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No matter where one lives or visits, the recreation and leisure activities
are no less important than work and business. Kuwait has all the amenities
and infrastructure for business and modern living and has plenty to offer
for extra curricular activities, pleasure, relaxation and pastime.
With modernization the pastime activities of the past, Falconry, hunting
in the desert and sea fishing have lost much of their appeal, though
evening 'Diwaniyah' is still a favourite pastime for Kuwaiti men.
Expatriates and visitors have every conceivable modern pastime and
recreational activity for relaxation available in Kuwait.
THE MEDIA
In Kuwait, television and radio are state run and the rest of the media is
supervised by the Ministry of Information.
The Press
Five daily newspapers are published in Arabic, Al-Qabas (the Torch), Al-Watan
(the Native Land), Al-Anbaa' (the News), Al-Rai Al Aam (Public Opinion),
and Al-Seyassah (Politics). These cost 100fils each, but home delivery is
available for a subscription of KD35 per year, except for Al-Anbaa' which
costs 150fils a copy or KD45pa.
There are also two daily English language newspapers, the Arab Times and
the Kuwait Times. These cost 150fils each but are also available on early
morning home delivery for KD45 a year. Most foreign English language
quality papers are available from hotel kiosks and the larger bookshops,
though they tend to arrive a day late.
Plenty of weekly, bi-weekly and monthly magazines are published in Arabic.
Many English and Arabic Newspapers and magazines from various countries
are available at the better bookshops.
Videos & Music
Kuwait has plenty of video and music shops where music audio and latest
films video cassettes and CDs in Arabic, English, Hindi, Tagalog, and
other languages, are available.
Television
The ubiquitous satellite dish means that TV programmes from all over the
world can be received, including CNN, TNT, Star TV, the BBC, LTV, even MTC
and Israeli TV --- programmes and timings are shown in the daily
newspapers. Many apartment blocks have communal dishes.
Kuwait has four state-run channels. KTV1 broadcasts a comprehensive
selection of programmes in Arabic, including variety and music shows,
movies, news and current affairs, from morning until late in the evening.
KTV4 takes over from KTV1 when the latter closes down and broadcasts a
rather entertaining mixed bag in Arabic and English throughout the night.
KTV2 broadcasts a variety of family and popular programmes in English.
Some programmes, such as the evening movie, are subtitled in Arabic.
Opening at about 2pm, KTV2 closes past midnight after the late night
movie. KTV3 is Kuwait's Sports channel. It broadcasts a wide selection of
live and prerecorded sporting events from all around the world, some with
voice-overs in Arabic.
Radio
Kuwait Radio bro-adcasts a wide variety of progra-mmes in Arabic and
English, and in a few other languages such as Persian, Urdu and Philopino
on several FM, MW and SW transmitters.
The main Arabic station broadcasts programmes on current and social
affairs as well as music and regular news bulletins.
Kuwait also has a commercial Arabic FM station pumping out modern Arabic
music on FM103.7 and classical Arabic music on FM87.9 24 hours per day.
Kuwait has its own English-language FM station, Super Station 99.7 and
Easy FM 92.5.Kuwait's SUPER
STATION is probably the best music station in
the region.
Kuwait's AM service in English broadcasts a mixture of cultural, religious
and musical programmes that reflect a Kuwaiti view of the world, twice a
day, from 8 am to 11am and from 9pm to midnight, on 963KHz on the medium
wave for listeners in Kuwait and the Gulf. There is a main news at 9:00am
and an extended news at 9:30pm. Listeners in South and South East Asia may
tune into the morning programmes on 15110 KHz on the 19 meter band on the
short-wave, while listeners in Europe and North American may pick up the
evening programmes on 11990KHz on the 25 meter band on the short wave.
Details of programmes, advertising rates and other information on Kuwait
TV and Radio are available on the Ministry of Information
website:www.moinfo.gov.kw
The American Armed Forces FM Radio broadcasts a variety of programmes for
American servicemen from Camp Doha on the north side of Kuwait Bay, which
can be received in most parts of Kuwait.
Overseas Radio Reception
Most international radio stations can be received in Kuwait.
The major international broadcasting stations publish lists of
frequencies, programmes and times, and these are usually available from
embassies in Kuwait. The BBC World Service reports world events around the
clock in English and several times a day in other languages. The VOA
(Voice of America) has a relay station in Kuwait.
RECREATIONAL GARDENS & RESORTS
The Government's success in greening the harsh desert can be seen in
Kuwait's parks and road verges. Most public gardens have children's play
areas and there are several amusement parks dedicated to the art of
keeping children actively enthralled for hours at a time.
Municipal Gardens
The Municipality maintains several well designed public gardens, all with
naturally shaded areas, around Kuwait City.
Zoological Park
Kuwait Zoo (tel: 473 3389) is open every day except Saturdays from 8am to
8pm in winter, and from 8am to 12 noon and 4pm to 8pm during summer.
Located in Omariya on the Airport Road, entrance is 250fils, infants free.
Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC)
The Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) organises many of the major
entertainment and recreational facilities in Kuwait. It works in
cooperation with local companies in developing and maintaining leisure
related projects, such as beaches and sea clubs, recreational parks, guest
houses and resorts, and entertainment centres for children. (tel:
5650111/5653771)
Recreational Parks
Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) has two recreational parks, the South
Sabahiya Garden (tel: 361 0472) in Ahmadi Governorate, and the Touristic
Garden (tel: 434 5961 / 434 9283) in Jleeb Al-Shyoukh. Each has amuse-ments,
rides and other games for children and adults, as well as snack bars, gift
stalls and piped music. Both parks have 'Roman' theatres for the
presentation of entertainment on weekends. Entry is 250 fils a person on
ordinary days and 500 fils on evenings when shows are presented. There are
also several smaller parks, run by private enterprise, offering amusements
and games for children, located in different areas.
The privately owned Al-Shaab Leisure Park (tel: 561 3777) is located next
to TEC's offices on Gulf Arabian Street. The Park has a variety of games
and amusements for young and old, including carousels, dodgems, bowling
hall, billiards, snooker and tennis, as well as a theatre and cinema. All
the amusements are linked by paths that meander through gard-ens and
around water fountains. There is a restaurant block conta-ining branches
of most fast food outlets in Kuwait. Open daily from 4pm to midnight (from
10am on weekends), entry is 500fils a head and games cost 250 to 750fils a
go, though a full ticket may be purchased for KD2/500.
The Green Island
Managed by TEC, this artificial island is near the Kuwait Water Towers.
Linked to the main land by a short walkway, the Green Island has an
amphitheatre, two restaurants, a viewing tower, a children's castle and
landscape of flowers and greenery. The entry charge of 250fils a person
provides a pleasant walk with some nice views of Kuwait City.
ENTERTAINMENT CITY
Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya (the City of Entertainment) is located in Al-Doha,
about 20 kilometers from the City. Run by TEC, the complex provides a
complete range of amusements based on themes from the 'Arab World', the
'International World', and the 'Future World'. One of the best amusement
parks in the world, the entrance fee is only KD3/500 per person, an all-in
price which allows the ticket holder to enjoy various rides and amusements
without paying anything extra.
Timings: Summer Winter
Sun - Wed 4- 12pm 2:30-10:30pm
Thur - Fri 4- 12pm 10am - 9pm
Sat - Closed
tel: 487 9545 / 487 9455
SHOWBIZ
Showbiz (tel: 571 4094/5/7) is a permanently sited carnival with
carousels, dodgems, donkey and cart, pony and camel rides, etc, located in
Ras Salmiya. Open daily from 4pm to midnight (from 1pm on weekends), entry
is free but each amusement costs 500fils a go, except for the large roller
coaster (KD1) and a few other main attractions.
TOURISTIC BUS
The Touristic Bus is an open top double-decker bus that runs from Showbiz
in Ras Salmiya along the coast to Shaab and back via Salmiya and the
Sultan centre. The half hour sight-seeing round trip costs 250fils per
person.
THE MUSICAL FOUNTAINS
Considered to be the fourth largest fountain in the world, the Musical
Fountains (tel 242 8394), next to the Ice Skating Rink on the First Ring
Road, provide a sight and sound show of music and colourful 'dancing
waters', every night during the summer from 4pm to 11pm. Entry is 250 fils
per person, but subscriptions for week-end shows are 500fils per adult and
250fils per child.
RESORTS & CHALETS
Accommodation for the week-end or longer can be rented in many places
along the southern part of the coast.
Al-Khiran Resort (tel: 395 1122) is a TEC facility about 120 kilometres
south of Kuwait City. The resort has nearly 200 chalets and studio flats.
Facilities include a yacht club and fully serviced marina, swimming pools,
playgrounds, sports and health facilities, shops, a supermarket, coffee
shops, and a 24-hour business centre. Small chalets cost KD100 for a
weekend and KD202/500 a week. Regular chalets cost KD110 per weekend and
KD285 for a week.
The Scientific Center
A new addition to Kuwait's attractions, The Scientific Center, was
inaugurated on 17th April 2000. Situated on Gulf Road in Salmiya, this new
monument is a symbol of cultural heritage projecting the advancement in
sciences. Conceived and financed by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement
of Sciences (KFAS), it has the largest aquarium in the Middle East, a
class IMAX theatre, Dhow Harbour, Discovery Place for children, a
restaurant and a gift shop. (For further details Tel: 848888, or visit
their website at: www.tsck.org.kw)
Other Palces of Interest
Other places of interest to see in Kuwait encompass the moderately old and
the almost brand new.
Dhow Harbours & Builing Yards
There are several dhow harbours along the coast where traditional wooden
boats, such as sanbooks (medium-sized coastal traders), can be seen. There
is a fairly large dhow harbour between the Seif Palace and the fish
market, and another one just opposite the National Assembly. These are
working harbours and most of the boats are used for fishing.
Doha Village was once the centre of boat building in Kuwait but the
building yards were looted and fortified by the Iraqis, and nowadays very
few dhows are being built except for some exquisite miniatures.
Al-Hashemi II
The world's largest wooden dhow, owned and built by Hussein Marafie, Al-Hashemi
II is a 'Baghalah'of monumental proportions. 'Baghalah' was a large wooden
cargo vessel which sailed the seas in the nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries. Constructed next to the Radisson SAS Hotel, the double-decked
Al-Hashemi II is dry-docked next to a pre-oil era Kuwaiti village and
marine museum containing models of extinct and modern dhows. The lower
deck has the Grand Ballroom, one of the finest in Kuwait.
Al-Hashemi II has earned the distinction of being listed in the Guinness
Book of World Records.
OLD BUILDINGS
There are several old houses from the pre-oil era along the seif
(waterfront) which have been renovated and prese-rved, including the old
British Political Agency building opposite the Dhow harbour. In the area
just inland in Sharq there are some interesting broken down old houses
awaiting preservation.
Bayt Al-Badr, an old house located next to As-Sadu house, was built
between 1838 and 1848. It is a good example of the famous front doors of
old Kuwait and exhibitions of local handicrafts are sometimes displayed
there.
There is a replica of an old Kuwaiti town next to the Dhow harbour
opposite the National Assembly, which includes a play area for children
and is occasionally used for traditional cultural events. Though it is a
bit contrived, the replica does provide a good idea of what a coastal Gulf
village was like in the old days.
There are several ancient mosques in Kuwait City which are still in use.
The oldest is the well-preserved Al-Khalifa Mosque, opposite the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on Arabian Gulf Street, which was built in 1714CE
(1126AH). Other 18th century mosques include Ibn Khammes, Al-Nesif and
Soud Mosques, and Al-Hamdan Mosque in the Central Area. Al-Matabba (now
Shamlan bin Ali bin Seif Al-Roumi) Mosque and Ibn Bahar Mosque (opposite
the Council of Ministers) are from the 19th century.
OLD CITY WALL GATES
The wall around the old City was demolished in 1957 but its five gates
were left standing as monuments to the past. These are Maqsab Gate (by the
sea, down from the Sheraton Hotel), Jahra Gate (inside the roundabout at
the bottom of Fahd Al-Salem Street), Shamiya Gate (at the start of Riyadh
Street), Beraisi Gate (at the end of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street), and Bneid
Al-Qar Gate (in Bneid Al-Qar), in the green belt between Soor (wall)
Street and the First Ring Road. The gates were destroyed by the Iraqi
invaders but have since been rebuilt.
BAYT LOTHAN
A wonderful cultural centre on the seif at Salmiya, Bayt Lothan (tel: 575
5866 / 5877) was set up to preserve the culture of, and develop skills in
the creative arts and crafts of Kuwait and the Gulf, and to promote fine
arts and handicrafts both locally and internationally. The Bayt's
facilities include a court yard for lectures and concerts, an exhibition
hall, a children's play centre, two tea rooms, a shop selling art
materials, books and gifts. The Bayt, a private non-profit organization,
offers basic training programmes in creating jewellery, pottery, drawing,
painting, mixed media, photography, Arabic calligraphy, and music, and
provides much of the materials and equipment needed. All courses are
conducted by professionals and are open to both the indigenous and
expatriate communities. Bayt Lothan also organises and sponsors art
exhibitions, educational programmes and public service campaigns.
SADU HOUSE
The 'House of Weaving', located near the National Museum, is a fine
example of a pre-oil era house. It exhibits bedouin camel bags,
decorations, tent dividers, carpets and cushions and is open in the
mornings and from 5 to 7 pm, Saturdays to Thursdays. Founded to preserve
the art of Sadu, Bedouin women can be seen weaving inside. Sadu House (tel:
243 2395) organizes weaving lessons. The Kuwait Textile Association
(President: Fadela Bird tel: 5624517) holds seminars, lectures and
demonstrations under the auspices of Sadu House.
(Website: www.sadu-house.com)
MUSEUMS
The National Museum (tel 245 1195 / 245 6534 fax 240 4862), near the
National Assembly, comprised four buildings and a planetarium. It once
housed the Dar Al-Athar al-Islamiyah, the As-Sabah collection of Islamic
Art, one of the most comprehensive in the world. Other buildings housed
pearl diving relics, ethnographical artefacts and archaeological material
from excavations on Faylaka Island. Looted and burned by the Iraqi
invaders the museum is now restored and some exhibits are again open to
the public including parts of the Dar Al-Athar al-Islamiyah collection,
ninety percent of which has been returned from Iraq. In 1997, Muhallab II,
the replacement for (and replica of) the magnificent trading dhow from the
1930s that graced the front yard of the museum before it was burned by the
Iraqis, was constructed on site and is now open to visitors.
The Educational Science Museum (tel 242 1268 / 244 8320-1 / 244 1791-2) is
on Abdullah Mubarak Street. It contains displays of the petroleum
industry, natural history, aviation, machinery, electronics, space and
zoology subjects, as well as a health hall and a planetarium. The museum
is open from 9:00am to noon and from 4:30 to 7:30pm everyday except
Thursdays and Fridays. Entrance fees are 150fils per adult and 100fils per
child.
The Taraq Rajab Museum (tel 531 7358 / 531 8060) is a private museum,
located in a villa in Jabriya (area 12), that specialises in Islamic arts
and crafts. A large collection of ethnic and Islamic gold and silver
jewellery, manuscripts, metalworks, textiles, embroideries and costumes,
ceramics and musical instruments, can be viewed every weekday from 9am to
noon and 4 to 8pm every day except Friday afternoons.
The new KOC Display Centre is an ultra-modern audio-visual museum of
Kuwait's oil industry, past and present. It is open to the public by
appointment (tel: 398 2393).
LIBERATION MONUMENTS
There are several monuments to the Iraqi occupation and Allied liberation
of Kuwait here and there, all conceived in a discrete understated style.
Al-Qurain House (tel 543 0343) was the site of a bloody battle between the
Messilah Resistance Group and the Iraqi occupiers. Situated in the new
Qurain housing area on road 208 between the Fahaheel and Magreb
Expressways, the house is now a museum and monument to the martyrs of
Kuwait.
MODERN ARCHITECTURE
A stroll around Kuwait City or its suburbs is well worth the while for
persons interested in modern buildings.
The Kuwait Water Towers (tel 244 4021) are situated on Arabian Gulf Street
on a promontory to the east of the centre of the city in Dasman. The
Towers are the country's most famous landmark. The uppermost sphere of the
largest tower (187 metres high) has a revolving observation area (one full
turn every half hour) and a restaurant, with access by high speed lift.
Entrance is 500fils per person but is free if lunch or dinner has been
reserved. Cameras with zoom lens are forbidden. The other two spheres in
the towers are water tanks, containing about 4.5 million gallons of water
each.
The Liberation Tower, with a height of 372 meters, is the fifth tallest
communication tower in the world. Construction started in April 1987 but
had to stop due to Iraqi Invasion in August 1990 and resumed in 1993.
Covering an area of 21,000 square meters, it includes a hall to serve the
public 24 hours a day and the new main building has administrative and
technical offices and the Liberation Tower. The eighteen meter under
ground foundation holds three basements. The tower has a revolving
restaurant and the vertical cavities in the tower body contain two
elevators which provide panoramic view of the city as they climb to the
revolving restaurant and the viewing balcony.
There are many fine examples of modern mosque architecture in Kuwait.
These include the pyramid shaped mosque in Ras Salmiya and the Fatima
Mosque in Abdullah Al-Salem. The Grand Mosque (tel 241 8448/7 to arrange
guided tours), opposite the Seif Palace, combines several traditional
Islamic styles using modern technology while retaining the local
characteristics of Kuwait as well as preserving the Islamic tradition of
calligraphy. The three-storeyed Islamic Medicine Mosque, attached to the
Centre for Islamic Medicine in the Al-Sabah Hospital Area, is a
masterpiece of Islamic style and calligraphy.
AROUND & ABOUT
There are several areas in the country of interest to nature lovers. Near
Sulaibi-khat, for example, there are mudflats where various species of
marine and terrestrial animals can be seen, as well as (occasionally)
flamingoes.
Jahra Town was once a small flourishing garden settlement, with a
strategic importance because it was on the intersection of three major
caravan (and invasion) routes. The ancient Qasr Al-Ahmar (Red Fort),
famous for several historic battles, is open during the morning and is
well worth a visit. Driving in Jahra is a unique experience.
Ahmadi, Kuwait's oil town, lies about 40km south of the City. It is
attractively laid out in tree-lined avenues fringed by small houses with
well-tended gardens, which gives the place a park-like appearance.
Wafra, in the deep south, is the main centre for farming in Kuwait. The
area has about 1,000 farms and the
town has a vast vegetable market for
local produce which is patronised by buyers from Kuwait City, who descend
on the place in droves during the weekend.
THE MOVIES
There are 15 cinemas run by the Kuwait National Cinema Company (tel:
5396091). Seating areas for families and single men are segregated, and
women do not usually go to the cinema alone. Arabic, Indian, Chinese and
international films are shown. Prices range from KD1/500 to 3/- a head.
Tel 5387300/400 for locations and timings. Automated 24-hour telephone
service for movies schedule 803456.
New Cinema Entertainment Center
KNCC has plans to construct a unique multiplex cinema entertainment center
at the current location of Drive-in cinema on the 6th ring road with 10
screens. The center will also have restaurants, bowling alley, games
arcade, prayer rooms, internet cafe and extensive shopping centre.
SCIENCE & CULTURAL ARTS
The cerebrally orientated will find that Kuwait is a hive of intellectual
activity.
The Sciences
The sciences are actively encouraged. The Kuwait Fund for the Advancement
of Science receives a compulsory donation from the annual profits of
public companies which it uses to fund scientific research.
Membership of The Science Club on the 6th Ring Road is open to all
nationalities. Managed by a group of enthusiastic amateurs, the Club's
amazing range of facilities and the latest in scientific hardware includes
Al-Aujairy Observatory. Its aims are to create an informal environment in
which people of all ages, from pre-teens to grandparents, can develop
their scientific hobbies. Contact:
tel 5396561/2 fax 5392549
e-mail: kscintr@hotmail.com.
ART & ARTISTS
The government actively encourages the development of artistic talents in
Kuwait and provides funding for developing artists to study abroad.
The Free Atelier, founded in 1960, to provide technical help and
professional instruction for students, and its full-time artists have
their studios on the premises near the British Embassy in Arabian Gulf
Street. Visitors are welcome between 8:00am and 2:00pm every day except
Thursdays and Fridays.
There are several commercial art galleries, notably in Salhiya Complex and
in Salmiya.
VISITING DIWANIYAHS
Male expatriates, are often invited to the diwaniyahs of their Kuwaiti
friends. These are excellent opportunities for making good business
contacts. Indeed, a pleasant evening may be spent going from one diwaniyah
to another. These diwaniyahs range from large formal gatherings used as
public meeting places and platforms by well known Kuwaitis down to small
private diwaniyahs where a club atmosphere reigns.
In the formal diwaniyahs seating is usually provided. If not, sitting
cross-legged on the floor becomes comfortable in time. Tea and other
beverages, and small snacks are served.
OTHER CLUBS & SOCIETIES
Kuwait has many clubs and societies catering to a wide range of social
interests.
The Kuwait Transplant Society carries out public awareness campaigns to
encourage the public to donate their organs. The society also encourages
re-search and, in cooperation with Arab and international organisations,
organises seminars and conferences. (tel: 2520230/0147, fax: 2560751).
The Social Reform Society was established in 1963 with the aim of
providing moral guidelines for the country's youth. It does so by
contributing to the debate on educa-tional policies and by encouraging
charitable works through the organisation of social activities for all
sectors of society. (tel: 2514180, fax: 2560523).
Bayader Al-Salem Society - Women aims to achieve social, educational,
cultural and religious objectives in practical ways, such as by organising
lectures and seminars to improve the cultural awareness of women, by
establishing model nurseries, by organising educational courses in
household management and other topics, and by founding kindergartens and
schools. (tel: 2514501/8, fax: 2514528).
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Kuwait has an abundance of sports and leisure facilities and there are
facilities for playing all major field, track and indoor sports, such as
tennis, handball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, gymnastics, squash,
table tennis, etc. Despite its small size the country has four world-class
stadiums. Each has a capacity for about 25,000 spectators and can host
international field and track events by day or night. Football, with more
than 120 football pitches in sporting clubs and schools, is by far the
most popular sport in Kuwait, followed by basketball.
SPORTS FEDERATIONS & THE KUWAIT OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
The Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour provides generous funding for
organised sports activities through the Public Authority for Youth and
Sports. Sports activities are organised into federations which are
supervised by the Kuwait Olympics Committee. The sports federations and
the Kuwait Olypmic Committee are located in Hawalli (tel: 263 7904).
The Kuwait Olympic Committee, which is recognised by the International
Olympic Committee and is a member of the Asian Games Federation, organises
Kuwait's participation in international events. Kuwait first took part in
the Olympics in Mexico City in 1968 and Kuwait won the Olympic gold medal,
in Moscow in 1980. Indeed in the last twentyfive years Kuwait has had
outstanding success in international soccer, equestrianism, swimming and
athletics, much of which can be attributed to the encouragement of HH the
Amir, generous state support, the enthusiasm of fans and the media and,
above all, to the guidance and organisational genius of Sk. Fahd Al-Ahmad
Al-Sabah who was first elected chairman of the Kuwait Olympic Committee in
1974. Sadly, Sk. Fahd died valiantly in defence of his home on the 2nd
August, 1990. The current chairman of the Olympic Committee is Sk. Ahmed
Fahd Al-Ahmed, a worthy successor to his father.
ICE-SKATING
TEC's Ice Skating Rink (tel: 241 1151-3 ) is just off the 1st Ring Road at
Shamiya Gate. It has an Olympic size skating floor as well as a smaller
rink. The small rink is often reserved for women and children, and it may
be rented for private and corporate parties. Training is available and
there are equipment rental shops (which also sell skating clothes and
equipment) and a small cafe. Hours are 8:30am to 10:00pm every day except
Saturday. Entry 500 fils and scating costs KD1/500 per head (including
rental of shoes).
Kuwait Skating School offers a variety of reasonably-priced courses from
beginners to advanced for children and adults.
Contact: Gilda Karam mbl: 9058996
SWIMMING
The beaches are safe, though sea urchins and stone fish may be
encountered. Sea snakes are sometimes seen but they are not aggressive.
Jelly fish may annoy at times. Shark attacks are virtually unknown.
However there are strong currents along parts of the coast, so bathing at
the popular beaches and clubs is safest.
Swimming Pools & Sea-Clubs
Women and families may prefer to go to the facilities operated by TEC, all
of which have supervised bathing, swimming pools, cafeterias, shaded areas
with tables, showers and changing rooms, gardens and play areas for
children, though moderate entry fees are charged.
The Swimming Complex (tel: 562 2600) in Shaab on Arabian Gulf Street
contains an Olympic-size pool and a diving pool for youth and adult use
only. There is a family section with a beginners' pool and two pools for
the under-fives. The complex also has a swimming school and cafeteria as
well as a billiards and snooker hall.
The Aqua-Park (tel: 243 1960-3) is beside Kuwait Towers. Its main
attractions are the water slide and artificial wave pools. There are also
kids pools, as well as restaurants.
TEC runs three sea clubs, Shaab Sea Club (tel: 564 1953), Ras al-Ardh (tel:
574 0977) in Ras Salmiyah, and Fahaheel Marine Club (tel: 372 4073). The
clubs have swimming pools, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts,
and amusement halls. Shaab and Ras al-Ardh have bowling alleys, fitness
centres, a sauna, a swimming school, and amusement halls. Shaab also has a
karate gym, while Ras al-Ardh has table tennis. All three clubs have
gardens, each with a theatre and cafeteria. Ras al-Ardh has a billiards
hall and a ball room, while Shaab caters to nautical members with a
200-berth anchorage for boats (maximum 15-foot) and related services.
TEC operates three beaches, Messilah Beach (tel: 5650642) just off the
Fahaheel Expressway and Oqeilah near Fintas(tel: 3900583), and Fahaheel (tel:
3719496), where bathers are supervised by trained life-guards. These
beaches have cafeterias and open theatres. Messilah also has a swimming
pool for adults and two for children, as well as children's entertainment
such as a spider's web climbing pole and a train.
WATER SPORTS
Sports such as boating, wind-surfing and jet skiing may be enjoyed off
most beaches. Police regulations prevent speed-boats and jet-skis from
entering areas used for swimming.
Fishing
There are fish of every conceivable shape and size in the waters off
Kuwait, just there for the taking, including six different sorts of shark,
two types of barracuda, stinging and non-stinging ray fish, four sorts of
mackerel and tuna, and an array of soles, breams, snappers, rock and cat
fish, flounders, cobias, puffers and needlefish.
Fishing can be done from the beaches using sophisticated long casting
rods, from prominent rocks and the ends of piers using simple poles, lines
and hooks or wire baskets to catch fry, from the water off the beaches
using nets held by several persons, from boats using trawls and
multi-hooked lines. Tackle, from the simple to the ultra-sophisticated, is
available (see Boats & Yachts in the KPG Business Directory), though many
of the most successful fishers seem to use rather crude looking home-made
equipment.
The fishing boats can be hired either from dhow harbours or private
companies operating in TEC's sea clubs.
Yachting
Kuwait is a sailor's paradise. Off-shore there is nearly always a moderate
breeze and it is not often that sailors are becalmed or driven to land by
rough seas. Boats range from small sailing dinghies to large yachts.
The Yachting Club, on Arabian Gulf Street next to Shaab Sea Club, has a
marina with 390 fully-serviced berths for craft with a minimum length of
25 feet. The club has a marine survey centre and also runs the nearby
Shaab Anchorage where it costs KD1 a day to moor a small boat. The
Yatching Club organises an annual regatta and speed boat championships.
The Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association (KOSA) is a registered Royal
Yachting Association shore-training centre and offers internationally
recognised shore-based theory courses. KOSA, which has about 50 members
and ten boats (24 to 40 foot), runs three racing series in Kuwait each
season (September to June) under international offshore racing regulations
and also takes part in international races. Meetings are held on the first
Monday of the month at 7:30pm in the Messila Beach Hotel. Sailing and
racing takes place on weekends from TEC's marina at Shaab.
There is a Catamaran Club centred on the Messilah Beach Hotel for Hobie
(16-footers) and Dart (18-footers) which meets once a month at the home of
one of its members. All the boats are privately owned. Members welcome
visitors on Thursday afternoons and Fridays and, though there are no
formal training courses, newcomers will find that members are happy to
demonstrate their craft.
Scuba Diving
Despite increasing pollution from the Shatt al-Arab, the seas off Kuwait
are comparatively clear, and scuba diving is popular. The best locations
are off-shore around Qit'at (Donkey's Reef), Umm al-Maradim and Qaruh
islands in the south and so most trips leave from Fahaheel or the Khiran
Resort area.
There are several diving schools offering training courses, from complete
beginners to assistant instructors, conducted by instructors with
internationally recognised certification. Equipment can be hired from
diving centres and commercial establishments, which also organise diving
trips on weekends and public holidays. Diving trips are about KD15 a
person per day and full cylinders can be hired for KD2 each.
Pearl Diving
To preserve Kuwait's pre-oil heritage, pearl diving using traditional
boats and equipment is being revived under the auspices of HH the Crown
Prince. The boats are prepared in April, training in diving techniques
takes place in June and July, and there are diving competitions in late
August.
HIRING & BUYING BOATS & EQUIPMENT
Taking a boat trip to one of the islands, such as Failaka, can make for a
pleasant day out, with swimming and picnicing on fish caught by trawl or
line along the way. A dhow can be hired for a few hundred dinar a day,
including crew and all running costs, which is ideal for a small office
outing or for several families clubbing together. Enquire at any dhow
harbour.
KPTC (tel: 5742664) runs ferry trips from Ras Salmiya to Failaka Island
every day. The return journey costs KD2/500 per person, cars with driver
KD 20 and box cars KD 25. The time schedules are different for every day
and monthly schedules are available from KPTC. A trip by dhow to Umm al-Maradim
Island for 30 people from Khiran Resort (tel: 3951122) costs KD100 for 12
hours.
B
oats may also be hired at the sea clubs. One holding 14 persons rents for
KD25 an hour. A 45-minute sea trip in a large boat usually costs KD2 a
head or KD1 in a small boat. But at the Yacht Club a 74-footer holding up
to 35 persons can be rented for KD250 for the day.
Parasailing is available from some of the sea clubs. Jet skis may be hired
from private traders on the beaches for KD10 an hour; the owner usually
insists on holding the customer's civil ID to ensure the safe return of
the equipment.
For long-term enjoyment it is more economical to buy. Most international
brands of marine equipment are on sale (see KPG Brands & Agents
Directory), though locally made boats are also available (KD1,150 upwards
for a fibreglass pleasure-fishing boat). Gear for speed boating,
windsurfing, jet skiing, water skiing, yachting and scuba diving can be
bought from the dealers shown under Boats & Yachts in the KPG Business
Directory.
THE CUISINES OF KUWAIT
The polyethnic diversity of the population is the reason that a vast range
of foodstuffs is available in Kuwait. The staples of the Arabian, Western,
Indian and Far Eastern diets are sold in the supermarkets. Up-market
speciality shops offer haute nouriture from Lebanon and Europe. Small
groceries supply the soul foods of Arabia and the Eastern Mediterranean,
Pakistan, Baluchistan, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, the Philippines, and
Thailand --- everything from fragrant rice to fermented fish. This
phenomenal choice is reflected on private dinner tables and in Kuwait's
innumerable restaurants. Kuwait is a food lover's paradise.
Home cooking and partying play an important part in the social life of
expatriates. This may be due to the
emphasis on family life and the
conservative nature of evening entertainment in Kuwait. But the culinary
emphasis also arises from the abundance of freshly caught seafood and
fresh vegetables and fruit available every day in the local markets.
EATING OUT
Kuwait is rumoured to have more restaurants per resident than any other
country in the world. Without a doubt there is choice enough to suit every
taste and pocket.
Hotels Restaurants
The restaurants found in Kuwait's major hotels range from coffee-shops to
exclusive dining rooms where international haute cuisine is served.
Compared to Europe, America and Japan, prices are reasonable.
Every hotel has a buffet where for a fixed price guests may gorge
themselves without limit. These serve a variety of hot and cold foods and
though the cooking is not exclusively Arabic, they do offer excellent
introductions to Kuwaiti cuisine. Prices range from less than KD5 to 15 a
head at most, which is cheap considering the quantity, quality and variety
of food.
In addition to Arabic and 'intern-ational' cuisine, many hotel restaurants
have 'theme nights', such as Italian, Japanese, Western, etc, when they
offer foods and ambience based on national cuisines from the East or the
West.
Other Restaurants
Outside the hotels there are hundreds of restaurants where substantial
meals can be enjoyed at very reasonable prices. Those that specialise in
particular national cuisines, such as Arabic, Persian, Indian, Chinese,
Philippino and Italian, seem to enjoy better culinary success than the few
that serve a mix of styles in an attempt to satisfy all tastes.
Possibly because of its relative blandness, Continental and American
cuisine is mainly found in the larger hotels. Yet there are several
Italian and other European restaurants in Kuwait City and down the coast.
Small Restaurants, Take-aways & Casual Dining
Every street in Kuwait has several small sandwich shops with a few seats
and a mainly take-away clientele. Most sell Arabic snack foods, such as
sh'wermas, samboosas, and falafel, and a filling collation may be enjoyed
for less than half a dinar. Most of the Arab, Indian, Persian, and Chinese
restaurants, even the larger ones, provide a take-away service.
The apex of local restaurants are the kebab houses selling kebabs, shish
kebabs, hummus, juices, samadi (a mix of ice creams, fruits and juices)
and other triumphs of Arabic casual dining. These are mainly found in
residential areas. A full meal costs KD1/250 a head at most, and foil and
plastic wrapped deliveries to nearby flats and residences at no extra
charge are usual.
For those with unadventurous palates, the homogenous burger of American
casual dining experience is available most everywhere, along with the
usual range of pizza parlours. Though they tend to be concentrated in the
City and the shopping areas such as Salmiyah and along the Seif (Gulf
Road), outlets for international chains such as McDonalds, Burger King,
Wendy's, Wimpy's, Hardees, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Express, Pizza
Hut, Pizza Italia, etc, are found just about everywhere in Kuwait. Of more
interest to the discerning is the growth in recent years of local chains
of casual dining outlets, such as Bint Al-Deek, Naif Chicken, which serve
a creative mix of international and Arabic casual dining foods using
mostly home-reared animals and fresh produce.
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