What are you doing in Bahrain??

Hello to everyone from Bahrain. What are we doing in Bahrain do you ask? Well it seems that our team working on genetic engineering in the region has been so successful that the authorities are a little concerned about us, and hence have refused to give the ship permission to enter Kuwait.

So, we’ve sailed from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain, and it seems that we will be here for the next few days before heading to our next port of call, Doha in Qatar. Ironically we are berthed about 300m from the American nuclear submarine that collided with a Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf just a few weeks ago. We had to pass quite close to the Sub on the way into port yesterday and the Americans were none to pleased to see us. It seems that the local Bahraini’s are less than excited about the Americans as well, with the Pilot on board at the time, responsible for navigating our ship in his harbour, deliberately sailing closer than the Americans were comfortable with. They have large speed boats in the water with guns attached circling the submarine all the time and security patrolling the docks.

With our changed itinerary, we have a little more time on our hands, and are actually having some days off while we are here. So far I have managed to get some swimming done and also find myself a Thai massage. Bahrain is probably the most relaxed of the Gulf states when it comes to women and westerners more generally – alcohol is readily available for example - so it’s certainly a more relaxed place to stay than some of the other countries in the region.

That being said however, I was quite looking forward to going to Kuwait. Greenpeace was there after the 1991 Gulf War and it was going to be very interesting to be on the return visit.

Nicky