OF SEAS,SANDS AND SPEED

BAHRAIN is a melting pot of many cultures and cuisines, besides being known for its international motoring circuit. Shraddha Kamdar takes a dip into its history and brings back a few stories

- Shraddha Kamdar

When strolling leisurely on the Pearling Path after learning about the country's history of pearl diving, you can't help but think of how Bahrain itself is akin to a pearl oyster.

A pearl oyster is hard on the outside and soft on the inside; Bahrain, too, is hard(ly known) to the outside world and its people are warm and friendly.

Its citizens take pride in its history, telling stories of the ancient Dilmun Empire and of connections with India for business all because of its wealth of natural pearls.

El Bahrain', in Arabic, translates to two seas and refers to the natural phenomenon where freshwater springs burst out in the middle of the Arabian Gulf. This created a natural habitat for the rarest types of natural pearls, upon which the island nation's economy ran until the early 1930s, when it became the first country in the Arabian Gulf to discover oil. The timing couldn't have been better, since pearling was on a decline.

Today a melting pot of cultures, Bahrain has lots to offer the curious visitor. Apart from boasting its own Formula 1 Grand Prix, an expanding art scene, a variety of activities to experience including indoor skydiving, water sports in the bright blue waters especially at the unique disappearing Jarada Island, and some of the world's most stunning monuments will keep you busy for days.

Multilayered and multicultural Bahrain gives the visitor a combination of ancient history with modern facilities.

Some not-to-be-missed attractions include:

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM