I saw on Jazeera airways website that flights between Kuwait and Iraq are back on track after twenty years of discontinuation, Jazeera airways will now have two flights a week to Al Najaf airport. I also overheard that there’s a possibility that more Iraqi cities will be added in soon future.
Let’s hope that things will go smoothly.
Ever tried camel burger? camel pastry? ok camel milk ice cream? no? I can imagine the look on your face when you read camel burger but actually there’s this one restaurant in Dubai that serves it, and I couldn’t miss the chance to at least taste it!
The restaurant is called The Local House and is located at Bur Dubai, specifically at Bastakiya, everything was about camels, the menu, the burgers, the pastries and even the ice cream.
I ordered their signature camel burger, along with camel pastries and ice cream. Guess what? The burger tasted good but meat was dry (forget about tenderness & fatness of cow beef), the meat was also slightly hard to chew but along with the sauce it tasted good, at least for me.
Also pastries were made with camel meat.
Finally ice cream with camel milk, the place looked traditional. I’m going now to buy camel meat and make my own burger, so who’s in?
I was searching over the 5-star hotels in Kuwait and found out that we only have 10, honestly I thought we had more. It turned out there are several hotels that are about to open and I think this is because the government had announced about a plan to turn Kuwait into a financial center couple years back.
Jumeirah Messilah: I’m waiting for this one which covers 55,000 Sq. meter area and expected to open on September 2012 because I heard many great stuff about it including a private beach, 80 suites, 12 villas, 6 restaurants, two ballrooms, Spa and more. Its located at Messilah area just beside Messilah beach.
InterContinental: I see it every time I’m driving on Gulf road nearby Sultan Center, I’m loving the location and the architectural design especially the entrance but there will be no private beach. I suspect the room window view will be amazing, I was told that it will open probably next September or October 2012.
Salmiyah Hotel: This is isn’t exactly a 5-star hotel but the company promised to deliver 5-stars experience, located on Fahaheel express way at Salmiyah and from what I saw that its in the final stages of construction, the cost is 35 Million KD. Some of the facilities include 300 rooms and royal suites, 3 ballrooms, restaurants..etc.
Radisson Blu Hotel: This one is not new but its currently under a total renovation and will soon have a face-lift on the outside and inside as well, I’ve seen some of the after photos and it looks amazing though I’m not yet sure when it will be re-opened?
Hotel Missoni: This one is a relatively new (opened March 2011) but until now its my favorite hotel in Kuwait, I just love how it was designed and furnished. See my previous post about it here
So did I miss anything? Though I hope with the opening of these new hotels the room rates will decrease.
I paid the Global Village in Dubai a visit and as I walking by the entrance I glanced at the Kuwaiti flag waving in distance, I came closer to see a Kuwaiti-like-village that was designed to resemble old Kuwait architecture with the a clock tower that resembles the one at Seef Palace, nice.
Inside it has old Kuwaiti souk with mostly traditional items such as caftans, perfumes, and accessories. I liked the idea it helps foreigners that visit Dubai to get to know more about Kuwait.
As for the Global Village, its a nice place to visit but I think its only open two months a year and that’s February and March.
Today while shopping at Dubai Festival City and out of nowhere I spotted old times Wendy’s! Just seeing the logo brought back zillion of childhood memories.
I still remember when they opened it at Salem Mubarak street in Salmiyah, I was there almost every weekend but it was closed forever, well there were news about re-opening it but nothing so far.
It was opened in 2010 in Dubai and its only available in U.A.E, the staff was laughing at me when they saw my reaction and saw me taking photos they are naware of the nostalgic memories it brings back. How can I tell its Wendy’s? Its their square burger of course.
They said Arby’s was also there but it was closed a year ago, god we need Wendy’s and Arby’s back in Kuwait, still don’t know why they were closed in first place.
I heard about this world’s highest restaurant at Burj Khalifa so-called, At.mosphere, which they say located at the 122th floor, that’s 1,350ft (422 metres) from the ground, now that’s high!
I called them to make a reservation but guess what? Its fully reserved for the next one week! Though I managed to visit the lounge and its nice place tobe when you are in Dubai though make sure to make a reservation 2 weeks earlier.
They also say the minimum charge is 500 Dhs and the most expensive plate is their 50 KD lobster, they basically serve stakes and I’m looking forward to try it so I’ll try to contact their management for a review.
My question is that does it worth a visit? or is it just a super expensive meal at 422 meters high?
I finally managed to get a reservation for Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa as it was always fully booked, it was opened back in 2010 and I heard a lot of buzz about it.
I got the single room for 2000 Dhs (about KD 160), I stepped inside to see a very luxurious lobby, the design was elegant in every tiny detail.
I can tell you its one of the most finest hotels that I’ve seen so far, there are 160 rooms designed and crafted by designer Giorgio Armani himself.
As can be expected from Armani’s designs, the hotel is super luxurious and sophisticated from its curved walls clad in luxurious fabrics and handmade leather, to the liquid metal finish on the oak tables and bespoke Armani Casa furniture.
It has 5 restaurants, a retail and spa area, swimming pool, and a gym spread out on 6 floors. Luxury aside, the room was spacious and smartly designed where everything can be controlled with the remote (lights, door, curtains, and even call to reception).
I also liked the security measures where the elevators won’t operate without the room card, the staff was also professional and attentive.
Luckily I could see Dubai mall and the musical fountain from my window, amazing especially at night.
I liked how the room has living hall along with visitors toilet separated from the bedroom, there were also free high speed WiFi.
Beside the high price, the shortcomings were the relatively small gym, swimming pool, also I noticed that when I call reception there’s a slight delay, and finally comes the low rooms availability.
I passed by Virgin Megastore today at Dubai mall to buy movies and when the workers knew that I’m from Kuwait they were asking why did Virgin Megastore in Kuwait shutdown, I didn’t know how to answer really.
There are 8 Virgin Megastore branches in Dubai and all are running compared to one small branch in Kuwait that couldn’t survive.
Today I’ll share with you my thrilling experience for my test-drive experiences for one of the world’s most desired supercars, Ferrari, at Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit.
Guess what? it was thrilling by all means, we were the only representatives from Kuwait (Thanks to Al Zayani agency) to try the Ferrari California 2012 on a real Formula 1 track in Abu Dhabi.
I arrived at the Yas Hotel where a group from Ferrari Middle East and International F1 drivers were waiting for us in the lobby, then we straight ahead went to the race circuit where they explained to us the driving rules.
My blood pressure was rising, my adrenaline was bumping as I sat behind the wheel facing a speed track, I knew I can drive as fast as I can not fearing speed cams.
We were giving a total of 14 laps, I drove with speeds exceeding 250 KM/Hr but the steep turns weren’t easy but Ferrari excellent handling made the scary maneuvers fun!
Guess what? That wasn’t everything because we were also given the chance try the wet-track drifting and I can tell you guys that Ferrari traction-control is astounding, I was literally trying to get it to slip, seriously.
I was enjoying the Ferrari engine sound, using F1 manual gearbox is a lot fun than the automatic mode.
We were given an F1 driving certificate from Ferrari and took a Fishfayce shot, it was a long thrilling and full of action day that I’ll never forget.
At the end of the test-driving event, we thanked Ferrari Middle East team for this thrilling experience, we tried to take many shots so you can feel like you were with us.
I saw this video made my Kuwaiti skydiver, Mohammad Al-Refaei, celebrating Kuwait National Day at 14,000 feet high (4270 meter) in Florida Zhills skydive city, cool.
I’m seriously considering to experience the feeling of skydiving!
Thanks [18seven]
During my two nights visit to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi I chose Yas Hotel for my stay, its located within the Formula One Circuit.
Its a 5-star hotel and single room costs 1,110 Dhs (about 80 KD) per night. I’m sure many of you have seen it already because it has a catchy exterior design with nice blue LED lighting.
I noticed how the interior design was made to resemble speed and movement with curvy corridors and lines.
The single room was bigger than the other hotels with many smart features like controlling the lights with a remote control, the bed was big and comfortable, free fast WiFi service, nice seating area, and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Looking outside my window I could see the racing cars and the marina view.
Stuff like bathrobe, hair blower, safe, towels were also provided. The Hotel has 4 restaurants (International, Sea Food, Chienese, Arabian), gym, open-air bar, swimming pool, spa, outside seating area, and nice lobby.
Some of the downsides I observed were; room blacony won’t open, telephone is located away from the bed, and pricing can get even higher on weekends or during events, and ordering dinner can be pricey.
I enjoyed my stay at Yas Hotel and I recommend you to try it when ever you visit Yas Island.
