Carrying Drone To Bahrain

Date: February 3, 2025

I left Bengaluru past midnight and after a layover in Abu Dhabi, I am now on an Etihad flight to Bahrain.

Flying to Bahrain window seat — Just an hour later, I could see the island of Bahrain in my sight

For those new to my blog — and me — I grew in the island of Bahrain. Me and brothers, we all finished our schooling, before leaving the island in the early 2000s. I hadn’t been back to Bahrain in 23 years. So why now?

My 1999 school batchmates created a WhatsApp group in 2024 and once the group got large enough, discussions began about organizing a reunion celebration to commemorate 25 years since we graduated. I was initially hesitant as after my Mumbai trip to see Coldplay, embarking on an international trip for a week, was going to cost me a lot. But my friend Jassim encouraged me and told me it would be fun, so I just said “fuck it” and swiped my credit card away.

So here I am, landing in Muharraq, where Bahrain International Airport is located.

Landing in Bahrain airport — My father worked on this airport’s expansion back in the 1990s (airport code: BAH)

Bahrain airport Muharraq — But even Bahrain airport has also got a brand new terminal

Batelco aerobridge Bahrain airport — I smiled when I saw the Batelco logo in the aerobridge 🙂 Batelco is Bahrain’s national telecom operator

My friend had gotten my Bahrain visa arranged beforehand, so I just had to walk straight to immigration.

Bahrain airport arrivals Playstation zone — Honestly, there wasn’t anything exciting to see inside the airport. BAH is nice, but nothing special.

Unfortunately, as I passed immigration and passed my bags through security, I ran into trouble for my DJI drone. As my luggage passed through the X-ray machine, the officer asked me if I had a drone, and pulled me into the security room. I was informed drones brought in from outside Bahrain aren’t allowed. So I was told I would have to collect my drone upon leaving.

The security officer wasn’t rude with me or anything. They gave me a form to hand the customs officer when leaving and collect my drone.

Form for seizure of drone Bahrain — This is what the form looks like. So be warned, don’t bring drones to Bahrain.

As for why Bahrain doesn’t allow drones… the official reason is “security”. The real reason is Iran, their proxies in the region, and some smuggling of drugs via drones. Other countries in the region have accused Iran of the same as per the linked articles.

I was really disappointed I couldn’t fly my drone in Bahrain as I had planned for some beach shots. Oh well, I had to scrap those plans. Anyway, I got picked up by my friend Jassim and we drove to Juffair first to pick up another friend. Please watch the video at the end of this vlog for footage from my journey.

Manama world trade center Bahrain — We drove to Manama, which is where I wanted to stay for the first 3 days. Manama is the capital of Bahrain, and where I stayed for most of my youth.

Unfortunately, my phone’s battery was draining fast from all the video recording. So all I could take were a few photos until I could enter my hotel room and charge my phone.

One of the first things me and my friends did was snack on samosas. Crispy with simple potato filling. Back in the 1990s, a bag of six samosas only cost 100 fils (around ₹10 back then). Now, six samosas cost 150 fils at this place. Not bad for inflation!

Samosa shop Manama Bahrain — For me, these were the gold standard for samosas growing up

Awal Hotel Manama Bahrain — Awal Hotel is where I was staying at for a few days

Bahrain International Hotel back entrance Manama — It’s right behind Bahrain International Hotel, a 4-star hotel

Awal Hotel bed Manama — Awal Hotel is pretty old… but I just needed some place to sleep near where I wanted to be

Awal Hotel toilet Manama — The one good thing about an old hotel — lots of space! The room was big, the toilet was huge, and the bed was huge.

I paid around ₹9,281 for 3 nights, which was okay considering better hotels in Manama all cost much more. Downside, no breakfast at this hotel. In fact, what was shocking to me was seeing few new hotel options come up in Manama even after two decades! Many of the hotels in Manama that were there during my time in Bahrain (until 2002) are still operational to this day.

I was going to be moving to Juffair after 3 days to stay with school friends. Juffair has much better accommodation options offering more modern interiors and better value.

After my friends headed back to Juffair and after charging my phone, I stepped out for a bit because I just couldn’t wait to walk through the area I grew up in.

Mohammadia building panorama — My family lived in this Al Mohammadia building for a year or two before moving to a company-provided accommodation… which I will visit tomorrow

Manama mobile shops Jindol Hotel — Below Al Mohammadia building were mostly mobile shops, from where I took an STC SIM. The price was the same at the airport, so makes no difference — just get a local SIM from the airport

Adhari Hotel Manama Bahrain — Adhari Hotel is another relic hotel in Manama

Delmon Center Manama Bahrain — Delmon Center is an apartment building with shops below

Old shop building Manama Bahrain — One change I noticed is the shops in Manama Souq are all have standardized name boards

Bahrain synagogue House of Ten Commandments Manama Bahrain — This is the Jewish synagogue a.k.a House of Ten Commandments — the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the GCC.

Manama souq Bahrain — Much of Manama Souq looks like this

When I was young, for the longest time, from the late 1980s up until the mid-90s, Manama Souq is where my family did most of our shopping. Be it clothes, shoes, bags, and anything else.

Unitag house World Travel Service Manama — I walked to Government Avenue — the main road that passes through Manama

Manama Post office NBB tower Bahrain — To the left is Manama Post Office and the tall building in the back is NBB Tower — once the tallest building in Bahrain

Bab Al Bahrain Manama — I walked to Bab Al Bahrain, the icon of Manama

Bab Al Bahrain used to be an old customs building because back in the old days, Bahrain’s sea shore was all the way up to road you see above.

KFC Bab Al Bahrain Manama — And right at Bab Al Bahrain is this KFC, a branch that’s been at this same location for decades!

KFC 2 piece meal Bahrain — Although I walked past this KFC hundreds of times, I rarely ever sat inside and ate there. So I did now.

The above KFC meal cost me BD 2.2 (2 pc Original Recipe, regular fries, 7-Up, toum) — that’s more than ₹500. KFC truly has become quite expensive!

Whenever I go abroad, I eat at KFC and McDonalds. KFC, because we don’t get Original Recipe anymore in India. McDonalds, because in India they don’t sell beef burgers.

After lunch, I walked back to my hotel.

Ambassador Stores Manama Bahrain — Ambassador Stores — another long-standing business in Manama. Famous for being a dealer for major music and watch brands.

Merchant House Hotel Manama Bahrain — Left: The Merchant House, a 5-star luxury boutique hotel
Right: The longstanding Standard Chartered building.

Citypoint hotel Manama Bahrain — Citypoint Hotel is a 4-star hotel

Bahrain dinar currency notes design — Back in my hotel room, I sent a photo of Bahrain’s currency — the Dinar — to my parents, so they could see what the current design looks like

The Bahrain Dinar (BHD) is one of the most valuable currencies in the world. 1 BHD is $2.65/€2.25/₹239. After I took bath, I felt sleepy, and took a nap since I barely slept in my flight. By the time I woke up, it was past 8pm.