Category: Information

As many of you already know starting October 17th Kuwait is shifting from 7 digit numbers to 8. Zain numbers will get a 9 added at the beginning, Wataniya a 6, landlines will get a 2 added and commercial numbers that start with eight will get a 1 added to the front. Already over this weekend Zain and Wataniya started adding the extra numbers so its basically time to start converting all your phone numbers as well.

There are now a number of ways to convert all your numbers automatically. Zain and Wataniya both are offering this service. For Zain you need to send the letter B by SMS to 99509 and for Wataniya users you need to SMS the same word BACKUP but to 1618 instead.

Now if you would like to take matters into your own hands some guys have created applications that will do the conversion automatically.

For Windows users the blogger Q8ba7th has created an application that will take all your numbers and convert them with the new digits. You can download his application from his blog [Here]

For Mac users the blogger Q8i has created an Apple script that will also convert all your numbers to the correct format. You can download his script from his blog [Here]

Finally, iPhone users, you’re in for a treat because the local blogger Bojacob has created an iPhone application that will convert the numbers for you directly on your phone. To find out how to install his app visit his blog [Here]

Update: Here is the link to the Zain Mobile Backup site [Link]

Sephora the leading retail beauty chain in Europe opened at The Avenues yesterday.

A friend of mine called me up yesterday, he purchased Salmon eggs from Sultan Center and while eating them he noticed they tasted strange. He took a look at the expiry date and it turned out the eggs had expired over a month ago on August 18th! Sultan Center is the only supermarket I shop at so its really frustrating that something like this keeps happening over and over. From now on I am literally going to be checking the expiry date on every product I purchase.

My friend has now started a Facebook group so people can voice their concerns on this issue and he is also planning on releasing it in the papers this week specially after the fact that when he went to Sultan to complain they took the matter very lightly and told him to come back next week. Hopefully by shinning the spotlight on this issue Sultan Center will be forced to take action in stopping this from happening again. [Facebook Group]

Choowy Goowy have soft launched their new line of cheese cakes. Its a soft launch because their cheese cake packaging isn’t completed yet but the cheese cake itself is out of the testing phase. Since I am good friends with one of the owners I was able to try their cheese cake around 2 months back while they were still working on the recipe and one of the coolest things about their cake (other than the taste) is the fact that you get to choose what type of crust you want. The crust itself is made from their Choowy Goowy cookies so you have a wide range of options to choose from.

You can find out more about their cheese cakes on the Choowy Goowy blog plus get a preview on the package designs and contact info in case you want to order a whole cake or slice. [Link]

FIVE60 are holding a Charity Ghabga event that will take place on September 17th to help raise money for Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals – KACCH.

A lot of food and beverages vendors will be participating in the event so not only will you be enjoying fabulous food and drinks but it will also be for a good cause!

Venue: FIVE60
Address: Rawda, Block 5, Street 60, House # 4
Opposite Jamal Abdulnaser Park
Time: 9:00PM – 12:00AM

Note: Ghabga for those of you who don’t know is a Kuwaiti word. Its the meal eaten during Ramadan between Futoor and Suhoor (futoor is when you break your fast, and suhoor is your last meal before sunrise in preparation for fasting the next day).

More information on FIVE60
More information on the event

A reader called Sherv emailed me the photo above which was taken at The Avenues. According to him DKNY is opening up at the Avenues and Donna Karan in Salhiya. Both should be opening in October.

I was just at the Avenues (which was EXTREMELY overcrowded) when I spotted a new place that’s opening up called Obika Mozzarella Bar. I just checked their website and it looks like its going to be a cool and healthy place. They’ve got locations in Roma, Milano, London and Turin but they’re now opening up in Kuwait and New York (guess which is the odd one out). Can’t wait to try out them out. [Link]

An anonymous reader emailed me a link to this article. It seems its confirmed, Kuwait is going with Dodge Chargers which is something everyone thought would happen since the alternatives weren’t as practical. [Link]

I haven’t tried this, its a theory but it seems like a full proof plan. Vodafone in New Zealand sell unlocked versions of the iPhone 3G, meaning unlike the US versions, they New Zealand iPhone would work here in Kuwait without needing to crack/hack it. Vodafone also sell the phone online on their New Zealand website and you can buy the phone using a Kuwaiti credit card without any issues but you can only ship it to a New Zealand address. Whats the solution? Get a New Zealand forwarding mailbox!

Here is the link to the New Zealand Vodafone website [Link]
Here is a link to a company that will setup a forwarding mailbox [Link]

The price of the phone on the Vodafone website is KD212. With the fastest method for shipping (2-4 days) from New Zealand to Kuwait according to the forwading mailbox website it will cost you KD18. That means the phone with the price of shipping to Kuwait will be KD230. Pretty cheap.

If anyone tries it and has success leave a comment below.

Seems there was a minor earthquake in Kuwait at around 12:53AM.

Sultan Center recently purchased Giant and Monoprix Supermarkets here in Lebanon and they’ve started rebranding them. Buzberry earlier in the month posted a picture of the TSC PLUS logo which is what they are calling their small branches and today I noticed their really large branch was branded as TSC Mega Market. Sultan Center now has incredible amount of market share since they purchased the two largest supermarket chains here in Lebanon.

The Animal Friends League in Kuwait recently rescued 15 dogs that were living outdoors on a farm in Kebd. The dogs were never taken indoors not even during the extreme summer heat. AFL have some pictures and more information on their website plus a YouTube video. Fourteen of the dogs were Saluki’s and are now being prepared to be transported to the USA where they will be handed over to the Saluki Tree of Life Alliance. They are seeking donations to help with this and you can get more information about that on their website [Here]

I also found an article on the Saluki Tree of Life Alliance website on this rescue and on other rescues in Kuwait. The article contains a slightly graphic picture. [Link]

If you would like to help them out with donations please call them on 7001622

The Villa Moda warehouse which was originally located in the free trade zone recently moved to their Mubarakiya branch since they outgrew the original location. But, according to a Villa Moda employee by the end of September the Villa Moda warehouse will be moving to their new branch in Hawally. Many of you might have seen the building already, its next to the Qadsiya football stadium and originally was rumored to be a new Sultan Center. The new location is around 2000sq/m which is more than three times the size of the Mubarakiya branch but I think the building looks like crap and so very not Villa Moda like.

Update: Seems like they won’t be moving…

Dear Mark & Others,

Thank you for your comments and views, they will be duly noted.

On behalf of Villa Moda I would like to announce we will not be moving to Qadsiya location or relocating the warehouse to any other site.

Since moving to the Mubarakiya store we have had a great response from our customers. Enjoying the ability to shop for vintage or previous season merchandise whilst being in a unique environment.

Thank you once again.

I got an email from the Kuwait & Food group on Facebook today and according to the email The Butcher Shop & Grill will be opening in Kuwait soon specifically at The Avenues. I tried it before in Dubai and it was ok (I’m not a steak guy) but I keep hearing that The Meat & Wine Co. is even better.

Picture by Amro ABDOUN

Trader Vic’s and the other two restaurants in Dhiafa Village, Letter D’amour and Don Mario’s are now open from 6PM to midnight.

Update: Here is their reservation number 2475987