Much to my surprise, I really had a good time in Bahrain, explored its interesting Dilmun archaeological sites, futuristic modern architecture and one of my favorites the beautiful heritage pearl merchant houses with lively souk on Muharraq Island. Similar to Els, I really impressed with the beautiful Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House. This heritage house was once the palace of Bahraini rulers and is indeed one of the best sights I saw in countries along the Persian Gulf, I even called it the little Alhambra of Bahrain. Unfortunately, that this impressive complex is not a part of the World Heritage Site, the Pearling trail.

Since my guide already told me that the Bahraini Government’s project on Pealing trail has been scrapped due to lack of interest and budget! He was quite surprised when I told him that I wanted to see the trail as he rarely heard tourists mentioned this, seem to me that the World Heritage Site inscription on Pearling trail did not increase any attention on this heritage. After discussion with my guide, he eagerly recommended me to see only one site that is part of the nomination, the Siyadi Complex, but at the end I unexpectedly managed to see Amarat Ali Rashed & Yousif Abdurrahman Fakhro (group of three storehouses) and Siyadi Shops while I was visiting Muharraq Souk. The Siyadi Complex of three buildings, the house, the guesthouse and the mosque, are really beautiful at least for its exterior as the whole complex are closed for renovation. My guide told me that there is nothing change for at least four years now and no one know when the complex will be open to the public as museum of pearl which the government once told UNESCO. The highlight of the complex is the guesthouse that really impressive for its elaborate façade. After my guide learnt that I am an aficionado of Halwa, something I got from my Oman trip, he determined to take me to Muharraq Souk to sample the famous Bahraini Halwa, which is the jelly version of this Middle East dessert. He claimed that Muharraq Island is the best place to buy authentic Bahraini Halwa and judging from car licenses from almost every country in the Gulf Region in front of the shop, the shop that my guide took me is really famous. While in the souk he took me to see very old coffee shop famous for its coffee with cardamom that even Saudi Prince has to come for a sip. Unknown to me at that moment the coffee shop is located in Amarat Ali Rashed & Yousif Abdurrahman Fakhro (group of three storehouses), a dilapidated historic shop houses that prompt to crumble anytime, and some part already destroyed by fire few years ago. I also walked pass the Siyadi Shops unknowingly.

I did not considered the Pearling trail is a fine World Heritage Site as the sight I saw only the guesthouse of Siyadi complex is worth to visit, but combine with other elements of Muharraq Island that full with historical houses, maze liked street and lively souk, the visit to Pearling trail is really enjoyable and become the most memorable part of my Bahrain trip, and in my opinion the Pearling trail together with Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House and Muharraq Souk is much better than historic precincts of Khor Dubai or Doha for its authentic atmosphere of Middle East.