Bahrain Trip

 Gassin' up just outside of Riyadh.

 This is the view for about 3.5 of the 5 hour drive east from Riyadh to the Kingdom of Bahrain, an island  off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf.

 At about the halfway point we drove by this odd site - an abandoned group of buildings complete with creepy ferris wheel.

 Saw plenty of camels and Bedouin camps enroute as well.

 Crossing the causeway to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  The first bit of land in the distance is the passport/customs station.

 Not sure what this is.  Just thought it made for a cool pic.

 Left to this kingdom, right to that one.

If I didn't tell you, could you guess what restaurant this is?  'Tis the Macaroni Grill.   

 Picture didn't turn out very well, but this is referred to as "American Alley" or "Heart Attack Alley".  Has McD's, DQ, Macaroni Grill, Starbuck's, Pizza Inn, Baskin Robbins, etc.

City Centre mall - very large.  Here's a fun game: see how many abaya-wearin' females you can count (ninja dresses).  I count eleven.  All abayas are black, by the way.  Can't draw attention to yourself with colors or decoration. 

The gang is hagglin' over carpets with store owners Mohammad and Mustafa (yes, it does seem like every male in the Middle East carries one or both of those names).  Some of these carpets were amazing - all hand-stitched and most were a silk and wool combo.  The big one (second from the top of the pile) went for around 1000 Saudi Riyal or about $270.