Searching for chickens with a GPS....

One big advantage of living in Eastern Province and in Al Khobar especially is the proximity to Bahrain. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are separated by 25 Km of sea. The two are now linked by one of the longest bridges in the world - The King Fahd Causeway. It was opened in 1986 and now handles around 20 million passengers per year.

We have now been to Bahrain a few times using this route. But as we are finding out it can mean long delays at the border post. We have done the crossing in as little as just over an hour and as long as 3 hours.

The very first time we crossed they knew that the car was leaving Saudi for the first time (rego picked up on the camera) so the paperwork took a bit longer. There are altogether 6 stops to be made whilst crossing.

1. Tollway on the Saudi side in Al Khobar (SR 20 fee)
2. Car clearance station
3. Saudi border control
4. Bahraini Border entry
5. Bahraini customs
6. Bahraini car insurance check. Here you pay SR 20 for 3 day insurance to drive in Bahrain.

Same applies when leaving Bahrain apart from the insurance.

It’s worth recalling our first time across. We were off with for our first meal and a movie. The meal had to be Nando’s. Since there is none of either in Al Khobar it was fitting that these two destinations would be the first.

To help us get around I bought a GPS, a Garmin 1350. It cost us SR 1,050 without the packaging. In a box it is SR 1,450. Not sure how this sans-ambalage thing works but it is a significant saving so who's to argue.

The GPS had 2 Nando’s locations in Bahrain. We knew that had to be wrong as the one in Seef mall did not exist. So we picked the other one and the GPS do its thing. As we arrived to the designated street It confidently announced that “the destination is on your right”. One small problem. There was no Nando’s at the announced destination. Such is the faith in technology however, that we refused to accept the evidence of our own eyes, that in fact there was no Nando’s to be seen. So we drove around the block a few times just to make sure. Same result. Mafi Nando’s.

Finally I asked a nearby shopkeeper if he knew anything about this missing Peri-Peri establishment. Of course he knew. It had not been there for years. It had moved to another district. So much for your maps Mr. Garmin.

So we headed off and soon afterwards found it. The sheer relief of having Nando’s back in our life was overwhelming. A fine quarter-chicken with extra hot peri-peri was enjoyed. But I must say that no one yet has managed to equal Karto’s Nando at Chirnside Park. That man knows how to prepare chicken.

After that it was off to a movie. We saw Shrek Forever in 3D at the Seef Mall cinemas. Best donkey role by far. The whole Shrek series is just so entertaining.

At any rate that was our first solo journey across the Causeway.

As far as the GPS goes the Garmin is very good but it just lacks a bit of finishing. It will get you very close to where you want to be, but then just gets a tad confused in the last bit. Nonetheless it is a life saving device. It is still surreal to follow the turns in completely unknown territory and arrive where you need to be. A vital and necessary investment for any newcomer here.

Evening crossing of the King Fahd Causeway