Category: Kuwait

I passed by with some friends last night to the Pro Kart Racing track off the 6th ring road. The track is located next to the drift track and a motocross track but to get to that whole area is a bit tricky since you need to take an unofficial exit off the 6th ring road but I’ve got a link to the area on Google Maps at the end of this post to help you out.

The track opened up a few months ago but the weather now is perfect for it. You don’t need a driving license to race on their track, you just need to be 14 years old or older. The cost is KD5 for an 8 minute session which is a lot longer than it sounds and I would say is 4 or 5 laps around their large track. The last time I had done go karting was in Lebanon back in 1995 so don’t really have much experience with it. The karts seemed pretty fast once they picked up speed but acceleration was pretty weak. The karts mostly had incredible grip on the track which made my ride back home in the FJ seem like I was driving a boat.

We raced at night which I highly do not recommend. They had issues last night with their flood lights (some were not working) which resulted in patches of the track that were pitch dark. Even the patches that were lit up weren’t really that bright. I would imagine things would be a lot more fun during the day since other than the fact you would actually be able to see the track but you would also be able to see your friends. Since they open up at 5PM there really isn’t much daylight hours so you would have to get there early.

The track is fairly big with a lot of great turns and a good amount of straights. One of the guys in our group races on the Bahraini national karting team and he obviously kicked all our asses. I came before last on my first try since my first couple of laps I was still getting used to the karts and then managed to pick up pace on my last laps. My second race was a total disaster since I came in last. After my good last laps in my first race I came in to the second race too confident and ended up going into the turns too fast and spinning out. I spun out at least 6 times and by then I was just too far behind to catch up.

Karting was a lot of fun but next time I would definitely want to go back during the day. Here is the location on the [Map] and here is a link to their [Website]. They’re open daily starting from 5PM, each race session is KD5.

This is the sequel to “How to be a Kuwaiti” [YouTube]

Thanks Basboosa (and everyone else who emailed it in)

A reader emailed me to tell me that tomorrow tonight on the “Taw il Lail” show they will be showing the Seabreacher and interviewing the local dealer . I hadn’t heard of the Seabreacher until a few moments ago and after watching the video above all I can say is where do I sign up for a test drive?! [YouTube]

Thanks Clark

Update: The episode has been pushed back till next week

Anyone have any info on this Motocross School. Do they provide you with bikes? This could be a cool outdoor activity now that the weather has improved. [YouTube]

Today I realized the sky has turned blue and we’ve started getting some clouds. Basically it’s the perfect time for some landscape photography.

Update: Below is another shot I took this morning with my iPhone as well.

And this is a video of my little FJ. Shot this last year around the same time as now. Weather is getting better so it’s time for outdoor activities again. [YouTube]

Last week Danderma posted about this hidden place in Kuwait City that sold fake designer items. She was surprised to why the place hadn’t been shut down yet. Well there is a whole shopping mall in the middle of Salmiya with all the stores in the mall selling fake handbags from the likes of Gucci, Channel, Prada and Louis Vuitton. There isn’t a hidden entrance, or a long winding maze to get to these stores. You don’t need to know the salesman so he could reveal the fake bags in a hidden back room. These fake items are proudly displayed in their main window displays and out in the open.

Why is this being allowed? I am sure this is hurting the business of those brands a lot. Why aren’t these stores being shut down and slapped with a heavy fine? The stores are located in Mounira Complex across the street from ABK near Marina Mall in Salmiya. Same complex that has Eastpak/Jansport and Kwik Kopy.

[YouTube]

Thanks sallom

A twitter follower sent me a link to a picture he took of a Shake Shack now hiring sign he spotted at the Al Bairaq Mall food court. I really hope they aren’t opening their first branch there. [Picture]

Thanks Nawaf

This is Ayeshah Al Humaidhi’s presentation at Pecha Kucha Kuwait night #6. Ayeshah is the person behind Animal Friends and K’s Path the animal rescue and protection organization here in Kuwait. [YouTube]

Lots of spelling mistakes around but they’re always funnier when it’s government related, in this case the post office.

Thanks Nasser

Next Thursday there is a rooftop BBQ at Al Manshar Rotana with a live blues band playing. The band is called Mojolators Blues Band and have been playing together now for around 3 years. I haven’t been to any of these rooftop events at the Al Manshar before but I’ve heard they usually kick ass.

Date: Thursday 28th October
Time: 8pm on wards
Where: Al Manshar Rotana – on the roof (very cool set up)
Price: KD12 per person + 15% service charge.
This includes live music and BBQ

You can contact Aziz from the band for booking
or more information on 97444318
Here is a link to the flier [Link]

So we can now mark off Red Lobster and Olive Garden from our restaurants we need to have in Kuwait list. What’s still missing? Wendy’s, A&W, Five Guys, Jack in the Box, White Castle, Arby’s, Cheese Cake Factory, In-N-Out and Taco Bell. [Link]

via SomeContrast

Anyone know whatever happened to Latina Mina the 99.7 DJ who was drunk and started cussing on the air? Did she ever end up getting arrested? Did she leave Kuwait or is she still here?

Back in May I linked to a PDF taken from a 1969 issue of National Geographic and spoke about the Villa pictured above because I loved the design of it. Well a reader just landed across my post and commented the following:

Hi, this is our house, it used to belongs to my father and 2 brothers, Mohamed, Nasser (my late father) and Faisal Al-Duaijani. It was built and finished in 1968 and we moved into it when I was 5 years old after previously living in Do3′a (Farwaniya now).

The house is located at the intersection of the 4th ring road with Damascus street in Al-Rodah and it was sold to Mr. Al-Mokeazeam (cant recall his first name.. sorry) back in 1985. There was some modifications done to it, they completed the 3rd floor and closed the balconies which really made it lose its futuristic (at that time) looks. The villa was also shown in (Tarbiya Wataniya) elementary school book back in 1979 as one of the landmarks of Kuwait with my uncle Faisal shown standing in the first floor balcony. The villa just next to it was built and owned by my aunt and her husband the late Mr. Jasem Al-3otaiby. It had the same features and it still exists (also with some modifications) but it was sold directly to Al-Banwan family which i guess they’re still living in it.

I’m sorry I can’t recall the name of the architect and I’ll try to ask about it and give tell you if I find out. From what I recall we had big disputes with him about the mocked copies of the villa, the one in 3deliya and the one in Khaldiya about the exclusivity of design and rights to it which believe it or not was stronger back in the 60′s & 70′s than today!!

Aaahh, I’m 45 years old now, where did the good old days go??!!

Thanks,
Abdulla