9

bystander

Italian National Day

Italian Ambassador, HE Domenico Bellato and his wife Laura hosted a reception on the occasion of Italian National Day

Russian National Day Russian Ambassador, HE Igor Kremnev, held a reception on the occasion of Russian National Day

10 July 2019

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

: +973 33590045 tanatan@rameegrandbahrain.com www.rameehotels.com Follow us : facebook.com/rameegrandbahrain @rameegrandseef

bystander

Indonesian Eid Al Fitr Indonesian Ambassador, HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo, and his wife Retnani held an open house on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr

Palestinian Eid

On the occasion of Eid AL Fitr, Palestinian Ambassador, HE Taha Abdul Qader and his wife held a celebration at their residence

Malaysian Eid Al Fitr

Malaysian Ambassador, HE Agus Salim bin Yusof and his wife Wani held an Eid Al Fitr gathering and dinner at their residence

12 July 2019

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

bystander

Al Hawaj Majlis Al Hawaj held a Ramdan Majlis

Inauguration Ceremony - Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organisation Under the patronage of HE Zayed R Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organisation held an inauguration ceremony at Arcapita

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

July 2019 13

bystander

Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary

As part of celebrations to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandha, on the occasion of World Environment Day 2019, a cycling event from the Bahrain Fort to the Indian Embassy was held followed by an Iftar reception at the embassy

Ambassador, HE Alok Kumar Sinha, and his wife Mamta Sinha Vegetarian Food Delights Indian hosted a Vegetarian Food Delights event at Lanterns Restaurant, Adliya

Vibrant Goa 2019 A Vibrant Goa 2019 presentation was held at the Indian Embassy 14 July 2019

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

bystander

Palestinian Embassy Ghabga

Palestinaian Ambassador, HE Taha Abdul Qader and his wife hosted a Ramadan Ghabga

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

July 2019 15

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happenings

JULY2019

HAPPENINGS

n way dow r u o y e bin mak ummer, Shaikh Salman e s s i h t d h s of t at the e islan re on th ool tent located -packed activitie a o h w action e Nakh e of you For thos ltural Hall or th ffa, to enjoy the i u to the C l Fateh Fort in R ! l A Ahmed ummer Festiva S Bahrain

N

FU L A V I T S FE

UNTIL JULY 27

PUPPET SHOW

Nakhool Tent

Puppet theatre specialist Ramadan Yousif presents a series of educational and entertaining puppet shows inspired by local heritage, animal stories, great adventures, folk tales and traditional games. Shows take place daily at 6.50pm. Open to ages two years and above.

UNTIL JULY 27

SOCCER

Nakhool Tent

Here is a workshop for all football enthusiasts! Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a variety of football skills and compete in friendly matches. Open to ages five to 15 from 5pm to 9pm.

UNTIL JULY 27

KIDS’ MARKET

Nakhool Tent

Kids will explore a live market experience, gaining practical knowledge of buying, selling and marketing their own handicrafts as well as a variety of other items. Open to ages seven to 15 from 5pm to 9pm.

JULY 8

ACTING WORKSHOP

Cultural Hall

The toolbox of a skilled actor; observation, memorisation, concentration and imagination, is explored through a variety of fun exercises that teach students how to apply these tools in both performance arts and their everyday lives. The workshop is for ages eight to 12 and starts at 5pm.

JULY 9

MIME WORKSHOP

Cultural Hall

People communicate with each other in many ways, much of that communication is done without ever needing to speak. See how isolations, illusions, key gestures and body language are key to perfecting this performance art. The workshop is for ages eight to 12 and starts at 5pm. www.bahrainthismonth.com

JULY 10

DRAMA QUEST WORKSHOP

Cultural Hall

A grand adventure through a jungle awaits! Using active and energetic roleplaying in a dynamic group setting, students develop problem-solving abilities by engaging their communication and imagination skills. The workshop is for ages eight to 12 and starts at 5pm.

JULY 11

RAPUNZEL

Cultural Hall

The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) returns to Bahrain for a third time, as part of the Bahrain Summer Festival.

This year Grace McGeoch and Adam Ferguson from MCT will select a cast of 50 to 60 local children to act in an original musical adaptation of the timeless tale Rapunzel.

Auditions will take place on July 7, followed by high-energy rehearsals and fun workshops. All that hard work will culminate with a charming musical!

Don’t miss this event, which starts at 7pm. Open for two years and above.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh July 2019 17

happenings

P I C K YO U R These summer activities are running throughout the month.

ADVENTURE HUB Life-Fit has a new location for its summer camp, at Adventure Hub in Galleria Mall. Enjoy up to two days a week of activities throughout the summer. The camp starts July 1 and runs on Mondays and Wednesday finishing on July 31. Kids from five to 14 years can enjoy a plethora of fun things to do such as a high rope course, low rope course, caving, climbing walls and soft play.

Camp timings are from 9.30am to noon. Registrations and payments can be made in advance through Life-Fitness Centre only.

Call 33 001-261.

CLEVER PLAY Welcome to summer with tons of learning excursions. Put your fun lens on and check out the wide array of steam-themed outings guaranteed to turn the summer learning dip into a full-steam skills trip. Summer shines better with camp fever! The camp is for ages seven to 14 and runs till August 29 from 9.30am to noon from Sunday to Thursday.

Call 32 218-929.

BAHRAIN BALLET CENTRE The ‘Dance and Creative Camp’ at Bahrain Ballet Centre is now in the heart of the city, at Al Najma Club Juffair for the month of July! The camp promises a variety of activities ranging from arts and crafts and teambuilding games to various dance styles including ballet, tap, modern, Bollywood, hip-hop, contemporary and more!

Camp runs until August 29 at the studio in Barbar and on July 6, 13, 20 and 27 in Al Najma Club, Juffair. Timings are from 9am to 12.30pm from Sunday to Thursday at Barbar. Open to ages five to 12 years.

Call 17 693-232 / 33 719-180.

ALBANNA MARTIAL ARTS CENTER Join this martial arts and taekwondo summer camp for children aged three to 13 years, which runs in two batches until August 28.

Call 36 668-390.

ART ROTANA Powered by Life-Fit, the camp at Art Rotana features activities such as outdoor kids’ water park, swimming lessons, taekwondo, gymnastics, arts and crafts, fun-fit, hip-hop, karate, indoor-sports, kids MMA, team games, indoor cricket, badminton, table-tennis and more.

Camp runs from July 7 to August 8 from 9am to 1pm from Sunday to Wednesday. Open to ages five to 14.

Call 17 692-424.

BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Keep the kids entertained this summer with a sports camp at Bahrain Rugby Football Club from July 7 to July 18 from 10am to 2.30pm.

Weekly and daily rates apply for members and non-members. The camp is open to age groups of six to eight years, nine to 10 years and 10+ years.

Call 17 695-809.

BRAINBOX CENTRE Engage your kids in cooking, maths, English, crafts, bingo and many other activities at this educational and fun camp, which runs until August 29 from 9am to 12.30pm from Sunday to Thursdays. Open to ages four to 14. Limited spaces available.

Call 39 757-222.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS Lots of exciting activities await kids at this camp such as animal yoga, music motion, eco arts and crafts, sensation station, splish splash and many more. Kids are split into age groups: Munchkins 1 for three to 11 months; Munchkins 2 for one to two years; Play Time Pals for three to four years and Incredibles for five to 11 years.

Call 17 710-405.

18 July 2019

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE Immerse yourself in a truly authentic French experience as you learn French language and culture in this field trip to France! The trip is from July 21 to August 3 and is for kids between eight and 17 years old. Cost is BD920 including flights and accommodation.

Call 17 683-295. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings ETON HOUSE

MJD SPORTS Find your goal with this professional football training summer camp for kids interested in engaging in sports. Classes are on Sundays and Tuesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm for kids aged nine to 15 years; Saturdays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm for kids four to eight years, and Monday and Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm for kids aged nine to 15 years. The camp costs BD30 for a month or BD50 for two months.

36 276-661 / 33 609-290..

Eton House Pre-School hosts its second annual Summer Camp with a range of activities priced at BD50 per week or BD12 per day and BD250 for the whole camp! Hurry to register to get your discount, as places are limited. Camp started June 30 and is ongoing.

Call 17 490-333.

LIFE-FIT

WAHOOO WATERPARK Explore a variety of activities at the Wahoo summer camp with access to different rides every day, Magic Planet, bowling, laser tag, fun factory, box / cineco, Lego, taekwondo, gymnastics, American Girl to name a few.

Camp is until August 29 on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 1.45pm and is open for girls and boys aged 6 to 14 years.

Register at Life-Fitness Centre, Janabiya..

Call 17 173-000 / 17 692-424..

WILD ABOUT ART CO. Wild About Art Co. in Juffair teaches endless art techniques for all ages ranging from Stitchology, Artsy Smartsy for age 3 to 5 years, Mixology for age 6 to 12 years, Art Methodology age 8 to 12 years and teens. Choose from a monthly or weekly plan.

Girls and boys from three to10 years are welcome to enrol for the fun and fit activities: gymnastics, indoor soccer, indoor sports, fun-fit, dance-fit, creative cookery, arts and crafts, taekwondo, team games, karate, street-dance and an end of camp party. Parents can choose three days per week packages or five days. Camp runs until August 29.

Camp will run five days per week, Sunday to Thursday from 10.30am to 2pm..

17 692-424 / 33 001-261..

THE RITZ-CARLTON BAHRAIN Ritz Kids, ages four to 12 years, can join in a fun-filled adventure with a variety of exciting activities such as water sports, swimming, culinary classes, arts and crafts, adventure games, talent shows and more.

Summer camp runs Saturday to Wednesday from 9am to 6pm and until 8pm on the weekends. Prices vary for Royal Beach Club members and non-members; complimentary for hotel guests. Camp runs from July 5-September 5..

Call 17 586-612.

Call 33 365-906.

FOUR SEASONS Treat your kids to a summer camp filled with some of the most exciting games, challenging activities and educational workshops at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. Watch them grow in confidence as they learn new skills, expand their horizons and make lots of new friends. Camp runs until August 31. Book your kids for packages that start from BD7 for an hour up to BD400 for a full month. Lunch or dinner may be included in day-long packages.

Camp runs from Sunday to Wednesday from 9am to 6pm and from Thursday to Saturday from 9am to 8.30pm. Open to kids aged four to 12 years old. Under fours must be accompanied by a parent or nanny..

Call 17 115-091.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2019 19

happenings

GET YOUR THINKING CAP ON! JULY 1

QUIZ NIGHT

Royal Golf Club

So you think you know it all? Prove it! Quiz Night is at 7pm in the Members’ Lounge for teams of up to eight people. Time to test your knowledge and win some prizes! Happy hour is from 5pm to 8pm.

All are welcome! Entry to the event is free.

Call 17 750-777.

When? Until July 27 Event? Soft Play Area Venue? Nakhool Tent

An activity zone for kids offering them a space to run around freely and be part of the fun at Nakhool Tent. For ages two to four from 5pm to 9pm.

YOGA FOR MUMS-TO-BE JULY 1

PRENATAL YOGA

Namaste Bahrain

BOYS’ NIGHT OUT JULY 2

HIS NIGHT

Havana Club, Jumeirah Royal Saray

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? Until July 27 Event? Fun Games Venue? Nakhool Tent

Fun, interactive, and educational activities to develop the participant’s confidence and engage them in enhancing knowledge, character and creativity. For ages five to 15 from 5pm to 9pm.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? Until August 29 Event? Farmers Market Venue? Saar Mall

Pick your stock of fresh fruits and vegetables at this market from 7am to 1pm.

Call 17 790-203.

When? July 1 Event? Eid Carnival Venue? Adhari Park

Enjoy a late Eid carnival celebration with two free rides!

Call 17 407-300.

When? July 1-3 Event? Dilmun Seals Venue? Nakhool Tent

Learn to prepare moulds to make, paint and decorate different shapes of Dilmun seals from instructor Wassan AlSawad. For ages six to 15 from 5.15pm to 8.45pm.

This prenatal yoga class is a gentle practice customised to the pregnant body with a balance between building strength, gently stretching in preparation for birth and relieving the aches and discomforts of pregnancy. It is an adjusted practice utilising a variety of props as well as techniques such as meditation, breath work, visualisation and joint release. The class creates a wonderful space to connect with other mothers as well as your baby.

The session runs from 6.30pm to 7.45pm on Mondays or 10am to 11.15am on Wednesdays and is priced at BD36 for four classes or BD65 for eight classes.

Call 17 591-565.

MOVE TO THE GROOVE JULY 2

DD & THE GROOVE

Every place in town wants to please the ladies. But what about you, gentlemen? Every Tuesday, visit Havana Club and enjoy your first drink on the house while grooving to the rhythm of the live band trio all the way from Cuba. The evening starts at 8pm and goes on till midnight. Head down early to enjoy the Happy Hour with a 50-per-cent discount on selected beverages daily from 5pm to 8pm.

Call 77 707-070.

INVESTORS FORUM JULY 2

IFN ISLAMIC INVESTORS FORUM

Manama

InterContinental Regency Bahrain

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 1-3 Event? Puppet Making Venue? Nakhool Tent

Learn to make finger puppets using everyday materials from 5.15pm to 8.45pm. For ages nine to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 1-3 Event? Electronics and Inventions Venue? Nakhool Tent

Explore electrical programming and engineering by creating interactive games from 5.15pm to 8.45pm. For ages six to 15

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

20 July 2019

Intercontinental Regency Bahrain unleashes its new resident band, DD & the Groove. If you are seeking a rare, high-quality combination of soulful singing, performance, groove, elegance and versatile music styles, then DD & the Groove could be exactly what you are looking for! Don’t miss the live performance at Downtown bar.

Call 17 227-777.

IFN Islamic Investors Forum has been widely embraced by the industry as a platform to discuss and debate all things related to Islamic investments. Welcoming a broad range of investors from all corners of the world, IFN Islamic Investors Forum will be staged in Bahrain, one of the most advanced Sharia finance capitals of the world. Covering all aspects of Sharia investment across a variety of sectors, asset classes and markets, IFN Islamic Investors Forum 2019 will focus on the biggest opportunities, latest developments and trends as well as potential issues that may arise as far as Islamic investments are concerned.

Visit redmoneyevents.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Super Tekla Live Beats Lounge and Skybirds in association with K&A Events presented an Eid special with Filipino actor, comedian and television host, Super Tekla at The Arch Hotel

To view more images, scan the QR code

Exelon Iftar Exelon held an Iftar Meet

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

July 2019 21

happenings When? July 1-3 Event? Recycling Venue? Nakhool Tent

Protect the environment through the reuse of used materials from 5.15pm to 8.45pm. For ages six to 15.

QUIZ AWAY JULY 3

THE BIG TRIVIA QUIZ

Wembley Lounge

LIPSMACKING LADIES NIGHT JULY 3

LIPSTICK LOUNGE LADIES NIGHT

Coda Jazz Lounge

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 4-6 Event? Build Your Electric Fan Venue? Nakhool Tent

Build an electric fan and design operating series circuit fans from 5.15pm to 8.45pm. For ages six to 11.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 4-6 Event? Robot Engineering Venue? Nakhool Tent

Programming, robotics and engineering using Lego to make moving and speaking robots from 5.15pm to 8.45pm. For ages six to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 4-25 Event? Portrait Sketch Venue? Nakhool Tent

Wembley’s Big Trivia Quiz every Wednesday starts at 8pm hosted by new resident host, DJ TinTin (remember him from Kicks?) – featuring lots of trivia, general knowledge, sports, movies, music and many other topics. There are lots of prizes and giveaways on the night including a snowball cash prize round. The quiz is free to enter and there’s a maximum of six players per team.

Call 33 640-009.

GRAND INAUGURATION JULY 4

GRAND OPENING OF BEATS LOUNGE

Arch Hotel

Sit for a quick and comically fun portrait of your family to take home, sketched by artist Jassim Al Magabi. Catch him from 5pm to 9pm.

MONKEY AROUND JULY 4

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 5-26 Event? Traditional Folk Bands Venue? Nakhool Tent

Enjoy traditional folk music from various bands; Dar Shabab Al Hidd, Al Dar Al Sagheera, Al Dar Al Odah, Dar Qalali. The event starts at 8pm. For ages two years and above.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 6-27 Event? Bahrain Police Band Venue? Nakhool Tent

The Bahrain Police Music Band presents a variety of musical shows that blend military music and authentic traditional Bahraini music.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 6-27 Event? Mohammed Bin Faris Band Venue? Nakhool Tent

The Mohammed bin Faris Band performs traditional Bahraini music that recalls the island’s glorious fishing and pearling past. The event starts at 8pm for ages two years and above.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

22 July 2019

Here’s an exclusive night for all the island’s foxy ladies. Get your weekend warmed up and sip through the delicious customised Lipstick Lounge menu where ladies get special cocktails on the house all night long. For those who aren’t so daring, the house wines are just as lip-smacking!

Entertainment is second to none with Tarsha Thomas and The Coda JazzKatz playing four live sets starting at 8.30pm, followed by a juicy menu of disco music from the ladies’ night resident DJ Eve and other special guest DJs. Single gents pay BD7 at the door, inclusive of a free drink.

Call 34 342-828.

The latest venue in town is Beats Lounge, celebrating its grand opening with Filipino celebrity, Rufa Mae Quinto, live in Bahrain.

Quinto is widely known for playing the character ‘Booba’ and ‘Boobita Rose’ in both eponymous hit movies. The actress, comedian, television host and occasional singer, will headline the night with her music and laughter and her funny expressions, together with the Kaperight band and VDJ Prince.

Call 39 014-245 / 33 043-014.

SOFT OPENING

Social Monkey

Top international spinner, Mehmet Gulec, is flying in from Turkey for the soft opening of the island’s newest nightlife venue.

We’re loving the name, which suggests a nightspot that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Head down on US Independence Day for a banging set of deep tech and house, all the way from Istanbul, with a warm-up by Andy Collins.

Call 39 007-750.

MOMS’ GETAWAY JULY 4-6

MOMMY & ME WELLNESS RETREAT

Hawar Islands

Moms, wouldn’t you just love to escape to that one location for some rejuvenation? Luckily for you, the Mommy and Me Wellness Retreat is just what you need!

Lose yourself in an island experience with a team of professionals who will conduct sessions on yoga, Zumba, massage therapy and something for the kids too. This is a getaway you do not want to miss!

Call 39 955-539. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Asian Tapas Lounge with an Air Conditioned Zen Garden 935, Road 3830, Block 338, Adliya akaya.bh www.akaya338.com BISTRO

17490004

happenings When? July 8-10 Event? Robot Drag Racer Venue? Nakhool Tent

Using robots to understand and learn the basics of programming to complete engineering challenges, programme robots and compete with peers. For ages six to 11.

TRIBUTE PARTY JULY 4-5

Identify agriculture and its importance in preserving the environment. For ages six to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

Learn techniques in modelling and creating sculptures with clay.

For ages six to 15.

INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS JULY 5

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 8-10 Event? Abstract Mixed Media Venue? Nakhool Tent

Kids get to experiment and play with colours and various materials to create abstract art collages with Yusra Ahmed. For ages 12 to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 11-13 Event? LEGO Sumo Bot Venue? Nakhool Tent

Design, build and programme your own robot, then compete against one another for the best robot to win. For ages nine to 15.

AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND CELEBRATION

Coral Bay

Celebrate American Independence Day with a patriotic pool and beach party from 2pm onwards.

Top international DJs will be playing the hottest tunes so you can enjoy the cool vibes with gorgeous people, chilled drinks and amazing music throughout the day and night.

Entry is BD5 for ladies and BD10 for gents. Entry is free for all US nationals.

Call 36 959-977 / 17 312-700.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 11-13 Event? Environmental Protection Venue? Nakhool Tent

Sherlock Holmes Bar & Restaurant

The Bryan Adams Experience is a celebration and tribute to the hit songs and enduring popularity of the global artist, Bryan Adams. Formed in 1997, the four-piece band are based in Teesside, England and replicate live performances that can only be surpassed by the rocker himself.

Touring has taken them to The Azores, Cyprus, Spain, Bahrain, Belgium, Holland as well as all over the UK, performing to crowds as large as 10,000. Most recently they have played at Marvellous Festival, Tribfest as well as many UK fundraising events for the local Air Ambulance Service.

Entrance is BD10 inclusive of a free selected beverage. No table reservations are accepted and it will be first come first served.

Call 66 901-323.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh When? July 8-10 Event? Green Environment Venue? Nakhool Tent

When? July 8-10 Event? Pottery Making Venue? Nakhool Tent

BRYAN ADAMS TRIBUTE PARTY

EDUCATION EXPO JULY 9

GULF SUMMER FAIR The K Hotel

KIDS’ SUMMER DISCO JULY 5

Dilmun Club

What better way to start the school holiday season than with a fun-filled disco! Kids can enjoy a sumptuous buffet spread as they party away to some of their favourite tunes!

There will be a variety of games to enjoy and a rodeo bull!

The party runs from 5pm to 8pm and is for children aged five to nine years. Tickets are BD5 per child and parent members free, reciprocal BD1, non-members BD2.

Call 17 690-926.

BLUES BOYS JULY 10

Learning about nature reserves on the island and how to sustain and protect them better in the future. For ages six to 15.

SCHOOL’S OUT KIDS DISCO

BLUESADERS LIVE

Calexico

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 11-13 Event? Coaster Weaving Venue? Nakhool Tent

Making beautiful woven coasters using yarns and needles. For ages 12 to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 15-17 Event? Sphero Maze Venue? Nakhool Tent

Design and build a maze and learn to control your robot to find its way to solve the puzzle. For ages six to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

24 July 2019

Now in its second year, this is an event at which local, regional and international universities connect with potential students to outline course details, fees and what to expect in university life. Institutions taking part include the University of Wollongong in Dubai, American University of Madaba, Ajman University and Manchester Metropolitan University. The event runs from 6pm.

Call +971 54 433 4080

A relatively new trio grouping but featuring the familiar faces of Ahmed AQ, Ahmedinho and Leo Innecco. Together they promise to introduce you to some new blues that you won’t have heard played around the island before. Judging by the individual talent in this line-up, it sounds like one for the diary.

Call 17 666-644. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings When? July 15-17 Event? Picasso Faces Venue? Nakhool Tent

SELECT PARTY JULY 12

SELEKTED CELEBRATION

Café Italia

A fun way to experiment with colours, shapes and patterns to create Picasso faces inspired by the famous artworks of Pablo Picasso. For ages nine to 15.

Selekted Entertainment hosts a two-dancefloor party featuring leading musicians and DJs – line-up still to be announced as we went to press. Sign-up on their facebook page to be on the Selekted guest list for entry for couples and mixed groups till 11pm. After that it is BD10 per person.

Call 35 091-542.

WET CARNIVAL JULY 12

POOL & BEACH CARNIVAL

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 18-20 Event? Tower of Pasta Venue? Nakhool Tent

FUN AND GAMES Coral Bay

JULY 12

GAME TYME

The Red Plate

Learn the engineering process behind resilient skyscrapers by making a strong structure of your own. For ages six to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 18-20 Event? Energy Venue? Nakhool Tent

Quick tips for saving energy and reducing power consumption at home and in our daily lives. For ages six to 15.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 22-24 Event? Launching Your Catapult Venue? Nakhool Tent

Miami Events Bahrain is back again with the pool and beach carnival party of the year! Mark the date and ready yourself for a party vibe in the gorgeous beachfront surroundings of Coral Bay with Afrobeats, reggaeton, Arabic, hip-hop, R&B and house music. Bring your flag and feel proud to represent your country!

Entry is BD5 for ladies and BD10 for gents. Free entry to all US Military.

Call 36 950-077/ 66 331-261 or 17 312-700.

PARTY IN WHITE JULY 25

CURE NIGHTLIFE WHITE PARTY

Celebrate with a beautiful cool crowd at this white party, which promises good musical vibes. Sign up for the guest list to be ensured free entry until 11pm, after which it is BD10 at the door. The dress code is obvious – white!

Call 36 634-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Do you want to get out and do something different? Tired of going to the club, full from your brunch but still want to enjoy the weekend? Game Tyme promises a variety of board and card game entertainment. Choose from spades and domino tournaments, bingo and more. LB Productions and The Red Plate, team up to bring this one-of-a-kind event to Bahrain. Entry is BD15 inclusive of drinks, snacks and games. Event runs from 8pm to midnight.

Call 17 360-061.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 22-24 Event? Anime Drawing Venue? Nakhool Tent

Teaching kids the basics of Japanese drawing skills. For ages 12 to 15.

COMEDY TOUR Cellar 59

Learn the technique of catapults, the science and maths behind them, as you design, build and test your own contraption and learn about force, accuracy, precision and angles. For ages six to 11.

JULY 27

JASON MANFORD’S MUDDLE CLASS TOUR

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

British Club Bahrain

One of the UK’s biggest comedy superstars, Jason Manford, returns to the Gulf with his hilarious stand up show, ‘Muddle Class’.

The tour, staged by the Laughter Factory which has brought fun to audiences at over 200 shows in the UK, is heading to Bahrain this month. The event is from 8pm to 11pm. Tickets are BD23.

Visit thelaughterfactory.com

When? July 22-24 Event? Stencil Printing Venue? Nakhool Tent

Learn to create Islamic art patterns using stencils and paint on paper. For ages nine to 11.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

When? July 25-27 Event? Egg Drop Challenge Venue? Nakhool Tent

The egg drop challenge is a fun and exciting way to get kids involved in engineering design.

Participants will experiment with designing packaging for an egg to survive a drop from a considerable height without cracking. For ages six to 11.

Visit bahrainsummer.bh

July 2019 25

BAHRAIN THIS MONTH GOES MULTI-PLATFORM Read Bahrain This Month in any format convenient to you • Print • Online • Digital • Social media to keep you abreast of everything that’s happening in and about town.

You can now read Bahrain This Month from its Instagram account. Click on the bio-link and it takes you to a curated page where you can tap the images and read the articles. Simple, convenient and easy!!

Go Published monthly by:

Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com

bahrainthismonth

Digital Edition

YOU’RE ‘AVIN’ A LAUGH How did you first get interested in comedy?

I remember having lots of comedy in the house either on telly or the radio. My dad is a real comedy fan and would watch Dave Allen and Les Dawson and Tommy Cooper. Then when it was Comic Relief night and I remember being about 10 or 11 and being allowed to stay up late and watch all this adult comedy. I just loved it.

It was so naughty!

You had some big-name early influences, including Peter Kay, Eddie Izzard, Johnny Vegas. Who, these days, do you like to watch?

interview

Hotshot UK comedian Jason Manford forsakes his usual arena shows for an intimate gig at the British Club this month.

BTM shot the funny man some questions ahead of his appearance.

LIZ O’REILLY

to date so that’s exciting that after 20 years, I’m still writing stuff that makes people laugh!

And what’s it all about?

It’s about loads of things. About the gap between the person we are and the person we want to be. It’s about how our brain makes us feel like we’re struggling alone sometimes; but actually, the very fact so many other people in the audience are laughing at the same things, shows you that you’re not alone and it’s okay not to be okay.

What’s next for you? You’re interested in musical theatre, could we be getting a glimpse of Musical Manford either on this trip or in the near future?

Ha, you never know! Let’s get this comedy gig out the way first though shall we?

Have you played the Middle I like most of the people East before, prior to this everybody likes, Kevin tour, and will you be Bridges, Sarah Millican, any of your Stand up is my ‘main’ adapting Sara Pascoe, James material?

Acaster, John Bishop, David job but I love singing played The Laughter and acting and I know I’ve O’Doherty. But I also love Factory, many, many times discovering new and funny that’s something I’d like over 20 years in show people. On the Muddle to keep doing for a business and it’s always Class tour, I’ve had so many great fun. I don’t long time too.” brilliant comics come and adapt anything support me, like Dane in a negative way, playing Baptiste, Tez Ilyas and Laura Lexx, there’s just different places with too many to mention! differing people simply Who would be your comedy hero and why? gives you more things to I think Peter Kay is still my comedy hero. He’s a talk about and laugh at. good friend of mine now but getting to know him has only made my admiration for what he does rise. He’s simply a genius and probably the last person the UK produced with genuine funny bones.

Your career has been very varied, ranging from stand-up to TV and stage acting. What are you most proud of?

I’m proud of all of it! Stand up is my ‘main’ job but I love singing and acting and I know that’s something I’d like to keep doing for a long time too. I feel very lucky to be able to try lots of different things that I’m good at. So far, it’s going well.

What made you decide to go back on the road with the Muddle Class tour?

I like to tour fairly often, but I’d had this really strong idea for a tour show. I had already written some funny stuff and thought, ‘why not take it out on the road?’ It’s probably been my best tour www.bahrainthismonth.com

Will you get a chance to stick around and see anything of the region/Bahrain?

I do hope so.

The last time I played Bahrain was over 18 years ago, I actually missed my university graduation for the gig, so it’ll be fun to return after all this time.

July 2019 27

interview

TRAINING FOR THE SPOTLIGHT

L

Fitness fan Robinson Ian Opiyo tells Liz O’Reilly about his journey from skinny youth to buff body builder and his rap ambitions.

career in rap music. He explains: “Music has ooking on as Robinson goes about his always been my passion, ever since I was a personal training job or lifts weights at little kid. Rap, dancehall, R&B, hip-hop – I love Juffair Fitness Centre, you could be it all. The love comes from my family and my forgiven for thinking ‘this is a man who background, both my mother and my brother has always been fit and was probably working sing, though church music, not professionally. the weights bench from the age of two’. But Robinson is working with MK Studios you’d be wrong. In fact, the trim, taut Kenyan with producer Mohammed and his wife only took up fitness around five years ago. He’s Najma, who also performs, as well come a long way since then! as Arab rapper Ibrahim and “I first got into fitness because I was a English skinny kid,” he says. rapper Jay. “People used to bully and Robinson torment me about my size, it was horrible. I always Music has always been himself in wanted to get into the gym my passion, ever since performs his native Swahili. but, in Nairobi, it was I was a little kid. Rap, He says: “We’re expensive.” dancehall, R&B, hip- producing various However, a move to hop – I love it all.” types of music, Qatar, where he worked as Afrobeat, dancehall, a photographer, offered a that kind of thing, in three different solution. His apartment had that all-important languages – we want to give fitness equipment and Robinson lost no time in the message that music taking advantage. He fell in love with working is for everyone to out and went on to complete the International enjoy across all Fitness Alliance Level Two and Three in languages. personal training and fitness training.

“For me, it’s Fast forward a few years and nine months ago, seeking a new challenge, he jumped at the about bringing people together chance to come to Bahrain where he joined Juffair Fitness and is currently training athletes and uniting them. for basketball, volley ball and the like as well as We talk about different topics putting members through their paces in and the songs advance of the Bahrain’s Strongest Man are personal. competition, which is coming up next February.

For example, He says: “It’s my ambition to be Bahrain’s I’ve written an best trainer – I want to be as good as my boss, R&B love song, Ehsan. And I’m not just about weights, though called Like A that’s a big part of it, but I also do look at meal Dream, which is programmes, diet plans, training techniques about meeting a and more. lady in a way “The best thing is when people start to see results; for example, when they can see several you’ve never dreamed.” kilos come off in a month – they’re happy and And, asked I’m happy.” when we will get to Always a music lover, Robinson now has hear his creations, he another string to his bow with a secondary 28 July 2019

replies: “Now I’m in the process of building my brand, working with other people, and I hope to be ready to release my music publicly by the end of the year.”

The skinny kid from Nairobi has come a long, long way!

Find out more @riodee (music) or @Rio_fitness1

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Marrieta’s Farewell Party A farewell party with an Indo-Arab Theme was held for Marietta Dias in Karbabad

Experience Al Khayyal Lounge... sit back, relax, read and find magic anywhere you look!

Ideal for small events, meeting and conferences. Call us now for inquiries.

Tel: +973 13 666 777 swissbelresidencesjuffair

alkhayyallounge

R

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

July 2019 29

interview

F

To me though, when looking at pictures, the ones that stand out are where you can see a connection between the subject and the photographer.”

rom his work at Comb, Moeez branched out into photography, first a hobby and now a career. And today he finds himself chasing models all around the globe with his camera in hand. Natasha Khan caught up with him to learn more about his experiences.

Please tell us a bit about your background, particularly your connection to Bahrain.

My family moved to Bahrain in 2001, because of my father’s job, when I was 11 years old. I stayed there until 2008, when I graduated from Bahrain School. Eighteen years later, and my parents still live there, and I visit them frequently – Bahrain is, and always will be, a home to me.

30 July 2019

What made you move to London?

I first moved to the UK in 2008 to attend university (Loughborough University), and moved to London in 2012 to try and get a job.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have much luck, so I moved back to Bahrain for a year to work and then to New York. Whilst working in New York, my friend and I came up with a business idea for a fashion app, which led to me quitting my job and moving to London to pursue it. (It has since closed.)

About three years ago, I went with him to the Topshop show in London to identify people for him to shoot. However, there were too many people for him to get, so he handed me his spare camera, did all the settings for me and told me to point and shoot. The pictures I took were awful, but I really enjoyed the process and the atmosphere, so I shadowed Mohamed on several shoots, and he taught me the basics. I then practised as much as possible – fast-forward three years, and here we are.

How did you get started in photography?

When we had our app business, we needed street-style photos for content. We hired a young photographer (@mabdulle - Mohamed) who was just starting out, to help us create imagery and capture content at fashion weeks.

What’s the most challenging shoot you’ve worked on so far?

There have been a few, for various reasons – sometimes it’s a bad location or bad light, sometimes it’s a clash of personalities on the job or just a lack of preparation by the brand.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

See full interview online @ www.bahrainthismonth.com

If I had to pick one, there was one lookbook shoot for a major French brand which involved 10 models, a very narrow staircase, no space to move and awful lighting conditions. As expected with a shoot involving 10 models all at once, there were some shots where one model looked perfect, but then the other’s eyes were closed, so the creative director of the brand requested that I photoshop the upper half of one model from one photo to go over the upper body in another photo. I had to do this for several images, swapping heads and chests and legs around, all with a 24-hour turnaround!

What makes the good picture stand out from the average?

Very tough to answer because I think that all photography is subjective, which is also part of the beauty of it. One picture can be interpreted in so many different ways by different people, so what’s ‘good’ to me might be bad to someone else, and vice versa. To me though, when looking at pictures, the ones that stand out are where you can see a connection between the subject and the photographer. The picture, no matter what it’s of, will make me feel some sort of emotion when I can see the connection.

Some of the shots you’ve shared on your burgeoning Instagram account display photos you’ve taken of the world’s most exclusive fashion figures like Anna Wintour and Gigi Hadid…have you ever shared an interesting experience or had a laugh with a big star in between your rush to photograph them?

Oh yes, definitely a few interesting experiences. A few seasons ago, it was during NYFW and the weather was awful. One morning, in a rush to leave the house, I didn’t have time to dry my hair, so I threw on my brother’s cap (a old tattered blue baseball cap). In typical millennial fashion, this became a shortcut in the morning and I started wearing the cap every day. What I didn’t realise was that because all photographers tend to wear black and are therefore hard to distinguish, my blue hat was making me more ‘memorable’.

At one show, Gigi Hadid was walking and, as always, the photographers were swarming all over her, whereas I was kind of standing off to the side waiting for her to have a quiet(er) moment.

When I saw that it wasn’t going to happen, I called out to her and asked if I could get a quick shot, and she sort of did a double take and said ‘hey, you’re the guy with the hat!’ and then stopped and posed for me. I’m hoping it was a case of her remembering me because I wasn’t a photographer that was constantly in her face! www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2019 31

bystander

Akaya Opening An opening party was held for Akaya Bistro with Eid Vibes & Bahrain Nights

To view more images, scan the QR code

Joz Group Iftar Joz Group held an Iftar at Elite Resort & Spa To view more images, scan the QR code

HEC Institutional Accreditation Celebration Dr Amable R Aguiluz, Chairman of AMA International University and currently the Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to the Gulf Cooperation Council, visited the university to celebrate its Higher Education Council Institutional Accreditation 32 July 2019

To view more images, scan the QR code

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

franceinbahrain

France in

July 2019

A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month

33 Words from the Embassy HE Cécile Longé, French Ambassador, and colleague Dominique Chastres introduce bilateral achievements.

36-37 A Flourishing 177-Year Relationship Spotlight on the history of Bahraini-French relations and the latest developments.

38-44 The Business of Trade Showcasing some of Bahrain’s most popular Frenchinfluenced businesses.

46 French News The latest happenings from the Kingdom’s French business community.

47 It’s All About Money Financial expert, Pria Masson Tanwar, symplifies the area of international trade.

48 Monagesque Charm Top five things to see in the tiny Principality.

Commercial Index Angelina Paris............................................................. 39 Asia Jewellers: Messika........................................... 43 Daniele Décor and Atelier CL................................... 41 echnal Middle East..................................................... 45

www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2019 33

franceinbahrain

WORDS FROM THE EMBASSY

With major developments in fields as diverse as heritage and law over recent months, HE Cécile Longé, French Ambassador, and Counsellor for Cooperation and Culture, Dominique Chastres take the opptunity to speak about their work.

HE Cécile Longé

Ambassador of France in the Kingdom of Bahrain I would like to thank Bahrain This Month for giving us the opportunity to share with the largest number of readers our joy and pride in the last months’ achievements regarding the bolstering of relationships between Bahrain and the French Republic. This special issue of Bahrain This Month appears halfway between the visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to France and our traditional national day on July 14, as we call it, “Bastille Day”. Given the considerable progress in our cooperation and the strengthening of partnerships and trust in many areas, this celebration carries a special significance this year for all the friends of France in Bahrain. No less than 11 substantial cooperation agreements have been signed in the last six months, most of which have coincided with His Majesty’s visit on April 30, 2019, without mentioning, of course, agreements in the fields of economy, education, Francophonie, heritage, entrepreneurship, emergency medicine, the training of medical students, medical research, law, urban planning... all sorts of new perspectives and opportunity exchanges, visits and joint projects. This is a great source of satisfaction for an ambassador and her team because we have worked tirelessly, hand in hand with our Bahraini partners, who recognise themselves and to whom I extend warm greetings.

Dominique Chastres

Counsellor for Cooperation and Culture Franco-Bahraini cooperation is a beautiful story that could fill the pages of a big book, but can also be summed up in two words: trust and friendship. Trust is expressed by the development of many common projects and friendship is born of shared values and related aims. Likewise, the French team for cooperation and cultural action has for many years built, with its Bahraini friends, a unique relationship.

Bahrain is a culture-friendly country because it has created its cultural identity by feeding on its extraordinary history, that extends over several thousand years. Alongside this, the suitability of Bahrain’s language policy, that strongly emphasises trilingualism (Arabic, English, French), brings this amazing country closer to France. Now, Franco-Bahraini cooperation seeks primarily younger generations, while striving to offer the best tools of progress and modernity.

Many files fill the daily life of a French Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs in Bahrain. From the medical field to the cinema, from the judicial to the living arts, from the university to the digital world, everything is open; everything can be done in Bahrain. It’s certainly a factor of considerable enrichment for both parties. In Bahrain, our motivation doesn’t fade, and the completion of a file, leads usually to the opening of another. The Franco-Bahraini cooperation team, which includes the Alliance Française and the French School MLF, supports the work carried out and will work to deploy the most innovative projects in the future.

34 July 2019

www.bahrainthismonth.com

franceinbahrain

His Majesty the King meets with French President Emmanuel Macron

Bahraini Minister of Education and President of Aix-Marseille University sign an agreement on law cooperation

His Majesty King Hamad’s meeting with President Macron, which took place on April 30, 2019, at the ElysÊe Palace in Paris, has strengthened the ties of friendship and cooperation between Bahrain and France. A number of bilateral agreements were signed alongside the official visit by an important ministerial delegation.

His Majesty the King receives French businessmen

www.bahrainthismonth.com

His Majesty the King and the French President

Bahraini and French Ministers of Foreign Affairs heading to the signature ceremony after their meeting

July 2019 35

franceinbahrain

A FLOURISHING Members of the French Embassy in Bahrain write on a friendship that is heading towards its second century.

History

177 YEAR

Bahrain and France share a common determination to protect and preserve cultural heritage, as well as artistic creation. Through archaeological missions launched in 1977, France has actively participated in the rediscovery of Bahrain’s ancient history. It has resulted in a rich cultural cross-fertilisation.

The meeting of civilisations actually came to life when the relationship was established in 1842, as the French ship, La Favorite, sent by King Louis-Philippe, arrived in Bahrain during a campaign in the Red Sea. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, Governor of Bahrain at that time, sent to the emissary of the King of France a welcome message expressing his wishes to become the friend of France.

At the turn of the twentieth century, the French jeweller, Jacques Cartier, came to Bahrain in 1911, seduced by the high-quality pearls of which fame had echoed to Paris.

Later, the first French exports, recorded in Bahrain in 1962, and the opening of a French Embassy in 1974, finally laid the foundation for a long-standing relationship with Bahrain, where the common concern for excellence is reflected in all areas, notably in the field of educational and academic cooperation.

36 July 2019

His Majesty the King offering the French President a souvenir from Jacques Cartier’s visit to Bahrain in 1911

RELATIONSHIP

Thriving Economic Relations

The economic exchange between Bahrain and France reached USD505 million in 2018, which is a slight decrease compared to 2017 (USD557), but above the levels observed in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. France mostly exports industrial equipment, chemical and pharmaceutical goods to Bahrain, while the majority of Bahraini exports to France are made of refined products.

Around 185 French companies from various sectors are currently operating in the Kingdom, such as banking and finance, industry, retail, design, IT and security. Leading French companies have established their offices in Bahrain, some of them for more than 50 years, and continue to use Manama as their regional headquarters for the Gulf region. Among these are the bank BNP Paribas, the insurance group Axa and Vinci Energies, through its local subsidiary Comsip. Thanks to

their historical relationship with some of the most prominent merchant families in the Kingdom, luxury brands in cosmetics, perfumes and jewellery are also acting as ambassadors of the French business presence.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jean Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs

www.bahrainthismonth.com

franceinbahrain During His Majesty’s visit to France, three agreements on secondary and higher education were signed by Bahrain’s Minister of Education and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Information Affairs of Bahrain and President of France’s National Audiovisual Institute sign an agreement on audiovisual archives

As part of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to the French Republic earlier this year, the Bahraini business delegation accompanying His Majesty signed 12 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with French companies and institutions. The business segment of the visit included a high-level business lunch, organised by the Economic Development Board and French agency Medef International. It was attended by 150 businessmen from both countries.

For the past few years, prominent French companies have played a significant role in the development of key projects that are a priority for the national economy, like the design of the new airport terminal awarded in 2014 to a consortium that includes Aéroports de Paris (ADP), the production of power generation and water desalination at Al Dur plant, by a consortium that has included Engie since 2008, the supply of engineering and industrial equipment to Alba by Fives Group since 2017, and the renewal of the Gulf Air fleet with the purchase in 2016 of 29 Airbus A320s and A321s.

Beyond these projects, and under the umbrella of the Vision 2030 that aims at strengthening the diversification of the economy, French companies, including SMEs, have expressed a strong interest in the initiatives launched by the Kingdom in the Fintech sector.

French Language and Education

Since 1987, French teaching has been offered at the University of Bahrain, reinforced in 2009 by the integration of the Centre of French Studies in the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Bahrain. The same year, a Royal Decree ranked the French language among priority disciplines, making it the second foreign language after English. This represents an opportunity for Bahrain to participate in the tri-lingual education of new generations and to be part of the circle of the Francophonie community (300 million speakers worldwide). In the meantime, the number of scholarships increases every year, allowing young Bahrainis to discover French language and culture during specially tailored summer camps.

In parallel, the MLF French School of Bahrain (located in Busaiteen) offers high-level teaching programmes and currently accommodates 720 students from kindergarten to French baccalaureate. The school had 120 Bahraini students for this 2018/2019 school year. The Alliance Française is also a large part of the cooperation in the field of education, with 1,500 registrations every year for diplomas certified by the French Ministry of National Education.

During His Majesty’s visit to France, an agreement was signed between the Institut Français de la Mode (French Fashion Institute) and the Bahrain Fashion Incubator, in order to promote academic training in fashion design, which will later be turned into a fullfledged diploma by the University of Bahrain. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Academic cooperation experiences a real accomplishment with the French Arabian Business School (FABS) delivering an ESSECMBA. Hosted by the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) since 2011, this diploma was designed by the prestigious French ESSEC Business School. The Aix-Marseille University (AMU) also allows a set of cooperation programmes, particularly with the University of Bahrain, in partnership with the Institute of Public Administration of Bahrain (BIPA) and the ENA – French National School of Administration. It offers a Master’s in public management that was launched in 2016. A doctorate school / research institute in public administration, operated under the aegis of the same AMU, was inaugurated in February 2019. Other projects initiated in 2019, like the creation of a Master’s in law and sports management and a research programme in the field of genetics, are strengthening the scientific and academic exchanges between the two countries.

Scope For Cooperation

During His Majesty’s visit to France, an inter-governmental agreement was signed on four to six-year medical specialisation residencies, to be made accessible to five young doctors every year.

Medical partnership has been, for many years, a very significant field of cooperation. Beside the above-mentioned programme of specialisation, to be offered from this month, a contract was signed in January 2019 between the Ministry of Interior and Greater Paris University Hospitals. Already implemented, it aims at modernising the emergency medical care service of the Kingdom and ambulance management.

Numerous other projects such as judicial studies, preservation of the environment, women and children’s rights and urban planning have been instituted recently as fields for successful cooperation and the embassy is regularly introducing new scenarios in the Bahrain-France relationship for common enrichment.

Culture and Art

During His Majesty’s visit to France an agreement was signed between the President of the Louvre Museum and the President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), HE Shaika Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, on the loan of archaeological items from the Dilmun and Tylos civilisations, for display in the Museum’s Department of Oriental Antiquities.

Franco-Bahraini cultural cooperation has been historically marked by the privileged partnership the French Embassy has developed, over the years, with BACA. France is particularly recognised in the country for its excellence in the fields of cultural engineering and artistic resources. In the field of performing arts, a growing number of events (five to seven French shows per year, mostly musical) have successfully found their place in the cultural and social life of the country. French visual artists have also been regularly honoured, especially since the launch of a partnership between BACA and the Atelier de Sèvres (Paris) in 2016.

Click on the article online to see more exclusive images from His Majesty’s historic French visit.

July 2019 37

franceinbahrain

THE PARISIAN WAY Angelina Paris represents a brand of timeless luxury and symbolises the French art of living at its tea rooms around the world.

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ngelina Paris, the iconic French patisserie and tearoom was brought to Bahrain by Kingdom Gourmet in 2018, and has since been offering diners signature pastries and beverages, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day. The international chain will be opening its second location on the island at The Avenues – Bahrain, this summer.

The renowned eatery has come a long way since its founding in 1903 in Paris, when the city was steeped in the spirit of the Belle Époque. It was then that tea rooms became new meeting places, more comfortable than

38 July 2019

traditional cafés and more fashionable than pastry shops. Austrian confectioner, Antoine Rumpelmayer, had already captured the attention of the who’s-who in southern France with his delicious pastries and confectioneries.

Encouraged by his success, he opened a tea room in Paris and entrusted its management to his son, René, whose wife was named Angeline. A few years later, the venue was renamed Angelina. The Rumpelmayer family’s expertise and passion for delicate confectioneries seduced Parisians, and Angelina quickly became the essential gathering place for high society. The culinary magic continues at the establishment’s various branches in France, Singapore, China, Japan, Lebanon and the GCC. The 50-seater outlet in Bahrain’s stylish Adliya has recently seen the launch of some new additions to the menu. These include an Arabic breakfast, pancakes, new salads and some local favourites like modern thareed and kabsa, with French influences in all dishes.

But the two signature items at Angelina; the Mont-Blanc Pastry and the hot chocolate, L’Africain, continue to wow guests, having been served in the same way for over 100 years.

Angelina’s L’Africain, is an institution by itself. The mixture of 100-per-cent pure cocoa butter from Ghana and Ivory Coast, in Africa, brilliantly brings together bitterness and fruity notes.

The blend is prepared with the utmost care for a round and balanced flavour. The whole

milk into which the preparation slowly melts yields a unique creamy texture. To balance out the strength of the cocoa and add a touch of the establishment’s trademark indulgence, the drink is served with light, unsweetened whipped cream, making the beverage both rich and airy.

The Mont-Blanc is Angelina’s signature pastry. History states that the recipe was created in the early 20th century in the kitchens of the original Angelina tea room on Paris’s Rue de Rivoli. It owes its name to Antoine Rumpelmayer’s Austrian origins, and its shape is thought to be inspired by a women’s hairstyle that was in vogue at the time; the short, slicked-down bob.

The creation is essentially a dry and crunchy French meringue, topped with an unctuous dome of whipped cream, which in turn is covered with chestnut vermicelli. The chestnut coating, a mix of sweetened cream and unsweetened chestnut purée, is what makes the Mont-Blanc so gourmet. The creation can be enjoyed as a dessert or as sweet petits fours, available in a variety of presentations, from classic trays to superb centrepieces. Each day, up to 800 individual Mont-Blancs are sold at the Rue de Rivoli tea room, and 700,000 are sold each year in all locations combined.

Call 17 001-344. www.bahrainthismonth.com

franceinbahrain

Unmistakably

FRENCH STYLE

T

hough Bahrain born through its original French founder, the company changed hands a few years back and is now part of one of the world’s largest bespoke French design companies – Group Atelier de France.

This has brought on board new areas of expertise, some of them exclusive to just these two companies in the region, which allow them to continue providing clients with personalised, outstanding and high-quality interior designs and decorative works.

A stable of highly-skilled artisans boasts skills and know-how based on traditional techniques from France, such as straw marquetry – only available via a very few companies worldwide – and real ‘Verre Eglomise’, which dates back to the 18th century and is only available from Daniele Décor and Atelier CL in our region.

As said by their CEO: “Our unique goal is to satisfy our clients by creating interior design and decorative works, matching with their sensitivity and feelings.”

To help achieve this, the showroom in Sitra offers almost 40,000 fabrics and 17,000-plus wallpaper samples with the collection ever growing and changing, keeping abreast of the latest trends while ensuring clients can still access classic favourites and more traditional options.

Daniele Décor specialises in personalised interiors and designed products, from curtaining to upholstery, carpentry, consultancy and full interior design. And, if you want to see 40 July 2019

how your finished home or office will look, the latest virtual reality software can give clients a real immersion into their future interior.

Atelier CL provides original creative, decorative and specialised interior painting solutions from stucco to trompe l’oeil on canvas, to the creation of ceilings in palladium or gold leaves, artistic murals, stone and marble finishes and much more.

The two companies are located in Bahrain but carry out projects in many countries across the the GCC, for a wide range of clientele from private palaces to luxury hospitality and commercial developments.

The end of July will see a new man at the helm of the business as Richard de Suremain

Daniele Décor and Atelier CL have been imparting a sense of French spirit to the Kingdom’s home and business interiors for more than 35 years.

Richard and Stan

takes over from current CEO Stanislas Gastaldi, who is returning to the parent group.

Richard is animated by the same passion for creating elegant, stunning and pleasing interior designs and decorative solutions.

He says: “I look forward to continuing our mission of bringing quality French design and service to Bahrain and the region and preserving the heritage this much-respected company has built up over more than three decades.”

www.bahrainthismonth.com

franceinbahrain ASIA JEWELLERS

EXQUISITE ELEGANCE Bahrain can boast access to some of France and the world’s most coveted watch and jewellery brands, thanks to luxury retailer, Asia Jewellers.

Clash De Cartier

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ffering the best in high-end accessories over the years, Asia Jewellers is a name that has carved out a truly individual personality for itself. The retailer’s commitment to offering discerning customers the option to purchase fine products from some of the world’s most prestigious watchmakers and jewellery houses from France, Italy, Switzerland and also the Middle East, has earned it great repute in the region.

The company has positioned itself in each market sector with a comprehensive selection of brands, carefully placed retail stores and select brand boutiques. With 12 boutiques operating in the Kingdom, locations extend from City Centre Bahrain, Al Aali Shopping Complex and Seef Mall in the Seef district, to boutiques at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, and the island’s luxury shopping landmark, Moda Mall.

Luxurious standalone boutiques include Cartier in Manama and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, as well as IWC Schaffhausen, Officine Panerai, Audemars Piguet and Van Cleef & Arpels in Bahrain.

With its dynamic approach to business, Asia Jewellers channels Bahrain’s new spirit and shares the Kingdom’s ambition to create a diversified economy for the country. As the company looks to the future, it will continue to grow its list of prestigious brands and exceed the expectations of customers in Bahrain and throughout the Middle East.

The organisation is the sole dealership for 42 July 2019

D de Dior Satine Malachite & Lapis

the most sought-after global marques such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Fabergé, Djula, and Repossi for precious trinkets that include understated but high-fashion statement necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. When it comes to timepieces, Asia Jewellers has partnered with the topmost range of international watch houses. Ladies will be mesmerised with beautiful watches from Dior, Fendi and Alain Philippe among others.

Gentlemen can boast the most technologically modern, yet timeless wristwatches from brands like Bovet, IWC Schaffhausen, Officine Panerai,

Frivole Bracelet-Van Cleef & Arpels

Roger Dubuis and Ulysse Nardin, to name a few.

Besides ornaments and watches for personal use, the outlets also offer an elegant range of bridal accessories, refined essentials like pens, wallets and card holders from labels like J. Rousseau and Jorg Hysek, as well as sophisticated gifting solutions.

Call Moda Mall 17 535-344, Al-Aali Mall 17 581-444, Seef Mall 17 587-888, Ritz-Carlton Bahrain 17 580-123, City Centre Bahrain 17 179-009 or visit www.asiajewellers.com

Recently, a new label, Messika, has been added to the company’s prestigious collection. The brand, born in Paris in 2005, is run by Valérie Messika, daughter of the famous diamond merchant André Messika. Core values have been passed down from father to daughter: to enhance the diamond, to push the boundaries and to strive continuously for excellence. This Parisian house of fine jewellery chose to be represented in Bahrain through Asia Jewellers, and thus was born Messika’s luminous new boutique at Moda Mall, showcasing a unique diamond experience to patrons. The outlet, which is operated by Asia Jewellers, exhibits all of the brand’s iconic collections, and is a place where the designer also unveils her exceptional haute joaillerie creations. www.bahrainthismonth.com

My Twin Collection with Gigi Hadid

#DiamondAddiction

WUBTO T IEQ|U M EO |M L – N E WNBE O I QUU DAO D MAA LM L A- L+ 9 71753 3 1 75344 13 1144

franceinbahrain TECHNAL MIDDLE EAST

Leading French brand for architectural aluminium systems, TECHNAL®, introduces its innovative new TIGAL pull and slide door, which is energy efficient, a user-centric design and built for the future of city living.

Tomorrow’s Design

Available Today

Building Interior-TIGAL

W

ith climate challenges and increasing urbanisation having an ever-greater effect on our day-today lives, future-proofing building design is more important than ever.

TECHNAL® was born from innovation and imagination, always looking to the challenges of the future. And, with the expectation that by 2050 around 70 per cent of the global population will be urban dwellers causing a transition to ‘Vertical Cities’ comprised of tall buildings, these issues were given prime importance in the creation of the recently launched TIGAL Sliding Door.

The move towards urbanisation will also mean a rise in noise pollution presenting designers with an additional challenge to create a sliding-door system that incorporates eco-friendly design with noise reduction and extreme weather and climate resistance.

TECHNAL® says: “Where others see only doors and windows, we see new possibilities; creativity and design in the service of people.”

Enter the TIGAL Sliding Door, which accomplishes the above in a sleek, attractive package that not only promises to cater to the ever-changing needs of the future but also meets construction industry expectations.

In short, the TIGAL allows you to: ‘Beat the elements’ by taking control of heat, wind and water; master your comfort, in terms of sound, dust and security; and control your space through its large dimensions and zero area/ daylight/view loss combined with full or micro 44 July 2019

Building Exterior-TIGAL

ventilation, focused on energy efficient façades and user comfort.

Presented as a unique hybrid, combining the advantages of a sliding door with the features and high performance of a casement window, the TIGAL’s flat profile means all the living area is preserved while allowing easy access to a balcony, terrace or other outdoor space.

Its structure is architect-friendly as it can fit into any space up to 4m wide by 2.70m high and can carry up to 300 kg and 52 mm thick of glazing infill per leaf and, as well as its top-of-the-range performance capabilities, the system comes in several finishes and colours to suit every choice.

The technology, which is energy efficient and of a user-centric design, is housed in a slender frame with concealed hardware which is easily operated, leaving space for a large glazed area that allows natural light into the room and easy, silent access to the outer area.

Performance • The innovative system can withstand multiple weather extremes. Air permeability of Class A4, wind pressure resistance Class 3 (soon to be available in Class 5 up to 3 KPa by the end

TIGAL corner details

of 2019), and exceptional water-tightness of E1200, which uses avant-garde technology that seals four times better than conventional sliding doors, make the TIGAL Sliding Door capable of facing any global challenge, truly ‘Braving the Elements’.

• With three levels of thermal conductivity, the TIGAL Sliding Door ensures optimal energy efficiency and insulation to reduce the impact of outside heat and cold. Its Uw thermal performance is up to 0.85 W/m²K creating pleasant conditions indoors in both summer and winter and reducing energy bills.

• With acoustic insulation up to Rw (C;Ctr): 45dB in double glazing, it shields occupants from outside noise.

• It is manufactured with 70-per-cent recycled materials and durable components with no PVC, because environmental sustainability is already crucial, and will become more so in the future.

• Profiles can be manufactured in extruded aluminium REDUXA or in extruded low carbon aluminium CIRCAL 75R, both of which boast a carbon footprint below 4kg of CO2 per kilogram of aluminium. www.bahrainthismonth.com

WANT A WINDOW TO CLOSE? TELL IT!

LEARN MORE

IMAGINE WHAT’S NEXT

Imagining. Creating. Innovating.

What you imagine, we create. Creativity is the bedrock of our growth. Using imagination, we visualise a life more comfortable. Once, we dreamed of opening a window by voice alone. Today, Technal make it possible. A big step forward? At Technal we see it as just the beginning.

Windows - Doors - Façades

TECHNAL MIDDLE EAST - P. O. Box: 21848, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain T: +973 1722 5777 - F: +973 1721 7799 - E: technal@technal.com.bh - W: www.technal-me.com

franceinbahrain

French NEWS The Legal Option French legal tech start-up, NoPaperPost, has entered the Bahrain market with the aim of using the Kingdom as a gateway to the region.

The company says it has developed a “path-breaking all-in-one solution” offering fast and secure electronic registered mail, online contract signatures, electronic document depository and large file transfers.

The blockchain-based service has been operating successfully in France for a year and co-founder Louis Belcolore told the GDN: “You get full proof of delivery of documents, mails and couriers with legal court recognition and confidentiality. Our slogan is: You Send, We Prove!”

The service has been brought to the GCC by Bahrain-based advisory Licorne Gulf whose co-founders Alexandre Katrangi and Irina Duisimbekova told the GDN that NoPaperPost is a one of its kind in the region. The basic service is free while the premium option is chargeable and the company is expected to be registered on Bahrain Bourse by next year.

New HQ for French Insurance Giant AXA Gulf has signed an MoU with its long-term partner YBA Kanoo Group to create a major new development at Bahrain Bay which will house AXA’s new regional HQ. Commenting on the announcement, which came following His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to France, Nabeel Khalid Kanoo said: “Both parties are committed to supporting the Kingdom’s economic development and will continue to cooperate with the Economic Development Board of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The MoU is a testament to the two groups’ shared vision of collaboration and long-term business ventures.”

Extensive work on the 6,000sq/m building is already underway and it is expected to open by late summer this year.

NEW BOARD FOR CHAMBER The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bahrain recently held is fourth Annual General Meeting and announced the new board members for the term June 2019-June 2021. It was also the occasion to thank and congratulate the outgoing board members for their efforts and contribution to the development of the French Chamber in the past two years.

HE Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism was the guest of honour.

46 July 2019

The new board is comprised of: Jacques Michel: BNP Paribas Bank François Pahmer : Fives Group Gulf Abdulla Juma: Schneider Electric (Uneeco) Pascal Bateman: Vinci Energies Jamal Fakhro: KPMG Fakhro Jameela Hammouda Al Atassi: Daniele Décor Jérome Akel: Carrefour Abdul Wahab Y Al Hawaj: Al Hawaj Jean-Christophe Durand: National Bank of Bahrain Vincent Pluchet: Blue Dot Planet Waleed Al Rayes: Sharif Group Waleed Kanoo: Motor City Holding Jean-Marc Luvisutto: Technal Middle East

www.bahrainthismonth.com

franceinbahrain

It’s All About Money Financial expert Pria Masson Tanwar looks at international trade.

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s per the bottom-up approach of economic theory, grass-roots-level changes have an upward impact on economic activity across all levels. When we transpose that onto relations between countries and the role that economic activity must play, the grass-roots approach touches the true root – money.

Trade, as a concept, rests on the premise of a demand-supply gap in some goods or services. When we followed the physical barter system, apples were exchanged for oranges in an appropriate ratio and oranges for, perhaps, a shoe repair service. Under that system, if I had a bag of apples and wanted a bag of oranges, there were a lot of orange sellers I could choose from, I would choose the one who could give me the best value for my apples. If the seller was a friendly party, that was icing on my cake and an easy decision on who to sell to.

If someone had fabulous oranges and wanted very few apples in exchange for them, making friends was easy enough.

Invisible Impact When economies interact however, the concept of value and on just what the impact will be on the grass-roots levels can take on many faces. Sometimes it goes beyond what is evidently visible. For example, if American brands gain access to Bahrain, of course there will be more products from America being sold www.bahrainthismonth.com

and more jobs being created in the domestic market. However, the people are starting to partake in a more American way of life. If a French school brand enters Bahrain, the children are going to have access to French education and exposure to French history. If a German hospital sets up base, more Germans enter the country as does German medical know-how. It can re-wire our expectations around how life and business are conducted.

Familiarity That impacts how we interact with that country.

Because the country with which we trade is, in fact, familiar ground. So, if French or German or Italian businesses or people interact with my economy, I know their ways a little more. I hear of places I may not have through them and perhaps some of these go on my travel list.

Some foods I hear of become things I want to try. So, when the new speciality restaurant from that country opens its doors, I feel like it’s somewhere I want to visit. I read about the country in the local papers and on the internet

and it does not seem unfamiliar. These same traders go back home with a similar sense of familiarity. They see opportunities that can be shared across borders. As one economy starts to depend on another from an economic and lifestyle perspective, support for policy decisions becomes more favourable. Economic activity may not change the place we call home, but it creates homely environments for more countries and nationalities in a larger number of locations.

Supply and Demand While it seems as if having money as the common trading currency could have complicated matters, as compared to a simple barter system, it really has not. Break it down to the basics and it’s still the same. Economies trade or interact based on what they can supply and on what they have a need for. Just like in the barter system some economies have high levels of productive and able human resources, some have infrastructure, some have know-how in a specific area. With the world appearing as a common marketplace, the same principals of the barter system dominate – best value, maximum gains, friendly partner. And if the price is right, you can always make a new friend.

You can follow Pria on Instagram at money_ cues or visit http://www.i2d-consulting.com to know more about her professional experience.

July 2019 47

franceinbahrain

Monegasque CHARM In the south-east of France, only 10km from Italy, Monaco is an independent microstate on the French Riviera known for its extravagant casinos, yacht-lined marina and prestigious Grand Prix race, which runs through its streets once a year. The capital, Monte Carlo, takes up most of its area, and one can walk across it in approximately an hour. But the fantastic range of attractions that Monaco offers is surprising.

Here are the top five:

Monaco Cathedral

Princess Grace Rose Garden

Museum of antique automobiles

Palais Princier de Monaco This palace is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191, the ancient Genoese fortress can be reached after strolling through the souvenir shop-filled Monaco-Ville. The palace has a dramatic story to tell, and if you get there at 11.55am, you’ll catch the daily changing of the guard; a solemn military ritual. When the Prince is not in residence, areas such as the Palace Chapel, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery, the Yellow Room or Louis XV Bedroom, and the Throne Room, are open to the public.

Rolls Royce that Grace Kelly rode in on her wedding day, as well as racing cars to antiques. Those who are not exactly car geeks will also enjoy witnessing the stately silhouettes, regal bodywork, shiny bonnets and magnificent grilles of the vehicles.

Collection de Voitures Anciennes The Museum of Antique Automobiles is the personal collection of Prince Rainier III’s vintage vehicles. It displays nearly 100 vehicles, which range from horse-drawn carriages to the

Parks and Gardens Monaco is known for serenely beautiful public gardens, the Jardin Exotique de Monaco being one of the most renowned. Located in the centre of town, it is especially famous for the cactii and

Metropole Shopping Center

Prince’s Palace

48 July 2019

succulents it grows. The entrance ticket includes access to a cave within the gardens that’s full of stalactites and stalagmites. The tranquil Princess Grace Rose Garden located within Fontvieille Park is laid out in English style, but the olive trees give it a Mediterranean character. The peaceful Japanese Garden is a wonderful Zen experience.

Monaco Cathedral Built with white La Turbie stones in the RomanByzantine style, this imposing structure houses the remains of the royal family of Monaco, including Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly. It was also the place where the couple tied the knot in 1956. The chapels inside are dedicated to Sainte Devote, Saint Roman and the Saint Sacrament, with a 16th-century altarpiece of Saint Nicolas, which was painted in 1500.

Métropole Shopping Center This retail arcade not only has 80 of the best high-end boutiques and five restaurants, but also a story to tell. Lebanese traveller, Nabil Boustany, fell in love with Monaco, and decided to build an astonishing complex in Monte-Carlo, in collaboration with some of the world’s best architects. The mall was opened in 1988, with opulent interiors inlaid with precious materials. Genuine Italian marble gives the place a modern Mediterranean feel and Bohemia crystal chandeliers impart an air of magnificence. www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Battle Of The Bands

In celebration of World Music Day a competition between the best bands in Bahrain was held at Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

To view more images, scan the QR code

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

To view more images, scan the QR code

Make Music Bahrain

The French Embassy and Alliance Francaise held a Make Music Bahrain festival in the spirit of the ‘Fête de la Musique’

July 2019 49

bystander

Sofitel Eid Brunch

An Eid Friday Brunch was held at Saraya Restaurant, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

To view more images, scan the QR code

To view more images, scan the QR code

Campania Seafood Festival The Campania Seafood Festival was held at Fiamma Restaurant, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

Arabic Eid Brunch An Arabic Eid Brunch was held at Saraya Restaurant, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

50 July 2019

To view more images, scan the QR code

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

SOLAR, SO GOOD Energy use: 83 Wh/km (WLTP) Acceleration: 0-100 in 10 seconds Dimensions (L x W x H): 5057 x 1898 x 1426 mm Seating: Five adults: two in front, three in back Luggage space: Normal: 780L, Extended: 1701L, Centre console: 12L Drive: Four in-wheel motors Over the air software updates Companion app Wireless key Apple CarPlay Android Auto

MOTORING THIS MONTH

Summer Saviour. p.52

Backseat Battles, p.53

Stars On Show, p.54

L

iving where the sun shines almost every day means the arrival of an electric car that uses solar power could be huge news for our region.

Dutch clean mobility company Lightyear has come up with what might just be the holy grail of sustainable transport – the Lightyear One, a sleek-looking saloon with a range of 725km and a small battery that can be charged directly via sunlight or from conventional charging stations.

The company says: “The roof and hood of Lightyear One comprise 5sq/m of integrated solar cells within safety glass so strong that a fully-grown adult can walk on them without causing dents. As a result, Lightyear One charges itself whenever it absorbs daylight.”

EFFECTIVE SOLAR CELLS Unlike conventional solar panels, the cells function independently. This means that even if part of the roof or hood is in shadow, the other cells continue to efficiently collect solar energy.

The solar roof and hood charge up to 12km/h in the sun.

Your climate and driving frequency will determine the percentage of your mileage this can give you. Someone driving the national average of 20,000 km/year in a cloudy country would get about 40 per cent of their mileage from solar energy. For a country, such as Bahrain, which experiences almost constant sunshine, this could be as much as 100 per cent.

DESIGNED WITH PURPOSE The company says: “Lightyear One was crafted to do more

than just appeal to the eye. We took nothing for granted and reevaluated every component of the car. As a result, its Italian design doesn’t just look pretty. Every detail is engineered to improve efficiency and safety.

“We didn’t just rethink design, but what performance The E Option, p.54 means. We built Lightyear One from the ground up to perform well over distance. Lightyear was sparked by long treks through the Outback and uninhabited tundra on solar power. Performance, for us, means that freedom of the open road.”

ENGINEERED FOR EFFICIENCY The efficiency of Lightyear One means better performance from any charging outlet in less time. Through fast charging, you can reach up to 570km worth of energy within an hour and with a simple 230V outlet, it’s even possible to charge up to 350km worth of IS energy overnight. The solar roof and hood ELY DICK THE LOV N VACATION are designed to withstand high FO temperatures when charging, with no IVING OF ONTH. R D loss of efficiency.

THIS M The vehicle also has a solution to accidentally running out of battery. You can drive 15-20km/h on what the solar roof and hood absorb from daylight, getting you to an outlet with no roadside assistance required.

View more info online

The vehicle has recently debuted as a prototype, but, if this sounds exciting, the company is already taking reservations @ https://newdawn.lightyear.one/lightyear-one/ www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2019 51

motoring news

A

SUMMER SAVIOUR F

aster, more powerful and more efficient than ever before, the eighth generation of the Porsche 911 has arrived in Bahrain. Revealed at a special event held by Porsche Centre Bahrain, the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S highlighted the design and performance evolution of the brand’s most iconic sports car. The rear-engine model range has been redesigned and now showcases a more muscular look that pays tribute to its past, while also embracing the future with technology woven into its DNA. Colin Sattar, GM of Porsche Centre Bahrain, says: “Just like the first generation, the latest 911 is a sports car for the new era. Our icon has once again evolved and is now more powerful, more emotional, and more efficient than its predecessors. It is the best 911 Porsche has ever produced.”

l Haddad Motors - Mercedes-Benz is offering three maintenance services that will help you beat the heat and keep your vehicle in top shape.

Get a free check-up on your vehicle’s air conditioner carried out by Mercedes-Benz certified technicians and receive up to 30-per-cent savings on A/C repairs and disinfection.

The company is also offering quick and efficient repairs for minor damage through its Mercedes-Benz SMART Repairs.

With state-of-the-art technology, deterioration to your vehicle’s paintwork and headlights that are caused by the excessive heat as well as small dents and scratches can be easily fixed.

Add the company’s Service Contracts for complete peace of mind. Get your service from Al Haddad Motors and you’ll receive a complete service history for the duration of the service contract. There are also savings up to 20 per cent on an array of benefits and rewards through a loyalty scheme.

Arrival of an Icon

FULLY CHARGED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE T

he BMW Group is adjusting frequency to up the tempo of its electromobility expansion programme. The company will now achieve the total of 25 electrified models previously announced for 2025 two years earlier, in 2023. Thanks to flexible vehicle architectures for fully-electric, plug-in hybrid and combustion engine drive trains. More than half of the 25 models will be fully electric.

“We are moving up a gear in the transformation towards sustainable mobility, thereby making our company fit for the future. Over the past two years, we have consistently taken numerous decisions that we are now bringing to the roads. By 2021, we will have doubled our sales of electrified vehicles compared with 2019,” said Harald Krüger, of BMW. “We expect to see a steep growth curve towards 2025: Sales of our electrified vehicles should increase by an average of 30 per cent every year.”

52 July 2019

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news

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CROSSOVER BREAKS RECORDS

iat is celebrating a major milestone with the production of the 500,000th unit of its popular Fiat 500X model at the Melfi plant in southern Italy.

With half a million units of Fiat’s famous crossover rolling off the production line in just five years, it was fitting that the car that completed this record achievement was a 500X 120TH edition, a special series model launched earlier this year at the Geneva International Motor Show to celebrate the Fiat brand’s 120th anniversary. The edition features a two-tone (black and white) Tuxedo livery, available on the 500X for the first time, equipped with a 150HP 1.3 FireFly Turbo engine and DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.

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Backseat Battles

ore than six in 10 European parents (63 per cent) admit they struggle to fully concentrate on the road when their children are misbehaving in the car. But even more worrying is that nearly one in three adults (29 per cent) reveal they know they’re less safe behind the wheel as a result, according to new research conducted by Nissan. Parents say the level of distraction means they’ve taken their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel. They also say they’ve run through red traffic lights, forgotten to indicate, braked suddenly, swerved into the next lane, and even been forced to stop the car completely. As a result, www.bahrainthismonth.com

parents are increasingly turning to in-car technology in the quest to keep the whole family safe on the road. The research highlighted that avoiding distractions is one of the biggest concerns for parents when choosing which car to buy, with one in three (34 per cent) saying they would actively look for driving assistance systems when choosing their next car.

These could be automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

his year’s Audi Innovation Award registered a record 2,500-plus entries. Now in its fourth year, the award has grown in popularity with budding designers from across the region eager to compete for the prize of USD25,000 worth of consultancy and a trip to the Audi headquarters in Ingolstadt Germany. The winner will be announced at Dubai Design Week in November.

For 2019, the judging panel (pictured) has also grown with six new experts participating to select this year’s winner.

The three shortlisted candidates will be given USD2,500 to present their concepts at Dubai Design Week. The overall winning design will receive a trophy and a trip to the Audi factory to experience the automotive design journey at the company’s headquarters. Audi Middle East will also award USD25,000 worth of consultancy to cover items such as IP registration, legal counselling and business development.

Scan the code to read the full article.

July 2019 53

motoring news

STARS ON SHOW

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amborghini has announced the completion of a major revamp of its museum at Sant’Agata Bolognese, presenting a completely re-branded facility with new and exciting exhibits. Now known as MUDETEC, the Museum of Technology has quickly become popular with tourists visiting the birthplace of Lamborghini in Italy.

Celebrating the relaunch of the Lamborghini Museum in the new MUDETEC guise, an exclusive exhibition of “Future Shapers since 1963” has been specifically inaugurated as part of the museum’s space, featuring the pioneering spirit of Lamborghini with regard to innovation and design.

Running until October 31, 2019, the exhibition is a virtual journey through the decades.

Scan the code for more great pictures.

Apple Back in the Driving Seat

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hen it shed 200 staff from its Project Titan in January, Apple seemed to be stepping back from the autonomous car business. But the company has now acquired startup Drive.ai in what signifies a new eagerness for the self-drive sector.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Drive.ai was in trouble and planned to fold.

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Apple had previously taken on several engineers from the company and is now said to have bought it outright.

The Chronicle noted that Drive.ai touted itself as a company developing kits to convert normal cars into autonomous ones.

he all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla was recently revealed in Bahrain.

It boasts a hybrid powertrain for the first time and has had a complete body makeover too.

There are three powertrain options, including 1.6 and 2-litre petrol versions. The electrified hybrid combines a traditional engine and two electric motors.

All versions have a lower centre of gravity, a more rigid body shell and multi-link suspension. Inside, the seats have extra cushioning and buyers can opt for either a 4.2 or 7-inch multiinformation display.

54 July 2019

The E Option

eugeot has released details and pictures of the e-2008 – prior to its 2020 launch.

The e-2008 comes with a 50kWh battery and an official range of 193 miles. It will have a 134bhp electric motor and be capable of using 100kW rapid chargers, with an 80-per-cent topup taking just 30 minutes.

The model will offer three powertrain options; diesel and petrol variants will also feature in the range. There’ll be 1.2-litre petrols with 99, 128 and 153bhp

outputs, as well as a 99bhp 1.5litre diesel.

Following the popularity of the larger 3008 SUV (soon to be made available with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain), Peugeot has stuck to a similar design philosophy.

There is more interior space with a longer wheel base and the boot space has been increased to accommodate underfloor storage for charging cables.

And, of course, the vehicle will boast the latest in technological refinements.

NEW MODEL FOR REGION

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Chaine Des Rotisseur

An exclusive Chaine Des Rotisseur, Bahrain dinner was held at Maki Restaurant. The dinner included six courses prepared by awardwinning executive chef Louis Kenji Huang

To view more images, scan the QR code

Chopard An event was held at Chopard Botique in Moda Mall to introduce its new offerings

To view more images, scan the QR code

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of

and the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Chinese Embassy, in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Yinchuan Arts Theatre China Antiquities, hosted the Yinchuan Art Theatre Performance Reception

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

July 2019 55

business bites

From Russia With Love

Hot on the heels of news that the number of Russian tourists visiting Bahrain has increased to more than 10,000, with a total spend of BD7 million, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) CEO, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, held a meeting with Russian Ambassador, HE Igor Kremnev.

The pair spoke about the achievements of BTEA’s representative office in Russia and the partnerships established with travel agencies to attract visitors through tourism packages and weekly charter flights. They announced that the number Russians visiting Bahrain has experienced a 101 per cent increase on the same period last year.

This get together was part of a series of bilateral meetings held between BTEA and ambassadors to the Kingdom, in order to promote its tourism identity under the slogan of ‘Ours.Yours.’ and develop the sector in line with the Economic Vision 2030.

NEW TELECOMS BOSS VIVA Bahrain’s board has appointed a new CEO, Eng Nezar Banabeela. He replaces Mohammed Al Khushail, who had been acting CEO since the beginning of the year.

Nezar has more than 15 years of experience, 10 in the telecoms sector with STC Group and VIVA Bahrain, where he has held various positions including chief of enterprise and wholesale sector. He played an instrumental role in launching the company and its enterprise sector in 2012.

He has also been on the board of various companies including the presidency of Bahri Dry Bulk, considered the main national carrier for maritime in Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah (KSA).

MASSIVE TRADE SURGE As guests gathered at an event hosted by the Italian Embassy to celebrate the country’s national day, Italian Ambassador, HE Domenico Bellato, announced that trade between the two nations increased by 52 per cent last year.

In fact, bilateral trade reached the record level of USD617 million – which included a 156 per cent jump in Bahraini exports to Italy. These are mainly comprised of aluminium, plastics and fertilisers, whereas Italian imports into Bahrain have been machinery for industry, fashion, food, furniture, design and electrical and electronic devices.

Noting that Italian companies are involved in many of Bahrain’s major developments, His Excellency said further cooperation was very much in the pipeline adding: “The untapped potential is still huge, and we will jointly explore further avenues.”

56 July 2019

Design Excellence Recognised Edamah’s ‘Sa’ada’ Waterfront Project emerged as a Regional Winner at the International Property Awards for its architectural design.

Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah) the real-estate arm of the sovereign wealth fund, was honoured at the Dubai, Africa & Arabia Property Awards Ceremony, hosted by one of the largest and well recognised award bodies across the region. The company received a total of three awards across different categories for its ‘Sa’ada’ waterfront project – Leisure Architecture, Best Leisure Development Bahrain and Best Mixed-use Development Bahrain.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. www.bahrainthismonth.com

business bites

Insurance Goes Tech There were 45 speakers and more than 300 delegates at the first insurancetechnology conference hosted in the Kingdom under the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) titled “Reimagining Insurance”. Held at Bahrain FinTech Bay, the event saw the launch of the Insurance Digitisation Report, curated in collaboration with Roland Berger and BIA Insurance.

Attendees also heard an introduction on the changing landscape of the insurance industry in the MENA region by Abdul Rahman Baker, executive director - Financial Institutions Supervision at CBB. The Keynote speech was delivered by Peter Haslebacher CEO APACInsurTech Ltd shedding light on the current view of InsurTech.

A huge range of international speakers attended the event, including Juergen Stoffel, of Hannover Re Group, Carl Bauer, of Eos Venture Partners, Michele Grosso, of Democrance, Walid Daniel Dib, of Addenda, Tobias Taupitz, of Laka, and many more.

There were also interactive panels with industry specialists, concluding with a panel titled “InsurTech: the way forward” that shed light on the next steps, for both insurers and InsurTech firms, to developing the necessary platform for longterm business sustainability as the insurance industry’s dynamics change.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE LAUNCHED VFS Global has opened an Italian Tourist Information Centre in Bahrain aiming to increase the flow of visitors to the European destination.

In addition to applying for an Italian visa, travellers heading to Italy from Bahrain now have access to a wealth of information at the newly centre in Manama. VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, also launched The Little Book of Italy travel guide at the opening ceremony.

Exclusively available at the company’s centres, it offers comprehensive information about attractions in Italy, detailing spectacular cities, ancient ruins, museums, soaring mountains, beaches, beautiful natural scenery and insights into the European peninsula’s extraordinary culinary tradition.

Jobs for the Girls Telecoms company Zain Bahrain has announced its ‘Women in Tech’ internship programme for young inspired female university students.

Starting on July 1, the initiative comes under Zain’s Youth Empowerment Programme as a key pillar in contributing to society and Zain Bahrain’s goal of embedding a socially responsible culture through its operations in general.

The training internship will help young female university students who have majored in relevant technical fields, such as IT and network, to discover their capabilities and identify their career path through exploring their true potential and understanding the dynamics of the corporate workplace in the technology divisions. In addition, the internship will provide coaching, career planning, through real working exposure, an International Productivity certificate and community services.

The programme runs until the end of August. www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2019 57

destination juffair

With something to offer the figurative prince and the pauper, Juffair literally gives you a lot to eat, pray and love.

Al Fateh Grand Mosque

ABC Mall

A QUARTER OF CONTRASTS

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hat seemed to be a grey urban jungle steadily raising its concrete head in the heart of the island around a decade ago, Juffair is now a colourful, vibrant arena, having acquired its own distinct character over the years. It attracts people from all walks of life, for the varied residential, commercial and recreational options on offer.

Believe it or not, it once used to be a typical suburban village, but has been integrated into ‘downtown’ Manama due to the extensive land reclamation and commercial developments that have taken place over the years.

At the very periphery of this bustling vicinity is the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, its majestic dome and minarets adding magnificence to Manama’s skyline. Built in 1987, it is touted to be one of the largest in the world, said to be able to hold up to 7,000 worshippers. It’s impressive marble, glass and teak wood 58 July 2019

interiors instantaneously provide cool respite to the spirit and tours offer non-Muslims a chance to learn about Islam.

Moving further down into the neighbourhood on its central spine, Awal Avenue, one is greeted with a smorgasbord of hospitality, business and recreational hubs, residential buildings and health and wellness venues.

Boarding, Dining and Nightlife Juffair has no dearth of choices for accommodation – from boutique to budget options. Four-star property, The K Hotel, is a reputable name amongst tourists who prefer to stay in this area. Its Kolors Restaurant is a popular hangout for a relaxed Friday brunch, as well as various theme nights through the week.

Part of an international hospitality chain, the Wyndham Garden Manama has made a mark,

not only for its professional service and wellappointed rooms, but its dining outlets, like Jashan for authentic Indian fare, Via Brasil for Brazilian cuisine and Terasse@28 for its Belgian and German delicacies along with panoramic views of the city.

The Arch Hotel Bahrain is one of the new entrants in the area, and is quickly gaining recognition for its snazzy selection of clubs, pubs and lounges. While E11even Club is known for bringing in international DJs, the just-launched Beats Lounge is being recognised as a haunt for party hoppers. Atiram Premier Hotel is a wellknown property that adds to Bahrain’s night-life scene with Coda Jazz Lounge, Wembley Sports Bar and Cavallo Club.

The Ramee Group has several properties in Juffair, ranging from four-star options to economical apartment suites. www.bahrainthismonth.com

destination juffair

Oasis Mall

When it comes to stand-alone restaurants in the locality, the list is endless. American Alley, close to the American naval base, is tightly packed with an array of food and beverage outlets. So, whether it is Middle Eastern flavours, Texan tastes, Mexican bites, Indian, Thai or continental food that you are seeking, you will find it on this often-chaotic street. Just outside the mouth of this ‘eat street’ is Dome Café, serving great food for breakfast, lunch and dinner to loyal patrons. A relatively quieter patch of ‘newer’ Juffair, alongside Al-Najmah Club, has recently sprouted dining outlets like Tony Roma’s, Wingman, everyone’s favourite – Lanterns, as well as a branch of Jasmis and a drive-through Starbucks.

makeup and massage therapy. If you are looking for authentic ayurvedic solutions to relax, detox or cure an ailment, the Kottakkal Ayurvedic Centre in ‘old’ Juffair offers various therapeutic treatments, some of which need to be prescribed by one of the certified doctors.

Retail Therapy Several commercial arcades have sprung up in Juffair in recent times, offering international and home-grown stores and fast food brands.

The newest, and probably also the largest, of the lot is the Oasis Mall, located right opposite the Grand Mosque. Besides offering popular clothing and lifestyle brands under one roof, it also has Fun City for children, Cineco for lovers

of the big screen, and a Carrefour Market, for those quick and convenient grocery store trips.

New food outlets such as Noodle Factory, Joey’s Pizza, Texas Chicken, Jasmis Café, have lately opened up, besides the existing Giorgio Italian Barista, Senor Pacos and Ice Cream Lab. Across the road, Juffair Mall has a number of local shops selling everything from silver ornaments and artefacts, to mobile phones and accessories. The greatest crowd puller is the expansive Lulu Hypermarket and Mukta A2 Cinemas. The mall also has a gaming zone and a bowling alley close to its food court. Al Raya Mall, Al Murjan Centre and ABC Mall house indigenous shops, cafés and food outlets in Juffair. Ramez, the household name for costeffective shopping of everyday utilities, apparel, accessories, fresh produce and groceries, school supplies and home electronics has a branch here as well.

Schools and Clubs Modern Knowledge School, New Generation Private School and Bahrain School are convenient centres of primary and secondary education located here. As the neighbourhood is home to young expat families as well as locals who have lived here for generations, there are a number of hobby and sports clubs in Juffair, such as the Bahrain Garden Club, Bahrain Cinema Club and the Bahrain Tennis Club. A number of sporting activities for kids and adults are available at Al Oruba, Manama and Al-Najmah clubs.

In short, you could live in Bahrain without ever leaving Juffair and find, pretty much, everything you need.

Health, Beauty and Wellness Juffair being a remarkable catchment area for both residents and tourists, a number of wellness establishments, big and small, have made it their home. The most renowned is the Bahrain Specialist Hospital, trusted by many to offer comprehensive medical care and aesthetic cosmetic procedures. There are a number of conveniently located gyms to help you feel and look great, the one at the new Swiss-belresidences, Fitness First and Reps, are amongst the most notable. The district is teaming with massage parlours and salons, but Joz Salon on American Alley is one of the trusted names for beauty and spa treatments.

With two separate spaces for men and women, you can count on Joz to have an enjoyable, pampering experience. Gloss Salon and Spa at the Marriott Executive Apartments is another high-end spot for beauty needs, hairstyling, www.bahrainthismonth.com

American Alley

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bystander

UCB Open Day

University College of Bahrain, under the patronage of Shaikh Ebrahim bin Khalid Al Khalifa, executive director, hosted an Open Day To view more images, scan the QR code

BBBF Lunch Bahrain British Business Forum held a lunch meeting at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa

Skal Dinner Skal International Bahrain members got together for dinner at the Copper Chimney Restaurant, Asdal Gulf Inn Boutique Hotel

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HEALTHY HEAVEN

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Behnaz Sanjana had never imagined she’d enjoy a vegan meal as much as she did at Anais Café.

The display counter below the chalkboard menu at Anais Café, at Hala Plaza in Zinj, exhibited beckoningly colourful desserts, immediately rousing my inner Sweet Tooth, making her eyes grow round, as if hypnotised. “Not now; later,” I chided. So, she reluctantly retreated while I chatted to the chef and marketing manager who run the café, both from Romania. Wait, did they say vegan? While I’m not a hardcore carnivore, I do enjoy my meat. And yes, I also do know that plant-based diets are the true sustainable path to preserving our health and our planet.

VERY FRENCH, p62

CHEF’S TABLE EXPERIENCE, p63

Veganism eschews animal-derived food (including dairy and eggs), as well as that which is processed, like sugar and other factory-produced edibles. A lofty lifestyle for many like me, who like to have their meatballs and eat them too, but hey, I’m all for trying something new to see where it takes me.

When the stewardess approached me with a cup of cappuccino, Sweet Tooth had one eyebrow raised. She whispered disbelievingly: “Really? No sugar? Yeah, right!” The toupee of rich, creamy froth that the beverage wore, enticed me to take a sip right away, although I half expected a bitter, wooden taste. The medium roast coffee (there’s a dark roast available as well) embraced my palate with a velvety smoothness, leaving an unmistakable touch of sweetness in my mouth, thanks to the addition of fragrant Sri Lankan cinnamon, and the natural goodness of almond milk that is made in-house at Anais Café, minus any preservatives or additives. It made Sweet Tooth sit up and take notice.

There are no pre-cooked ingredients lurking in Anais’s kitchen. Almost everything is made from scratch to serve organic food that’s as fresh as can be, and it was well worth the wait. The omelette arrived first, looking like a fête of colour.

Garlic chives, vegan cheese, red and yellow bell peppers, the most delicious mushrooms and a dash of paprika flakes lent character to the chickpea flour-based omelette. It paired excellently with an outlandish pomegranate-mustard sauce.

The dishes to come were just as interesting in their flavour pairings. Tasty vegetable meatballs came with a side of silken, truffle-laced mashed potato. The hummus was imbued with cumin and siren-red, roasted Romanian kapia pepper, giving the humble staple an incredible twist. Bulgur wheat was omitted from the tabbouleh to make it suitable for gluten intolerant folks, but finely-cut parsley stems gave that similar ‘bite’ to the salad.

Sips of ‘Not Lemonade’ – made with the fantastic combination of orange, lemongrass, honey and a shot of ginger juice, kept me happily hydrated through the meal. www.bahrainthismonth.com

CHOCOLATEA TIME, p64

The tagliatelle with mushrooms was a moreish creation, hard to believe that the pasta was made without any wheat flour and had none of that heavy mouthfeel of its store-bought, no-gluten counterpart.

Giving in to Sweet Tooth’s sulking, I turned my attention to the artisan desserts. Much to her elation, I sampled a variety of vegan, bite-sized options, starting with the Middle-East Kiss.

The essence of this creation was as exotic as its name; lemon and saffron flirting coyly on the taste buds. The Choco Mango and Forest Fruit cakes were deliciously decadent (the sweetening power of agave is impressive), but it was the Tiramisu that was nothing short of heaven. I tucked in guiltlessly, bidding sugar-induced blemishes and dairybrought-on bloating farewell.

SPLENDID SEAFOOD, p65

View more info online

Aiming to be a hub for healthful eating, Anais Café also retails a variety of superfood-laden sweets, biscuits and crackers, imported raw honey, jams, cold-pressed oils and juices, and nut-free vegan ice creams and cakes, as well as Keto-friendly dishes.

So, while my Mondays are already meat-free, places like Anais Café help me look forward to the habit of nutritionallydense, yet extremely satiating, Vegan Wednesdays.

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tablehopping

FRESH FROM THE OCEAN Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain invites you to savour the freshest catch of the day every Monday at Seafood Night from 7pm-11pm.

Experience a unique medley of succulent ocean delicacies in both popular and traditional dishes. The buffet will offer delicacies, from sushi and dim sum to slipper oysters and popular fish such as grouper and red snapper. The meal is priced at BD24, including soft drinks and water, or BD29, including unlimited selected grape, malt and soft drinks.

Call 17 460-017.

G N I PP

g O n H i n E i L D B y A l T Ju CELEBRATE AMERICA Saraya Restaurant at the Sofitel will stage a Summer Independence Day Brunch on Friday, July 5, from 12.30pm–4pm featuring a star-spangled line-up of top-notch Stateside grub as well as gourmet international cuisines intertwined with local flavours and the best desserts on the island. Children are in for a treat with a dedicated kids’ corner and fun outdoor activities full of surprises. The buffet costs BD25, inclusive of selected beverages.

Children aged six to 12 eat for half price and those below six dine for free.

Call 38 885-789.

VERY FRENCH On July 12, from 1pm-4pm, Bahrain Bay Kitchen at the Four Seasons marks France’s national day with a Bastille Day French Brunch that promises the very best of Gallic cuisine. Oysters and French onion soup, crepe cooking stations and premium cheeses including a Raclette fondue will get your taste buds celebrating. The culinary celebration is priced at BD30, inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages, or BD43, inclusive of selected beverages. Kids aged six to 12 years get 50-per-cent discount and under-fives eat free.

Call 17 115-500.

MAKING IT SPICY GOOD The dynamic chef Promod has joined the team at Spices Indian Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain. This multiskilled professional boasts 10-plus years of experience with leading hotel chains and restaurants. Born and brought up in India, his culinary skills reflect the country’s rich, diverse culture. His forte lies in Indian and Western fusion cuisine, with special expertise in north Indian fare. He says his inspiration comes from his experience of visiting different parts of the subcontinent and experiencing its varied culture, as well as from travelling, eating out, reading and creative thinking.

Call 17 531-122.

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tablehopping tablehopping

When? Sunday to Thursday Event? Xpress Lunch Venue? Bay View Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Enjoy a lunch that fits perfectly into your busy day, with menus that change weekly, for BD8.500 for two courses or BD11 for three.

Call 17 115-000.

When? Sunday to Thursday Event? Business lunch Venue? Baharat Restaurant, Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain

Enjoy a buffet of international and Middle Eastern dishes at BD16 or a soup and salad buffet for BD7.

Call 17 171-441.

When? Sunday to Thursday Event? Power Lunch Venue? Primavera, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain

Tuck into a two-course business set lunch while enjoying picturesque views for BD12 per person.

Call 17 586-499.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

ASIAN STREET FOOD FUN The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s re/ Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck will host a Vietnamese Feast, where the chefs will be creating a street vibe and offering all the delicious snacks and dishes that come with it. The brunch will be held on July 13, from 12.30pm-3.30pm and is priced at BD32, including soft drinks, or BD44, including premium beverages. Beef pho and rice noodles will top the menu and the Vietnamese summer roll will get an indulgent makeover being filled with black tiger prawns.

Call 17 115-046.

PERUVIAN PARTY Join in for a week-long synthesis of Peruvian culture, music and cuisine at the Peru Fiestas Patrias (Peruvian Festival) at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant from July 18-26. Starting at 6pm and carrying on till 1am, there’ll be entrancing music and dance with exceptional gastronomy. Experience traditional Andean culture in its truest forms. The fiesta is priced at BD20 per person, inclusive of soft and selected beverages.

Call 38 885-789.

CHEF’S TABLE EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a sumptuous five-course Chef’s Table menu especially prepared by the dedicated chef every day between noon and 3pm, and then again between 7pm-11pm at Primavera, at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.

Dishes on the indulgent set menu, priced at BD29 per person, include fried eggplant with cherry tomato and smoked ricotta cheese, homemade Bolognese tortellini, hammour with Sicilian eggplant caponata and lamb fillet with herb crust, green peas, sautéed mushrooms and fondant potato.

Call 17 586-499.

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tablehopping When? Every Monday Event? Mussel Monday Venue? Elements Pool & Lounge, InterContinental Regency Bahrain

CHOCOLATEA TIME

Enjoy a pot of steaming Belgian mussels for BD8.900 with unlimited Belgian fries. Pair it with a Belgian ale to make it a perfect meal.

Call 17 208-393.

When? Every Monday Event? Mamma Mia Mondays Venue? Primavera, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain

Choose one pizza and one pasta for BD19, including one special Italian beverage. The new menu features dishes like Pizza Diavola, Pizza Regina and Pizza ai Funghi, homemade spaghetti carbonara, tonarelli cacio e pepe and tagliatelle alla Bolognese.

Call 17 586-499.

When? Monday - Thursday Event? Buon Giorno Italia Venue? Fiamma Restaurant, Sofitel Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

A TASTY DEAL The Westin City Centre Bahrain’s Furn Bistro and Bakery has something special lined up for lovers of Khaleeji cuisine. A special set menu will be served every day at the chic eatery from 12.30pm-10.30pm, including tasty Middle Eastern and Khaleeji dishes. Choose one starter, main course and dessert each, for only BD10.

Call 17 171-441.

Indulge in the perfect afternoon tea option for the sweet tooth in you with dark, milk or white chocolate fondue and the beautifully handcrafted chocolate pastries at The Palm Lounge at Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain.

Available every day from 2pm-6pm, the price is set at BD25 for two.

Call 77 707-070.

A ROYAL BRUNCH

Satisfy all your Italian food cravings and savour a wide range of gourmet and authentic Italian specialities for BD15 per person for the set menu brunch.

Every Friday, from 1pm-5pm, treat your family and friends to a delicious brunch at Brasserie Royale at the Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain, with an array of delectable options from seafood and sushi to delicious pastries while the DJ keeps the beat going all afternoon. Young guests will love their dedicated buffet and the special activities organised by the Bulbul Kids’ Club team exclusively for them. Priced at BD27 with soft drinks, or BD35, with selected beverages, all guests get complimentary pool and beach access. For an additional BD20, guests can enjoy unlimited selected drinks by the pool.

Call 77 707-070.

Call 38 885-789.

When? Tuesday Event? His Night Venue? Havana Club, Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain

Gentlemen enjoy their first drink complementary while grooving to the live band.

Call 77 707-070.

When? Every Wednesday Event? Sushi-Meshi Venue? Thai, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

A midweek excuse to ‘sushilize’ with friends and colleagues with 50-per-cent savings on select sushi and beverages from an à la carte menu.

Call 17 586-499.

When? Every Wednesday Event? Ladies Night Venue? Shisha Lounge, Reef Resort

Ladies get a 40-per-cent discount on the total amount of the bill.

Call 13 110-110.

When? Thursday Event? Her Night Venue? Havana Club, Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain

Ladies, put on your dancing shoes for a fun night out and unlimited selected beverages.

BRISK BUSINESS Take a break from your workday stress and enjoy the Turkish Business Lunch Buffet in a comfortable setting at the Mercure Grand Hotel Seef. Tuck into a range of delicacies from a variety of Turkish grills to everyone’s favourites, baklava and kanafeh, to name a few. The buffet is priced at BD5.500 and runs from Sunday to Wednesday, between 12.30pm-3.30pm.

Call 32 000-621.

Call 77 707-070.

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tablehopping When? Friday, July 19 Event? Summer Belgian Day Brunch Venue? Sofitel Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

Relish a unique array of delicious international dishes at BD25, inclusive of selected beverages.

Call 38 885-789.

When? Every Friday Event? Brunch Venue? Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Indulge in Wolfgang Puck’s favourite dishes for BD32, including soft beverages, or BD44 including an extensive beverage package. Ladies do not pay extra for the beverage package.

Rosso, at ART Rotana, introduces an Italian Family Saturday Brunch where friends can eat, chat and be merry together for BD20, inclusive of selected non-alcoholic beverages, or BD26, inclusive of selected special beverages from noon to 4pm. Enjoy the finest imported meats and cheeses plus live pasta stations, fresh pizza delivered to your table and delectable Italian desserts. Kids aged six to 12 go half price and those below six eat free.

Call 16 000-111.

ITALIAN DELIGHT

Call 17 115-044.

When? Every Friday Event? Extended Friday Brunch Venue? Al Murjan Ballroom, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain

Enjoy excellent chef’s special delicacies, a lively atmosphere and a delightful selection of drinks for BD36, including unlimited beverages.

Call 17 460-017.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

SPLENDID SEAFOOD Baharat Restaurant at Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain stages a fabulous Seafood Night every Thursday from 7pm–11pm. Indulge in a wide selection of fresh oysters, prawns, Lobster Thermidor, sushi, clams, fresh fish and mussels cooked to your liking. The buffet costs BD25, including soft drinks and water, or BD31, including selected free-flow beverages, with live entertainment.

Call 17 171-441.

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tablehopping When? Every day Event? English Afternoon Tea Venue? Mezzanine Lounge, The Westin City Centre Bahrain Enjoy an elegant tea time for BD15.300.

Call 17 171-441.

When? Every day Event? Bread promotion Venue? Furn Bakery, The Westin City Centre Bahrain

Enjoy a 50-per-cent discount during happy hour on the entire bread display after 6pm.

Call 17 171-441.

When? Every day Event? Punjabi Thali Lunch Venue? Spices Indian Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Bahrain

Discover the flavours of a traditional Punjabi thali, a savoury set-menu to delight your palate for BD5, inclusive of one non-alcoholic beverage.

Call 17 531-122.

PIQUANT PLEASURES Nirvana, the Indian fine-dining restaurant at The RitzCarlton offers the ‘Let’s Chaat’ promotion from Thursday to Saturday, where guests can relish the simple comfort of home cooking and savour the harmony of textures, flavours and aromas of Indian street delicacies including favourites like Aloo Tikki, Murg Chatpatta, Channa Chaat, Sev-Murmura Chaat and more from an à la carte menu. It runs between noon and 3pm for lunch and 7pm-11.30pm for dinner.

Call 17 586-499.

IT’S FRIYAAY! What better way to start off the weekend than with Mercure Grand Seef’s new Al Sofra Friday Brunch with live entertainment? From 12.30pm-4pm, there are hot and cold appetisers and salads, delicious intercontinental dishes and delectable desserts to treat your taste buds.

The price is BD14++, with or without selected beverages.

Kids under six eat for free while it’s half-price for those between six and 12.

Call 32 000-621.

A FIRST IN BAHRAIN Buffalo Wings & Rings has debuted in Bahrain, in the heart of Block 338 in Adliya. The American franchise is known for its fresh, never frozen, traditional and boneless chicken wings made with sauces to serve every taste. In addition, its all-American menu has mouthwatering offerings, including the famous juicy burgers, onion rings, tacos, salads and much more. The three-storey restaurant boasts a sporty atmosphere with more than 60 TVs, and chef-inspired recipes along with its signature wings.

Call 17 104-994.

EXCLUSIVELY ORIENTAL Akaya, a new upmarket Japanese restaurant, has opened its doors in Bahrain. Inspired by the ‘Izakayas’ of Tokyo, it is an original concept created exclusively for islanders. The outlet is an ode to Japanese minimalist architecture and the perfect venue to unwind with friends to enjoy signature cocktails and an Asian-style tapas menu. Diners have three options of seating: outdoor in the Zen Garden, which is an airconditioned spot of bliss, or indoors at The Travertino Room or The Janguru Lounge.

Call 17 490-004.

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tablehopping

CULINARY EXPLORATION Mahonia will be hosting a series of exceptional culinary tasting events through July and August, wherein guests can explore the world of food and beverage, with tastings, pairings, talks, experiments with cocktails and gastronomic bites, new menu morsels and a variety of other events.

‘Paired by Mahonia’ will be held on alternate Wednesdays, and presents sommelier-selected grape pairings with mouth-watering morsels from 8pm-10pm. ‘Summer Sundowners’, held on alternate Fridays, from 5pm-7pm, will delight guests with unique beverage concoctions, accompanied by delectable gastronomic bites.

These events are aimed to broaden epicurean horizons with the discovery of unique regions and new ingredients. The events are priced at BD30 per person. Prior booking is recommended.

Call 17 000-071.

SUMMER FUN Crowne Plaza Bahrain is all set to host the Fun Family Brunch at its two outlets; La Mosaique Restaurant and Harvesters, on July 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 12.30pm-4pm. For BD31, inclusive of special selected beverages, guests can make the most of delicious fare and access the temperature-controlled pool. Make it a family affair, where little ones will be kept occupied on the pool slide, with special children’s amenities and a kids’ menu.

Call 17 531-112.

LEGENDARY FARE Intercontinental Regency Bahrain’s award-winning Legendz Steakhouse invites diners to share in its passion for prime meat cuts in a stylish, contemporary setting. From 11.30am-4pm every Saturday, head down for a cosy, Lazy Legendary Lunch, priced at BD19, for a relaxed afternoon with your family and friends. An extensive à la carte menu is also available.

Call 17 227-777.

GIVING DIRECTION Ramada by Wyndham Bahrain has recently appointed chef Wilfred Coelho as the new food and beverage director. Chef Wilfred, who has been in the industry for around 25 years, specialises in continental and Indian cuisines, and has won awards for his outstanding work that stems from years of experience across South Africa, the UAE, India and Bahrain. He will be overseeing all the food and beverage operations of Ramada by Wyndham Bahrain, including Le Jardin Restaurant and English pub, The Exchange, and is currently in the process of preparing revised menus and new promotions for them.

Call 17 742-000

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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bystander

White Beach Party Birthday Bash

Ahmed’s Birthday Bash was held at JJ’s Irish Restaurant

To view more images, scan the QR code

A White Party At The Beach was held at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

To view more images, scan the QR code

To view more images, scan the QR code

White Grand Opening Crystal White Club held its grand opening party at Elite Seef Residence & Hotel

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bystander

Buffalo Wings and Rings Opening Yoga

A launch was held for Buffalo Wings and Rings in Adliya

To view more images, scan the QR code

The Indian Embassy held a yoga event at Karbabad Beach in the run up to the 5th International Day of Yoga

Porsche 911 Launch

Porsche Centre Bahrain unveiled Porsche’s iconic, timeless machine and a pure driver’s car – the new 911, at The Royal Golf Club

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

To view more images, scan the QR code

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gadgets

GADGETS

BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.

RIF6 CUBE

The RIF6 Cube is an incredible little gadget that allows you to project your mobile phone with a 120” display. Simply connect your smartphone to the cube, and you’re able to view Netflix, YouTube videos, games, pictures and more, right on a nearby wall. Its size and weight make it perfect for travel, and it’s also great for presentations as well.

Available from www.amazon.com

NOTION HOME MONITORING

Notion is a home intelligence system which uses a small, smart, multi-function sensor to detect quite a significant number of things in your home: a water leak, when a door/cabinet opens and closes, temperature and sound.

When any of these things are detected, Notion will send a message to your smartphone.

Available from www.getnotion.com

TRACKR BRAVO ITEM TRACKERS

This is a coin-sized device that can be fastened to any item, you are then able to use the companion app to find whatever the device is attached to. When you lose your wallet, you simply pull up the app on your smartphone and you can make the StickR beep. The app can also be set up to alert you when you venture too far from it and can use the TrackR StickR to find your phone, even if it is on silent.

Available from www.findmeagift.co.uk

KOALA TABLET WALL MOUNT DOCK BY DOCKEM

Ever lay in bed at night with your tablet binge-watching your shows and movies on Netflix and realise just how uncomfortable it is to have to hold the device while you watch? You need a tablet wall mount, and this gadget works with virtually all brands and is easily set up in seconds. There are no screws or holes required, as it simply uses damage-free 3M Command adhesive strips, allowing you to mount it virtually anywhere in your home.

Available from www.findmeagift.co.uk

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DIVOOM VOOMBOX BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

The speaker connects to your devices effortlessly through Bluetooth, and the quality is exceptional for the size. The Voombox has a lot of boom for your buck, is water resistant and is an especially great summer gadget for impromptu jam sessions, beach days, while you’re working on the car in the garage or deck parties.

Available from www.amazon.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

gadgets

ZEPP 3D MULTI-SPORT MOTION SENSOR

Perfecting your golf swing takes years and years of practice, dedication and hard work. But with the Zepp Golf 3D Swing Analyser, you’ll be closer to mastering your drives in no-time! It simply attaches to the back of your glove and wirelessly sends data to your smartphone. It tracks your swing with various metrics such as club head speed, swing plane, hand path, tempo, backswing position, hip rotation and more.

It even pops out a swing score each time so that you can work on your game.

Available from www.amazon.com

AWAIR: SMART AIR QUALITY MONITOR

Even in our own homes, it’s amazing how many toxins and chemicals (and dust, of course) can be found in the air around us. This gadget analyses the air quality, monitoring things like carbon dioxide, toxic chemicals and dust, as well as temperature and humidity. It hooks up to an app on your smartphone, and will send you alerts when the quality of air changes.

Available from www.getawair.com

IZON WI-FI VIDEO MONITOR

The Izon Stem White Wi-Fi Video Monitor Surveillance Cam is one of those cool gadgets for home security. If you’re frequently away from home and you want to check in to see what’s going on, the Izon will allow you to do just that, right from your smartphone.

You can place the camera anywhere near any outlet in your house, and once it’s connected to your home’s wireless internet, you can view what the camera is seeing and hear what’s going on in the room.

Available from www.amazon.com

NUTRI NINJA PRO

One of the biggest challenges when dealing with being responsible for a child’s well-being is to get them to eat their vegetables. One great way to sneak in veggies is with a Nutri Ninja Pro, a 900-watt nutrient and vitamin extractor that enables you to make great fruit and veggie smoothies that even your kids will love. It also allows you to make delicious frozen treats and dressings and allows you to mash up veggies so they’re almost liquified so you can sneak them into your cooking.

Available from www.amazon.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

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games

GAMES VERDICT:

One of the best virtual reality games out there.

RATING: WHAT IS IT?

Blood & Truth is a first-person shooter for PlayStation VR. It takes place in modern day London against the city’s backdrop of glamour and grit, making it the perfect location for a criminal underworld to inhabit. The player assumes control of Ryan Marks, a former Special Forces soldier who must save his family from a London crime boss.

GAMEPLAY

Taking the tense, engaging shooting galleries of an arcade-light gun game and marrying it with a clichéd but well-acted spy story, Blood & Truth overcomes a couple of technical limitations to deliver one of the best PSVR games to date. You battle through a collection of shooting galleries and interactive cutscenes with a welcome amount of depth. Hilariously, you can break the immersion by tossing around loose clipboards and inappropriately flipping the bird at characters (in fact, a button on the controller is dedicated solely to different, silly hand gestures).

Enemy AI is simple to predict, but the scenarios are often so well laid out that the joy comes not in how difficult the enemies are but in how methodical you can be at dispatching them.

GRAPHICS

The level design of Blood & Truth is one of the shining stars of its many moving parts, elevating VR gunplay that could feel familiar into blockbuster territory. Each gunfight level – which make up the bulk of the 19 story missions – finds you slowly making your way through various buildings, both dilapidated and pristine (though they usually don’t stay clean for long) with some particularly tense and fun battles in casinos and nightclubs.

BLOODSTAINED: RITUAL OF THE NIGHT

From acclaimed game designer Koji Igarashi, mastermind of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and other action classics, comes the side-scrolling, exploration-focused action/platformer game Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. You are Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist curse which slowly crystallises your skin. You must battle your way through a demon-filled castle summoned by Gebel, your old friend whose body has become more crystal than flesh.

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BLOOD AND TRUTH SAMURAI SHODOWN

Samurai Shodown returns with a next-generation version of the weapon-based fighting franchise, now with 3D graphics to represent the characters in traditional side-scrolling-fighting combat. Once again set in the late 18th century, after the events of Samurai Shodown V and prior to the events of the original game, Samurai Shodown sees the return of 13 classic characters, including Haohmaru, Earthquake and Galford, who will be joined by three brand new characters to the series. There is a host of modes in Samurai Shodown, such as Story, Practice, Online Battle and multiple offline battle modes.

OUTER WILDS

In this game, you’re the newest member of Outer Wilds Ventures, a fledgling space programme searching for answers in a strange, constantly changing solar system. Who built the ruins on the moon?

What lurks in the heart of Dark Bramble? Why are you trapped in a time loop, and can it be stopped? To solve these mysteries you’ll have to venture into the most dangerous reaches of space and navigate the darkness of space with your jetpack and ship. www.bahrainthismonth.com

apps

APPS REVIEW BTM BRINGS YOU THE LOW-DOWN ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST APPS ON THE MARKET.

APP: 1BLOCKER RATING: VERDICT: In-depth app that lets you customise your

browsing experience.

WHAT IS IT?

If you’re tired of those pesky ads appearing everywhere on your smartphone, this app not only removes them but also blocks trackers, widgets, web fonts, adult sites and numerous other categories. Each option can be expanded, letting you block specific ad networks, trackers and so on. Each section has a search tool, so you can really go in-depth into the options and block or permit as much as you want on your phone’s web browser.

THE GOOD

It has a powerful array of blocking tools to fine-tune your browsing. It also reduces data usage and load times on various websites.

THE BAD

To access the full features, you’ll have to pay for the premium version (BD1). It also doesn’t let you report broken sites and, at first, the massive array of options can be intimidating.

APP: QAPITAL Qapital is a mobile finance app that focuses on getting you to save every time you do little actions in your day. For example, if you find yourself buying a coffee on the way to work every morning, Qapital can round up the price and stick the change in a savings account instead. Or you can set a rule so that if you come in under budget for your monthly commuting expenses, Qapital puts the balance into a holiday fund. It’s a well-developed app that does a great job of letting you know just how much you can save by changing little things.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

APP: G DATA SECURE CHAT The ultimate secure texting app, G Data Secure Chat offers the choice of sending either encrypted or unencrypted messages, letting it function as a full-blown messaging app replacement when you don’t want to enable the cool self-destructing message option. Another cool option is the choice to perform a key exchange to ensure the person you’re chatting with is who they say they are. This is done in the same room by scanning the QR codes provided by the app.

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websites

Student Research Day

Arab Open University held an event on the occasion of Bahrain Annual Student Research Day at Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain Bay

websites To view more images, scan the QR code

SITE: www.readability.com RATING: VERDICT: Clean and user-friendly option for frequent

web browsers.

WHAT IS IT?

Readability is a free website application with the purpose of delivering a convenient reading experience. It turns virtually any web page into a clean, comfortable reading view by narrowing columns, dimming garish background colours and minimising pages to avoid clutter.

THE GOOD

It works with almost every website and it also lets you sync articles for reading later as you surf around the web. Readability works on your web browser, iPhone, iPad and Android smartphone, giving you the flexibility to read anytime, anywhere in its signature streamlined style.

THE BAD

It’s rare, but occasionally Readability doesn’t quite read a page correctly (or at all), and its attempts to make a page easy to read end up grotesquely altering the page and making it impossible to read properly.

It’s a pain to go into the options and disable it for that specific page when this happens.

www.stackoverflow.com

Cooking Demonstration As part of the activities to commemorate the 121st Anniversary of Philippine Independence, Caroline Belinda C Ver, wife to the Philippine Ambassador, held a Filipino cooking demonstration and lunch

This is a great website for those learning to programme or those who have already dabbled and are trying to improve their skills. If you’re stuck or failing to understand a concept, ask StackOverflow.

Between the searchable archive and an active community of experts, StackOverflow is a fantastic question-andanswer resource for beginning and established programmers alike. It’s also free and no registration is required.

www.snopes.com/info/whatsnew.asp This is a really fun and creative website that will be the constant annoyance of your friends and family when they try and tell you hokey stories or pass on scaremongering emails. Snopes is a website dedicated to hunting down the facts behind urban legends, chain letters and misconceptions and is a reliable source for debunking the scams and untruths while confirming the quirkier ones.

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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Western Stars

VERDICT:

Another fine effort from the legend.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Western Stars is the 19th studio album by American singer-songwriter legend Bruce Springsteen. It was produced by Ron Aniello, who worked with Springsteen on his two previous albums: Wrecking Ball (2012) and High Hopes (2014). The album marks Springsteen’s first new studio album of completely original material since Wrecking Ball and he has stated that it was influenced by Southern California pop music of the 1970s, including artists such as Glen Campbell and Burt Bacharach.

WORTH A LISTEN?

Western Stars is a title that suggests wide-open, cinematic vistas, music made for the outer reaches of a widescreen. Springsteen plays and writes with a gentle touch on this 2019 album, his empathy evident in his series of story songs and character portraits and in his embrace of orchestrated arrangements so rich and enveloping they can sound softly trippy. His words are a little too direct, a combination of cannily sturdy clichés tempered by startling turns of phrase that pull songs into perspective. The clichés are intentional. All of it alludes to the culture of the ‘60s and early ‘70s. This isn’t a piece of nostalgia on Springsteen’s part, though. These references deepen a collection of songs that are sweet, sad and searching, songs that feel finely etched on their own terms but gather a deep, lasting resonance when collected on this enchanting album. www.bahrainthismonth.com

BASTILLE – DOOM DAYS

music

For the best part of their existence so far, Bastille have taken the darker moments of life – be it ancient history, politics, the general chaotic state of the outside world – and transformed them into anthemic pop bops, bathed in a sense of hopeful euphoria. It’s a style that’s dominated both of their albums so far but their latest record feels like its cut from a different cloth. Doom Days is more of an intimate, and therefore unexpected, affair. While it may look like an unusual step for a band as huge as Bastille – with fewer obvious hits and more introspective numbers – it’s certainly not. A record which thrives on evoking feeling and catharsis, while remaining committed to the band’s personal influences.

MADONNA – MADAME X Madame X has its share of colourful neo-disco numbers and shimmering chill-out tracks, but they’re painted in dark hues, and they’re surrounded by songs so closely cloistered, they can play like mini-suites. This album can be demanding listening. The rhythms are immediate but the songs aren’t, nor are the opaque productions.

While this thick, heady confluence of cultures and sounds may demand concentration, Madame X not only amply rewards such close listening, but its daring embrace of the world outside the US underscores how Madonna has been an advocate and ally for left-of-mainstream sounds and ideas throughout her career.

KATE TEMPEST – THE BOOK OF TRAPS AND LESSONS Stark, intimate and crammed with difficult truths, Kate Tempest’s third album holds up a mirror to reveal our most vulnerable reflections. Like a beat reporter to the soul, the London native investigates with uncanny intuition the interior dialogues, self-destructive habits and beautiful follies of human nature and spits them back at us in gut-punch moments of warning, recognition and clarity. The Book of Traps and Lessons arrives at an even grimmer moment in time, traversing rampant racism, social media escapism, political division, climate change and Britain’s ongoing post-Brexit struggles. While each of those subjects can be found within this 11-song cycle, their immediacy is balanced by the lingering sentiments of solidarity and love.

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film releases

S E I V MO

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure Release Date: July 5 Everyone’s favourite pseudo arachnid is back, in the form of Tom Holland, who inhabited the famous Spidey suit in both Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. Peter Parker’s relaxing European vacation takes an unexpected turn when Nick Fury suddenly shows up in his hotel room. Parker soon finds himself donning the Spider-Man suit to help Fury stop the evil Mysterio from wreaking havoc across the continent.

MIDSOMMAR

CRAWL

Genre: Horror Release Date: July 7 With their relationship in trouble, a young American couple travel to a fabled Swedish midsummer festival where a seemingly pastoral paradise transforms into a sinister, dread-soaked nightmare as the locals reveal their terrifying agenda. Both quaint and cultish at the same time, it delivers on thrills but is a bit of a slow burner.

THE LION KING Genre: Adventure, Children’s Release Date: July 19 Scheduled for release on the 25th anniversary of the original, this remake will introduce lion cub, Simba, to a whole new generation. Simba idolises his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the Kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival.

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Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror Release Date: July 12 This one will really put the wind up you! A young woman becomes trapped in a flooding house while trying save her father during a Category Five hurricane. And, as if that weren’t enough, she also has to battle for her life against a bunch of hungry alligators, who pop up at every turn.

DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

Genre: Music, Documentary Release Date: July 19 Tthink back on the tunes of your youth as, with unflinching honesty, exuberance and an unshakable belief in family and the transformative nature of music, singersongwriter David Crosby, shares his journey.

Genre: Comedy, Drama Release Date: July 26 Former Western star Rick Dalton is struggling in a much-changed Hollywood. He spends his time drinking with Cliff Booth, his best friend and longtime stunt double who happens to live next door to Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

tv releases

FANCY SOME CHILL-TIME AT HOME? Check out these latest TV series to hit your screens.

Trinkets

Black Mirror: Season 5

Black Mirror’s latest drop contains three episodes full of trademark technological nightmares. What to expect: Miley Cyrus as a pop star whose life literally becomes a toy; a shirtless Topher Grace as a Silicon Valley tech guru; the hot priest from Fleabag; and Anthony Mackie getting into a video game. Let the horrors begin!.

A grieving teenager finds an unexpected connection with two classmates at her new high school when they all land in the same Shoplifters Anonymous group.

Jessica Jones: Season 3

When Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) crosses paths with a highly intelligent psychopath, she and Trish (Rachael Taylor) must repair their fractured relationship and team up to take him down. But a devastating loss reveals their conflicting ideas of heroism and sets them on a direct collision course that will forever change them both.

Absentia: Season 2

Yardie

A long time ago while growing up in Jamaica, D (Idris Elba) witnessed his brother’s murder, before being taking in by a don. Years later, having been sent on a mission to London by a crimelord, the past catches up with him.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Suits: Season 8

Big-time Manhattan corporate lawyer Harvey Specter and his team, which includes Donna Paulsen, Louis Litt and Alex Williams, are launched into a play for power when a new partner joins the firm. The team faces down betrayals, fiery relationships and secrets that eventually come to light.

After being declared dead in absentia, an FBI agent reappears after six years and sets out to reclaim her family, identity and prove her innocence, as the prime suspect in a string of murders.

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bystander OTHER EVENTS

Savills Bahrain, the new managing agent of Bahrain World Trade Center and Moda Mall, held a media lunch at Abd Al Wahab Restaurant The Right Reverend Michael Lewis, Bishop of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, and the Bahrain Anglican Church Council held a reception on the occasion of the institution and installation of The Very Reverend Dr William Edward Schwartz, OBE, Archdeacon in the Gulf as Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral

Lanterns Restaurant opens in full swing after Ramadan A press conference on the Global Business and Spending Outlook MENA Report 2019 was hosted by American Express Middle East at the Capital Club with Keynote Speaker Mazin Khoury, CEO of American Express Middle East and presenter Sam Know, managing director at Custom Research Lab Institutional Investor.

A launch was held for the Ramadan “Tree of Life” Mosaic Mural organised by The Bahrain Mall

Kimayra’s festive Ramadan and Eid collection was launched at The Avenues Mall

The ladies held a lunch to celebrate the birthdays of Retnani and Nabeela

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what's new

WHAT’S NEW

COOL DENIM This summer, Vilebrequin takes its flare for the seventies one step further with a brand new denim capsule, created in partnership with leading luxury Italian denim manufacturer, Giada S.P.A. Look out for shirts, jeans, even a jumpsuit and pieces for both women and men.

Available at vilebrequin.com

RIVIERA STYLE The epitome of luxury and Parisian style, Berluti has come up with an exquisite collection of holiday wardrobe essentials for your next summer escape. Concentrate on laidback silhouettes, lightweight materials and a sophisticated summer palette to create an effortless daywear wardrobe. Our favourite piece is this handy wallet in off-white leather with stylish inscription.

Available at Berluti.com

ROSE-TINTED SPECS Chloé has reinterpreted the iconic “Rosie” sunglasses with a delicate and airy, cloud-like shape. The new style features feminine and precious details, such as the sunburst-shaped metal pieces which embellish the front, and an exclusive filigree pattern engraved upon the temples. Each of the temple tips is finished with a teardrop cutout, which serves as an aesthetic and functional detail to accessorise the frame with Chloé’s eyewear jewellery. They come in blue, brown, gold and, of course, pink.

Available at leading retailers.

PERFECT PORES The new Charcoal Rescue collection from Bioré promises to tackle the problem of clogged pores that are so common in the summer humidity. It’s a two-step programme involving a daily deep cleanse and a weekly pore strip that promises to have your skin summer selfie ready.

Available at pharmacists and leading retailers.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

BRIGHT CHAT Huawei Consumer Business Group has launched a limited edition version of its flagship champion, the Huawei P30 Pro: Amber Sunrise, which, as the name suggests, comes in a stunning new Amber Sunrise colour.

It’s available with 512GB of storage, for this limited edition which brings together impressive performance and superb camera without compromising on battery and other solid features.

Shifting between orange and red, the gradient is achieved by an innovative process which also boosts durability, leading to the IP68 rating, protecting the phone against water and dust.

Available at leading retailers.

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travel Clockwise from left: Bab Al-Mansour in Meknes; colours in the oriental markets; exquisite tilework detail in a Moroccan mausoleum; rooftop view of old Fez Medina and Bou Inania madrasa; nearby Volubilis; the old Medina.

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travel

AN IMPERIAL

JOURNEY From 1672, Meknes was the capital city of Morocco. Today, it is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities – a memory of the Holy Roman Empire’s rule, but now undergoing a soon-tofinish restoration. It should definitely be on your travel radar.

T

he Imperial City district contains Meknes’ most notable ruins, most of which date back to when it was Morocco’s capital under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Meknes’ oldest ambassador building, Koubat al Khayatine, is open to the public in this district, so you can roam the corridors where the sultan, famous for his cruel tyranny and having beheaded a slave in a fit of rage, once received foreign ambassadors.

Pay attention to general travel etiquette and be aware that before entering his mausoleum, you’ll be requested to remove your shoes and be dressed modestly. It’s worth it to witness the truly breathtaking interiors including the sultan’s tomb.

The old town of Meknes, Medina, is home to the Grand Mosque situated in its very centre, as well as Souk Nejarine and Souk Sebbat, both prime stops for those interested in traditional Moroccan crafts, textile stalls and the country’s famous Berber-style slippers, at a bargain price. If Morocco is known for anything, it’s an abundance of marketplaces. Simply remember some important tips, such as politely turning down anyone who offers to ‘guide’ you through the medina.

Between the Imperial City district and Medina is Bab Al-Mansour, and this is where you’ll want your camera in hand. The immense structure displays intricate detail and rich carving work. Historians believe the Bab Al-Mansour to be North Africa’s oldest surviving gateway – it was finished in 1732, at the end of the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail.

Outside of Meknes is Volubilis, which holds many ancient Roman ruins. So, if circumstances permit, you can always take a short trip to see the columns, mosaics and Roman villas that survive of the original temple compound. The city of Fez is also nearby.

For museum buffs, the Museum of Moroccan Art (Dar Jamai), with its Andalusian-style garden, is devoted to the country’s traditional arts and crafts such as rugs, tile work and silver pieces. The palace also has some replications of Moroccan reception rooms from the late 19th century which show the sumptuous lifestyles of upper-class Morocco from that time.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Waterfront

out & about

Fancy a seaside cuppa?

Behnaz Sanjana lines up a few options to try.

A

lthough we live on an island, many of us don’t get to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the sea as much as we’d like to. Yes, it’s impractical to spend a day at the beach and at times tiresome to dress up for ‘someplace nice’. But Bahrain’s coast is dotted with no-frills places to just sit back, enjoy a meal and take in the soothing sights and sounds of the sea.

Darseen Café

When you revisit the island’s history at the Bahrain National Museum, Darseen Café, located on the premises, is the place to let all that intriguing information soak in, while you sip on a drink, and munch on some cake (this spot is popular for its sweet treats). The icing is the stunning sea view, in a very contemporary-chic outdoor setting. The menu focuses on fusion flavours in its hot and cold dishes, as well as some nicelypresented, tasty Bahraini fare.

Call 77 336-600.

Chilling

Freej Bin Rashdan

This one is a quaint café located in Muharraq, in the surroundings of the Dohat Arad Park. Walk in to a cheerful interior with cerulean furniture and colourful Arabic lamps. The variety of traditional choices you can chow on are plenty, starting with shakshooka and balaleet for breakfast, moving on to machboos and succulent grills for lunch and dinner. Or, just drop in for a glass of milky tea while you lose yourself in the view from the glass-panes that open out to an amazing expanse of blue.

Features such as the gramophone and antique knick-knacks give you old-Bahrain feels.

Call 77 300-300.

The Lighthouse Amwaj Café

The cool interiors of the café enjoy a lovely view of the water. It’s a family-friendly spot, where guests can enjoy the glittering lights of Amwaj beyond the water’s edge. Shisha is probably not served outdoors for this reason.

The food is tasty, and the ambience basic, but this spot is frequented more for the waterfront experience. It’s touted to have a jolly good hot chocolate too.

Call 16 030-030.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Coffee World

Drive around reclaimed Reef Island and take a seat at Coffee World for, well, a cuppa and a bite, if you please, as you take in the relaxed atmosphere. The unusual outdoor furniture and lit-up palm trees add the romance factor to this place; a pretty sight after sundown. As shisha is available as well, it’s a great place to go and unwind at on a Thursday evening.

Dean & DeLuca

Being an international chain, this one’s different from the rest on the list, but waterside seating: check, and lip-smacking fare: check. If it’s a more modern flavour you’re after, in stylish environs surrounded by the fancy high-rises of Bahrain Bay, then this is it. Located at The Avenues-Bahrain, the ‘gourmet restaurant’ is usually buzzing. Even if you do not get a table on the patio at the far end of the venue (or it’s too hot to dine al fresco), the indoors cuts it too, with the place being designed to let in the maximum natural light.

Call 17 110-529.

July 2019 83

bystander

The Spirit of Giving In the spirit of Ramadan, an event was held at Wyndham Grand Manama to give gifts to orphans

To view more images, scan the QR code

AMAIUB Ghabga AMA International University Bahrain held a Ghabga at its premises

To view more images, scan the QR code

Rsquare Majlis Rsquare Technologies held a Ramadan Majlis at FinTech Bay

DLA Piper Ghabga DLA Piper held a Ramadan Ghabga to celebrate the Holy Month

84 July 2019

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bystander

Dilmun Legends Festival

A Dilmun Legends Festival was held at the Dilmun club to celebrate Eid

Reef Resort & Spa Ghabga

Reef Resort held a Media and Corporate Ghabga at its Reef Tent

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

July 2019 85

advertisers index

advertisers index Home & Furnishing Daniele Décor and Atelier CL . . . . . . 41

Hotels & Serviced Residences

Medical & Dental Services

Bahrain Specialist Hospital . . . . . . . . . 6

Motoring

Atiram Hotels (Premier Hotel) . . . . . . 31 Elite Seef Residence & Hotel . . . . . . . . 8 Ramada Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ramee Grand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sofitel Hotels & Resorts . . . . . . . . . . . BC Swiss-Belresidences Juffair . . . . . . . 29 The Arch Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,21 The K Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes) . . . . . . 4 Behbehani Brothers Co.(Porsche) . . . 3

Others

Saar Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Technal Middle East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Restaurants & Cafés

Jewellery & Watches Asia Jewellers:Messika . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Akaya Bar & Bistro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Angelina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Coral Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Maki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 The Lanterns Restaurant & Lounge . 65

Scan the QR code for more information from the advertisers

Get your favourite partner anytime at www.redhousemarketing.com

Al Haddad-Mercedes

Bahrain Specialist Hospital

Behbehani Brothers-Porsche

Coral Bay

Maki

Ramada Hotel

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts

The Arch Hotel

The K Hotel

BTM retail sales outlets BAHRAIN THIS MONTH, your guide to a great way of life, is available at the following selected outlets:

● 24-Seven Minimart, all outlets

● Muntaza Supermarket, all outlets

● 24 Hours Market, all outlets

● Other leading Cold Stores and News Stands

● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets ● Al Jazira Supermarket, all outlets ● Alosra Supermarket, all outlets ● Amwaj Islands Market, Amwaj ● Aseel Supermarket, all outlets ● Babasons Market, all outlets ● Lulu Hypermarket, all outlets

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redhousemarketing

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● Mega Mart, all outlets ● Metro Markets, all outlets ● Midway Supermarket, all outlets

All Gulf Daily News home subscribers receive a complimentary copy of BTM. You can also subscribe directly by visiting www.bahrainthismonth.com For subscription enquiries and back issues of BTM, call 17 813-777.

Photos Copies of most pictures depicted in this publication (and some which aren’t) are available from Red House Marketing, 17 813-777 or email: bystander@redhousemarketing.com.

86 July 2019

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105 Zallaq Highway, Building 2015, Block 1055, Zallaq area, P.O. Box 5554 Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel.: +973 17 63 63 63 - Fax.: +973 17 63 63 64 - Email: h6722@sofitel.com - Website: www. sofitel.com/6722