TBK and Jake at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain
Two years ago Tatay took his houseboys, Corleen and Jake, and friends Miss Andrea and Ate Tess to the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain for their Iftar Buffet during Ramadan. We were sat opposite the cannon that signals the sun has set and the start of the Buffet. In Muslim countries one must not eat in Public from Sunrise to Sunset in the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The Beautifully decorated streets in Bahrain during Ramadan
Here in the Philippines the event nearly passed me by this year, although Palawan has many Muslims, particularly in the south, who observe Ramadan. However my Facebook lit up with lanterns as my friends who are followers of Islam sent each other their traditional greetings. So first let me add mine, which Chester dug out of the archive and dusted down!
I am also on the Facebook Feed for the Bapco Club in Bahrain and get daily updates from them on their dish of the day and the amazing buffet they are serving every night.
The pictures have bought back many happy memories of the many Ramadan's I spent in Bahrain ( I stayed one year and worked and then the next year went on vacation and then work the following year etc). We set up a special Ramadan free Zone each year where we could eat and drink without offending our Muslim friends and colleagues. In our old TDD building this was in Kuya Dino's classroom and in Building B we used my classroom, not sure where it is this year as they have moved again and there have been many changes according to my sources there.
On the last day of my penultimate Ramadan in Bahrain (2020) I asked Chester ( the Hooman) to make a special memento for all those who survived. A coupe missed the photo call so we photoshopped them in! See if you can tell who it was!
In 2020 we went to the Sofitel for their Iftar buffet which was held in a huge tent by the sea. I remember looking a bit lost at the huge variety of food on display and this very smart looking chef asked if he could assist us. When I explained it was our first visit he showed us all the way around and I was impressed how respectful all the Chefs were to this man - until we parted and he gave me his card. He was , of course, the Executive Head Chef!
Later the Head Concierge passed and I pointed out his Clef D'Or insignia. He overheard and was impressed that I knew what it stood for and sat and chatted to Miss Andrea explaining more about this elite group of Concierge around the world, and the entry exam to join! I was telling him that on my OJT at the Cumberland Hotel in London we hosted the annual Clef D'or dinner- attended by Lord Forte, A very prestigious event.
"I bet you have Stories to tell about that night , Mr P"
" I do Mr G , but Lord Forte swore me to secrecy!"
One of the giant Lanterns at Bahrain's iconic Clocktower
Ramadan is a time of many traditions in Islam- Giving to the poor ( they always had collection boxes in the malls for books, clothes and toys) , Praying ( 5 times a day and after the sunset they would provide food for thousands of people - Muslim and non Muslim at the Mosques) and so on. The first week is a family time and then in the second week people start to go out all dressed up, and eat late into the night to prepare for the fasting ahead. I tried one year and got to the first coffee break!
The Cannon is Fired by the MOI personnel every night in Ramadan
We used to go and see cannon fired each year at Riffa Fort and Avenues to mark the end of the days fasting. Mid way through Ramadan Bahrain celebrated Gregarouan when all the kids would go around collecting sweets. City Centre Mall always put on a big show. The kids would all wear their National costumes ...
Kids at the Banagas Gregouan party at the Bapco club many years ago!
At the end of Ramadan ( dictated by the Moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia ) would come Eid with Public Holidays and great celebration. One year I was in Doha ( Qatar) and after days walking on a deserted Cornice on the first day of Eid it was packed with people on the grass having picnics!
A little girl watches the Gregaroun celebrations in City Centre Mall
Another Ramadan I remember was when I stayed in Salalah , Oman and I used to walk along the beach from my small cheap hotel to the big expensive Crowne Plaza where they had a great Iftar in a restaurant on the beach with Lanterns and Freshly grilled seafood and meats. The owner of my hotel would serve me breakfast by the pool ( I was the only guest) and then showed me the sari sari store behind the hotel where I bought Tuna and Salad ingredients to make my lunch which I ate on the balcony overlooking the sea.
The normally busy street outside my hotel in Bangladesh
One year I spent Ramadan in Bangladesh! The hotel closed the coffee shop on the street but kept the restaurant on the 5th floor open. I remember eating while all the staff were watching the cricket on the TV. I cannot remember the year but I remember England lost, much to the amusement of the Bangladeshi staff. Dhakka was deserted during Eid as they had a National holiday as well as Eid and everyone went home to the provinces. My friend Abhi took me on a cycle rickshaw around the deserted streets pointing out the various buildings. On the first day of Eid the Prime Minister came to pray at the big Mosque near the hotel amid tight security and the Hotel Manager invited me ( and a few other foreign guests) for a free lunch in the hotel restaurant.
The same street in Eid!
Normally, back then, I would write several blogs but this year just one, so I will give you my Eid Greetings in advance!
Again thanks to Chester for digging these out from his archive as I lost all mine!
I suggested to Chester , the Hooman, that we should have a new brand called "TBK remembers" where I look back on events in the past
His reply:
" Will you?" ( remember!) Cheeky sod!
So on that happy note I will end this blog and leave it up to you, my dear readers. Would you like some TBK remembers blogs, and of so what do you want me to try and remember!
Hello, I am The British Kabayan! Feel free to read my stories.
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