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If you’re surprised to learn that Kuwait has a surfing team, you’re not alone. Earlier this year, Kuwait became one of the newest members of the International Surfing Association (ISA), and in around a weeks time, the team will be competing at the Asian Surfing Championships held in the Maldives.

The Kuwait team consists of three surfers:

Essa Kamal AlEssa @eksultan
Age: 27

Ahmad Hashim AlRefae @a.alrefae2
Age: 29

Yousef Riyadh Tarazi @yousef.tarazi
Age: 28

All three surfers grew up in Kuwait, spending most of their time by the water in Bnaider, engaging in various watersports. Although they began surfing during their teenage years, they gained most of their experience after moving to California for university. Immersed in the surfing culture there, they took up the sport religiously, making it an integral part of their daily lives. After graduating and returning to Kuwait, they made it a priority to travel and ride different waves around the world.

The Asian Surfing Championship will take place from August 17 to 24, and it will be the first surfing event that Kuwait will be participating in. The championship is organized by the Asian Surf Federation and co-organized by the Maldivian Surfing Association. This event also marks the first time that Kuwait has been recognized as a country with surfers by both the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF).

Why Kuwait? Why Now?

In 2015, surfing became an Olympic sport which is what motivated them to start the Kuwait Surf Committee and register with the ISA.

After surfing became an Olympic sport, the ISA revised its rules and policies to accept membership from countries not traditionally considered ‘surfing nations’ by including other types of surfing watersports. Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Wind Surfing, Wake Surfing, and Wind Foiling are all sports recognized by the ISA and are popular in Kuwait, which led to Kuwait being accepted as a surfing nation by the association.

If you want to stay posted on the Kuwait Surf team’s progress at the Asian Surf Championship, follow their instagram account @kuwaitsurfcommittee

If you’re looking for a new place to try this weekend, HACHI is a new Japanese restaurant that is opening in Shuwaikh tomorrow (Friday, August 9th).

Their menu revolves around the concept of fusion, blending different culinary traditions together. This approach allows them to create innovative dishes that are uniquely their own.

Initially, they will be open evenings only, from 5 PM to 11 PM. They’re located on the same street as Mayar Complex, and you can find them on Google Maps. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. To book, you can call them on 50050133.

If you want to check out their menu, they have photos up on their account @hachi.kwt

House of the Dragon season finale was this week and it was disappointing. Felt like the whole season was a lead up to nothing really. I don’t want to say too much so not to spoil it for people who still haven’t watched the last episode, but I think this season needed at least two more episodes.

On the bright side, season 3 of Industry starts on Monday and The Lord of the Rings season 2 is coming back in 3 weeks.

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:
Borderlands (5.3)
Cat and Dog (5.1)
Detained (4.8)
It Ends with Us (7.2)

Other Movies Showing:
A Quiet Place: Day One (7.0)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (6.8)
Boneyard (4.1)
Chief of Station (4.7)
Deadpool & Wolverine (8.3)
Despicable Me 4 (6.4)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (N/A)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (classic) (7.6)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (classic) (7.5)
Inside Out 2 (7.9)
Kung Fu Panda 4 (6.3)
Longlegs (7.3)
Oddity (7.5)
Trap (7.2)
Twisters (7.0)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.

When my friend and I used to play tennis, we had trouble finding courts that were available without requiring a membership. When we did find courts, they were all outdoors, making it difficult to play during the hot summer months. It’s been years since we last played, but after seeing photos of the new tennis court at The Space Arena, we might have to dig out our old rackets again.

The Space Arena in Shuwaikh recently converted an abandoned laundromat into a stunning tennis court. It might also be the only indoor tennis court in Kuwait that you can book without needing a club membership. The court features air conditioning, guest seating, high ceilings, and access to changing rooms, washrooms, and showers for both men and women.

It costs 25KD to book the court for an hour, so 12.5KD per person, or 6.25KD if you’re playing doubles. You can book through the Padel Mates app or by contacting them on 96760802. The Space Arena is located behind Shuwaikh Market and is open from 9AM to midnight. @thespacearena

Last night, Pottery Barn opened their new location in Avenues Phase III, and it’s a significant improvement over the previous store. The old location felt somewhat cold, but the new store, particularly the top floor, is much cozier and more inviting.

They took over the space previously occupied by Williams Sonoma in Grand Avenue, which I think is a much more fitting location for them. It’s worth checking out if you’re in Avenues and looking for something for your home.

It’s been a slow TV and movie week for me. Other than starting season 2 of House of Cards, catching up on the latest House of the Dragons and season finale for The Kardashians, the only other thing I watched this week was the old movie Prozac Nation.

I’m traveling in a couple of weeks so need to start saving shows for the plane ride. I was also planning to watch Deadpool this week but heard there were over 10 scenes cut so decided I’m either going to watch it when I travel, or once it’s out to rent. Not gonna watch a movie cut that much no matter how minor the cuts are.

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:
Boneyard (4.1)
Chief of Station (4.7)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (N/A)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (classic) (7.6)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (classic) (7.5)
Oddity (7.5)
Trap (7.2)

Other Movies Showing:
A Quiet Place: Day One (7.0)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (6.8)
Deadpool & Wolverine (8.3)
Despicable Me 4 (6.4)
IF: Imaginary Friends (6.5)
Fly Me to the Moon (6.7)
Inside Out 2 (7.9)
Kung Fu Panda 4 (6.3)
Longlegs (7.3)
Twisters (7.0)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.

I’ve been using my Fuji X100V camera since 2021. It’s been a great camera and one I’ve previously posted about being the best travel camera. But, I recently purchased the Ricoh GR III and I think I might have to take that comment back.

The Fuji was a pretty nice travel camera upgrade compared to the camera I was using before that, a Sony A7 III with a prime lens, and the Sony RX1 full sensor point & shoot I had before that. But, over the past couple of years I’ve been finding it more of a hassle to carry the Fuji around when traveling, especially because phone cameras have gotten so much better. Also, because of how popular the Fuji camera has become (thank you TikTok) and the prices gone up due to scarcity, I stopped slinging it across my shoulder out in the open like I used to before. That means I need to carry it in my shoulder bag making it a hassle and a slow process to use.

So I started looking at alternatives and decided on the Ricoh GR III. It was the camera I was initially deciding on when I got my Fuji. It’s got a similar sized APS-C sensor but in a body that is a lot more compact. I also went with the 28mm version (they also come in 40mm) so that it’s a wider field of view than my Fuji’s 35mm which should be better for travel photography.

Similar to the Fuji, the Ricoh has a cult following and so the cameras are also out of stock all the time. But, I got lucky and found the Diary Edition on BHPhoto. It was backordered like all the Ricohs, but the Diary Edition with my luck had an estimated in-stock date of around 2 weeks. I guess someone must have canceled and I was checking the website at the perfect time. I placed the order and once it was in stock they shipped it straight to Kuwait.

First impressions, I love it. I got the Diary Edition because it was the one that was available but the only difference over the regular version is the color. The normal GR III is black, Diary Edition is a warm grey, I have zero preference, both are nice in their own way and I wouldn’t care less which one I had.

The camera is tiny, it’ small enough to fit into my tight jeans pocket which means it can easily fit into all my other pockets as well. In winter it definitely won’t be an issue stuffing the camera in one of the may jacket pockets so it already has a big advantage over the Fuji. The other thing I really like about it is the fact I’m shooting more with the camera. This is going to sound weird but the best thing the Fuji has the Ricoh doesn’t have is the electronic view finder. It makes shooting a lot more enjoyable. But, because the Ricoh doesn’t have a viewfinder, it’s making me shoot more. Mainly because it’s quicker since I don’t need to raise the camera up to my eye. And also by not raising the camera up to my face, it makes me less noticeable that I am taking pictures, so I take more. I know I could shoot with the rear screen of the Fuji which also has the advantage of tilting, but because I like using the EVF, I’ve just gotten used to using the Fuji that way and I’ll always prefer the EVF over the rear screen.

I have a trip coming up in two weeks time and will be taking my GR III with me. Once I’m back I’ll post about the experience. For now, if you have any questions let me know.

I’m a fan of minimal design, but I also appreciate spaces rich with complexity and decoration. Title’s third location at The Warehouse Mall was crafted by local design studio Lines, the same creative team behind the restaurants OFK and Piatti.

The mix of patterns, textures, and bold colors gives the space a surreal feel. The photos make the restaurant look like a set from a stop-motion film. According to Lines, their aim was to showcase a timeless design by combining elements from various cultures around the world, creating a unique and creative style. I think it worked.

If you want to see more photos of this Title location, or more of Lines work, head over to @lineskw

Broskis Deli has been open for just over a month now, and I think I’ve been there five or six times already. It has quickly become my go-to place when I’m in the mood for comfort food, in my case, a good filling sandwich.

I’ve tried most of the sandwiches on their menu, and here is a list of my favorites, ranked from best to least favorite so far:

Meatball Hero
Chopped Cheese
Broski Burger
Chicken Parm
Club Sandwich
Pastrami Reuben

The Meatball sandwich caught me by surprise since it’s not something I had considered ordering, but I was with a friend who suggested we share it, and it’s now my favorite sandwich there. The Chopped Cheese is what you get if you merge a burger with a Philly Cheesesteak and it’s their most popular sandwich. The burger is also really good, but the main reason I go to Broskis is for the sandwiches. So, although it’s tempting, I try to avoid ordering the burger. If I’m with friends, I might order the burger to share as a side, but that’s also a difficult choice because if I want a side, I’d prefer their Truffle Mac & Cheese, which is the best in Kuwait.

Their portions are really huge, which is why I always prefer going there with a friend so we can share sandwiches and sides. For two people, the optimal amount of food is probably one sandwich to share (they come cut in half), a burger to share, one side, and a cookie each for dessert. That actually might still be too much food, but you can’t go to Broski and not overeat when there are too many good options to pick from.

Their prices are a bit on the high side, but that most likely has to do with the fact that they use a wagyu blend for their sandwiches and because the portions are large. For example, their burger is KD5.750, while their Chopped Cheese sandwich is KD5.250. Truffle Mac & Cheese is KD3.250, and the cookies are KD1.250 each.

Broskis is located in Sharq, near the British Embassy (Google Maps). It has a casual, come as you are vibe and there is plenty of seating. They’re on instagram @delibybroskis

This week has been an uneventful TV week for me. Both the last episodes of House of the Dragon and Sunny were pretty boring, but Presumed Innocent I guess made up for those two with its last episode. Other than that been binge watching House of Cards and sometimes had The Veil playing in the background (pretty bad show).

Oh, I finished watching the last episode of the season for The Boys as well. The last episode wasn’t that great, not sure what I was expecting, maybe an end to the show but obviously that can’t happen since the show is still ongoing.

On the bright side, Deadpool & Wolverine is out this weekend, can someone let me know if anything is cut in it since I might watch it at the cinema.

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:
Deadpool & Wolverine (8.3)

Other Movies Showing:
A Quiet Place: Day One (7.0)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (6.8)
Despicable Me 4 (6.4)
Fly Me to the Moon (6.7)
IF: Imaginary Friends (6.5)
Inside Out 2 (7.9)
Longlegs (7.3)
The Garfield Movie (5.8)
Twisters (7.0)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.

One of my favorite indoor activities with friends is mini-golf. It’s fun, it’s chill and it’s something we can do during the hot summer months. But, for some reason, the sport never caught on in Kuwait. I used to play mini-golf at Discovery Mall, but that place shut down years ago. For the longest time, there wasn’t any mini-golf in Kuwait until Venue 56 opened up.

Venue 56 is an adult arcade with lots of different entertainment options including mini-golf which is what I usually go for. Their golf course is one of a kind since it was designed specifically for them by a specialized UK-based company.

The owners of Venue 56 decided to open the arcade after noticing the lack of entertainment options for young adults to socialize. So, they decided to fill this gap by opening an arcade filled with a variety of social and electronic games not found anywhere else in Kuwait.

Other than mini-golf they also have racing simulators, interactive bowling with 3D projection, arcade games, VR games, tabletop games, and classics like billiards and darts.

Their prices are very reasonable, and they often have weekly offers, including a happy hour currently running throughout the summer from Monday to Thursday, where games are 30% off from 1 PM to 6 PM. They also have different packages for birthdays and team building corporate events.

Venue 56 is located in Salmiya, right across the street from Johnny Rockets (Google Maps). If you’d like to check them out, you can find them on Instagram at @venue56.kw

I watched Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes this past week and I didn’t really like it much. I also just realized that I hadn’t I watched the previous Planet of the Apes but thats not why I didn’t enjoy the new one, I just find the series boring now. There are just too many Planet of the Apes films similar to how there are too many Fast and the Furious or too many Transformers movies. I don’t enjoy any of them anymore, it’s just recycled content.

But, speaking of recycling, the new Terminator anime series looks like it’s going to be cool just based on the trailer above. I’m not big on anime but this is one I want to really watch.

This past week I also started rewatching House of Cards since my wife hadn’t watch the show before. I’m still 4 episodes into season 1 and I remembered how great a show it was. Over a decade later it still holds up really well and I now recognize so many actors who are now much more famous than they were back then.

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:
Clawfoot (5.7)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Classic) (7.7)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Classic) (7.9)
Inspector Sun (5.2)
Longlegs (7.3)
Twisters (7.0)

Other Movies Showing:
A Quiet Place: Day One (7.0)
Arcadian (5.5)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (6.8)
Despicable Me 4 (6.4)
Fly Me to the Moon (6.7)
Inside Out 2 (7.9)
The Garfield Movie (5.8)
The Last Breath (6.1)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.

Four years ago I posted about the Burgan Blowout, an incident that took place back in 1964 and is now long forgotten. The Burgan Blowout was the largest oil well fire in Kuwait before the 1990 invasion. It took six weeks to extinguish and for that short period of time, was the biggest touristic attraction in Kuwait. Since I originally posted about the event I’ve now come across a lot more photos so I’m reposting the story again with a bit more details as well as the new photos.

The explosion took place at Burgan oil well No. 331 on December 29th, 1964. The gas was ignited by a spark as a worker tried to control a sudden upsurge of mud. Once work started on putting out the fire, it became the biggest tourist attraction in Kuwait. So, a plan was put into place to let the public come and see it, but in a controlled manner, so that it was safe and so that no one got in the way.

Once you got to Burgan you followed in a convoy to a designated parking area a safe distance from the fire. You’d then would walk the remaining way towards the viewing grandstands that were set up for the public. According to a reader (John Beresford) who was 10 years old at the time, as they drove towards the oil well, they could hear a moan that kept getting louder and louder. The force of the gas coming up was so powerful it was causing the ground to vibrate, and this was from quite a distance from the well. It was winter but the heat coming off the fire was so strong that the climate was getting warmer as they walked towards the viewing area. The sound was also getting louder to the point where they had to speak more loudly, almost shouting at each other. By the time they reached the viewing area the temperature had increased to a level that was unpleasant causing the skin facing the flames to get quite warm.

A couple of days after the fire started the famous American oil well firefighter Red Adair was called in to help. Adair became notable internationally as an innovator in the specialized and hazardous profession of extinguishing oil well blowouts. Amazingly, at the age of 75, Adair was called again 26 years later to help extinguish the 1991 oil well fires set by retreating Iraqi troops after the Gulf War.

The first image is from the @trmkuwait family archive, the second was taken by the John’s parents, and the remaining black and white photos were provided by @badshaiji

Interesting tidbit, the photo above is of Red Adair (left) and his fellow fire fighter lieutenant Coots Matthews (right). Coots formed his own competing company in 1978 called Boots & Coots. Combined, Red Adair Co. and Boots & Coots were responsible for extinguishing more than a third of the 700 oil well fires set by the retreating Iraqi soldiers in the Gulf War.

Kings of Maillard is one of those hidden gems that not many people know about, but it offers really great food. This fairly new concept opened this past February and is a chef-driven fire bistro created by the same team behind one of my favorite restaurants in Kuwait, Oak & Smoke. I’ve visited a few times since their opening, and this past week, I was invited to try their new summer menu.

One of the things I really like about Kings of Maillard is how they manage to blend flavors and influences from different cultures. It’s always interesting having dinner there since I tend to experience new flavors, or at the very least different flavors from my usual. You’re not going to find any sort of maple shrimp or popular pasta on their menu, that’s not what they’re about. Instead, they believe that food should excite, surprise, and delight customers and I think it works. Their long term goal is to eventually get a Michelin Star so that should give you an idea of how dedicated they are to this.

When I passed by earlier this week I got to try a few items from their set menu and ended up leaving with some favorites including the following:

Beef Tartare
nori crisp, green almand, arabic seven spice, shallot, red yuzu koshu

Wood Fire Roasted Cabbage
blue cheese emulsion, brown butter miso hollandaise, pickled apples and shallots, pistachio gremolata

Wagyu Picanha
truffle potato espuma, squid ink butter & dashi emulsion, fried enoki mushrooms

But I’d honestly go back just for the delicious complimentary bread with their pistachio flavored butter on the side.

If you’re looking for a new place to try, Kings of Maillard is open for lunch and dinner and they just launched their summer menu. They’re located in Shuwaikh right next door to Oak & Smoke. Check them out on @kingsofmaillard

Yesterday I started watching the new AppleTV+ show “Sunny” starring Rashida Jones (from parks & rec). Only two episodes are out and my first impression is that I like it. The aesthetics of the show give it a retro 70s vibe but it’s combined with tech from the future so it’s kinda like Fallout in that sense. Worth watching so far.

Also the teaser trailer for season 2 of Severance got released last night, that’s a show I’m looking forward to as well although not sure why release this teaser now when season 2 is scheduled to be released in January next year!

Finally, the trailer for Gladiator II got released this past week and I can’t wait for that movie to come out. I’ve actually only watched the original Gladiator once when it first came out, so I should watch it again now that the sequel is being released.

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:
Arcadian (5.5)
Fly Me to the Moon (6.7)
The Last Breath (6.1)

Other Movies Showing:
A Quiet Place: Day One (7.0)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (6.8)
Despicable Me 4 (6.4)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Classic) (7.4)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Classic) (7.6)Inside Out 2 (8.2)
Inside Out 2 (7.9)
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (7.4)
The Garfield Movie (5.8)
The Strangers: Chapter 1 (4.7)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.