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Al Rai TV turned 20 last year, and with it comes a wave of nostalgia and an exciting new chapter. For many, Al Rai wasn’t just a TV channel it was a part of daily life. From the early 2000s, it brought us iconic shows and unforgettable moments, introducing personalities like Mohammed Al Sanousi, Dr. Ahmad Al Rubai, Bayoumi Fouad, and Nabil Shuail into our homes. Those programs weren’t just entertainment; they became shared memories that shaped conversations and culture across Kuwait and the Gulf.

Now, Al Rai is embracing its legacy while stepping into the future with Rai on Demand (ROD), a new video on demand platform that brings their entire archive of past productions and all future content into one place. Launching in Ramadan 2025, ROD will give audiences free access to classic shows that defined an era, alongside live streaming of Al Rai TV, their latest productions and original ROD productions. Whether it’s reliving a favorite talk show or rediscovering the programs that once brought families together, ROD is designed to bring those special memories back to life in a fresh and engaging way.

For those of us who grew up with Al Rai, this is more than just a platform, it’s a time machine. ROD will revive the magic of Al Rai’s golden years by making its classic programs easily accessible again, allowing viewers to reconnect with the shows they grew up watching. By blending nostalgia with innovation, they’re reminding us why Al Rai became such an important part of our lives in the first place.

To stay posted on the launch, follow them on @alraimediagroup

I’ve been in Sri Lanka now for close to a week, and it’s pretty insane, and I don’t think in a good way.

I landed here on the 20th and checked into the Uga Riva Hotel in an area called Negombo that’s around 20mins from the airport. It’s kind of a getaway spot and the experience was pretty great although the amount of bugs was just pretty crazy.

I rented a car for my stay and the first two minutes of driving out of the rental lot were the most chaotic 2 minutes of my driving life. Firstly, other than the fact everything is the opposite here, steering on the right, the lanes are the opposite, the driving is pretty wild. Like I learned how to drive in Lebanon and find the experience driving there very relaxing even though most people find it chaotic. The driving in Sri Lanka on a scale of 1 to 10 is like a 7 or 8. Lebanon would be like a 6. People are completely carefree and everyone just relies on everyone else not crashing into them. It’s like organized chaos? The only people who seem to drive differently are bus drivers who drive with full confidence as if they’re the only people on the road and everyone else will get the fuck out of the way. We all really do get the fuck out of their way.

Anyway, first place I stayed in was great. Then I headed down south to an area called Ahangama. I was meant to stay at a place called Dreamsea for the first few days. The reviews online were really great, the place looked amazing in the photos, but once I checked in I was like wtf were all these reviews about? I mean just basics like the room door wouldn’t close, the bed had dried blood stains, room had bugs all over, bathroom looked very dirty. Basically it was horrible and I wouldn’t spend the night there. Thankfully I had booked another spot around a 15 minute drive from that resort for my last 4 nights called Trebartha East. It’s a small hotel located on a hill inside a cinnamon plantation. I whatsapped them asking if they had any rooms available right away and they had one, so ended up checking in a few days early and been staying there ever since.

The place is incredible, every morning I wake up and feel like I’m on a safari in the middle of the jungle. There is nothing around me except a jungle. I love it here, I’m actually sitting by the infinity pool writing this post out overlooking a valley where at any given moment there are a heard of water buffalos with white cranes grazing, or peacocks just casually strolling. It’s very surreal and beautiful. I wake up to the most beautiful views and the hotel has like 4 rooms so it feels very private and we are very secluded from the chaos thats just a 15min drive away.

But everything else here seems to be such a hit or miss. You can’t trust any reviews since most were left I assume by backpackers who have very low expectations or requirements? I’d head to a restaurant that has 4.6 rating on Google but walking by the kitchen I’m like no fucking way I’m eating here. Thankfully I’ve found a few spots that were surprisingly great.

I’ve also gotten the hang of driving here. You just need to be alert the whole time, at any moment you can hit a motorbike, Tuktuk, bus, tourist, grandma, dog, cat, cow, school kids, dog, cyclist, dog, or dog. No one ever gets out of the way, you’re always expected to maneuver around them, dogs included who just want to sleep on the side of the road. Their main road here is just two lanes, their inside roads are one lane, and I swear at one point google took me up a walking path cuz I could barely fit my tiny SUV on it and thankfully didn’t come across a Tuktuk coming the opposite way.

It’s been such a wild experience, totally love or hate moments with nothing in between. I can’t wait to get back to Kuwait.

Looks like the military air show is happening after all! The Kuwait Army last night announced on Instagram that they’ll be performing an air show today, February 25, at various locations across Kuwait.

Kuwait Towers – 10:45AM
Blajaat to KLAND – 11:06AM
Julai’a to Zor – 11:10AM
Khiran to Khiran Mall – 11:12AM

For more info head to @kuwaitarmyghq

Note: @tecq8 also posted there will be an air show at the Kuwait Towers tomorrow, February 26 at 1:00PM

Starting from June 24, Jazeera Airways will have three flights a week to Armenia. When I tried to book, return fares in the Extra category were around 120 KD because the cheaper Light option was sold out.

Armenia is a great place to visit, and it’s just a short 2-hour, 25-minute flight away. I once drove to Armenia from Tbilisi and have been meaning to go back since I had a great time there. In 2023, the Armenian national carrier Fly Arna started flying directly to Kuwait, but they canceled the route a few months later due to lack of interest.

Hopefully, Jazeera doesn’t do the same, although their press release states this is a seasonal route, not a year-round one.

Celebrate National Day with Jahez’s special edition cake! Made just for the occasion, this cake serves 15 people and costs only KD2.950.

The cake is available now on the Jahez App. @jahezkuwait

Nagwa was founded in 2004 and they’re one of my favorite spots when I want to pick up sweets to take with me to a lunch or dinner. They have 12 branches across Kuwait and over the past three years, they’ve expanded into Saudi Arabia, and this Ramadan, they’re opening a new branch in Bahrain. Their Ramadan campaign, “حكايتنا ننسجها,” draws inspiration from Middle Eastern embroidery, reflecting the craftsmanship and storytelling behind their designs.

This Ramadan, Nagwa is blending tradition with elegance, offering a variety of beautifully designed sweets and gifts:

VIP Trays – Luxurious packaging for premium gifting.
Hampers – Available in multiple colors, featuring tassels, badges, and removable pins for a personal touch.
Tahado w Tahabo – Now offered in a new size with customization options.
The Photo Frame Box – A unique way to personalize gifts by putting in your own photos in the frame.
Gergean – Include extra giveaways in your Camel or Trolley picks.
Wooden Boxes – Elegantly finished in shades of blue, green, and natural beige.

This year, Nagwa is introducing 35 new designs, including hampers, trays, wooden boxes, and Gergean, available in a variety of colors and sizes. Their signature embroidery-inspired designs extend to the finer details, from ribbons to greeting cards, adding an extra layer of elegance.

Their offerings cater to a range of tastes and budgets, making them perfect for both gifting and personal indulgence. Their thoughtful packaging and intricate designs is one of the main reasons I like gifting their stuff so much.

Nagwa’s Ramadan collection is available now in all their branches and website. For more info head over to @nagwakuwait, or if you’re in KSA and Bahrain @nagwaksa @nagwabahrain

Yesterday morning, workers removed all the plastic barriers along the second phase of the Gulf Road waterfront project that starts at the SVN resort and extends to the Green Island. With the barriers gone, the waterfront is now open to the public, making it accessible to both runners and cyclists.

Similar to the first phase, the waterfront was given a complete facelift with new sidewalks, dedicated jogging and bicycle paths, as well as new lights, bins, benches and more.

The total length of the bike lanes and running track from SVN to just past the Kuwait Towers is now around 7.5KM. I used to love riding that route since it was a great workout, so I’m glad they opened it while the weather is still good.

Cozmo has been around since 2003, and a lot of people might not know this, but it was actually created by the son of the Showbiz owner. Cozmo has always been ahead of its time, constantly shaping the entertainment scene with new and exciting experiences, from arcades to bowling and more.

Although Cozmo was initially known mainly as a bowling spot, it has since expanded to include a wide range of activities. Cozmo now has 12 branches across Kuwait, and the group includes three different brands:

Cozmo: The classic Cozmo experience we all know, designed for gamers of all ages and suitable for the whole family.

Cozmo Black: Their new and exclusive brand catering to a more sophisticated audience, offering more advanced gaming experiences and high-end entertainment. This venue is adults only.

Kidzone: Tailored specifically for kids, Kidzone is a more whimsical brand featuring playgrounds and soft play areas.

Cozmo is constantly expanding with new locations and recently started rolling out a new look with the first one having just opened in Jahra. They have 50% off all the games there every day right now if you want to check it out.

What’s great about Cozmo is that you can load your card with any package amount, get a bonus to use on all games, and keep the balance for your next visit. For example, pay 30KD and get a 30KD bonus. And for an exclusive February offer: pay 50KD and get a 75KD bonus.

No matter what kind of vibe you’re looking for, whether it’s a casual game night, a high-energy arcade session, or a fun day out with the family, Cozmo has it. For more info check out their accounts @cozmogroup, @cozmo.black and @kidzonekuwait

The British boy band Blue is coming to perform in Kuwait on April 10 and 11, and tickets will be going on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at 6PM.

Blue, known for early 2000s hits like All Rise, One Love, and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, will be performing at the National Theater at JACC.

Tickets start at 20 KD and will be available on jacc-kw.com

The Gulf Bank Al Danah Millionaire draw for KD2,000,000 is taking place in Khiran Mall this Thursday, February 13th. They’ll be holding various activities and concerts on that day including

• Competitions with prizes
• Interactive games
• Kuwait Television Band will be performing
• The Backstage Group will have performances
• NEO the mascot will be there all day
• Q&A with the audience and prizes
• KD2,000,000 winner announcement

The event is from 4PM to 8PM and is open to everyone, especially families and kids. So if you’re looking for something fun to do with your kids this weekend, this is it. @gulf_bank

I noticed today that they’ve started demolishing the original KTV buildings on the Gulf Road. I don’t know why but I always imagined refurbishing the block and turning it into something like AlSerkal Avenue in Dubai, large spaces housing art galleries, cafes, lifestyle shops.

I’ve heard they’re planning to build a large gym on that plot, not sure how accurate that info is but it would suck if thats why these buildings were demolished.

There is a beautiful pop-up taking place starting today until February 25th at the Kuwait National Museum. The Gardenia Pop-up is an outdoor living exhibition and this year they’re holding it inside the National Museum courtyard, a venue I’m totally in love with.

The pop-up features art, design, plants, food and music amongst other things. It’s really well put together and if there was an award for the best market venue of the year, they’d easily win.

Entry is free, there are lots of cafes spread out both inside the museum courtyard and around the museum. Definitely pass by and check it out. They’re open from 10AM to 10PM but I highly recommend visiting during the daytime because of the way the sunlight casts beautiful shadows through the museums floating shade.

For more info on the pop-up, head to @gardenia.popup

Season 2 of the Kuwait-based Netflix series The Exchange returns this Thursday, February 13.

‘The Exchange’ is based in Kuwait in the 80s and is inspired by true events. It follows two women who decide to work at the stock exchange, an industry dominated by men at that time. According to Netflix, Season 2 moves beyond the stock market as both main characters, Farida and Munira, face off in a battle to make their mark and claim their space as female bosses.

I really enjoyed the first season so I’m looking forward to binge watch the new season this weekend. A couple of years ago, I got invited by the The Exchange executive producer @Beyond305 to visit the set of the show and was really impressed, especially by the props, many of which you’d never notice on TV. You can check those photos and videos out by clicking here.

Speaking of Netflix, Mo Season 2 recently came out, and it’s really great, definitely worth watching if you haven’t already.

Tim Hortons’ iconic French Vanilla is known for its smooth, creamy texture and sweet, comforting vanilla flavor. Many fans consider it a go-to, especially in colder months, but now there’s an all-new iced version too. If you’re a fan, you can enjoy it hot, iced, or frozen.

If you also want to kick it up a notch, you can add a shot of espresso for an extra boost, balancing the vanilla sweetness with a strong coffee kick. A simple Tim hack that is the ultimate pick-me-up.

Tim Hortons have 12 locations across Kuwait, celebrated for their warm ambiance, 100% premium arabica coffee beans and, of course, their iconic freshly baked and dipped donuts and timbits. Visit @Timhortons.Kuwait and enjoy what ‘always fresh’ stands for.

Boutiqaat has inaugurated the YaHala Shopping Festival’s draws, “Ya Hala,” by launching its first-of-its-kind raffle draws. The winners receive a variety of rewards, including 12 luxury cars, $100,000 in cash distributed among 100 winners, and 100 shopping vouchers worth 100 Kuwaiti dinars each, provided by Boutiqaat under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce.

Commenting on this occasion, Ali Al-Tayyar, Public Relations Manager at Boutiqaat, stated: “The strategic partnership between Boutiqaat and YaHala stems from Boutiqaat’s commitment to supporting Kuwait Vision 2035 in achieving comprehensive and integrated development across various sectors of the country.” He highlighted Boutiqaat’s role in boosting the local economy and Kuwait’s tourism sector, emphasizing that the grand draws launched under the Boutiqaat name are only the beginning and that the festival will continue to introduce more exciting draws.

Al-Tayyar further explained: “Boutiqaat’s participation in the region’s largest shopping festival presents an ideal opportunity to strengthen engagement with its customers across the GCC. The “Ya Hala” draws are not limited to customers within Kuwait, but extend to customers across the Gulf, enabling them to seize winning opportunities by taking part in the festival draws.”

The festival’s offers and events have received tremendous engagement and enthusiastic participation from audiences across Kuwait, with positive feedback from customers, who have shown great interest in the festival’s exclusive deals and exceptional discounts.

Additionally, Boutiqaat’s exclusive offers within the “Ya Hala” festival will continue for 70 consecutive days, filled with ongoing draws. The company is hosting various events and discounts in partnership with “Ya Hala” to provide winning opportunities worth over $1 Million in cash prizes, 120 luxury cars, and many other valuable rewards and gifts.