Sandstorm in Kuwait

They said sandstorms, dust devils or dust storms would occur if the weather's changing, but technically speaking they arise when a strong wind would blow loose dirt and sand from any dry land area. According to some sites I've read about this country, these kind of natural very much unlikely occurrence happens every time the weather is going to change. Interesting information for someone who grew up in a tropical isle who only experienced tropical storms, floods, earthquakes, El Niño, and La Niña. Whatever the cause is, I'd probably like to get soaked in the rain rather than get covered up with dust.

View from our Flat (Before)

After only 5 Minutes

Even with occurring mild force of nature, we decided to hit the Grocery store (Carrefour) at South Surra and along the way, the dust storm was pretty obvious.

Front of 360 Mall at 6th Ring Road, South Surra, Al Zahra'a Area

Outside Kuwait Scientific Center

The Scientific Center of Kuwait, located in Salmiya, Kuwait

I am a fond of going to museums, planetariums, galleries, aquariums or any place where I can feed my mind. So it was really nice to see that Kuwait has its own Scientific Center which houses a vast collection of marine species. Unfortunately we weren't able to go inside that day sue to some event so instead we just hang around outside the area to check on the huge boat displays that were now held as artifacts of this Arab state's once rich fishing and pearl diving industry.

Fateh El-Kheir. A water sailing boat.

Description of the boat

Oy! It's a VIVA building. (It's a new mobile server here which I use myself)

The seaside lined up with tons of Date Palm trees which would always remind me that I'm in this part of the planet

Great place for jogging as well

Food Tasting in Kuwait

One of the things that I can't live without? Food. Although I promised myself to divulge in exploring Arabic and Indian dishes since I'm going to be living here for a while, the first one that I actually ate was a family sized bucket meal from KFC when we were still at the airport. Funny thing is, their french fries tastes creamier than what I usually had back home and the chicken tastes better. So why was it like that? Maybe because KFC's R&D thought of personalizing the taste based on the region where the food's going to be served. Pretty cool huh?

One time, my cousin brought us to this local semi-fast food restaurant called Shrimpy that caters to seafood lovers cooked the Western way. The one we went to was located at Arabian Gulf Street beside Kuwait Towers and I have to say that the ambiance was gorgeous and could be leveled to a fine dining restaurant. The food was also great (though a bit oily), they have a variety of veggies for the salad and a single order would cost around less than 1.5KD to 2KD, drinks included.

Shrimpy's Fried prawns and Fish fillet with french fries and bread

Shrimpy's single served salad

So when we went around Farwaniya, we stopped at Gad Restaurant. The place was pretty jam packed with the locals (not sure if they're Kuwaitis or any other Arab groups since I'm still finding it hard to distinguish one from the other) and we were actually led to a divided room suited for people together with their Family. My dad said the place serves authentic Egyptian dishes and I was about to try my very first kabab/kopta, kabsa, riz bi sh'areh (Rice with Vermicelli) and a lot more.

Gad Restaurant's Menu Card

Eesh baladi or Egyptian bread. Paired with Arabic Pickled Turnips when served. Reminded me of Pandesal but the taste was a bit bland.

Mixed Kabab Grill

Overall, the dish was good and my expectations set. Value is okay too, the dishes were around 500 fils to 2.500 KD I also get to know that the taste wasn't salty or even sweet - just around the middle.

Anyway while doing grocery at City Center in Salmiya, we decided to taste some combination of Arabic and Indian cuisine for a change at the mall's food court. My parents went for Fatoosh and I tried Cocktail Beirut. The food being sold were almost the same but I decided for a combo order - 3 main dishes plus one rice of my choice. I went for Macaroni Koazy (reminded me of Lasanga minus the herbs, tomatoes and the sweetness), Biryani rice and stir-fried beef with veggies and spicy chicken curry (don't know their counterpart names). But overall, it was a hefty meal only around 1.500 KD, drinks not included.

Combo meal from Cocktail Beirut, City Center in Salmiya

Even though the food in Kuwait comprises of Egyptian, Indian and majority Western dishes - there's a ton of McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Starbucks all over the place - I, being an Asian would always crave for anything that is Asian. So just last night (thanks to one of my Dad's colleagues), we went to Oriental Cuisine at City Suites Hotel near Sharq. It was actually a Thai-Chinese Restaurant and the food were awesome as the pictures depicted in their menu. Since we didn't call for any reservation, we stood outside the restaurant for 20 minutes amid the heat (43°C/109.4 °F) but after tasting their hot spicy Tom yum (ironic, I know), Fish balls, Stir fry beef with oyster sauce, Mixed seafood rice paired, Banana in coconut cream and a glass of lemon shake with mint tea, everything just felt like heaven!

Oriental Cuisine at City Suites in Sharq

Overall the experience was great and although I've went to selected restaurants/fast foods, I don't think this would be the last time that I would be trying out what Kuwait food lifestyle has to offer.

Test Shots Around Town

After buying my new Nikon SLR camera, I tried to take on a few shots to see its capabilities. Interesting enough it's beyond my expectation.

Liberation Tower

Dad's Pigeon Pilay

Will post more later....