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What a great time we had last weekend... I'm still enjoying it... all the chocolate eggs that is! I'm a self confessed chocoholic, and sadly I can't do much about my addiction because it's a genetic disorder.
My little daughter Hannah is definitely a (chocolate) chip off the old block too. I remember when she was just one-year-old, celebrating her first Easter with teeth, and was given her first taste of chocolate; it was an Easter egg from her Granddad.
After the first nibble you should have seen her face. It was incredible! Her expression was of wondrous pure delight and she couldn't stop giggling with happiness.
This is the power that chocolate exerts over those of us with the dreaded chocolate gene. Since Hannah first discovered the joys of chocolate I have sunk lower into addiction in my attempts to protect her from turning out like me; I now hide my chocolate 'stash' in the back cupboard corners, feast on midnight chocolate snacks and have regular chocolate hits whenever she is not watching. So, Easter was wonderful.
On Friday I was down at Al Bander Resort for the 'Raft Race 2008' which as always was a good day out. This year, I was perched around 30 feet in the air surveying a scene of hard-working competitors in the various raft races.
The event was split into two sections; the open men's sea event where a crew of eight had to row out into the open sea, go round a buoy and return.It looked very tiring!
Well done to everybody (especially Jonty Cross's team from Merrill Lynch who finished last overall, but were valiant in their attempt).
Winning isn't everything apparently and as Jonty said: "It was a great exercise in team bonding". The team from Batelco won for the seventh time in eight years. I suspect they must be busy practising when we are all put on hold!
The other event was the mixed lagoon race where mixed teams competed. I always look forward to seeing the American Mission Hospital teams compete and this year they had been trained to physical perfection by their team manager Anne Zayani.
In the first race they didn't disappoint; off they rowed ... but wait a minute, they turned round before they reached the buoy. Oh no! Then they began doing pirouettes like a team of demented ballerinas as they tried to go round again and again.
I had to remind them over the microphone that the sun starts going down about 5pm; so could they please hurry up.
Another team that really looked the part was the 'Roteracters' (very snazzily dressed in brown T-shirts and green and white shorts). Unfortunately their rowing didn't quite match up to their stylish wear.
The winning team for the mixed lagoon race was Alba, and Ahlia University also deserve a special mention for being the best dressed (as Pirates).
It was a great day for charity and was very well organised by the Rotary Club of Salmaniya. A big 'Yassou' to the chairman Chris Poulides.
The next day I hot-footed it down to the Bahrain Rugby Club for the St George Club 'Easter Picnic in the Park' and what a brilliant day it was too.
On this day people are permitted to drive their cars onto the pitch and picnic on the grass, whilst all the time being entertained by the Bahrain Police Band, the Dixielanders and me. The day also featured a great gymnastics display from the kids from CHAOS (who will be competing on April 11 at an International Gymnastic Competition at St. Christopher's School).
There was a stand where the Lost Paradise of Dilmun sold discounted tickets and GM Paul Blunt generously donated five tickets for the raffle. Bahrain International Circuit also donated the major raffle prize which was two tickets for the upcoming Formula 1 race.
Well done to the organisers the St. George Society. It was another successful day for Bahrain charity with lots of money being raised. When 5.30pm came I thought I had better leave because I had more things to do. It wasn't easy though as Hannah was having a ball in the new playground and had to be removed literally kicking and screaming.
Saturday evening we were lucky enough to have tickets to the Yegam Theatre Company presentation of 'Jump' as part of the Spring of Culture.
My wife Wendy and I really look forward to this annual offering of entertainment. The Spring of Culture brings diverse and exciting events to Bahrain which we should all get behind and support. On Saturday night we were not disappointed.
The athleticism, energy and power of this incredible ensemble from Korea were a joy to watch. The show was an action-packed mix of slapstick comedy, martial arts and simply incredible acrobatics.
Spring of Culture events bring international talent and much wanted cross-cultural performance arts to Bahrain and has the potential to entertain, educate and enlighten.
It is wonderful to learn about and experience the Arts and, love it or hate it, it has the ability to enrich our minds and open our hearts as we appreciate the talents of people from all over the world.
Viva la Culture
Keep Happy,
Krazy Kevin
