Catch-up

Its been a while since I posted an update. No travels or major excitement going on right now.. just living life and trying to survive the heat... seriously. July wasn't terrible and August wasn't as bad as it was last year (until the end of the month). But the end of august and this first week of September has been absolutely atrocious! We've had real feel temps of almost 130*! 

So... life...

I had a massage at the salon on base and it was really good! I even found out they do cupping there, which is awesome because I love that therapy a lot! As I was getting dressed to leave I saw this awesome sign on the back of the door... The second to last sentence had me cracking up. Because yeah, Bahrain has some issues with prostitution and those kinds of massage places....

One of the ways to beat the heat in the south is to cool off with a delicious watermelon. We found this beauty at the store and were so excited... til they weighed it and priced it out. That teeny tiny watermelon was over 6bd (about $16!). Needless to say, we put it back. (We have a TINY fridge so theres no room for the giant watermelon thats way cheaper)

We've done a kids bake off a couple of times with some friends... our final was face cookies and all the kids decorated their own faces on their cookies! 

A certain kitty has gotten lots of love and is very happy to have all of her people back in the same house!

We've been to our favorite breakfast spot, Emmawash, a few times... this was for a going away for one of our friends and the kids ran wild climbing the walls and playing in the play area (luckily we were the only ones upstairs)

Another time we went Stella made their Instagram page!

We baked delicious gluten free cinnamon rolls!

We've been to a couple of brunches!

This was at the Sofitel- this guy is awesome. He dances and plays those cymbals and he swings that tassel around his hat... this time Christopher gave it a try and did it! (I also tried and failed miserably...lol)

After brunch was over we headed to the cocktail and shisha bar and enjoyed a stunning sunset over the gulf!

Our view...

Since we're still trying to beat the heat, we go to the mall at least once a week and walk around. Not the greatest thing ever, but we at least get some walking in and its air conditioned. Starbucks coffee jelly has come to Bahrain and I had to try it! Its different but good. Its sort of like coffee flavored jello had a baby with coffee flavored tapioca and Starbucks put it in a Frappuccino. Its something that is currently only available in Asia so its pretty awesome to have the chance to try it here!

Also at every mall is an arcade- the city centre mall has a huge arcade and play area with rides. Stella and her friend Reece loved this swinging ride!

Climbing wall at a restaurants play place!

Its chief season for the Navy and the other night we had a few of the chiefs and the chief selects over to the house for dinner. Instead of spending all day cooking I had planned to order in some shawarma or something but then I asked my friend Fatima about catering a meal and got the number of her guy. It was awesome! We weren't expecting the chafing dishes, professional set up, or the actual plates and silverware- it was awesome! And the food was incredible! I ordered biriyani rice, eggplant curry, and mixed kebabs as our mains.

Grape leaves, fatoush salad, fruit salad

and spring rolls for our appetizers. It was awesome! Everything was so delicious and it was so easy (and not horribly expensive!!!)

A friend of ours had a local lady who does henna come over and do henna on everyone! We had a birthday party to go to shortly after so I didn't have time to get anything, but Stella got this gorgeous piece done!

We are up for orders soon so talk of where we'd like to go next has come up. We love the adventure and the challenge that being overseas offers but its hard to be away from family and friends and we miss everyone dearly. But the chance to go to Europe came up (and then was quickly dashed), and we both got really excited at the idea... so I don't think we're quite finished being wanderers just yet. One day we'll settle down... maybe. 

We've talked about the rest of our time here and the things we want to see and do and we've got some pretty awesome trips on the horizon. I'm excited where this last year of Bahrain is going to take us and to see where our next place might be!

In case anyone was curious, our hopeful trips are:

• Jordan and Israel
• Egypt
• Greece
• Morocco
• Possibly Finland 

And I am traveling with my Georgia blind date, Michelle, and headed to Zanzibar in a few weeks! It will be my first taste of Africa so I'm pretty excited!