November 10 Fireworks Video Footage

This is an Update to my previous post with regard to Constitutional Day 50th Anniversary celebrations. I wanted to put up some of the links to the video footage available over the internet. The coverage by the National Television was nicely executed (under the Ministry of Information). They really were able to cover from a lot of angles as this event was widely spread. Click Here to see the Kuwait Television Channel's Online Live feed. People from all over the world were able to witness this event LIVE on the Internet or Satellite.

Official Video released by the company which organised the firework. (updated by Kuwait Upto Date). Click HERE if the embedded video does not work.

Thanks to Expat and the City for the Video Links. (Youtube Video and Youtuber Mkhamed40444)

Also another video link by Expat and the City. (Youtube Video and Youtuber Tobahamed)

There are many more videos available online, mostly home made video footage. They are also spectacular as they are giving another angle to the whole event.

BananaQ8 put up his videos. Here are the Links for his PART 1 and PART 2 videos.

One can check Youtube for more videos.

Youtuber Cseti1985 put up this 20 min video.

Youtuber Eric Walker put up this 1.23 video.

I still would recommend the National Television Footage as it is completely choreographed with the music and camera angles. Other videos really do give the Front-line feel to the fireworks.

Mark posted this video - Kiteman Kuwait Fireworks Show - Kite Flyers Perspective

Ali Younis posted a time lapse video on youtube - Kuwait 50th Constitution anniversary timelapse

Posts by other bloggers:

• Piscean mentioned in her Blog The Side Talk : CLICK HERE for the POST.
• Mark put up couple of posts: Fireworks Behind the Scenes, Photos from the Fireworks show, In case you missed the worlds largest fireworks show, Kuwait 50, Kiteman Kuwait Fireworks Show - Kite Flyers Perspective.
• Desert Girl put up a post: The Fireworks.
• Photos Uploaded by Cyril Almeras.  (Click Here for the Photos).

Kuwait Fireworks 2012 (Post by me)

CLICK HERE to view more video about Kuwait from the Youtube Playlist

Kuwait Fireworks 2012

I had mentioned in one of my previous post about the Kuwait Fireworks being held on November 10th 2012. Now this is kind of an update, but more of a compilation of information I have been coming across the internet. Lot's of bloggers have been keeping a tab on the November 10th Celebrations. The event is being organised by Filmmaster MEA.

November 11th, 1962 was the day went the enactment of the constitution of Kuwait took place. Therefore this year it marks the 50th anniversary of that historical event. The weekend in Kuwait is on Friday and Saturday, hence the government is holding all the festivities on Saturday November 10th 2012. The internet is busy buzzing about one of the shows highlights with the Fireworks display as it is making some history and breaking some records around the world. I will be giving the links for some of the sites.

The video is uploaded on the Youtube by Youtuber DestoorKuwait. Click Here if the above video is not working. I came across this video and some details about the fireworks display on Q8path website. The post mentions some details about the fireworks display going off in 9 different zones. from Kuwait towers till Green Island. Image is below (courtesy to Q8path) otherwise Click Here.

Also one can go through this post by Q8path mentioning about the different records they will break by pulling off the fireworks. (Image Below courtesy to Q8path)

Many of the bloggers have posting about this for the last few weeks. So I am adding the links below.

Mark has been updating information on his blog 248am. Fireworks Display Information and Fireworks Show Preparation Underway.

Expat and the City has also put up a post and given a link to one of the Interviews of the Pilots participating in the fireworks displays (Yes fireworks being launched from the specially designed aeroplanes). Saturday, November 10th Kuwait will make Fireworks history! Below is the video for the interview.

The whole event will take place between 3pm and 10pm. The Fireworks, Laser and light show and also the 3D projection will take place later in the night. Fireworks are expected at 8 pm. (Kuwait Local Time / +3 GMT).

BananaQ8 blog has also put up detailed posts. Kuwait Fireworks Details and Airplanes for Kuwait Firework Exclusive. One can see the planes being used for the Fireworks display in the post mentioned. It has exclusive images taken by BananaQ8. Another important post people should look into is the Traffic Diversions which will be implemented on The Day. Here is the post by BananaQ8.

Image courtesy to Q8Path.

Q8Path Kuwait Constitutional Event Parking and Closure Roads posted some information also on Road Closures.

Also KuwaitUptoDate has posted about the Road Closures and diversions.

The other site were information on the events taking place are OfwKuwait.net  and IndiansInKuwait.

Some of the Restaurants in Kuwait City have also taken advantage of this event. Example below of Jade Garden.

Mark had posted on 248am about other world records that they might break on The Day other than the fireworks. Largest convoy of GMC vehicles in the World.

I have tried my best in making the compilations from different post. But definitely the credit goes to all the bloggers who have being doing their best in collecting the information. I give them Due credit. I would also like to be forgiven if I have not mentioned anyone else as the internet is vast and the blogger community is immense.

UPDATE (11/11/2012) : VIDEO FOOTAGE & PHOTOGRAPHS of the event (NEW POST)

CLICK HERE to view more video about Kuwait from the Youtube Playlist

Fireworks on Nov 11

On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the constitution of Kuwait on November 11th, there will be a fireworks display. The Central Tenders Committee (CTC) has approved the tender for KD 4.164 million.  (my information based on indiansinkuwait.com, other sources: kuwait daily). This surely brings back memory of 25th & 26th February 2011 laser & sound, and fireworks display for the celebration of 50 years of Kuwait's independence and 20 years of Kuwait's liberation and 5 years for the Amir's ascension. There are a lot of videos showing the laser and sound show on the internet. HERE is a link and below is the embedded video of the one shown on the Kuwait Television. I am hoping to see another spectacular display in November.

Related Posts :

• Kuwait Fireworks 2012

• November 10 Fireworks Video Footage

CLICK HERE to view more video about Kuwait from the Youtube Playlist

International Space Station Fly over

The ISS (International Space Station) passes over the world many times during the day. So this is not suppose to be a big deal. Coming Sunday in the evening at 7pm Kuwait Local Time (4pm GMT), the fly over Kuwait will last for 5 minutes. The usual fly over time lasts between 1-2 minutes. The Kuwait Science Club (KSClub) in Zahra area (next to 360 Mall) has an Astronomy Club which actively follows these events. The schedule for the International Space Station fly over can be seen below or on THIS SITE (Real Time Data).

THE FOLLOWING ISS SIGHTINGS ARE POSSIBLE FROM FRI APR 27 TO SAT MAY 12

SATELLITE	LOCAL	DURATION	MAX ELEV	APPROACH	DEPARTURE
	DATE/TIME	(MIN)	(DEG)	(DEG-DIR)	(DEG-DIR)

ISS	Fri Apr 27/07:16 PM	2	11	10 above NNE	10 above ENE
ISS	Sat Apr 28/07:56 PM	2	51	16 above NNW	51 above NNE
ISS	Sun Apr 29/07:00 PM	5	23	11 above NNW	12 above E
ISS	Sun Apr 29/08:37 PM	< 1	13	10 above W	13 above W
ISS	Mon Apr 30/07:43 PM	2	50	32 above WNW	36 above S
ISS	Tue May 01/06:46 PM	5	56	20 above NNW	11 above SE
ISS	Wed May 02/07:28 PM	3	19	16 above WSW	10 above S

According to the above schedule, another chance will be there on Tuesday at 6:46 pm Kuwait local time.

KDD (Kuwait Danish Dairy)

KDD (Kuwait Danish Dairy) has been around since 1962 in Kuwait. It started from its Shuwaikh plant and now most of its operations are carried out from Subhan plant. It has over 160 types of products ranging from dairy, juice, ice-cream, culinary and even virgin olive oil. KDD website is really informative and can be accessed in both Arabic and English languages. Details on the all range of products can be viewed on the website.

KDD has two outlets in Kuwait - one in Shuwaikh next to factory on street 17 (Click Here to see in Google maps) and one Outlet in Maidan Hawally (Click here to see in Google maps) (I also heard that one outlet is available at Camp Arifjan). The price at the outlets are less when compared to the supermarkets and grocery stores. The quality of products KDD produces are still amazing. At the Shuwaikh outlet, one can purchase a cone ice-cream of flavours - Vanilla, Chocolate or mixed for a price of KD 1/4 (250 fils = 90 U.S cents). I have attached a pic of the cone ice-cream which has a 2 - 1/2 inch ice-cream on the top. People should definitely give it a try. The timings for the Shuwaikh outlet is from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm throughout the week.

KDD is also on Facebook and on Twitter.

Shuwaikh factory gate and outlet

Kuwait Central Blood Bank Updated

UPDATE (16/11/2021)

Locations of the various Blood banks across Kuwait.

(10/04/2012) Post

Kuwait's health system is something we can talk about which will lead to many posts. But for this particular post, I would like to talk about the Central Blood Bank which is located in Jabriya next to Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital. I have been to the blood bank on many occasions, not on the receiving side but to give blood. My friends and me used to give blood when we were studying at college in India and it kind of became a habit. One fine day, I dropped by at the Kuwait Central Blood Bank after I was able to located it on Google Maps.There is sufficient parking available and also one can get down (By Bus) at Al-Bahar Center, Tunis Street, Hawally and walk 200 meters to the Blood Bank. The timings for the Blood bank are as follows:

• Sunday - Thursday - 7 am to 8:30 pm
• Friday - 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 7 pm

The process of giving blood is simple for first timers or for regular donors. Once you enter, you just have to give your Civil ID card so that they can check their system. For first timers, they will ask you to give some basic information like phone number and language of preference for answering the questionnaire. My language preference is entered as English so whenever I give my civil ID they just print out the questionnaire in English for me, while for my friends who opted for Arabic it prints out in Arabic every single time (unless you feel like changing it). Once I answer the basic questions (look below for the sample of the questionnaire), my blood pressure, Blood sugar and body temperature is monitored and entered into the system. If the values are other than normal, then you can visit the doctors in the next cabin to get a free consultation. Once you enter the blood donation room, it is time to sit back and relax and let the nurses take care of the process. It varies from 5- 25 minutes. During that time you can browse through your smart phone , no restrictions applied here for the phones. You get a complimentary juice (KDD). One can return back, to give blood after a period of 2-4 months. Also many government bodies and companies organize Blood Donation Camps once in a while on their own premises (under the watchful eye of the Kuwait Central Blood Bank or the Ministry of Health), one can give during those campaigns.

UPDATE (16/08/2013): Regular Timings

• Sunday to Thursday - 7 am to 9 pm
• Friday - 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 7 pm.

UPDATE (29/06/2014): Ramadan Timings

• Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm.
• Saturday to Thursday - 8 pm to 1 am.
• Friday - 8 pm to 1 am.

Twitter account for the Kuwait Central Blood Bank ( KCBB) : CLICK HERE.

Instagram account for the Kuwait Central Blood Bank (KCBB) : CLICK HERE.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Central Blood Bank Instagram

Kuwait Central Blood Bank Update 25/08/2013

Kuwait Central Blood Bank Update 25/08/2013

New type of Bandage applied to the forearm after giving blood

UPDATE (11/08/2014) : Kuwait Central Blood Bank timings for blood donations

• Saturday - Thursday : 7:30 am to 8:30 pm.
• Friday : 1 pm to 7 pm.

Instagram account - 11/08/2014

Twitter Account - 11/08/2014

UPDATE (11/08/2014): Ministry of Health has quashed reports which have been circulating about the Kuwait Central Blood Bank storage was running into Bankruptcy. Head of the KCCB Reem Al-Radwan reported on Sunday that the reports were 'groundless'. (Source: KUNA)

Due to the month of Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr, the donations were on a decline. Therefore the general storage reduced a little bit. MoH is intensifying blood donation campaigns to restore the strategic storage at the Central Blood Bank. Kuwait Army launches Blood Donation Campaign, CLICK HERE to see the article. Another Campaign took place in Ministry of Electricity and Water, MEW on Sunday, 10/08/2014. Both Citizens and Expatriates are encouraged to donate at Kuwait Central Blood Bank, Jabriya.

Update - 11/08/2014. Front Entrance

Update - 11/08/2014. The Flags on the top of the Banks need to be Changed.

UPDATE (Ramadan 1436 / 2015) : CLICK HERE to Check out the Ramadan Timings.

UPDATE (10/08/2015) : Timings updated

Photo Courtesy to kwbloodbank Instagram

Timings for Jabriya, Kuwait Central Blood Bank for Blood Donations

• Sunday to Thursday - 7 am to 8 pm
• Friday - 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 7 pm

Photo Courtesy to kwbloodbank Instagram

Timings for Jabriya, Kuwait Central Blood Bank for Platelet Donations (mainly when donating for patients undergoing surgery )

• Sunday to Thursday - 7 am to 1 pm
• Tuesday only - 7 am to 4 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 1 pm

Photo Courtesy to kwbloodbank Instagram

Platelet donors requirements - Age above 17 years and the weight of the person should be above 50 kgs. Also the interested donor should not be taking painkillers or antibiotics for 5 days before the donation process.

Blood Platelets donation is the second type of donation done at the Blood Bank, where the platelets are drawn through the separator device and the rest of the blood components are restored/returned to the donor. Usually done in Room No 5. Once the screening process is finished and the blood test report, Blood Pressure and other preliminary checks are done and verified. The donor is given a green signal for a go ahead for Platelet donations which can last up 90 minutes. So advice is to get a book to read or atleast charge your phones & get used to using it with a single hand.

The Apheresis Donation Unit is the location for Platelet Donations.

The Form is in English or Arabic depending on your choice of language.
This is for either Blood Donation or Platelet Donation.

Pre Donation Instruction for Platelet Donation in English

Pre Donation Instruction for Platelet Donation in Arabic

Letter of Consent for Platelet Donation

Pre Donation instruction for Apheresis Platelet Donors in English & Arabic

Just for your Information, with regard to Ebola Virus

The Application form created at the KCBB when a Patient needs Platelets.
based on the letter given by the hospital asking the blood bank to provide them with the required.

Update (30/05/2016): Timings

Jabriya Kuwait Central Blood Bank (Main Blood Bank)

• Sunday to Thursday - 7am to 8pm
• Friday - 1pm to 7pm
• Saturday 7am to 6pm

Blood Bank - Adan Hospital branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm
• Sunday to Thursday - 4pm to 8pm

Blood Bank - Jahra Hospital branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm

Blood Bank - Kuwait National Guard (KNG) branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm

Blood Bank - Amiri Hospital branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm

  

  Photo Courtesy to KCBB

  
  

Update (06/06/2016): Ramadan Timings

Kuwait Central Blood Bank - Jabriya (Source: CLICK HERE)

• Sunday to Thursday: 10am - 2pm and 9pm -1am
• Friday to Saturday: 9pm - 1am

Kuwait Blood Bank Branches Timing (Source: CLICK HERE)

• Adan Hospital branch: Sunday to Thursday 9pm - 1am
• Jahra Hospital branch: Sunday to Thursday 9pm - 1am
• Al Amiri Center branch: Sunday to Thursday 8pm - 12midnight
• KNG Shuwaikh branch: Sunday to Thursday 8pm - 12midnight

Trenda showroom

New showroom opened up at Dajeej, Farwaniya. Trenda Showroom for Furniture with three stories of space with Dining in the basement, Living on the ground level and Bedroom in the first level. The Cafe with enough of seating space is between the ground and basement level. Next to the NJA Cafe (Not Just Another Cafe) is a space for kids to hang out or even for adults alike. There is enough of car parking space in front of the showroom and the location is easy enough to spot. One can get there if they take the exit ramp on 6th Ring Road just after Jleeb Al Shyoukh for Ghazali Road BUT keep going straight.and enter into Dajeej. Even coming on 6th Ring Road from Messila direction, one can take a U-turn using the Ghazali - 6th intersection. Timing for the showroom are 9am to 10pm throughout the week. They are also on facebook. There is an article about its inauguration, Click here. Here are some pics of the showroom.

Kuwait TV & Radio on the Internet

I came across this by chance.I remember checking up on this over the past couple of years but the Ministry of Information site was never that updated nor was it that user friendly. But I am really impressed that they have kept it simple and functioning.I am now able to watch Kuwait Television channels and also listen to the Kuwait Radio channels on the internet. I always wanted to get an access to it when I was abroad. You can check the site for yourself CLICK HERE for access to the KTV 2 Channel and browse through to it. For listening to the Super Station FM 99.7 Radio Kuwait (RKFM) just click on the link. I grew up in Kuwait watching KTV 2 and listening to FM99.7. Definitely enjoyed watching KTV 3 Sports when WWF used to come - now they call it WWE. But still I am browsing the WWW.

Marathon... Ultra!!!

I recently got to know that Kuwait Charity Run was going to be part of another Marathon which is going to be held in November 2012. The two categories are 10k and a half-marathon (21k) run. More updated information will be posted on their website, you can access HERE.

Also, Today a tweet from Aymstrong mentioned about the November 2012 Run. They have started registrations for the run with 4 categories:

• 10 K Race
• Half Marathon (21 km)
• Marathon (42 km)
• 100k Ultra (100 km)

The Ultra run would have been a surprise to me around a month back. But with Aymstrong successfully pulling off the 240k run on 25-26th February 2012 during the National and Liberation day from North Kuwait to South Kuwait via the Kuwait Towers at Kuwait City.

Update (27th April 2012) Got more information on the Kuwait Marathon. Official registrations have started and can be done on these websites. Kuwait Marathon Registration Page (Click Here) and the Kuwait Marathon (Aymstrong's) Official Form Page.

Photography Opportunities across Kuwait

It is time to write about, as many photography events are taking place across Kuwait. I thought of compiling most of these events in this one post. Kuwait has a good market for conventional and digital cameras. There are a lot of people who are interested and really enjoy photography as a hobby. I met many of them with amazing set of DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras at the GulfRun event. It was interesting to find a lot of female photographers also. Apart from all the DLSR cameras, people with Smartphones and Compact digital cameras which are nowadays having 3-5 MP and above values. So you can see people clicking away throughout the day.

The Met department (Meteorological Department at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation) of Kuwait is holding a photography contest. The photography contest which will be held as one of the activities celebrating the World Meteorological Day (March 23rd, 2012). The aim of the photography contest is to document the meteorological phenomena occurring in Kuwait and to encourage effective and productive communication between the department and the public. For the rules and regulation, CLICK HERE and the last day for submission is 15th March 2012. People can email there entries. UPDATE (21st March 2012) : The Photos submitted and the list of winners can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

KUNA (Kuwait News Agency) is also holding a photography contest. The contest last till 4th April 2012 and for the rules and regulation, CLICK HERE. There are three different categories: Snapshot Aesthetic Photos, Journalistic and Sports Photo, Digitally Treated Photos. Interested people can submit their photos in person at their office.

The Blog Expat and the city is celebrating its 2nd Anniversary and is holding a photo contest. CLICK HERE for the rules and regulations. The last date for entry is 16th March 2012. You can email your entries to her. The updates can be received also on twitter and Instagram. UPDATE (21st March 2012) : The Photos submitted can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. 

The Kuwait International Motocross Challenge (posted by Mark248am) being organised by Kuwait Quarter Mile Auto and Motorcycle  Club.This event is taking place on 17th March 2012 at Q8 MX Circuit - Bnaider. Photography enthusiasts will be allowed around the track. I believe this will be another opportunity for photographers. GoPro will be giving away 5 GoPro cameras to the attendees via a raffle draw while Dunkin Donuts will be offering donuts and hot coffee as well.

Kuwait VIDEO: CineFlex Kuwait Video

Came across this video today. It was referred by Mark 248am and Hamad Al-Sabah on twitter. Mark has posted about it on his blog also. The video is made by Cinemagic and they have many more videos on Youtube. They got their hands on a CineFlex (for Aerial Filming) and shot the footage. Here is the Youtube link for the above video. I am really enjoying the amazing kind of coverage I get to see about Kuwait. There are a lot of people in Kuwait who themselves have not seen much of Kuwait. Here is the photo of the Cinemagic's CineFlex.

CineFlex

The CineFlex V14HD is the ultimate gyro-stabilized solution for aerial filming. The Sony HDC-1500R 1080p professional broadcast camera is integrated into the Gimbal (CineFlexV14HD). Below is photo of the CineFlex  camera mounted on a helicopter. It gives us an idea about the scale of the camera.

CLICK HERE to view more video about Kuwait from the Youtube Playlist

Zain Flash Mob - Avenue Mall

A trend that has been growing all around the world over the internet and especially seen on Youtube. Flash Mobs popping up in city after city all around the world. Kuwait shows it is not behind in this trend. The flash mob completely organised by the Telecom Operator Zain kicked off in the largest mall in Kuwait - Avenue Mall. The official video can be seen below or on Youtube which has been uploaded by Zain. Already the video has 2.2 million views in the last 2 weeks. The new video uploaded by Zain is the making of the Zain Flash Mob (Behind the scene) which has been uploaded on 3rd March 2012. Many believe that the making of the flash mob will surpass the official video. Both the videos are shown below. Hope you enjoy as the singing and dancing has Kuwaiti touch to it.

PACI Number Plates

Building PACI number Plate

In the past few months the new PACI (Public Authority for Civil Information) number plates (Establishment Numbers) have started popping up in front of doors all over Kuwait. They have popped up in front of every kind of door that exists in Kuwait. (Sooner or later we might be able to buy a door or two with PACI number plates being sold with it - Humor me). Until now I have seen them put up in two different ways. Next to Apartment doors, they have been putting up stick on plates while in front of the building they are screwed into the pillars of the building. The numbers themselves have not changed at all. They are still the same as they were 15 years back. Only difference is putting up newly designed number plates (similar to the car number plates design change).

Some building number plates start with 9, I was guessing sooner or later somewhere in Kuwait the building number plate will coincide with mobile numbers of someone residing in that building. All the number plates that I have seen till now are 8 digits. That means 99,999,999 (Around 100 million options) The photos below show the new and the old designs. The new plates have a barcode printed at the bottom left. I have no idea about the purpose of that. Thinking about it, I am not sure of the purpose of the PACI number. I do not see them written in our civil identity cards even though we have a whole address mentioned on the back of the card.

Kuwait Finder App Logo (Courtesy to Kuwait PACI)

UPDATE (16th June 2013) : PACI GIS website has kicked in. CLICK HERE. Similarly for Smartphones the applications have been put up. (KUWAIT FINDER APP) For Iphone CLICK HERE. For Android CLICK HERE. Currently in Arabic.

Apartment PACI number plate - NEW

Apartment PACI Number plate - OLD