Well, in researching all that there is to see here in Bahrain, the Tree of Life was usually at the top of the lists. It was #1 on our list as well, so we set out in the car down the road towards the middle of the country. We got here a day early so we could spend all of today exploring - as we knew the rest of the trip would be a lot of working for Vince. After our little Starbucks debacle this morning (ie, couldn't get any because there was no where to park within miles of the place), we were headed down the freeway both hungry, hangry and lacking in coffee for the day...but we kept going. Mistake #1
We were following the GPS in the car (and trusting it was the most accurate way to get us there). Mistake #2. As we turn off the freeway, we start heading down this fairly abandoned road into what looked like a city (country) dump. As dump trucks started passing us, we knew we were in the dump for sure. The road turned into a dirt road (which we actually expected from the reviews). The roads were still pretty flooded out from the previous days rains, but we were being safe. We got to one part of the road that was completely submerged. We started to turn around, not wanting to risk it...then decided that this was our only chance to see it, so turned back around and planned to attempt the underwater road. Next thing you know a couple cars come barreling thru, and the water is WELL past their wheel well. Some trucks went thru and got stuck. Soon, there were multiple cars stuck in the water and mud. So, we turned back around and called it. Nope, no mistake #3 for us today. That means no tree of life for us today :(
So we kept going down the freeway to our stop #2....the man made island resort at the bottom tip of the country. Driving down there, we felt like we were in the middle of the Sahara with no humans in sight. It felt soooo far out of town, we couldn't believe there would be anything down here. Nice freeways though! We passed their Air Force base and a few armed military vehicles just sitting on the side of the road - which was a bit uncomfortable. But we kept going. Eventually we got to the resort - and there was a guarded gated entry. We begged the man to let us in just to drive around and check it out - and he did. He must have been bored and we must have looked harmless. Super cool resort community down there (looked a lot like Balboa or the higher end areas of Newport Beach), but there were no amenities yet. You have to drive over an hour to the store, gas, food, etc... It looked like they were building a few little spots within the community, but they weren't open yet.
So we did our sightseeing then headed back up the freeway - starving to death and hangry. On our way back, we see a sign - The Tree of Life! This is a difference exit than the last, so we take it to see if there is another way down there! There is!!! We pass a big military facility, and tons of soldiers, and end up in the middle of nowhere again, on dirt roads.
Eventually we get to the tree. No big fanfare, no museum or gift shops....just a tree in the middle of nowhere. No other trees in sight. No water sources. Just this huge giant tree, thriving in the middle of the desert. It is said to have holy properties - there were a few Muslim people there praying around it. It is said to be the original Garden of Eden. People come from all over to visit this magical tree. If there was a McDonalds next to it, it might have been more magical, but by this time it is 4pm and we haven't had a bite to eat in over 24 hours so are done! We took some pictures, took in the moment of this special place, then headed back to civilization in search of food.
Definitely something I will always remember and cherish! Not just the destination, but also the journey! Not many people can say they have been to the Tree of Life.
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