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A couple weeks back myeslf a friend went to rent jet ski and we saw guys getting into the water and leaping in the air like a dolphin, I asked what’s the name of the machine they are using? They said its called Flyboard.

The wearer straps his or her feet into shoes that are attached to powerful water jets, providing lift, with hand-guided nozzles stabilising the flight, fun. They said price is KD2,200 , I’m going to try it after Ramadan.

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I always dreamed to fly high over Kuwait city and enjoy the view but I thought that its not allowed, plus there’re no touristic copters or sky dive in Kuwait. But guess what? Our friends from Kuwait Aviation Team has shared with us amazing photos that they took while flying a paramotor (powered paraglider) over Kuwait City at 10,500 feet (3,200 meter) high.

Good news is that they said anyone can enjoy flying over Kuwait with a special captain who will fly the paramotor so no special training or license needed, cool.

I asked how much? they said KD25 for 25 minutes flying. Sadly they said currently they only fly over Khairan because flying over Kuwait City is only allowed during specific times of the year. I’m defintely going to try it when Kuwait City tour is available!

Though I guess one must have a really brave heart to fully enjoy, so who’s in?

Phone: 60009996

Via [Kuwait Aviation Team]

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I passed by the newly opened racing simulator so-called Racing Room today at Baroue in Avenues Mall, I think this is the first racing simulator in the Gulf. I love simulators because you could enjoy all the physical effects and feeling of real racing experience minus the dangers of course.

[Watch on YouTube]

Inside they had six professional simulators with all the gears such as surround speakers, break and acceleration paddles, sexy steering wheel with gear shift buttons, comfy seat and high resolution screen, there’s even a clutch paddle for the manual driving, cool.

I talked with the supervisors who explained that friends can enjoy real racing and real cars to race each other, and those who get the highest scores will be added to the international score board, any new driver can create an online profile for him/her and save the information on a card so everytime they come they just need to swipe the card and bingo.

I sat behind the wheel to see if it feels real, guess what? It does, I liked how the steering wheel vibrates as you drive, also sound system was great but I wish graphics was even better.

There’s also a big screen for spectators, you could either challenge your friends or the world through an online network. They said the price is KD2.5 and 400 fils if you want to get a card with your profile saved.

I’m definitely going again with my friends for a challenge.

Address: The Avenues – Baroue

Phone: 51109799 

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We were informed by Q8 Expats Photography Club that they are organizing a Star Trail photography workshop today and everyone living in Kuwait who is in photography is invited. The idea is  to keep camera rolling for hours to take pictures of stars at different locations in Kuwait at preset intervals, and then join all the images to form a sky filled with circular lines (like picture above), sounds thrilling,

Below are the gears you will require to get the best results.

1. DSLR
2. A sturdy tripod
3. Cable release/intervalometer
4. Extra batteries
5. High capacity memory card
6. Torch/Lights/Flash (for light painting)

Gathering point:  The Sultan Centre besides McDonald’s on 4th Ring Road.

Time: 4:30PM exact, they will wait for everybody for half an hour and will depart to final location at 5:00PM

To see the locations here

Thanks [Haroon Hashmi]

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I was informed by Historical, Vintage & Classic Cars Museum that they’re organizing a photography competition for the classic cars at the museum in Shuwaikh area, and there will be cash prizes up to KD1,000 for winners. The deadline is 20 June, 2012

Competition Categories:

Best photo for a classic car.

Best photo for a classic car logo.

Best photo in Black & White.

Phone: 66005261

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Since my early years I always read and heard many stories about the Red Palace but never had the chance to actually visit it, all I knew was that it has red walls and that its located at Jahra, literally! So be ready for a historical adventure that will take you back in time to see what really it is, buckle up.

It took me sometime to locate it at south of Jahra and when I finally arrived I saw absolutely no one, I even thought that it was abandoned but thankfully the guard suddenly appeared of nowhere and this is when my amusing tour begun. Once the gate was opened, I saw a big courtyard with some scattered trees, a camel, and a well in the center, I noticed that they did a good job maintaining the palace.

Stories say that it was built by Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah back in 1897 and was called red because it has red walls (Red mud used to build it), it became popular after the famous battle of Jahra in 1920 where it was used as a fort to defend the surrounding areas. Its total area is around 6,500 Sq. meter and there are 33 rooms or chambers and three wooden gates with holes for shooting, there were towers too.

Currently, the red palace is used as a historical museum, the first room had a title “Hunting” and inside I saw the tools and techniques old Kuwaitis used for hunting animals.

Hunting tools below.

Hunting technique:

Weapons room: In this room they display the weapons old Kuwaitis used in battles, there were rifles, daggers, canon, and swords.

An old fighter.

A Canon.

Al Sadu (weaving) room: The term “Sadu” is an old Kuwaiti word for “Weaving Process” which was an old craft in Kuwait, in here you can see what tools and materials they used in the past to make clothes and fabric.

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[Watch on YouTube]

Recall my post about my Ferrari driving experience at Aby Dhabi Yas Marina circuit, I uploaded another cool video for a ride with the international Formula One driver Marc Gené. He was driving with speed exceeding 250 KM/Hr.

See my previous post here

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April is all about surprises, isn’t it? April’s fool aside, I decided to make you a list of all the enjoyable events and activities that we will have on April in Kuwait, so let’s go through them:

French Short Movie Festival:  Organized in Kuwait for the first time in partnership with Cinescape and Festival International du court-métrage de Clermont-Ferrand. During two nights they will screen short movies fromaround the world selected and awarded by the international short film Festival of Clermont-Ferrand.

Where: Cinescape Laila (Salmiya, Laila Gallery Complex)

When: 9 & 10 April from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Kuwait Rally 2012: This seems really cool event to attend, photo shooters will also love it, there will be over 20+ teams, I’m glad we’re having more Rally championships in Kuwait. See more here

Where: Near Khiran resort

When: 12 -14 April

Q8 Raft Competition: Are you into sports? Marina Crescent beach will  have a fantastic 3-day series of sport events including beach football, beach volleyball, and rafting competition, so are you up to the challenge?

Where: Marina Crescent beach

When: 26 – 28 April

above image via [link]

International Autism Day: I don’t know if you are aware but today (2nd April) is the International Autism Day and they will be celebrating it at Kuwait Center for Autism, I was there last year and had the chance to meet up with the boys, they really need our support.

Where: Kuwait Center for Autism – Mishref, see more here

When: Today

Reuse 5.0 expo: Care about the environment? Reuse is nice expo where companies and aspiring creative talents showcase their ideas in the fields of social responsibility and sustainability related to preserving our environment and raising awareness on the recycling concept. See more here

Where: ACK

When: 19 – 21 April

Ambassadors of comedy event: Need some laughs? Personally I do, there will be a stand-up comedy show featuring Nitin Mirani (AKA King Of UAE Comedy), Dean Obeidallah, and Aron Kader. Guess what else? The money will be donated to an orphanage.

Where: American International School

When: 27th April, Friday 2012 Time: 7:30pm, for reservation Click Here

Kuwait Hot Air Balloons festival: I read there will be international participations from many countries such as France, US, Britain, Italy, Poland, Russia, Latonia, and others. The design for the biggest hot air balloon in the shape of Kuwaiti flag was also approved by H.H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Sabah.

 Where: Not announced yet. See more here

When: April

Are you aware of more events for April? We’re more than glad to share them.

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I see that Loyac has started the registration for their summer program, I think their summer program is great for youths especially if they are not travelling or having an intense summer course, the program helps participants invest their long summer holiday and get practical experience in several activities, trust me this really helps with the future job.

Another great thing is that registration is open for all nationalities for youths aged 16-27.

To register click here

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Do you have any questions about the Avenues Mall new expansion? We have received an official invitation by the Avenues management for a site-visit to the under-construction Phase III of the mall.

The Phases III will include luxury retail brands, Traditional Kuwaiti souk, Urban shopping experience, and Traditional bazaar. We promise to get you exclusive photos, information, and when will be the completion date.

Note: Please submit your questions before 1:00 pm tomorrow.

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Many of us either saw him at Sharq Market Starbucks or opposite to Fanar complex for many years, he was featured on TV, magazines, and even local blogs, a big tough guy riding Harley-Davidson bike known as Shark of Kuwait. While I was at Souk Mubarkia, I spotted him sitting along with friends at a traditional Kuwaiti cafe so I thought of making an interview with him to get to know him better.

[YouTube link]

Frankly, as soon the conversation went on I begun to see how nice and friendly he actually is, it was fun listening to his thrilling stories and adventures.

Its interesting how’s he’s able to blend with traditional culture despite his different style, the people at Souk Mubarkia like him a lot and I must admit that the style of his living is inspiring. My first question to him was “Why the name Shark?”, he explained that this name was there since his early years where each boy used to be called with a certain name “I always loved sharks, they inspire me” he added.

Luckily I managed to shoot a video interview with him and was able to ask him several questions, some of his hobbies include bikes, shooting, diving, travelling, swimming, and parachuting.

If you wish to talk with Shark of Kuwait you can find him at the traditional cafe located at Souk Al Gharabally, thanks to Shark of Kuwait for this nice interview.

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