Kuwait's love for ice and snow

Kuwait's love for cold, snow and ice has always been there, with people making plans to visit Canada, Europe, East Europe (Bosnia, Georgia, etc) and conquering the amazing mountains of Everest, K2 and others. Kuwait had its 1st Outdoor Ice Skating Winter Carnival in 2016 between January 17th and February 13th which showed a lot of  promise with the people attending and spending their Winter and Hala February festival season with the ice skating in the open, restaurants in the oudoors, fun for kids, winter theme, shopping and other attractions. It was called Winter Land (http://www.winterlandkw.com/)

This year 2018 we have many events.

SNOW TOWN

#SnowTownKw

Date: 1st February 2018 until 10th March 2018

Time: 10 am to 10 pm

Location: Al-Shaheed Park, Phase 2

Pricing: 2 KD Entrance

Pricing: 6 KD All Day Pass

(Tickets can be bought at event)

Website: http://snowtownkw.com/

Facebook: SnowTownKW (CLICK HERE)

Instagram: SnowTown_KW (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: SnowTownKW (CLICK HERE)

Snapchat: SnowTownKW

(Organised by COZMO)

Attractions at the event:

1. Topiary

2. Polar Bear

3. Green Musicians

4. English Man

5. Colorful Musicians

6. Clockman Statue

7. Aerial Heliosphere

8. Mirror Family

9. 3D Painter

10. LED Parade

11. Ice Skating

12. Invisible Man

13. Ice Sculpture

ICE VILLAGE EXPO

#IceVillageExpo

Date: 15th - 16th - 17th February 2018

Location: Kuwait International Fairground Outside Parking H3

Instagram: icevillageexpo (CLICK HERE)

Attractions: Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

Over 90 different stalls.

WINTER FESTIVAL

Kidzania

#KidZaniaWinterFestival

#KidZaniaKuwait

Date: 14th December 2017 - 28th February 2018

Time: 9 am to 9 pm (Weekdays) except Thursday till 11 pm

Time: 10 am to 11 pm (Weekends)

Location: KidZania, Level 1, The Avenues Mall

Contact: 22283180

Ticket :

Children ages under 2 years = Free

Children ages between 2-3 = KD 8

Children ages between 4-12 = KD 12

Adults = KD 8

Visitors with disabilities - KD 6

Website: http://kuwait.kidzania.com/en-kw

Instagram: kidzaniakuwait (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: KidZaniaKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: KidZaniaKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Enjoy the Ultimate Winter Wonderland at KidZania with more ice & Chills! Snowfall, skating rink, ice cave and live performances.

ICE SKATING RINK

Touristic Enterprises Company

#IceSkatingKuwait #TecQ8

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 8:30 am to 10 pm

Location: Kuwait City, Al Soor Street, Mirqab

Entry Ticket Pricing for 1.5 hours :

- KD 3 for per person

- KD 2 for per person for group (of 50 or more)

- KD 0.5 for the child's maid

Website: http://www.kuwaittourism.com/IceSkatingRink.html

Instagram: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Youtube: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

The Ice Skating Rink which contains 2 ice rinks was established in March 1980 as part of the Green Fence area in Kuwait City. The Olympic size rink which is 1800 square meters of ice and an arena that can accommodate 1600 viewers. A smaller rink of 800 square meters in size with a 600 seating arena provides ample requirements for people.

PROMENADE ICE

#PromenadeIceKW

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 10 am to 10 pm (Saturday-Wednesday)

Time: 10 am to 11 pm (Thursday-Friday)

Contact: 22277138

Prices per sessions (One hour sessions):

 Session Pass + Skating buddy = KD 8 for 1 hour

Session Pass - KD 6 for 1 hour

Skating buddy = KD 2 for 1 hour

Socks = KD 1

Gloves = KD 1

Location: Level 1, Promenade Mall, Hawally

Website: https://promenadeicekw.com/

Instagram: promenadeicekw (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: promenadeicekw (CLICK HERE)

Snapchat: promenadeicekw

Youtube: CLICK HERE

Enjoy the skating experience on ice surface of 548 square meter and a LED illuminated ice cave with a length of 226 square meters. Promenade ice offers public skating sessions, ice skating lessons and ice rink bookings such as birthday parties, school trips and other events.

BELOW ZER0°

#BelowZeroKW

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 10 am to 11 pm

One hour sessions

Contact: 22277138

Location: Level M, Jahra Mall, Jahra Industrial Area

Instagram: belowzerokw (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: belowzerokw (CLICK HERE)

Instagram: jahra_mall (CLICK HERE)

MINUS 11

#minus_11 #minus11

Restaurant & Cafe (The largest Ice lounge in Kuwait)

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 10 am to 11 pm

Contact: 22968166

Location: M1, Tijaria Commercial Tower, Al Soor Street, Kuwait City

Instagram: minus11.kuw (CLICK HERE)

Snapchat: minus11.kuw

Twitter: Minus11_k (CLICK HERE)

Ramadan 2014 working hours

Ramadan 1435 which coincides with July 2014 leads to some changes in Kuwait. The working hours of employees for government sector reduces from 35 hours a week to 25 hours a week. On the other hand, for private firms, it is reduced from 48 hours to 36 hours a week. Basically, 2 hours is removed from each day. This is the privilege that the government of Kuwait provides for the people during the month of Ramadan. The official timings for the government sectors are provided by the Assistant Undersecretary for Diwan Affairs & Manpower at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which are as follows (These take effect from Sunday, 29/06/2014):

The following government bodies are functioning from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Public Authority for Youth and Sports.

Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

Environment Public Authority.

Ministry of Justice

Public Authority for Industry.

Ministry of Public Works.

Public Authority of Minor Affairs.

Ministry of Higher Education.

Kuwait General Administration of Customs.

Ministry of Communications.

Kuwait Fire Service Directorate.

Ministry of Education.

Credit and Savings Bank.

Ministry of Information.

Zakat House.

Public Authority for Housing Welfare.

Kuwait Municipality.

Kuwait Ports Authority.

Civil Service Commission.

Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources.

National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.

Rest of the government bodies will work from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.

Words of caution, the work pace in the month of Ramadan in Kuwait slow down. Also, for the above mentioned times, people will be taking break during the Noon prayers (Zuhr) which is around 11:50 am. So one will not find people sitting at the tables between 11:50 am till around 12:30 pm. So one should keep this in mind as one's patience will be tested.

CLICK HERE to see the post about work hours on 'Indians in Kuwait'.

CLICK HERE to see the article about Ramadan work hours on 'Arab Times'.

CLICK HERE to see the post about the 'Start of Ramadan 2014'.

CLICK HERE to see the post about Last year's Ramadan 2013 working hours.

Ramadan Buffet at restaurants in Kuwait and their prices can be checked out at the 248am Blog post by Mark. CLICK HERE

Working Hours for different places in Kuwait. Also being collected and compiled by other internet users. CLICK HERE to check out Kuwait Upto Date's collection

Working hours for different places in Kuwait.

• 360 Mall Timings.
• Retail - 11 am until 3 pm.
• Retail - 8:30 pm until 1 am.
• Restaurants & Cafes - 5 pm until 2 am.
• Geant Hypermarket - 10 am until 1 am.
• Geant Hypermarket - 10 am until 2 am.  ( Last 2 days of Ramadan )
• Cinema - 9 pm until 2 am.
• Cinema - CLOSED ( Last 10 days of Ramadan )
• Entertainment - 7:30 pm - 12:30 am
• The Flight Experience - 7 pm - 12 am (midnight)
• Kout Mall Timings
• Retail - 11 am - 3 pm.
• Retail - 8:30 pm - 1 am.
• Restaurants & Cafes - 5:30 pm - 2 am.
• The Avenues Mall
• Avenues operating hours - 8 am to 2 am.
• Most stores - 10 am to 4 pm.
• Most stores - 8 pm to 1 am.
• Carrefour Hypermarket - 10 am to 2 am.

Banks across Kuwait

• Kuwait Finance House (KFH)
• From Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 1:30 pm.
• Airport Branch - All Week - 4 am to 6 pm , 9 pm to 2:30 am.
• Gulf Bank - 10 am to 1:30 pm.

Ministry of Interior

• Trucks on the Main highways are banned during the following hours
• Sunday - Thursdays - 7:30 am to 9:30 am.
• Sunday - Thursdays - 12:30 pm to 3 pm.

Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI)

• Office Timing - Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm
• Civil ID delivery - Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 5:45 pm

The Scientific Center of Kuwait

• Sunday to Fridays - 9 pm to 12 am (midnight).
• Saturday - 10 am to 1 pm.
• Saturday - 9 pm to 12 am (midnight).
• Ticket Prices for Aquarium - KD 1.750
• Ticket Prices for Discovery Place - KD 1.000

Xcite Alghanim

• Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 3 pm (All Branches)
• Saturday to Friday - 8 pm to 1 am (All Branches)
• Avenues Mall - Saturday to Friday - 10 am to 4 pm & 8 pm to 1 am.
• Marina Mall - Saturday to Friday - 10 am to 4 pm & 8 pm to 1 am.

PaintBall Kuwait

• Timings - 8:30 pm to 2 am.

Al Daman Inspection Center

• Ministry of Interior Vehicle Inspection - Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm.
• Ministry of Interior Vehicle Inspection - Sunday to Thursday - 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
• Al Daman Services - Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 6 pm.
• Al Daman Services - Saturday to Thursday - 8:30 pm to 2 am.

Al Badri Cultural Complex (Islamic Religious Books are available across many shops in multiple languages) (Hawally - Al Muthana Street and Hasan Al Basri Street) (Dar-us-salam is one of them)

• Saturday - Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm.
• Saturday - Friday - 10 pm to 12 midnight.
• For Map Location on Google Maps - CLICK HERE

Kuwait Central Blood Bank

• Sunday - Thursday - 10 am - 2 pm.
• Sunday - Thursday - 8 pm - 1 am.
• Saturday - 8 pm - 1 am.

Kuwait International Automobile Club (KT)

• Saturday - Thursday - 9:30 am - 1 pm.
• Saturday - Thursday - 9 pm - 11 pm.

NBK Walkathon 2013

Photo Courtesy of www,thezacorner.com

I really donot have much to add as the internet is buzz about it. So I will just give the gist and the amazing set of blog post related to the Walkathon.

Event : The 19th Annual Walkathon
Date: 23rd March, 2013
Day: Saturday
Time:
Category:

• Mens (Scientific Center till Green Island on Gulf Road)
• Womens (Marina Crescent till Green Island)
• Kids (In Green Island)

Registrations: OPEN until 21st March 2013

Registration Location: NBK tent next to Scientific Center Kuwait in Salmiya, Gulf Road.

Registration Timings: 9:30am till 1 pm, 4:30pm till 9 pm. (On weekend Friday and Saturday 15th & 16th March 2013 available at The Avenues Mall Phase 1 from 10 am to 10 pm)

Prizes : MGS 2013 Sports Car and special Prizes.

Follow the buzz on Twitter @NBKPage, Instagram @NBKPage, Twitter #NBKWalkathon

Post by Bloggers:

• Thezacorner - CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Buzfairy - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Expat Voices - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Q8spoons - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Grapevine - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Bokhaloodie - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Amatraveller  - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Q8path - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• Q8allinone - CLICK HERE to check their post.
• NBK - CLICK HERE to check their Newsroom Page

Route Map for NBK Walkathon 2013 (Modified photo) (Original photo from ChillNite and link to original photo)

Photo Courtesy to www.Chillnite.com

RaceRoom Audi Tournament

Photo Courtesy of RaceRoom

Kuwait is setting fire to the gaming zone with another tournament. The prize money is set at KD 500 (US $ 1750). You can get more information at their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Following is some of the information.
Venue: RaceRoom, Baroue, The Avenues Mall.
Date: 24th March 2013
Registration ( Contact in person at RaceRoom or contact number 51109799 ).
Type of Game: Racing Simulation.

Other Blogs that discussed about RaceRoom are

• Bananaq8 - CLICK HERE for the Post.
• BrakeBanzeen! - CLICK HERE for the Post.

Race Room (Photo Courtesy of Brake Banzeen!)

UPDATED: RaceRoom Tournament has now got a sponsor (as on 14th March 2013) from 'Fouad Alghanim & Sons Automotive'. Therefore now officially being called RaceRoom Audi Tournament.

Photo Courtesy of RaceRoom

Viva 512 Kuwait Gaming Tournament

Photo Courtesy to Viva 512 Kuwait

Kuwait is nicely pulling off some video gaming tournaments. The banner says mostly everything. The Registration can be done online using KNET payment Gateway (CLICK HERE to go to registration page) OR by entering the Voucher details (One can purchase the Vouchers at Baroue, The Avenues. Viva 512 Kuwait on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

512KUWAIT: The important stuff about the tournament (Kuwait is +3 GMT):

• Date of Tournament : March 2013 ( 21st, 22nd and 23rd )
• Time on Thursday, March 21st: 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm Kuwait Time.
• Time on Friday, March 22nd: 1 pm to 10:00 pm Kuwait Time.
• Time on Saturday, March 23rd: 12 noon to 7:30 pm Kuwait Time.
• VENUE : Exhibition Hall, 360 Mall, Zahra - South Surra Kuwait.
• Tournament Type: KNOCK-OUT Tournament
• Game: EA FIFA 13
• Gaming Console: PlayStation 3
• Registration is ON (Since 21st February 2013)
• Number of Participants: 512

The most important right now for all the participant is the RULES & REGULATIONS and also the TERMS and CONDITIONS. The next important thing is the practice until the tournament date. Get to your console and enter the following Game Setting which will be applied throughout the tournament. Keep playing to get a hang under these settings (360 Mall has a Freeze Club on 3rd Floor were one can practise Playstation 3 games - They Charge money - Not free).

Match Settings

Difficulty: World Class		Half: Four Minutes		Offside: On
Injuries: Off		Handball: Off		Camera: Tele Broadcast
Bookings: On		Time/Score Display: On		Radar: 2D
Referee: Random		HUD: Player Name Bar		Pitch Pattern: Default
Time of Day: 8pm		Weather: Clear		Pitch Wear: Random
Home Team: Coin Toss		Game Speed: Normal		Stadium: Home Team
Season: Autumn/Fall		Commentary: English		Tactics: Default
Defending: Tactical		Team: Club/Nation

The prize money is HUGE considering that LAST MAN STANDING get the amount of KD 5000 (US $ 17,500). Official Press release was on 19th February 2013 in Kuwait. CLICK HERE to view. The sponsors on board are a nice set. Viva, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Nike Store, Qualitynet, Mini Cooper, Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice, Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co, Goal!, Mr. Babu.com, and 52 Degrees. Electronics for the Tournament is powered by X-Cite - Alghanim Electronics.

360 Mall (Photo Courtesy to 360 Mall)

Other Bloggers that have Posted about the event

• Q8allinone - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• Q8Path - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• Q8ryuk - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• bokhaloodie - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• p0ach - CLICK HERE for their Post.

UPDATED: After three days of battling it out the tournament came to an end. The most amazing things were the increase in sponsors and also surprise appearances at the event. On Friday evening, Bader Almutawa and other members of the Kuwait National Football Team dropped by to check out the event. They even played with some of the people at Fifa13 on PS3.

Kuwait National Football Team (Photo Courtesy of Kappa.ae)

Another interesting person was Achie Tarhouchi of Panna Wonders (Facebook, Twitter and Street-Madness.com) who was present during the Viva 512 Kuwait Tournament. The video below from his facebook page talks about his invitation to Viva 512 Kuwait.

The prize distribution was done with KD 5000 being given to the Winner. The Runners-up received a fully paid ticket to watch Manchester United Match. Also the winner and runner-up received mementos  An autographed T-shirt of ManU was given also given as a Raffle Prize.

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.