Al Mohalab Mall / Titanic Mall, Hawally, Q8

When once we had to stop at a traffic signal, I saw a building whose top was like that of a ship. We were attracted by the design and decided to find out what the building is? And guess, what it is – a mall, Al Mohalab Center. We found that it is a mall with a difference. It is a health centric mall. It has five floors of which the first to fourth floor has shops of many international brands, offers a wide range of boutiques, exclusive specialty stores and designer boutiques and restaurants. The fifth floor houses Spa Time(for women) and Men Time (Spa for only men); Nutrition and Diet Center; A Facial Center ; Lavender Massage Parlour; Al Fozen Dental Clinic; A Family Health Center and office of Al Mohalab administrative staff. The interior of the mall is contemporary and stylish. The fourth floor has a cines cape. If shopping, watching movies and devouring scrumptious snacks are listed in your scheme of things then mark Al Mohalab Centre as your ultimate destination. Located on the Muthana Street, Hawally area, behind the Hawally Park, the Al Mohalab Mall is also known as The Titanic Mall, due to its shape, which resembles the deck of the boat. On one side of the mall is the College of Business Studies (Women) and on the other side is the International Media Academy. An interesting point to be noted is that like other malls it was not overcrowded and we did not find any people of other nationality other then Arabic people which you will not find in other malls. Also it has a multi-level parking facility. Anyway we liked the mall. Our next destination was the Hawally park.

Hawally, Q8

For the last few days, weather is pleasant, good to move around and enjoy the outdoors. Yesterday the entire day we were out. We decided to explore Hawally. We did visit Hawally few times, as our friend Dr Debashis and Dr Ranjita along with their only son stays here. But we never visited the area with the idea of exploring; our visit was to their house or to Hawally Park. Hawally is a large suburb and the commercial center for most computer-related goods in Kuwait. Prior to the first Gulf War, it housed a large number of the Palestinian population in Kuwait, but many Palestinians were expelled after the War. Currently, Hawally is a home to many of the Arab populations in Kuwait.
The Al Qadsiya sports club also resides within Hawally . Its football stadium is one of the most famous in Kuwait and is a popular venue for many international matches that happen within the region.It also has The American School of Kuwait (A.S.K.). Hawally has its own theme park called Hawally Park. It also boost of two well known hospitals- New Dar Al Shifa Hospital and Royal Hayat Hospital . New Dar Al Shifa Hospital, is the branch of Dar Al Shifa Hospital, first private hospital in Kuwait, started in 1961. Dar Al-Shifa was initially launched as a private maternity hospital in Kuwait. The hospital bloomed and progressed to offer Pediatric care, ENT, Internal Medicine. As continuity to the great success; A New Dar Al-Shifa Hospital location was established in Hawally city, equipped with the latest international medical technology and run by highly competent American and European experienced medical staff of all areas and expertise. The hospital emphasized its concern to offer utmost comfort to its patients by providing prestigious suites and luxurious rooms especially designed to create a cozy home atmosphere accompanied with a warm personalized attendance in patients care. Royal Hayat Hospital has redefined hospitability in hospitals. It is world’s first luxury hospital. To have a tour of this wonderful hospital check the website royalhayat

KOC / Ahmadi / Festival Of Light, Q8,2010

The Kuwait Oil Company is one of the largest oil companies in the world. Kuwait's economy is heavily dependent on this particular state-run organization and it is the backbone of Kuwait’s economy. The company is involved in many activities relating to oil and natural gas exploration. The Kuwait Oil Company was formed in 1934 as a joint venture between the British Petroleum Company (BP) and the Gulf Oil Corporation (GOC). The two partners had equal shares in KOC. Large oil fields, such as the Burgan field were discovered prior to World War2 but the development of the oil industry began after the war, and triggered a large influx of foreign investments into Kuwait. The first commercial exports of oil from Kuwait were made in 1946. There were other very large new finds in the 1950s and 60s which allowed Kuwait to become a major exporter of oil and gas.An oil town was set up in Ahmadi for the people to stay, who works at KOC. Offices, hospital, shopping complex, banks etc are all there in the Town. The appearance of the town is like a typical British town with thousands of trees lining the streets with beautiful big bungalows. Every year the "Festival of Light" takes place here to commemorate the National and Liberation Day. The entire Ahmadi area, including streets, parks, offices, trees, churches and houses are beautifully decorated with lights. Firework displays takes place in the evening. This year KOC is celebrating its 75 years of its establishment, so the decoration of light was aggrandize then the previous years.



While walking on the walking track, you will hear pleasing Arabic music and songs. At first you will be surprised as to where from it is coming. After a close look at things around you, you will notice a stone/ tree trunk (difficult to tell at first glance) like structure on a green color stand. Guess what it is? To our surprise we found it’s a speaker. You will find one at walking distance of 3-4 minutes. So you can walk listening to sweet Arabic music. Not only that, sitting area’s and water filters are also there at a walking distance of 15-20 minutes. All these prove, the company takes care of its employees a lot.

To know more about its 75Th Celebration, check the website:
http://www.75koc.com/Enindex1.html

Bakala, Q8

"Bakala” – is a phrase use to describe a Mini Departmental store in Kuwait.Small but it has almost everything under the sun, you just name it. They are attached with residential apartments and in case you need anything, just make a call, they will deliver at your place for free. GREAT isn't it??

View of Q8

Took the picture from the 8Th floor of our building.

Marina Waves, Q8

Friday sandstorm subsided, but we could not plan a full day trip as Jeet had to go to Fahaheel to buy fish and had some work with the printers for our Assam Association magazine which he did in the morning hours. So he took us to Marina Waves in the afternoon.A part of the Marina World in the Gulf Road, it is created for people who love to remain active. It’s a three storey leisure complex, specializing in land and sea activities loved by thrill seekers of all ages, all year round. We did not take part in any games, as it’s difficult with MEHR. It has restaurants and you can have coffee, enjoy and observe others taking part in the various sports activities.Marina Waves introduces motorized and non- motorized water activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boating, sailing and windsurfing. Motorized sports includes skiing, knee and wake boarding, para sailing, doughnut and banana boating as well as jet skiing. For the first time in Kuwait, rock climbing was introduced here bringing more diversity in the activities offered by Marina Waves. Whether visitors wish to rent a bike or a yacht, they can do all of that under one roof in a friendly family like atmosphere and can still enjoy a quick snack or modern cuisine.
Mr. Ahmad Al Ameeri- Managing Partner rightly said: "At Marina Waves, we will bring three things together under one roof: Recreation, Shopping and Dining. Our aim is to offer an unmatched recreational environment that suits everyone, all year round". Marina Waves brings new ways of having fun in the Kuwait.

Sharq Mall, Q8

Then we came to Sharq Mall. Mehr was hungry and I needed a clean and close area as the sandstorm was still there though not strong. So decided to stop at Sharq Mall. Located on the Gulf Road, along the waterfront, it is one of the most popular malls in Kuwait.
There are good reasons for this. First of all, the mall is vast and has something for everyone. As it is right on the waterfront, it gives a spectacular view. It offers plenty of opportunities for the water-sports lovers. You can rent a jet ski or a little motor boat or go for a spin in the huge artificial lake, just behind the mall. It has a large food court and two good restaurants Bredz and Marina Café. The other great thing about this mall is that it has a branch of almost every known chain of stores in Kuwait and also, some independent stores not to be found anywhere else. There is also a movie theatre and amusement arcade for the little ones. Debenhams and Sultan Center are the anchor stores located at either ends of the mall. The view of Kuwait city and its skyline from the mall is picturesque and you can stand hours looking at it and its marina. There is a fish market, next to the mall and next to it is the old dhow harbour. Just along the side of the waterfront, walking track is constructed along with benches where you can sit and relax with your family and friends, enjoy the evening with a panoramic view of the sun setting behind the mall as the background. Though it was a sandstorm with strong wind, the waterfront was full with Kuwaiti people enjoying with their families.
We moved around, took few pictures and did some marketing in Sultan Center.