2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003
From all the issues in Kuwait, this is one they felt needed fixing? This was a pretty iconic mural, yes it was old, and the paint had faded, but that’s because it was painted over three decades ago. The mural had a purpose, and it meant something. Now it’s just a painting of a flag on a side of an old building.
Not to be confused with the Jahra Nature Reserves which I posted about the other day, the Jahra farms are a historical part of Jahra which I’ve been wanting to visit for years. Yesterday, I finally went, and I’m glad because they might not be around much longer.
Jahra started as a small oasis village known for its underground water and fertile soil. The residents cultivated the land leading it to become known as a notable trading point and stopping place on the way to Kuwait City. With the increase of agricultural production, the village started attracting bandits who would steal and destroy its crops. Eventually the Red Fort (also sometimes called the Red Palace) was built in 1896 to guard the village.
Ironically, because of the Red Fort, the historical farms might now be removed and replaced by new entertainment and shopping facilities as part of Jahra’s plan on attracting more tourists.
I was lucky enough to get a tour of the farms by the architect and Jahra native, Asaiel Alsaeed who also runs the account @jahra_village. I actually attended one of her talks on Jahra nearly 5 years ago, so it was pretty cool getting the tour by her. Unlike the farms in Wafra and Abdaly, the Jahra farms are situated right in the heart of the city. They’ve been fairly neglected, as farmers have long anticipated the government taking them over, leading to minimal investment in their upkeep. But that’s also part of their charm, some of the crumbling walls are so old that they were built with traditional materials: stone gathered from the sea and coated with thick mud plaster.
Walking around the farm fields and exploring them is pretty fun, and I’d recommend you visit and check them before they are torn down because there is nothing really like it in Kuwait. The farms are mostly all open and free to walk into, they aren’t the Disneyland farms of Abdaly and Wafra, so don’t expect food trucks or gift shops. There are a few wooden shacks next to the farms that sell vegetables, but that’s about it. The area we visited has around 10 farms next to each other, with some in better state than others. You’ll see water wells, streams and lots of greenery there, all while weirdly being surrounded by a bustling city. The view out the window of some of the homes in the surrounding area must be so unusual since they overlook these farm lands.
If you want to visit, the farms are around a 30 minute drive from the city. We parked outside Chili’s at “Awtad Mall” in Jahra and then crossed the street into the farms. Once you’re there, I recommend using Google Maps’ satellite view to explore the farms. There isn’t much signage, and you’ll often need to cross from one farm to another—or even through a farm—to get around. The farmers are friendly and welcoming, and they’re accustomed to visitors, including bird watchers. So if you’re looking for something new and different to do, head to Jahra.
AB Wellness is proud to be Kuwait’s first medical center dedicated to optimizing your health through cutting-edge solutions and holistic treatments. As a medical center, AB Wellness ensures you have access to a dedicated team of doctors and nurses, providing expert care at every step. With global partnerships, the center also brings top visiting doctors from around the world across various fields, offering a truly comprehensive approach to holistic health and the latest in wellness innovations.
With a focus on new and innovative wellness, AB Wellness offers three key categories: Recover, Renew, and Rejuvenate, each designed to enhance your well-being.
Recover emphasizes on healing and restoring the body through advanced therapies designed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve overall well-being. With treatments like Cryotherapy, Oxygen Chamber, Infrared Sauna, and Physiotherapy, it’s all about recovery and revitalization.
Renew on the other hand offers rejuvenating experiences aimed at boosting energy levels, detoxifying, and enhancing mental clarity. IV Drips, Sound Healing, and Lymphatic Drainage work to recharge your body and mind, leaving you feeling refreshed.
Finally, Rejuvenate is about indulgence and self-care, offering a range of luxurious treatments to enhance your beauty and well-being. From massages and facials to hair and body treatments, this category is designed to revitalize your appearance and provide a sense of relaxation.
To find out more, head over to @abwellnesskw or albannaywellness.net
Yesterday, the Environment Public Authority reopened the Jahra Nature Reserve to the public for the winter season. The reserve is considered to be the first eco-tourism project in Kuwait with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and appreciating the landscape.
Since it’s a reserve, visits are guided, and you’ll only have access to selected areas, with no wandering off on your own.The reserve has three observation outposts, and you’ll need to select one when booking your visit. Each visit is limited to an hour and a half.
The cost of visiting the reserve is KD10 for a group of up to 5 people, and increases the larger your group is. If you’re interested in visiting the nature reserve, you can book through the Sahel App, or through the EPA website.
Lots of events and markets taking place this weekend, below are my favorite ones.
Thursday, November 28
Snow White Pantomime
Murouj Market
Turbo Nights Car Show
Bogsha Market at Green Island
Long Live the Olive Tree Festival
Threads of Resilience Palestinian Exhibition
Friday, November 29
DAI Fall Festival & Market
Murouj Market
Turbo Nights Car Show
Bogsha Market at Green Island
Jazz Cafe Live
Long Live the Olive Tree Festival
Wellness Weekend & Market
Threads of Resilience Palestinian Exhibition
Saturday, November 30
Murouj Market
Turbo Nights Car Show
Bogsha Market at Green Island
Wellness Weekend & Market
Threads of Resilience Palestinian Exhibition
Shakshooka Market
What a week of shows, I watched both Silo and the new Dune: Prophecy this past week and damn both are so good, Dune especially, and especially especially Travis Fimmel, Ragnar from Vikings who I feel is playing the exact same whacky/crazy character but in Dune and I love it.
I was also sick earlier this week so ended up binge watching Elsbeth and Matlock. Both shows pretty similar kinda. I used to watch the old show Matlock so was curious how I’d find the new one and surprisingly it wasn’t too bad. Had fun binge watching all the episodes up to the latest one.
Let me know in the comments what you recently watched or planning to watch.
Movies at the Cinemas
The movies below are now showing at the local cinemas:
New This Week:
Black Cab (4.1)
Day of the Fight (6.7)
Elevation (5.6)
Here (6.2)
Moana 2 (7.1)
Other Movies Showing:
12 Angry Men (classic) (9.0)
Gladiator II (7.0)
Panda Plan (6.1)
Red One (6.7)
The Well (5.1)
The Wild Robot (8.2)
Venom: The Last Dance (6.3)
The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.
The popular Marina Hotel Kashta is back for a new season! Known for its beautiful location, charming setup, and wide range of amenities, it has become a favorite among guests over the years.
The kashta setup is located right on the beach, offering a breathtaking backdrop of Kuwait City and a serene view of the open sea.
You can book one of two daily sessions, the Sunset Kashta runs from 4 PM to 7 PM, and the Dinner Kashta from 7:30 PM to 11 PM. Each session offers a unique experience with different packages and prices:
Sunset Kashta
Time: 4PM to 7PM
Includes: A set menu with salad, pizza, sandwiches, fries, desserts, and a selection of cold and hot drinks.
Price: 14KD per person
Evening Kashta
Time: 7:30PM to 11PM
Includes: A buffet and live stations featuring salad, soup, pizza, pasta, vegetable biryani, shawarma, BBQ grills, fries, desserts, and a selection of cold and hot drinks.
Price: KD20 per person
They also offer private cabanas for groups of at least 5 people.
For bookings, visit the link in the @marinahotelkwt bio or call 60074802.
I had to take down my last post because it upset some important people involved in the event. At this point in my life, I don’t have the energy for unnecessary arguments, so I decided it’s best to move on.
Thanks for your understanding, and I appreciate your continued support.
The Kuwait Motor Town racetrack is now open again to cyclists every Monday and Tuesday, and it’s free.
The track is 5.6KM long but has 3 different configurations, each a different length so you can pick and choose which part of the track you want to ride on. The track isn’t flat but has elevations which makes for a more fun ride.
There are a number of advantages to cycling at the racetrack over lets say the Gulf Road bike path. For one, you won’t have to dodge stray cats or pedestrians, it’s also a lot more chill of an experience because it’s empty and very quiet. There usually aren’t that many riders at the track and even if there are, there is plenty of room for everyone. You could have your headphones on playing music and not have to worry about another cyclist coming up behind you because the track is so wide making it very easy to overtake.
The track is beautiful at sunset, but even after the sun goes down, you can keep riding under the track lights.
If you want to try riding at the track, they open to the public from 4PM to 8PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s free and doesn’t even require registration, just get to the track, park your car and then ride into the racetrack. There is a security guard there with a sign in sheet, just put your name and number and continue onto the track. The only requirement is a helmet. Also note, you can’t bring rollerblades, scooters or skateboards onto the track, but if you want to walk, jog, or run around the track you can. They also don’t rent bikes at the track, it’s BYOB.
If you don’t know where the track is, here is the location on Google Maps. To stay posted on KMT activities and events, head over to @kmtkw
Al Waseet Pools has been Kuwait’s leading swimming pool company for over 40 years. As Kuwait’s first pool specialists, they have built a legacy of trust, becoming the go-to name for everything swimming pools.
Recently, Al Waseet completed an exciting new project, a slight departure from their usual work, they installed the largest hydrotherapy pool in Kuwait.
Hydrotherapy swimming pools are specialized pools designed for therapeutic exercises and relaxation, commonly used for physical rehabilitation, pain relief, and stress reduction. These pools are usually heated to a comfortable, consistent temperature which helps to relax muscles and improve circulation. The water buoyancy reduces the weight and strain on joints, making it easier and less painful to perform exercises and movements, which is especially beneficial for people with conditions like arthritis, back pain, or mobility issues.
The hydrotherapy pool was installed at the Retirees Wellness Center, Thukher, part of The Public Institution for Social Security. It features state-of-the-art aquatic therapy equipment, including underwater treadmills and bikes, resistance jet technology, support bars, handrails, and more.
This is a project they’re especially proud of, given the benefits it will bring to retirees. For more information on Al Waseet, or if you’re considering a pool for your home or a maintenance contract, visit their Instagram account @waseetpools or website waseetpools.com
Found these two photos in an Aramco Magazine from 1969 with the following caption:
The young, tiny state of Kuwait has an ambitious program of special education for the handicapped. The Blind may complete a program of arithmatic and reading and writing in braille with training in leather work or manufacturing wicker furniture.
Made me wonder if we have a similar program today.
Photos by Khalil Abou El Nasr
Khalifouh Village\ is a Kuwaiti heritage village which is owned and built by the popular Kuwaiti actor, Khalifa Khalifouh.
Khalifa worked on various TV shows featuring old Kuwaiti villages and was unhappy with the quality of workmanship in the show-built sets, so he decided to build one himself. Khalifouh Village was designed and built to resemble a real village, complete with a mosque, a bakery, a tea shop, a theater, and a main square.
The village offers a lot of cool photography opportunities, and if you have kids then they’ll love running around exploring the space.
The village which is located in Wafra is reopening again on weekends starting from this Friday. Opening hours will be 1PM to 9PM and for more info you can check out their account @khalifouhvillage and here is the location on Google Maps.
via @salmaninho
In celebration of 125 years of Kuwaiti-British friendship, JACC is hosting British Film Week as part of their November program. Running from November 25 to 28, two British movies will be screened each day and includes classics like the iconic James Bond ‘Goldfinger’ and family favorite, ‘Paddington’.
If you’re into cars then you might be interested to know that the Aston Martin DB5 that actually appeared in the movie Goldfinger will also be displayed at JACC.
Tickets cost 3KD and can be booked through the JACC website, for the full schedule and more info, head over to jacc-kw.com
Thanksgiving is coming up so I’ve put together two lists, one of restaurants that are serving Thanksgiving dinner, and the other of restaurants that have Thanksgiving dinners to take home. Last year there were more options for dine-in but this year, as of now, it looks like it’s only Radisson Blu. Update: More dine-in options have been added.
If there is a place you know serving Thanksgiving dinner that I haven’t listed, let me know so I can add it to the list:
Dine-In
Little Ruby’s
Radisson Blu
Santolina at SVN (for members and their guests)
Take-Out
Baker & Spice
Dean & Deluca
Four Seasons Hotel
Little Deli
Madison & Heig
Monoprix
Paul
Radisson Blu
Santolina at SVN
Sawsan
Sultan Center
Symphony Style Hotel
A couple of days ago, the Erab International Festival, the largest equestrian event in Kuwait, kicked off. This year, the festival is even bigger, running for 10 days from November 21 to November 30.
The festival features four main equestrian shows:
In addition to the equestrian shows, there’s a wide variety of entertainment for both adults and children. The organizers have brought in three street performers from Covent Garden in the UK to perform throughout the festival. These are the same talented performers you might have seen while wandering around Covent Garden, now here in Kuwait for this event.
In addition to the Covent Garden performers, the festival features food stalls, a mini zoo, various VR experiences, and even a comedy show.
The event is being held at the Bait Al-Arab Stables near Murouj and runs daily from 3 PM to 10 PM. For tickets and the full schedule, visit erabfestival.com