MithunOnThe.Net

Walking through Manama, the capital of Bahrain, I couldn't help but feel sad seeing the changes. No longer the center of attention and clearly looks like it. I couldn't help but reminisce about the buzzing '90s, walking around the city I grew up in and hung out when I was bored at home.

All the major brand stores seem to have moved out. Early shopping centres like Al Zeinah Plaza and Yateem Centre seem to make more money now from paid parking than from leasing stores. And this was last year. I worry about Bahrain's economy post the Iran War :/

New blog post featuring the Bahrain Post Museum and what those shopping centres look like now: https://mithunonthe.net/2026/04/30/bahrain-walking-around-manama-al-zeinah-plaza-yateem-centre-post-museum/

P.S: The last pic is about how many sign boards in Bahrain are not even in English or Arabic. Quite a contrast, coming from places where locals are fighting for their native languages to be given bigger prominence.

I became Def Leppard fan in 1995 after I listened to Vault, their greatest hits album. I bought their albums after that and had yearned to see them live ever since! Def Leppard's first India concert got cancelled after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. More than 15 years later, in the band's 49th year, Def Leppard finally embarked on a 3-city India tour. To get to see my favourite band of all time without having to travel far was a dream come true.

The stage looked amazing, the lights were amazing, band sounded amazing, and apart from pot-bellied Joe Elliot, the members looked amazing as well! Can't believe how in good shape these 60+ year olds are. Guitarist Phil Collen is the only 68 year old I have seen in person with a six-pack 😳 Just as much as I love their music, one of the greatest things about Def Leppard is brothership bond the members have. The only 100 million-selling band with a one-arm drummer, who they never let go 🥺

The concert setlist covered most of Def Leppard's hits but left out personal favourites like "Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)" and "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad". Still, I was happy to see them from up front. Happy to have met again, and happy I could get home via the metro itself. Of all the bucket list bands I wanted to see before I die, I'm pleased to finally scratch Def Leppard off the list. Now Journey .

NOTE: Def Leppard's Bengaluru show was on March 29. I got busy with work the week after and had to rush back home due to a funeral. Thus the delay in posting this.

I finally get to work on my trip to Bahrain (after 23 years!). The first post is just admiration of fancy new airports. BLR Terminal 2 is hands down the most beautiful airport I have ever seen! Not that Abu Dhabi's new Zayed International Airport was any less impressive.

Check it out 👉 mithunonthe.net/2025/12/08/seeing-bengaluru-terminal-2-zayed-international-airport-first-time/

My first hostel experience in India. The first time crossing the impressive Mumbai Transharbour Link Expressway. Continuing to be amazed by how cheap and good street food in Mumbai is. Discovering how good bhakri is. And the continued acceptance of the disparity of rich vs. poor that's so visible in Mumbai.

New blog post up: https://mithunonthe.net/2025/09/17/parel-to-navi-mumbai-mumbai-trans-harbour-link-atal-setu-bandra-forrest-hostel-review/
#ʙᴀɴᴅʀᴀ ❤️