Letters

HI guys, remember me? Yes, it’s Krazy Kevin letting you know how things are going for me and my family ‘down under’ in Australia.

My start to life here was not promising. I landed into Brisbane during storms and torrential rains. I guess that even in Bahrain you heard about the terrible floods that happened over much of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

There was incredible devastation and loss of life, and here in Toowoomba, even an inland tsunami. However, of course things have definitely got better since those dark early days.

Let me tell you about our first short holiday to the coast – to celebrate my daughter Hannah’s seventh birthday and enjoy a bit of much needed family time.

We went down to the sunshine coast, a drive of some 200km (which to the Aussies is nothing, but to me who had got quite used to driving around Bahrain, it was quite a long journey).

We arrived at our motel mid-afternoon, unpacked the boot, and immediately headed off to Maloolabah beach for a lovely swim in a crystal clear ocean. Afterwards, of course, we had some lovely fish ‘n’ chips, (which was very nearly, but not quite, so good as the Dilmun Club’s).
 
Next morning we were up bright and early, for Hannah’s special birthday outing to the world famous Australia Zoo; the place that the late Steve Irwin, aka the ‘Crocodile Hunter’ made famous, and what a beautiful place it is; spread out over many acres, with amazing animals and warm and friendly people. Of course, because it was Hannah’s birthday, she got to wear a special badge with ‘Crikey! It’s my b’day’ on it; which got her lots of positive attention.

We saw heaps of Australia’s native animals up close and personal, like kangaroos, koala bears, wombats and the ones I had been especially looking forward to – the crocodiles!

As you walk around the zoo there are lots of animals just walking around as well, you really had to watch out to not step on any bearded lizards or  brush turkeys, which all roam freely.

At the end of the day, as we left we went to the Animal Hospital that Steve built in memory of his mum. It had an amazing array of all the latest technology and state- of-the-art equipment, both to keep the animals healthy and to return injured or sick native animals back into their natural environment after treatment.
 
We made our way back home to Toowoomba after a fun and refreshing break. Next time in my postcard I’ll send you a report about the Million Paws Walk, organised by the RSPCA. Our little Sasha was so excited and also a little bit overwhelmed by all the different dogs!

We are settling into life in Australia, enjoying everything this wonderful country has to offer and I’m now hosting the daily drive-time show on Radio City 87.6 FM from 4pm-6pm.

But, if I’m honest, I must say just how much I miss everyone back in Bahrain.

Krazy Kevin, Down Under.

I’M so distraught that this season’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has been cancelled and it must be heartbreaking too for the staff of GulfWeekly and its readers who campaigned so vigorously to get the race reinstated.

There continues to be ill-informed comments about Bahrain in the international media, particularly in the UK. Is this something the British ambassador could address? At least he could give the media back home an accurate portrayal of life in Bahrain before he leaves to take up his new position.

Jonathan, Saar.

BAHRAIN Music Institute held a student concert at Salman Cultural Centre last Friday. More than 70 students participated and performed ABRSM examination pieces on different musical instruments such as piano, guitar, violin, cello, saxophone and clarinet. The purpose was to give the students support and confidence to do well during their exams, which will be held at the BMI premises on June 19-25.

Dr. Mubarak Najem, BMI Chairman