Every time I drive across Sharq on Gulf Road and stop by the traffic light near the new Central Bank of Kuwait and across Sharq Market I see the signs for Heritage Village Project and start to wonder why it’s taking this project forever to complete. I remember I was so excited when I first read about this touristic project on the papers but that was many years ago and the project seems to be in long suspension period. So this time I decided to have a look inside and try to find someone to ask if there’s an on going issue preventing the project from being completed.
Inside I saw no one was working (well actually no one at all), the work site seemed rather deserted and all I saw was a small temporary site office so I approached it to see if anyone is there, and out of nowhere a security man suddenly appeared yelling “photos not allowed this is public property”, he kinda got me freaked at first. I asked him about the project progress and if there’s any works going on, he said the works stopped for long time and that project was there since 2005 (that’s over 7 years) but he has no idea why works were suspended. The Heritage Village initial cost was around 22 Million Dinar and covers around 82,000 sq. meter and it was supposed to envisage Kuwait past in a modern way with mud-like buildings, so it’s basically an old Kuwaiti styled village with classic shops, mosques, cafe shops, exhibition halls, a hotel… etc.
I’m not sure who’s the main contractor and what is the underlying issue but all I know is that the project was implemented on B.O.T basis, any idea?
I was having an early breakfast today at Al Seef strip, it feels great being on vacation and enjoying morning time, and when I left I saw that Kuwait National Museum was nearby, it’s been ages since I’ve been there so I decided to take a quick tour around it to see what’s new. Inside I saw they just displayed rare gallery of Kuwait Constituent Assembly, this was the first ever parliament in Kuwait dated back to 1961. The gallery was organized to celebrate the golden jubilee of Kuwait Constitution and includes seldom photos of the events and circumstances of the establishment of the Constituent Assembly 1961, I liked how photos were processed and displayed using pop art which I think gives them more aesthetic and contemporary feeling.
There were photos for the first parliament elections and convened sessions, reading the background history of each photo was informative. Though the sad part of the my tour is that I observed our National Museum needs total renovation, buildings and facilities must be renewed to attract natives and expatriates since it represents one of the major attractions in Kuwait. The National Museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 12:30 om and from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm except weekends.
After my exciting historical venture to the Red Palace in Jahra back in April 2012, many of the blog visitors sent me emails and comments requesting exact road directions for locating the Red Palace but I was unable to describe the exact location because I also got lost. Great news; there will be a guided tour to the 100 years old Red Palace where visitors will be taken around the palace, buses for transportation and refreshments will also be provided for KD3 per person. Read about my visit to Red Palace [link]
Remember Ahmadi Drive-In cinema? A friend shared this photos with me for Ahmadi Drive-In cinema ruined and forgotten, this scene just tear my heart into shreds. If I remember correctly the Drive-In cinema was first opened in 1974 and was the first of its kind in the Arab World with a capacity of 304 cars and 310 seats on the roof of the building, cars used to park in front of a big screen in the open with A/C hoses provided (see above) for the cooling and there were speakers placed nearby the car windows.
I recall the last time I visited the Drive-In Cinema was back in early 90′s but later it was shutdown and I’m not sure why? I wish Cinescape renovate the cinema, after all watching a blockbuster movie in the open in this amazing weather is absolutely fun.
A friend sent me a picture for a new silver commemorative coin (above) released by Central Bank of Kuwait to celebrate 50 years anniversary for issuance of the Constitution (Golden Jubilee). The silver coins cost KD40 and golden KD155 (gold plated), they are available at the Central Bank. I liked the golden one, guess coins collectors will like to get them.
Every time I drive across Sharq on Gulf Road and stop by the traffic light near the new Central Bank of Kuwait and across Sharq Market I see the signs for Heritage Village Project and start to wonder why it’s taking this project forever to complete. I remember I was so excited when I first read about this touristic project on the papers but that was many years ago and the project seems to be in long suspension period. So this time I decided to have a look inside and try to find someone to ask if there’s an on going issue preventing the project from being completed.
Inside I saw no one was working (well actually no one at all), the work site seemed rather deserted and all I saw was a small temporary site office so I approached it to see if anyone is there, and out of nowhere a security man suddenly appeared yelling “photos not allowed this is public property”, he kinda got me freaked at first. I asked him about the project progress and if there’s any works going on, he said the works stopped for long time and that project was there since 2005 (that’s over 7 years) but he has no idea why works were suspended. The Heritage Village initial cost was around 22 Million Dinar and covers around 82,000 sq. meter and it was supposed to envisage Kuwait past in a modern way with mud-like buildings, so it’s basically an old Kuwaiti styled village with classic shops, mosques, cafe shops, exhibition halls, a hotel… etc. 
[Gallery not found]
Remember Ahmadi Drive-In cinema? A friend shared this photos with me for Ahmadi Drive-In cinema ruined and forgotten, this scene just tear my heart into shreds. If I remember correctly the Drive-In cinema was first opened in 1974 and was the first of its kind in the Arab World with a capacity of 304 cars and 310 seats on the roof of the building, cars used to park in front of a big screen in the open with A/C hoses provided (see above) for the cooling and there were speakers placed nearby the car windows.
I recall the last time I visited the Drive-In Cinema was back in early 90′s but later it was shutdown and I’m not sure why? I wish Cinescape renovate the cinema, after all watching a blockbuster movie in the open in this amazing weather is absolutely fun.
