Kuwait | Hang Out Spots

Mirror House - First Outter Look

2009-11-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

Mirror House - Living Room and the Kitchen

2009-11-11T05:34:00.001-08:00

As i entered i was shocked as in breath taking shocked i didnt expect to see the whole of inside to be covered with mirrors...sitting there i kept on wondering that how someone could have soo much patience to do all this....

A very creative and inspiring house to be in...

The kitchen was attached to the living room...

Mirror House - The Zodiac room

2009-11-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

This was the first room after the Living Room and the kitchen..The theme of the room is Zodiac Signs...the wall is covered with all the star signs...

Initally this room was her daughter's which is now transformend into the zodiac room.

On entering she asked B and i our zodiac signs .... B is a virgo and i am a scropian :)

She was expalining the characterisitcs of each and how the room is inspiried by it...

Mirror House - Shark & Dolphis Hallway & Sea World Hall

2009-11-11T04:42:00.000-08:00

After the Zodiac Room we walked accross the hallway where the theme is Dolphins...i too personally love dolphins...It is inspired by her daughter coz she loved dolphins too...

Then came the bathroom which is also known as the sea world....the bathroom is covered with mirrors.....with the theme of the sea world.

Mirror House - Spiritual Room

2009-11-11T04:31:00.000-08:00

As we entered ,the room was dark and we were asked to be seated ...she lit the place and the music was on ...it was relaxing...Your mind is for sure to be in a peaceful state when ur in the room..

Mirror House - The Universe

2009-11-11T04:20:00.000-08:00

This was the Universal room...at first it was a dark room...we sat and she lit the room step by step.....it was soo beautiful...there were constellation of stars and planets surroundings us...truely beautiful..

Mirror House - Library

2009-11-11T04:10:00.000-08:00

This was her library...we were shocked to see it...i dont remember seeing so many books even in my school library....it was very well organized and as u can see the shelves too have detailing of mirror on it ...

I really liked these photo's and the way she has kept it... she said that its her daughter's picture's when she was a toddler to her graduation.

Mirror House - Khalifa al Qattan

2009-11-11T03:54:00.000-08:00

This was the first award to her husband and the first of it that she showed us in the room...she held it proud ....

I loved the sketch of Ms. Lidia...she said its done by one of the visitors who had visited her and presented her with this wonderful sketch.

This Room is Dedicated to the achievements and is in honor of her late husband Khalifa Al Qattan.

There are certificates, awards, sketches ,paintings , photographs and much more...

Mirror House - Second floor Gallery

2009-11-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

This is the Second floor gallery where she has displayed paintings & sculptures of her husband as well as her's.

Mirror House- Gift Shop / End Of Tour

2009-11-02T03:52:00.000-08:00

This was the the end of the wonderful tour of her house...Here she has some of her handmade take aways basically souvenirs to remember the visit!!

It starts of from 3 KD and so on!!!

Each souvenirs have a different artistic look ...

She also made souvenirs of her husband coin collection ( off course with the extra coins )

We didnt take anything but before leaving we were asked to sign in her guest book...

We did so and left from there with a nice memory of an artistic house!! It worth the experience ...

Failaka Island

2009-11-02T02:50:00.000-08:00

Please note that all these information are from their main website.

SPECIAL RATES

Please constantly check their web site for special rates.

PLEASE NOTE
Reservations and rates are for the number of bed spaces in the houses or Ikaros Hotel. Extra beds are available for some of the houses and rooms at KD 10 per bed per night. Any unauthorised guests in any houses or rooms who have not checked in at reception will be asked to leave the village.

SEA TRANSPORTATION TO FAILAKA ISLAND
Please contcat 22520600, 22244988 or 25370442 for the up to date sailing .

Transport to Failaka Island is easy, we operate our own high speed catamarans "Bint Al Khair" and "Umm Al Khair" plus another 40 seat luxury catamaran which will join our fleet in October 2009.

We hold the right to cancel any sailing due to inclement weather, in which case a full refund will be made.

Guest using the KPTC Public Ferry will not be able to take advantage of any of the special offers that we have on offer.

All our catamarans depart from Marina Crescent.

Please be advised that all passengers will be allowed a maximum of 15 kg of baggage each. We do not allow bicycles, gas canisters, chilled containers or large amounts of food and beverage items onboard. The Captains decision is final in regard to any flagrant abuse of the above baggage limits.

DAY PACKAGES
KD 16 adults ten years of age and over, KD 11 children from 5 to 9 years of age and KD 8 for children from 13 months to 4 years of age. Return sea voyage from Kuwait/Failaka/Kuwait, land transportation from Failaka ferry port/Village/Port; entrance to the Village and an International Buffet Luncheon. Island Tours are available from Reception at KD 1 perperson.
Entrance to Wanasa Beach is KD 3 for adults and children inclusive of sunshade and loungers plus complimentary use of the floating and bouncy castles. Banana boat rides and jet ski hire is available at the usual tariff.

RESERVATIONS
Reservations can be made as follows:
Central Reservations Office at Safir International Hotel, 2nd Floor, telephone 22520600: email christina.nasrallah@safirhotels.com

Marina Tickets and Reservation Office, Marina Crescent (close to Starbucks), telephone 22244988 email marinareservations@gmail.com

Enquiries: Failaka Heritage Village reception, telephone 25370442: email failakareservations@gmail.com

For large groups and company reservations to include conferences/functions etc; please contact christina.nasrallah@safirhotels.com : telephone 22520600.
or
Christopher Hartley, General Manager, on 66139876: email chartley@safirhotels.com.

Offical Website:
http://www.failakaheritagevillage.com/

Archaeological importance :
http://www.kuwaitarchaeology.org/failaka.html

Fellow Bloggers Review:
http://www.nicoleb.org/Countries/Kuwait/Failaka.html
http://susi-kuwait.blogspot.com/2009/03/failaka-iland.html
http://ellie.blog.ocn.ne.jp/myblog/2009/07/post_3c9f.html
http://themcode.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/the-history-of-kuwait/
http://www.copleys.org/diary/2008/03/boat-trip-to-failaka-island/
http://sabahkamal.wordpress.com/2008/12/14/a-trip-to-failaka-island/
http://desertgirlkuwait.blogspot.com/2009/03/failaka-failacha-island.html
http://pelicansinkuwait.blogspot.com/2009/04/yalla-to-failaka.html
http://thisandthat-mirandian.blogspot.com/2008/03/day-trip-to-failaka-island.html
http://jessieinthemid.blogspot.com/2009/04/hannahs-visit.html
http://kuwait20072008.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html
http://www.dbck99.blogspot.com/
http://www.creiglow.com/KuwaitBlog_2.htm
http://io81.com/?p=143
http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/new-failaka/
http://buyousef.net/2006/02/
http://www.bizkitpark.com/2008/11/failakatrip.html
Please note that not all post are new some go back to 2005

More Photographs:
http://www.world-pictures.nl/image.php?g=29&i=138
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1995488
http://cjjaz.multiply.com/photos/album/33/KUWAIT_FAILAKA_ISLAND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/khergeorlin_georlin/2981380116/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urubamba/3315706702/

Join on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6636667609&v=info

Failaka Online Magazine:
http://webstarter.netbenefit.com/users/www.yallafailaka.com/index.php?f=data_home&a=6

Failaka Island - Leaving Kuwait

2009-11-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

Finally after pratically our whole life in kuwait we decided to go check out Failaka islands....

We took off early morning!! i heard that the fairy leaves by 8 so we reached there on time..at first we had diffculty in searching the place coz we were not going through marina...we found the ticket office way behind showbiz..

On arrival we noticed that it was packed...but we still manage to get tickets for us as well as our car!!

Problem at the counter: B had problems as we were carrying good amount of cash coz we didnt know how it would be out there...accidently the person on the counter took 20KD extra from B..when we realized it was a calculation mistake then we went back to claim it but by then they were like once your back from the trip we shall give u if we find extra money during the calculation...B got really annoyed on this..we left our phone number and got into the fairy...

It was a Bright Sunny day!! we went around the fairy once to see and then we got back into the car ...on the a/c and sat in..the heat was soo much we couldnt take it anymore...

After around 30-45 mins we reached...

Failaka Island - The First Building we Visited

2009-11-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

This was very prominant and looked like this particular one got bullets more than any other structures...

Its big inside and it goes up to 2 more floors if im not mistaken...

B and i were disccusing for quite some time as of what significance it must have had in those good old days...

We assume that it must have been an embassy building...

Failaka Island- Entering & Exploring

2009-10-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

This building was mentioned as the museum from outside..we wanted to go there but there was no road and it was closed...hmm...i would have loved to see what the had

This Golden mosque is the most noticed when u drive around...its golden and it shines when sunlight fall upon it!!

The Petrol station which was really really old..this was a machine used in 80's :)

There was a bank station too of burgan bank...but out of order..fix it guys!!

These were a few more structures we clicked on our way...

A few Outside view of the Heritage village !! where i had trouble communicating with the security..

It was soo annoying that i literally decided not to go in for it!

This is the main restaurant and hotel area...we stoped here to have some food coz we skipped our breakfasts and our tummies were upto a strike :)

We didnt eat from here but we decided to come to lunch later on!!

This was most probably a school or a factory!! we didnt go inside but by the looks of it i thinkso it was a school for sure...

We had finally we had some food from this beach burger-Mini Market!! it was no filling off course but it was food..we had two chicken burger meals...

There is a row of buggies waiting to be rented...alot of people went for it ..we also decided to go for it...but the heat was too strong for us!!

Near the beach burger -Mini market is the Wanasa beach ...you entry fees for it... they provide alot of activities such as jet skis, water skis, cruises to Maskan Island, fishing cruises, banana boat rides and much more !!

For more details their offical website is : http://www.failakaheritagevillage.com/

Failaka Island - Touristic Enterprises Company

2009-10-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

It was a long drive...we wanted to see what's there in this part of the island!!We didnt see any structures for quite some time!!

But last we found something that shocked us...it was Touristic Enterprises Company logo on a tower type structure.

we assume that maybe it was once a resort!!the place was huge...it had shops,mosque and a few other structures in it!!

Failaka Island-House where i found bullets

2009-10-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

B had told me that his friends had found bullets in Failaka...so even i wanted so see that after these many years how come they have not removed off all the bullets from the place !!

we entered a few houses that looked interesting but didnt find any..so we were heading towards boat paddling park and i happen to see this line of house that were identical to each other which looked very interesting to me!!

B was feeling very hot, so i went for it!! i went straight down and stopped at this particluar house...i donno why ..but i just felt so!!

the moment i entered i saw a hallway and light coming thru one of the rooms...when i went further down there was a big space with a tree inside that had tiny little purple flowers on it!!

It was beautiful!! It must have been the the living room and a garden attached to it!! (atleast thats what it looks like now )

There were bullets every where...it was as if the Iraqi soldiers went mad over this house!!

I found atleast 15 of them on the floor in the living room itself so imagine!! then later i saw that there is a big hole in the center..seemed like there was a blast!!

The Stairs were not safe and B wasnt there so i didnt want to risk going up and hurting my self so i went in the other rooms in the ground floor!!

I found the kitchen which was in a big mess and it was very dark but i spotted out a little oven!!

then came the bedroom...there were cupboards and toys on the floor..

After this i came out!! this house was filled with bullets...i dont even want to know what really happend in there!!

I was kind of overwhelmed so i ran to B asap!! :)

Failaka Island-Boat Paddling

2009-10-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Boat Paddling was something new to me...i have never done it but i am familiar with it :)

It costs only 1 KD per person!!

This was fun!! B and i was paddling reall hard...i was clumpsy with the left and right but its ok..it was my 1st time ;)

The place was surrounded with trees and ducks were swimming in the water ..we also saw goats on the side!!

It was beautiful!!
After leaving the park i was really thristy!!

Before more site seeing we decided to stop and have some drinks and B decided to have Baskin robbins-cotton candy and i took a lemon freez....

This baskin robbins is nothing like the ones you would see outside...it looked like a bakala..lol!!

The guy there didnt have a clue what he's selling..

This was the most weirdest baskin robbins we ever stepped into!!

Failaka Island-Last stop before leaving

2009-10-28T07:18:00.000-07:00

This Destoryed building is one of the first and last you would see coz the port is right opposite it!!

Before we leave i really wanted to see this building and get some shots but we couldnt take our car it so i decided to go in fast and come back asap.

It was soo hot that my feet and skin was burning!! but still i went for it!!

As i said earlier ,we didnt have a guide to guide us around so i really didnt know the significance of this particular building!!

This structure was one of the most interesting among all of them...

i was really curious so i went further down...there were shattered glass and bullets on the floor

inside the building in the center there was a tree which had some white flowers on it !!looked very preety!!

I couldnt go on the top floor as it as blocked coz of the shattered glass and wood planks...

so i decided to go into any room i find...didnt get any clues...

Then i saw a bathroom..i tried entering it but to my shock saw a big lizard...really huge one that scared the hell out of me..and i think i scared it too :s

well after that i went behind the structure to find another spherical shaped structure that looked like a fountain!!

I wanted to explore more but i couldnt it was really getting hot and i needed to walk back preety far...so i decided to save my enery and breath and go back...

On my way back i saw a beautiful big butterfly...

This structure was the only place i saw trees,butterfly and off course our lizard :)

Well, i assume its either a university or a government office!! :)

Leaving Failaka island

2009-10-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

The fairy was coming back by 3 ...we didnt want to miss it as it was the last to kuwait...

After all the heat finally we were finally leaving!! it was really really hot that day and we were preety sure that we have got a good ass tanning!! :)

This time we decided to go on top of the deck ,sit and enjoy the breeze ...

Overall all,it was a nice day!! Could have been better but now we know to prepare before we leave :)

pbase.com - Kuwait

2009-05-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

Please do check this site :

http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/kuwait

Amazing Photo's of kuwait....

Kuwait Towers- Kuwait City

2009-05-11T03:45:00.000-07:00

Damages done during the invasion:

The Gift Show:

The Cafeteria:

The View From the viewing sphere:

Located : on the Arabian Gulf in the area of sharq.

Designed by : The towers were designed by a Swedish company and executed by a Yugoslav company. They were built in 1975 and inaugurated in 1979. The plates that cover the balls are fifty five thousand in number. They are made of Chinese steel painted in eight different colors.

The main Tower: It is 187 meter above sea level and comprises two balls. The ground floor comprises the external applications and the training room.

Middle Tower: Its is 147 meter above sea level. A water tank with a capacity of one million gallons. A starting point for visiting the two towers and the surrounding area.

Small needle tower: It is113 meter above sea level. Controls the power that lights the two other towers.

Viewing Sphere : Open Weekends from 9:00 am to 23:00 am.

It is divided into two parts.

First Part: Fixed 120 meters in height. Full rotation every half an hour. Gift Shop, Cafeteria, Snacks and refreshments. Telescope installed for viewing the area surrounding the towers ( 250 fils each coin)

Restaurants:

Ofak Restaurant

Le Cafe :http://bndq8.blogspot.com/2009/05/le-cafe-kuwait-towers-breakfast.html

Al Waha

Royal Cafe

Al Juone Cafeteria

Enterance : 2.000 KD per head

Photography : Allowed

Kuwait Scientific Center-Jelly fish

2009-04-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Kuwait Scientific Center-The Shark zone

2009-04-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Kuwait Scientific Center-Coral Life

2009-04-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

Kuwait Scientific Center-Sea Zone

2009-04-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

These were a few bright eye catching beautiful fishes towards the end...

Al Hashemi & Al Boom

2009-04-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

Al Hashemi - Ballroom

2009-04-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Al Hashemi - Before entering the Ballroom

2009-04-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

View from the Open Terrace before entering the Ballroom

Top Outer part of the ballroom

Bathrooms :)

The door to the Kitchen

Al Hashemi-Gift Shop

2009-04-21T04:22:00.000-07:00

This is the Gift Shop in Al Hashemi museum....

There is a variety of souvenirs you can choose from....

Models of boats, cups, tshits, key chains, compass, models relating to the ships and sailing....etc

B's Gift to me :) its a beautiful Golden compass key chain....love it...

Al Hashemi- Inside the Museum

2009-04-21T02:43:00.000-07:00

Displayed inside are 12 boats (models) on each boat there is a description of its purpose and history.... Also there are framed photos of the building process of Al Hashemi , tools & knots etc....

Vikings :)

Different tools for the boat

The Tools

The Photos

Al Hashemi- Kuwait Neighbourhood

2009-04-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

It's apart of Radisson Sas ...In center there was a fountain and a seating area around it...around all this were rooms...

Al Hashemi- Back view as well as the Enterance

2009-04-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Sadu House

2009-04-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

After our amazing evening in Kuwait National Museum we went to the Sadu house...Its has a beautiful display of traditional weaving...

Location: Attached to Kuwait National Museum ,Gulf road

Timings:
Saturday - Thursday
8.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
4.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

Photography : its Say's not allowed but you can always be sneaky and click :)

Sites: http://www.odyssei.com/travel-tips/4729.html

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=ODgyMjEyNDA4

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=157209

http://www.mapsofworld.com/kuwait/tourism/sadu-house.html

More Images : http://travel.webshots.com/album/363818

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenzyyyy/3085103714/

http://nicoleb.org/b2/index.php/sadu-house-of-weaving-kuwait

http://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2006/12/09/more-sadu-house-photos/

Bloggers: http://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/sadu-house-opening/

http://www.together.com.kw/ShowArticle.aspx?AID=86

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=537064

Sadu House- Enterance

2009-04-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

This was the Enterance describing the Story of Weaving....

Sadu House- Its Sections

2009-04-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

Sadu House

2009-04-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

On display is the Charkha...The Charkha is a small device which can be used to spin fiber, such as cotton, into yarn. Fabric from this yarn can be used to make all sorts of clothing.

The Different Threads used ..

Also on display are Fine Golden Threads...

Traditional Outfil of Arab Men

Tha Hand woven Bridal outfit,beautifully embroidered with golden sequence.

Towards the end....the rooms/sections had a display of the variety of threads used as well as coloring for the clothes....

Small foot notes with description was given on each display...

Museum Of Modern Arts-Introduction

2009-04-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

Museum of Modern Arts is a Museum dedicated to all the very Artistically talented students....

Here they have showcased from structures to paintings....

Also Rooms with framed pictures of the early school days in Kuwait....

Location: Opposite Souk Sharq ....near Sapgo restaurant.

Entrance : Free

Photography: Allowed

Museum Of Modern Arts

2009-04-19T04:49:00.000-07:00

Museum of Modern Arts - Paintings

2009-04-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

Here are a few painitngs that were show cased in the Modern Art Museum.....

Museum Of Modern Arts-Top Floor

2009-04-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

The Top Floor is the overall view of all the collections from the ground floor...

It is a nice concept and a beautiful way to exhibit some of the very talented artists....

More Bloggers:

http://confashions.blogspot.com/2007/11/tour-at-modern-art-museum-of-kuwait.html

More pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13014156@N06/2630450172/

Beit Ghaith- Historical site

2009-04-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

This beautiful house is right next to the Museum of Modern Arts...

It has steel railed short gates and this house has a historical significance to it...

It showcases the Old Kuwaiti houses....

We went close to it but it was close....but when i checked the gates it was open...so i went in and knocked their big wooden doors and found it to be locked then i looked around and was going to the back when i heard a sheep in the house...well frankly speaking it frightened me a bit....then i went closer to the door to hear it clear and i felt the sheep or goat is some where in the house but a bit closer to the door....once i came out B also heard a rooster's sound....and he also happen to mention that the moment i opened the gates and stepped in the lights went off to the side...

Well the experience was slightly frightening but hey..it was fun....

Kuwait Maritime Museum-Coming Soon

2009-04-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Location: It is next to the Museum of Modern Arts...

Note : This is not yet opened....we have just clicked the outer view of the upcoming museum...

Dickson House Brochure

2009-04-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

This was the Brochure given to us @ Dickson House...

Location: Next to Beit Badr, opposite souk sharq

Timings :

Monday - Thursday

8:30 -12:30 & 4:30 to 7:30 pm

Friday & Saturday

8:30 - 11:30 am & 4:30 - 7:30 pm

Winter Afternoon-Visiting Hours are:

4:00-7:00 pm

Photography : Mentioned not allowed but if u ask they might allow.

Entrance cost: Free

Please note:

Carry your civil id with you. They will take your Civil id on arrival and give it back to you once your done with the tour.....

Also note that the guide is nice..be patient and you'll get a lot to know....

Dickson House- Cultural Centre

2009-04-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

This is the beautiful view of the Dickson house at night....

Recently we had gone to the Dickson house in the evening around 5...in the entrance they asked as for our civil id and let us in....

The first room towards our right was named as Rulers of Kuwait...Here they had all the Sheikh's portraits with the swords and a rifle in a glass display ...also another glass display wias the earliest currency notes from the British rule to now...

Lined up to the side was the flag of Kuwait from its initial designs to the current date one.

Then to your left you have the British in Kuwait ...where you can see the portraits of all the British commanders and colonel's who were in Kuwait and all had lived in the Dickson house...

The First Picture framed was of Colonel S.G Knox, he as the first political agent who took the house without making any changes to it, the rest of the other Agents had a few rooms built and it was modified as years go by....

In 1899,Dickson House became the British Political Agency and the residence of the British Political Agents in Kuwait until 1935.

Also a British flag is put up on the centre wall of the room...

In the center we saw a room filled with framed agreements between the British officials and Kuwait.

Also a few Photographs of the events that had taken place....beautiful black and white photo's...

While checking out the photographs a man comes up to B and talks to him when i arrived i see B a bit in shock and so was i..this person stood there staring at us..not speaking a word...then finally when we asked he said he was our guide...But he scared us both...

He again took us right from the start and explained us each room with its significance...

He also happend to mention a story about Mr. Dickson's Dream....There were photographs of Colonel Dickson standing in front of the dream tree, the tree which had a role to play in the discovery of oil in Kuwait

The dream was about he seeing this particular Big green tree for continous six days and that right underneath the tree was mineral water...when he mentioned this dream to his friends and sheikh they started searching for it and later found it behind a big wall...once they found it black thick water came out...go to see it was oil...'

He then later got agreements fixed and asked the britian to install machines to pump up oil...

The company is called has KOC

Dickson House is considered as one of the most historical house existing in Kuwait.

It is know to be the Only surviving example of the British -Indian colonial architecture in Kuwait which helps to over come the country's hot weather...

The roof top is the perfect example of Indian architecture...it is Sandal wood and Palm leaves

Also they have showcased books that were of economic use from Mr.& Mrs.Dickson.

This was Mr.Dickson's Car.... Humber..

He had mentioned it to us that all the valuables were destroyed by the Iraqi during invasion but we were wondering how the car is in perfect condition...

According to our guide the car was brought by a sheikh before the invasion but he never used so the National Council for Culture Arts & letters of Kuwait brought it back by giving in a heavy amount for it....

Back to its home....

Humber was a British automobile marque which could date its beginnings to Thomas Humber's bicycle company founded in 1868. In 1931 it was taken over by the Rootes brothers to become part of the Rootes Group. The range focused on luxury models, such as the Humber Super

Snipe.

After seeing the vehicle he showed us the place where he said earlier there use to be a stable but now its rooms...this place had a horse stable and a mini farm...

There was two horse named Black Dickson and White Dickson...also there is a small well till to date in the center...its white and round...

They use to farm chickens and small pigeons...and it was grass no flooring's....

This was the passage built to carry Mr. Dickson to the top floor once he was diagnosed with cancer or a leg problem that put him to a wheel chair...

This was their living room....As our guide described they had a small fire place in the centre...a radio on a table to the left side of the room ...Persian carpet on the floor and a leopard skin on the top left wall from India.

There were so many rooms... there in the top floor...ho showed us her study room/office where she use to do her work...then her room and her children room...and much more...

All the rooms are covered with pictures of them on the wall....

This was the area where Mrs. Dickson use to come and visit all the poor Bedouins...

According to the guide the Bedouins use to come up to to the doorstep for charity and Mrs.Dickson's assistant use to bring them up and ask them to sit here and inform Mrs. Dickson..meanwhile she would ear a hijab and come sit with them..talk to them and give them alms....every day she use to do this...she was a very kind and a generous female.

Also According to the guide..

Mrs. Dickson use to be very punctual...she use to always go for walks and in the evening sit outside in her veranda and have a sea view...sometimes her friends and co-delegates use to come visit her....
Mrs.Dickson was very tall in person...
Saud and Zahra left Kuwait at age 15 for further studies...
Mrs. Dickson always wanted to be buried next to her Husband Mr.Dickson but didnt get a chance as she passed away in UK during the kuwait invasion but later the UK embassy brought her body back and put both Mr & Mrs.Dickson in the gardens of UK embassy in kuwait.

Now about the guide...well he scared us a bit in the beginning..and we found him a bit weird and funny ..there were times we couldn't even hear him and he was from Pakistan...he reminded us of school dean or teacher coz he kept asking us about what he said earlier to see if we ere concentrated on what he was saying....and he didn't lt us look around till he finished with what he had to say...but overall very informative...gave us sooo much of details that we havent even read before this...

Our guide knew alot about the place..he was moving about each room and saying which furniture was placed where and what room was then and now...he knew so much about all of them like on a personal level that i was curious and asked him did u know them personally...He replied Yes......According to him...he knew Mrs.Dickson personally and stayed in the Dickson house till the very date of the Invasion...

His Father use to work at Dickson House as a cook for several years...he was a loyal and obident assistant and he died of a heart attack...after his death Mrs.Dickson use to send money to his family to pakistan on daily basis for our(now to be guide's)education...

Once he had completed his education his mother asked Mrs.Dickson to stop sending money and call her son to her so that he can serve her like his father did...then Mrs.Dickson got him to kuwait...upon arrival Mrs.Dickson asked him what work was he looking for and he said in the airport base...then he got work in kuwait airways...ground staff...he use to stay with Mrs.Dickson in Dickson house ....He said Ms.Dickson was like a grandmother to him..she always treated him like her grand child...

On the day of invasion he was at work and on hearing about the attack he could come back to the dickson house so he was staying with a friend...Mrs.Dickson was hospitalized and sent to UK soon.

This is how our guide knows sooo much about the Dickson house because he was there before invasion...

It was nice ...towards the end of our tour we actually enjoyed our experience in the Dickson house and learnt alot about Our Kuwait.....

More about Colonel Dickson & violet Dickson:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._R._P._Dickson

http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/mec/MEChandlists/GB165-0085-HRP-Dickson-Collection.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_Dickson

http://www.together.com.kw/ShowArticle.aspx?AID=142

Other blogger:
http://www.kuwait-unplugged.com/2006/10/visit-to-dickson-house.html

Web pages:

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTE5MTY2MzMwNA==

http://www.travel-images.com/photo-kuwait2.html

http://www.travel-images.com/photo-kuwait1.html

http://www.fotolibra.com/gallery/93657/dickson-house-kuwait-architectural-heritage/

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/faqdetails.asp?faid=625&faqid=9

http://ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-kuwait/our-embassy-in-kuwait/embassy-history

Kuwait National Museum

2009-04-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

The Kuwait National Museum Consists of :

The Kuwait Heritage Museum
Planetarium
Archaeological Museum
Boom Al Mouhallab
Beit Al Badr

Location: In Kuwait City before the Kuwait National Assembly.

Contact Number : 22451195

Entrance: Free

Please note: Carry your civil ids along with you as you have to leave them with on the country and you will be given a batch...once your done with the museums you can present your batch at the counter top and they will give your civil ids back.

Photography:Allowed except in Kuwait Heritage Museum.

More review on :

http://www.360dewan.com/?p=2533&cpage=1#comment-1569

Beit Al Badr- Kuwait National Museum

2009-04-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

This also come under the Kuwait National Museum.

This is an important historical landmark, built from mud and stony rocks with a raised ceiling of wooden baluster, sandal wood in some rooms ,thin rails and palm leaves.

It covers an area of 2,825 sq m and is a symbol of Kuwait's old architecture.

Now, how we landed here is a good story....we were out after our tour from Sadu House and i was walking down the street to see if there is anything else to see and i noticed this Diwaniya with open doors.. i enter halfway to take a peek and see what it is and i noticed a room with glass windows lited and the walls were covered with all the sheikh's paintings...it was beautiful but B and i thought we are entering someones private place so we moved out....

Then a person from the house comes out and calls us back and asks if we wanted to see and off course i wanted to...so we went in with him...he was an aged Indian assistant to the sheikh owning the place with alot of information about the house....he first took us to the small room where they all sit and watch TV and have their discussions..then he showed us the dinning area..which was really long...a long white table with plenty of chairs...around 40 people could accommodate there...

Then he showed us the rooms(the above pictures) we didn't get to go inside...here, the outer area is usually used to celebrate occasions and get togethers.

He also mentioned that Boom Al Mouhallab was owned by the ancestors of Beit Al Badar's owner.

He also offered us the Sheikh's Personal diaries where he has accounted all his deeds and doings during his lifetime....

We also met the current owner of the house...He was a nice kuwaiti gentleman to allow us in and visit the place as it was way past the visiting hours....We thanked him and his assistant for their time...and moved out...

Overall, a wonderful unexpected experience and got to meet nice down to earth people.

Loaction : Outside Kuwait National Museum. straight down from Sadu House.

Enterance : Free

Photography : Allowed

Planetarium - Kuwait National Museum

2009-04-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

This is also another part of the Kuwait National Museum.

Location : Kuwait National Museum

Contact number: 22451195/22456534

Enterance : Free

Timings : open upto 7 in the evening

Show timings:

Mornings:

1st Show : 10:00

2nd Show : 11:00

3rd Show : 12:00

Evenings:

1st Show : 5:00

2nd Show : 5:45

3rd Show : 6:00

Note : Friday & Saturday no morning shows

Links for more deails:
http://www.zeiss.de/de/planetarium/home_e.nsf/78be232b5368b1b2c12566fe003b2602/03b70b8506eb3767c1256ee80045c3c1?OpenDocument

http://www.bellagaia.com/files/site_images/news/2008/09/KuwaitEndorsement.pdf

http://www.scalingtheuniverse.com/media/Press_release-Uniview_at_Kuwait_National_Planetarium-Apr_2008.pdf

Archaeological Museum-Kuwait National Museum

2009-04-09T05:11:00.000-07:00

The Kuwait Archaeological Museum is also a part of the Kuwait National Museum.

This is in the enterance of the museum.

On the display are the Antique Lanters and lamps

These are Antique wooden carved door

They have diplayed all the important Kuwait Archaeological sites with their description and images....

Here it show the map of Failaka Islands and its Archaeological sites with description.

Displayed are more seals,buttons,crockery,jewelery...etc...

Entrance : Free

Location : Kuwait National Assembly

Photography: Allowed

Al Mouhallab Boom-Kuwait National Museum

2009-04-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful 1973 style sailing dhow, in the tradition of the great Kuwaiti sea-traders. It stands all and proud a the heart of the Kuwait National Museum, and was presented as a gift to the state after it set sail on its final trip in 1949.

Enterance : Free

Photography : Allowed

Note: You can only view the Dhow from out... inside is not open yet...

Kuwait Heritage Museum

2009-04-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

Kuwait Heritage Museum is in the Kuwait National Museum in Kuwait City before the National Assembly of Kuwait. ( it is inside the Kuwait National Museum)

It is an enlightening ,learning experience about a day in the life of old Kuwait.You pass through a maze of Kuwait where on the both sides of the narrow path,you will catch a glimpse of Kuwait's life,whether the old school or the market or simply the way traditional Kuwaiti house was furnished. A trip here is a step back in time,which will allow you to connect with Kuwait's oldest and most cherished traditions.

The stair ways and house display build with sandal wood on top and mud...

The Candle wax dummies ...depicts the markets

Here they have displayed the dhow experience...

Here are a few antique's on display such as gramophones, camera's, jewelry, clothing and alot more......

There's alot more to see...Its a wonderful experience and fun to be there... We enjoyed it...

Location : Kuwait City next to National Assembly

Entrance Fee : Free

Contact number :22451195

Note : Please carry in your civil id and they will provide u with a batch...you will receive you civil id's once your done with the museum

Photography : Not allowed ( but i clicked...sneaky me :)
Please note that camera's are installed to monitor ones behaviour....

Kuwait House of National Works -The Memorial Museum

2009-04-08T08:52:00.001-07:00

Somewhere around last month we visited The Memorial Museum...Now, B and i never knew that there is such a museum existing in Kuwait..
We didn't know the exact location so we call the number given for the museum and this lady answers the phone...well to my understanding shes got no knowledge of any language, she sounds rude and not helpful what so ever... We did have a vague idea that its in North Shuwaikh...
Finally we reach the museum and go inside to check what it is all about and so we meet the lady...she looks like a nightmare and as i said earlier no knowledge of any language... i rather talk to a wall for crying out loud... so we get the ticket which is 1 KD each and start our tour... we have a guide...and a brochure is handed over to us before we enter.

My reference : Kuwait Zoom Magazine

Contact number : +965 24845335

Location : If you are in Kuwait city : from Sheraton Hotel take the round about come towards the petrol pump side and then straight down the garden..take your 2nd right and go inside...its next to the Kuwait Journalist Association.

Entry fee: 1 KD each

Photography : Allowed

Time consumed: 1 Hour

Enterance of the Kuwait House of Natioanl Work Museum

2009-04-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is the entrance of the museum...after taking our tickets we were asked to wait in the hall for the previous batch to finish with their tour...In this waiting area/hall you have portraits of all the Sheikh's who ruled in Kuwait...

I am always Up and hyped about museums but it takes B some time to get excited...although he ends up enjoying it later :)

This museum is very impressive and very informative and a great tribute to the Gulf War...

Highly recommend ....

The Beginning of Kuwait

2009-04-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Inital stages of Kuwait
Civilization is traced back to 3rd millennium BCE.

3rd century BCE: Greeks colonize the island Faylaka.

1710 CE: The traditionally counted foundation of Kuwait, when the city of Kuwait was established by immigrants (Aniza) from the Arabian peninsula.

1756: The Sabah dynasty is established with a shaykh as the leader. The shaykhdom is nominally under Ottoman rule, but has de facto independence.

1899: When the Ottoman empire tries to take control over the shaykhdom with German aid, the shaykh asks for British assistance and protection, which he gets.

1914: Britain recognize the independence of Kuwait. Wahhabis of Najd in Arabia attack Kuwait after this.

1921: Peace between Kuwait and the Wahhabis is restored, after the British gave aid to Kuwait.

1922: Neutral zone established between Kuwait and Arabia.

1923: Borders between Iraq and Kuwait are drawn on the map.

1938: Petroleum is discovered.

1946: Gulf Oil Corporation, British and US owned, starts extraction of oil.

1951: The Kuwaiti shyakh gets control of half of the oil revenues, money that were used for developing the infrastructure and welfare services.

1961 June 19: End of British protection, the shaykh changes his title to emir.— Kuwait joins the Arab League. Iraq objects strongly to this and claims that Kuwait is part of their territory.— December: An assembly is set down to draft a constitution.

1963 January: The constitution is proclaimed. According to this, the emir has the executive power, organized with a group of ministers.—

January 23: A national assembly is elected.— October: Iraq gives up its claim on Kuwait.

1966: Saudi Arabia and Kuwait agree upon borders, and the neutral zone is dropped. The two countries also agree upon cooperation in exploitation of oil reserves in the border area.

1973: Rise in oil prices has tremendous positive effects on Kuwaiti economics.

1975: The Kuwaiti governments take full control over the revenues from the Kuwait Oil Company, as it had been renamed.

1976 August: The emir dissolves the national assembly.

1977: Shaykh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Sabah becomes new emir.

1981 February: A new assembly is elected.— Iran bombs Kuwaiti oil installations as a revenge to Kuwaiti aid to Iraq in their warfare against Iran. Shi'is living inside Kuwait participate in many destabilizing actions.

1985: Expulsions of foreign workers, mainly Shi'is, after political and violent actions from Shi'i groups. Most serious was an attempt on the emir's life. This year and the next, altogether 27,000 people have to leave.1986 July: The national assembly is once again dissolved by the emir, as it had been criticized cabinet members.

Here are some antiques from the early years of Kuwait civilization...

Here they have displayed the intial and final Flag of kuwait...

The Rule of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah And Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah.

(May their souls rest in peace)

Kuwaiti royal who as a member of the ruling Sabah family, served in a variety of government posts, including minister of the interior (1961–77), minister of defense (1965–77), and prime minister (1978–2003). As prime minister he headed a government-in-exile in Saudi Arabia during the 1990–91 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. When Emir Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah died on Jan. 15, 2006, Sheikh Saad immediately replaced him as emir in accordance with the constitution. A brief power struggle ensued, however, between the two branches of the Sabah family, and Sheikh Saad, then aged 76 and in extremely poor health, abdicated after only nine days. (On January 29 his cousin, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, was sworn in as emir.) Sheikh Saad, the eldest son of Sheikh Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah (who ruled Kuwait from 1950 to 1965), trained at the Hendon Police College in London and served as Kuwait’s deputy director of police (1959–61) until he joined independent Kuwait’s first cabinet. He was named crown prince in 1978.

Iraqi Attack

2009-04-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

This is very impressive display of the attack.... B and me were in kuwait during invasion and we have some vague memories still on to us...it was terrifying...this whole display just over whelemed me

This creative and impressive display can only be felt by the people who were actually here during the Gulf war...

Here they had model's of General , commanders & soliders ....
Depicting the war situation and meeting

It was a small tunnel like...on the bottom of the floor was a glass box...filled with sand and land mines...found from the war time...which is really amazing to see..

People travelling from country to country to escape the war and reach a safer zone or their home land....

War

2009-04-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

People trying to drive their way out of kuwait during the war..

A painting showing The handshake...

Saddam singled out one young British boy named only as Stuart and ruffled the child's hair.
Speaking through an interpreter, he asked Stuart if he was getting his milk.

The Iraqi leader told the group: "We hope your presence as guests here will not be for too long.
"Your presence here, and in other places, is meant to prevent the scourge of war."
They would become heroes of peace, Saddam added.
The detainees, who looked strained and nervous, were promised tuition for their children and given permission to write to their families.
At the end of the 30-minute taped appearance, the Iraqi leader posed for photographs with the hostages before shaking each one by the hand.
A spokesman for the Gulf Support Group, set up by relatives of stranded Britons, said the interview "made all of us feel sick".

On January 21, 1991, Iraqi forces opened valves at the Sea Island oil terminal and dumped oil from several tankers into the Persian Gulf. The apparent strategic goal was to foil a potential landing by U.S. Marines. The oil moved southward, ending up on the north coast of Saudi Arabia, endangering the fragile intertidal zones and mangrove forests and destroying wildlife habitats.
The immediate reports from Baghdad said that American air strikes had caused a discharge of oil from two tankers. Coalition forces determined the main source of oil to be the Sea Island terminal in Kuwait. American airstrikes on January 26 destroyed pipelines to prevent further spillage into the Persian Gulf. Several other sources of oil were found to be active: tankers and a damaged Kuwaiti oil refinery near Mina Al Ahmadi, tankers near Bubiyan Island, and Iraq's Mina Al Bakr terminal.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Sheikh Saad are shown together on this wall..

There was a Flat screen TV showing his famous speech in UN ,While in exile to Saudi Arabia during the First Gulf War (1990-1991)

Amazing display of the war which makes it so real....

The Celebration

2009-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here they have build a model of Kuwait Parilment house illustrating the celebration

The mini theatre where i guess they run war movies but because we had gone like late in the evening..we didnt get to watch it... :(

The Paintings and Illustration

2009-04-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

Here you can see our guide explaining us how the Iraqi's were changing the street and place names....

Now, Our guide was a very patient person... patient enough to bear with all my clicking :)
and was very informative...

The torture tools use to torture people into slow death and the families that were killed are painted on the wall....

The Martyr Wall...In honor to them and in order to be recognized...they have their picture and names on this wall..

Here they have displayed the POW's ...and how they were treated in Iraq

These are after the invasion...the victory paintings...

Weapons

2009-04-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here you can see more of the weapons used , A kuwait airways aircraft model and towards the end an incubator from a destroyed hospital.

Display of Currency

2009-04-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

Early Kuwait's Currency and coins are also on display....

More Landmark Destruction

2009-04-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

Here the walls are divided on the destruction of important places in Kuwait..with their photos...

Hall of Peace

2009-04-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

This whole section is dedicated to all the countries who helped us during invasion

The List for the Coalition military forces:

United States, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Egypt, France, Syria, Pakistan, Morocco, Oman, Canada, UAE, Qatar, Bangladesh, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Niger, Senegal, Spain, Bahrain, Belgium, South Korea, Afghanistan, Czechoslovakia, Argentina, Philippines, Greece, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, & Norway.

Kuwait House for National Works-Museum

2009-04-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

This is after the Hall of peace...

Here they have kept the car number plates from invasion time, the weapons ,the transmitter , the stuff used by the military and a few newspapers dating back to 1990...

Towards the end

2009-04-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

This was towards the end of the whole tour...it shows the capture of Saddam and the death of his children and also in the show case was his gold embroidered disdasha.

First our guide showed us this big red screen where they had put up the capture of Saddam and the reactions of Iraqi generals.

They the last was his statue...

This 12-metre tall Statue was one of Iraq's newest Sculptures erected in honor of Saddam Hussein's 65th birthday in April of 2002. In May of 2003 a group of Iraqi artists raised a new statue where Saddam used to stand. The Iraqi artists describe, "the new sculpture is seven metres (23 feet) high and shows a symbolic Iraqi family holding aloft a crescent moon and a sun." This Statue was taken don by US military troops on 9th April 2003 and was brought to this museum according to our guide.

Hangouts in Kuwait

2009-04-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Well, People who are born & brought up in Kuwait...love the country, we find things to do all the time...its a challenge to get new things to do every day....

Fun is always categorized into Parties, Clubbing, Alcohol and etc.... off course we do like parties and clubbing but by the end of the day we would be happy with what we get around us..rather than crib and cry about something that is banned and criticize the government....

Yes we are always said that Kuwait is just eating out and shopping...but on our blog we try and get the true essence of Kuwait by letting are readers know that there are some places which are actually fun to visit and wouldn't cost you much...