TBK remembers Christmases past in Bahrain

Christmas in Bahrain in years gone by when I had lots of cards!

A few months ago I was looking for some old photos and found my collection of Christmas photos rom Bahrain. I did not stay in Bahrain for Christmas each year and tried to alternate between being off the Island on Vacation or having a party at home!

The photos I selected bought back many happy ( and sad ) memories of my time there. Unlike in the Philippines there is no public holiday for Christmas in Bahrain ( only January 1st) however some of the Malls have Christmas decorations.

Kuya Vin and I at the City Centre Mall, Bahrain

Back then there were 3 Neil's on Awali, Porter, Gilbert and Wilson and one Christmas Jay and I were invited to their Christmas party complete with Joints of Cooked Ham and all kinds of Traditional British Festive food.

Another Christmas tradition in Awali was the Christmas carol service at the Awali Football club where all the kids ( home from their boarding schools and universities in the UK) sang the 12 days of Christmas- organised by Wedad Jaworski. Everyone took along some Christmas food and a good time was had by all ( Yes I was still drinking then!).

Shelley Owen and I at the AFC Christmas party

Many of the Christmases I was in Bahrain I held my own party, borrowing tables and chairs from the Bapco club and spending days preparing food. Ate Hazel assisted with the name cards for the food and usually she ( and Sheryl) would bring Pinoy food with them. There was always plenty left over.

The most famous of my Christmas dishes- so good we left it in the oven!

One of my first Christmas buffets in Bahrain on 2011

As Host I always dressed up- here I am with Mike, Jay, Kuya Coco and Tin Tin

There were always lots of events on as Christmas approached like the Awali Ladies club Christmas Fayre where I stocked up on Christmas gifts.

After the heat of the Bahrain summer it was cooler around Christmas ( 18- 22 degrees) and so we enjoyed going out to various events like the annual Farmers Market ( Jay and I attended the first and then every year until I left Bahrain)

Buying fresh vegetables direct from the Farmers every Saturday in the winter

Another favourite place to go was Princess Sabeeka Park in Awali where they had family fun days. I soon learnt that you could get as many free tickets as you wanted ( and free meals) so I used to invite all my friends along. I think the record I took was 10 kids- half Pakistani and half Filipino. When the security guard questioned if they were all my kids one of the boys said " Sure bro, same dad , different mums!"

Biloo, Norouz, Salah, Salman, Noor ,me and Adam in the Park on Christmas day

Back in 2011 I started trying to practice my Pinoy cookery skills ready for my eventual retirement in Bahrain and asked my OFW friends to select their favorite dishes from the Pinoy recipe books I bought on vacation.

My Maca Banca- a pinoy dessert with sweetcorn

My Morcon with beef wrapped around carrot, egg and Gherkins and cooked

We also tried to meet up with old friends at Christmas and have a nice meal in a hotel somewhere ( those were the days when I had a good salary coming in , tax free!) . One year Jay and I took Steve Lever for lunch at Muju on Amwaj Island.

So to end my best wishes to all my friends from Bahrain , wherever you may be now ( many, like me have retired or OFW returned home) . Last year I hosted a big lunch for 12 people in my new home but this year I spent my Christmas budget on my scholars TJ, Grecil, Elay, Kit and Chalsee to ensure they had enough money for July to December. So, sadly, I have no money left for Christmas cards, gifts, calendars, recipe books or lunches. I will just have a nice meal at home alone.

Finally may I send you all my best wishes for 2024- TBK will be back in the new year!

At this time of year we always raise a glass ( of water, now, in my case) to Absent friends - so I will close with pictures of two people always close to my heart from my time in Bahrain- both taken in 2013