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Usually, navigating Bahrain’s traffic feels like trying to survive a high-stakes game of dodgeball with cars, but today? Smooth sailing. This unexpected serenity could’ve been due to the fact it was 6:00 AM on a Friday (holy day for some, post night recovery for others), or maybe it was good fortune. In either case, today’s adventure started off in a surprisingly pleasant way.
As per usual, I elected to explore the city via bike. I had no particular destination in mind, I just was hoping to discover something different — a task that has become quite difficult now that I’ been on the tiny island for so long.
In November, you can finally start to expect perfect mornings temperatures, usually ranging from 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, often accompanied by a splendid ocean breeze. This was exactly the type of weather I had, and my morning only got better.
After pedaling aimlessly through the city of Juffair for about 10 minutes, I decided that I’d trek to Hidd; a city located immediately on the other side of the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman bridge. I’d only ever passed though Hidd in my car and was curious to see what hidden gems they had.
As I approached the bridge, I felt that surge of excitement I always get when exploring a new spot. What type of food will I find? What excursions await on the other side? These were just a few of the questions racing through my mind.
I lowered my gears and pedaled as fast as i could in order to attack the steep incline, only to find myself squeezing the brakes just as quickly. Something had caught my eye—a fancy looking door built right into the bridge structure.
I wasn’t familiar with bridge construction, and likely only ever crossed bridges like these in my car. So this door was a small mystery that made me wonder: are there “VIP” doors on every bridge?
I decided to tackle the bridge on foot, and luckily so, because as I walked the path, I discovered a line of fishermen that had set up shop, casting their lines into the water below.
Reaching the top of the bridge was the best reward. The city stretched out before me, with a refreshing breeze blowing in from the water below. In Bahrain, that cool, clean air feels like a rare treasure amid the usual sandy haze, and I was ready to savor every second of it.
Standing there with the view, the fishermen. I had to laugh—who would’ve thought all it took was a bridge and some fresh air to make for the perfect morning.
Spoiler Alert: I never actually made it to Hidd. Instead, I was reminded that sometimes the best memories come from simple explorations close to home. The journey itself is often the best reward.