Category: Information

Basil Alsalem (the owner of Slider Station) was at Hamra Tower tonight and snapped some shots of the mall from inside. It’s the first time I see shots of the mall from the inside with the lights on so I thought it was interesting to share. He snapped three shots which you could check out [Here]

So far here are the shops and restaurants I know of that are opening up in Hamra Tower:

Hermes
Le Sushi
Melenzane
Cavali Cafe
Gucci Cafe
Chocolate Bar
Elevation Burger
Panerai Boutique
Behbehani Watches
Harry Winston
Gelatissimo
Adidas
Adidas Originals
Reebok

The tower is scheduled to open in December of this year.

Both the Pizza Express and Pinkberry branches at the Marina Crescent are now open. The Pizza Express branch looks to have an updated new look compared to the Pizza Express branches at the airport and Avenues. The Pinkberry branch at the Crescent makes it the second Pinkberry branch there since there’s already another one near the fountain inside the mall.

I just read on the Qabaq blog that the new Range Rover Evoque is now available in Kuwait with prices starting at KD16,500 for the 4-doors version and KD17,500 for the coupe. Not bad at all. [Link]

I was in Dajeej the other day when I passed by Negochi whom I briefly posted about last year. The store is known for their rifles but I left the place more impressed with the other stuff they carried like their huge collection of flashlights, binoculars and even their large collection of glow sticks (ravers rejoice!). The place isn’t that big but it’s packed to the brim with a lot of random cool items that I don’t have any use for but wish I did. For those interested they also carry Leatherman tools although their collection is a bit limited.

I took some pictures with my phone cam hence the low quality shots but you can check out more photos on their Facebook page although their pictures seem old since the shop has a lot more items on display now.

Negochi is located off the 6th Ring Road in Dajeej right behind where the new OSN office is located (down the street from their previous location). You could also call them up if you get lost on 97238543 or 24336426.

There is a local website called Photo Lenders which rents out photography equipment like lenses and cameras for reasonable prices. This concept isn’t new since it already exists in the States but it’s still great that someone decided to set up something similar in Kuwait. I’m sure all the local photographers are going to appreciate this and I’m personally waiting for them to start renting out cameras as well. Check out the website [Here]

I’m not a fan of football but my brother is and he thinks it’s pretty cool that an Arsenal Soccer School has opened up in Kuwait. They’ve got a website up and running with information on the courses plus a registration form to fill if you’re interested in joining. I’m guessing the school is only for children but I couldn’t find any details on their website regarding the age limit. Anyway here is the link so you can check it out for yourself [Link]

Back in 2009 right after 360 Mall had opened I posted about how they needed to install plaques to tell people about the vertical gardens and the Dale Chihuly structures. That was back in September 2009 and nearly two years later 360 Mall started installing these plaques. I shot the one above in front of Ladurée while heading towards OFK. Good move.

A reader sent me an internal 360 Mall memo which contains more information on the world record attempt that’s taking place at 360 Mall. Turns out Habchi & Chalhoub will be attempting to build the biggest perfumes pyramid in the world using 50,000 bottles of Paco Raabane perfume cartons.

According to the memo the pyramid will be ready and on display starting today since a judge from the Guinness World Records as well as the media and other personalities will be there to check it out. Here are some more details regarding the pyramid:

Base: 36 m2
Height: 5.5 m
Number of perfumes used: 50,000 pieces
Building time: 32 hours for 2 days

Thank Yousuf

[YouTube]

Yesterday I posted about the NewAir recycling program but a reader emailed about another organization which he is part of that also provide recycling solutions (but only for companies). The organization is called Istidamah and the video above is one of their projects which they worked on with Al Diwan Al Amiri.

A couple of you were also asking about electronic waste in the comments. According to Istidamah they are currently developing a campaign with the Kuwait Municipality regarding electronic waste recycling. Currently in Kuwait e-waste (which consist of hazardous chemicals) is mixed with other types of waste and dumped in poorly designed municipal landfills. At this current time Istidamah is the only company in Kuwait that works with UN certified electronic waste recyclers. What they do basically is segregate and dismantle e-waste in Kuwait but then ship the items to the certified recyclers abroad. They’re hoping to one day develop their own local facility for e-waste recycling but for now that isn’t an option.

You can find out more about Istidamah by visiting their website [Here]

A friend of mine shot the picture above yesterday of a Chevrolet Traverse with a speed camera in the back. Previously the ministry were using GMC Envoys and tiny Suzuki Jimny’s with cameras in the back to catch speeders but now we’ve got to keep any eye out for one more kind of car parked on the side of the road.

Just over a year ago I got an email from Dhari Al-Gharabally from the Kuwait Oil Company telling me about a problem they had with stray dogs in Ahmadi and how they wanted to deal with this issue in a humane manner without causing any harm to the dogs. I put him in touch with K’s PATH and since then they’ve been working together solving the stray dogs issue.

Earlier today KOC released a video detailing their relationship with K’s PATH and how they collaborated together on this problem that faced the residents of Ahmadi. All I can say is that I wish there were more companies in Kuwait like KOC and that I’m also really glad we have an organization like K’s PATH to take care of animals in Kuwait.

The video is in Arabic but at around 2:50 into the video John Peaveler the co-founder of K’s PATH comes in and talks in English. [YouTube]

There is a company in Kuwait called MRC (Metal & Recycling Company) and they’ve got a recycling program called New Air in which they recycle paper, cartons, plastic, metals, PET bottles, water cans, aluminum, boilers, kettles, taps, door handles, electronic items, etc… Now the best part is that they can give you recycling bins for your home so that you could also help the environment by recycling.

All you need to do is get in contact with MRC (details below) and they’ll send recycling bins over to your house. You could then either set up pick up schedules (for example once a week) or the better more environmental friendly option is to call them once your bins are full and they’ll then come by pick up a full load.

So if you’re interested in recycling just give them a call on 97285044 or send an email to [email protected]

Thanks NJ

Note: This service is provided to offices, educational segments, industries, government, complexes etc.. and not only houses

If gas in Kuwait was the same price as Venezuela would you drive more? I personally don’t think it would make a difference…

1 Venezuela: Caracas — $0.047 per litre
2 Saudi Arabia: Riyadh — $0.127 per litre
3 Libya: Tripoli — $0.142 per litre
4 Turkmenistan: Ashgabat — $0.19 per litre
5 Bahrain: Manama — $0.206 per litre
6 Kuwait: Kuwait City — $0.222 per litre
7 Qatar: Doha — $0.238 per litre
8 Egypt: Cairo — $0.30 per litre
9 Oman: Muscat — $0.317 per litre
10 Algeria: Algiers — $0.317 per litre

[source]

Jleeb residents will be pleased to know that Géant Easy Supermarket will be opening up in 2 days time in Souk Al Jleeb. This will be their second Géant Easy branch in Kuwait with their first being in Salmiya. Géant Easy is smaller than the regular Géant.

The Kuwait Airport has been redesigned and the biggest difference I see right away is a lot less pink. I usually check the website for the arrivals section and they haven’t really changed that page much but the whole website does look better than before. [Link]

The last time their website was redesigned it was back in July 2007 and it looked like the screenshot below.

Thanks Nazem