On Monday the first of two public holidays to celebrate Bahrain’s National Day I was invited to attend Ceremony for the National day and Accession day of His Majesty King Hamad at the parade ground near the Charter Monument Sakhir Palace. It was impressive in execution; the military band, the troops of the Bahrain Defence Force both smart and colourful, the red carpets, the escorting cavalry, the fanfare of trumpets as the King arrived. As a son of a Royal Naval officer, I reckon my Dad would have been impressed. Afterwards we were invited to greet the King , Prime Minister and Crown Prince. The King commented that I must have prayed for the fine weather; if I remember rightly it poured with rain last year!
The order of the parade ground was in marked contrast to the drive home with rather more spontaneous celebrations taking place on the streets. It was a lively return journey! |