Have your summer plans gone awry and now you’re annoyed that you’re “stuck” in Kuwait? Do you feel upset over the fact that your vacation is only destined to turn into a “staycation”?
Rather than sulk over the fact that you aren’t going anywhere exotic this summer, take advantage of your time off spent at home, and “staycate” in style. Kuwait is hot– we get it, but with the right tools, summer over here can be enjoyable! Don’t believe us? We have a bunch of ideas to convince you otherwise. Also, did we mention that traffic is actually AH-MAZING come summertime?
BEACH CLUBS AND JET SKIS
Yes, the fees are hefty, but they’re well worth it. Also, if you join one now, you’ll likely be getting a year-long membership and full access to a relaxing place to call your home away from home. Most of these private beach clubs include a fully equipped gym where you could work out your woes and whip yourself into shape, a strip of Kuwait’s gorgeous coastline and access to a private beach, swimming pools, childcare, on-site dining, and sometimes, spas! Whether you’re an exercise fanatic or you just want to find a place to tan in peace, joining one of Kuwait’s beach clubs is a great investment to make. But remember, not all of these clubs actually have a beach. Some just have a pool – which is still more than enough to keep you fit and cool all summer! We personally prefer hopping from one beach club to the other if we’re in town over the summer, and always remember that renting out a jet ski for a couple of hours makes for a budget-friendly yet fun activity at the same time!
Ladies! This one’s for you. The amazing people at The Regency Hotel have a dedicated Ladies Lounge.Beach Club Suggestions: Radisson SAS, Corniche, The Palms, The Regency Hotel, Symphony Style Hotel, C Club, Holiday Inn, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Hilton Mangaf. Jet ski rentals are dotted along the coastline, find one ASAP!
TAKE A WALK
Come nighttime, temperatures are more bearable. If you’re adventurous enough to do so, take advantage of the beautiful, lush park spaces that have popped up in the past year! There’s the classic Shaheed Park, where as a bonus, you’ll always find something to do (like grab a nice espresso at Terrazzo or a lovely show at the amphitheater), and if that’s a little too out of the way for you, then try something central like The Boulevard! This project offers so many different activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Not to mention, it provides a great trek for walking and jogging! And, they have paddleboats to rent out in a man-made lake. What’s not to love?
Don’t forget about old favorites like the Scientific Center and Marina Walk strips. At nightfall, coupled with the stunning view of the coastal skyline, this gem is a constant reminder that we live in a country with underrated, breathtaking views. Also, there are kiosks, cafes and even public water fountains to accommodate your needs. If you’re able to, don’t forget to bring your bicycle for an unforgettable ride.
What about the scorching daytime? Lace up your comfiest trainers and powerwalk through the highly air conditioned domes of Kuwait’s many malls. It’s a great way to get your cardio up to prep you for a lovely treat afterwards: whether it be a yummy meal, or an equally yummy new outfit. Give it a try! But be warned, just because the temperatures outside are scorching, malls are quite freezing. A light sweater, and for the more serious, a bottle of water, might be a good idea.
Mall Walking Suggestions: Marina Mall and Crescent, The Avenues, 360 Mall, Gate Mall, The Promenade, AlKout, Gate Mall.
STAY FIT WITH OPTIONS
Don’t let go of your health this summer. We know it’s too hot to go out sometimes, and that doesn’t do much for the body’s desire to stay active, but we also know you’re tougher than that and won’t compromise your fitness goals because of a little heat! For the first time in a long time, the country is overflowing with opportunities for exercise that suit EVERYBODY’S needs and budgets! From spin classes at Ryde, yoga classes at Alive Yoga, Pilates at Arc and Zumba classes offered at The Palms and Radisson SAS, fitness is always a possibility. One notable and lifesaving mention we, our friends at Project 5 Miles host an eclectic range of classes like yoga and even hula hooping, all at affordable rates! Do yourselves a favor, and keep the momentum going this summer.
Find your fitness via Instagram! Ryde @ryde.kw, Alive @aliveyoga, Arc @arcpilateskw, Project 5 Miles @project5miles, and our favorite Zumba instructor @zainazumba.
A GREAT ESCAPE
For those who want to take their adventures further into the great blue sea, consider renting a yacht with a couple of your friends to wander aimlessly around the gorgeous waters of the gulf. You could commission the captain to take you to one of Kuwait’s beautiful islands, or even stop in the middle of the sea for you to jump off and swim around to your hearts’ content. Be sure to consider hitting up the infamous Failaka Island for the day to swim in clear waters and explore the historic city, rumored to have remnants of ruins from ancient historical milestones.
If you fancy yourself a diver, Kubbar is a great destination point for your day adventure. It’s a fun spot for snorkeling, but more serious (and licensed) scuba divers should be sure to travel in a pack. Consult a diving center to book a day out, and they also offer training courses for you to perfect your scuba abilities. Just don’t forget to slather on the SPF!
For boat rentals, contact Silsan Yachts by calling them at 2565 0674. Visit www.silsan.net, and follow them on Instagram @silsan_yachts.
Dive centers we love: Nautilus Diving Kuwait: (www.nautilusdivingkuwait.com), Bubbles Diving Center (www.bubblesdivingcenter.com).
TAKE UP A NEW HOBBY
Eating might be your hobby, which is always fun, but people eventually get full. How about doing something that will pique your other interests instead? Artspace, for example, is a quirky little café/studio/inclusive space that’s amazing for popping in and painting. They’re also great at updating the public with different events and workshops for you to pass by and register for.
A similar initiative is the Print Room, which is a space in Shuwaikh Market specializing in printing and print-making, of course. But what’s cool about this space is that they too offer fun and educational workshops! Another great thing about the Print Room is they host an artsy summer camp for kids! If your children are creative and constantly drawing, you might want to delve deeper into their details.
Yadawi is another crafty initiative we love to involve ourselves in. Founder Lubna Saif Abbas describes this gem as “a collective of artisans and a center for workshops in arts and crafts.” They constantly host fun crafting workshops that suit everyone’s fancy, from Beading Basics to Watercolor Basics and Decopatch Day, so there’s a lot to choose from. Who knows – if you start frequenting some of these workshops, you might just figure out what you want to sell in Shakshooka this winter!
Follow Yadawi on Instagram @yadawi, Print Room at @printroom.club on Instagram and Artspace at @artspaceq8 and on Facebook as Artspace Studio/Gallery/Café.
WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
As far as habbas come and go, we are super grateful for this one! As soon as the temperature started rising, our Instagram feeds became flooded with icy concoctions that left us wanting to jump into a literal pool of ice cream. Make sure you check out what the good people at Urban Creamery are up to, as they keep coming up with amazing seasonal flavors. Try their Mango sorbet—you won’t regret it! If you’re a fan of traditional Karak tea, then Karak Gholam’s ice cream version of the same will scintillate the senses while cooling you down at the same time.
We also are officially in love with the indulgent Rococoa (check out our complete review in this issue!) and we’re extremely happy to report that they have a proper ice cream bar filled to the brim with decadent flavors and toppings that will leave you coming back for more. Tongue in Cheek, anyone? Don’t forget to chase down the OG of ice cream in Kuwait, the men controlling the little ice cream truck/bicycle hybrids. There’s always one in every governorate at this time of year, and their iceboxes are exploding with goodies like Silver, Lulu, the orange push-pops and more.
Urban Creamery is located in Sharq. Order through Carriage, call 6004 2034 and follow them on Instagram @UrbanCreamery. Karak Gholam is located in Sharq (2232 2286), Hawally (2262 0880) and Salmiya (2574 0521). Order through Talabat or Carriage, and follow them on Instagram @KarakGholam. For Rococoa ice cream, order through Carriage, visit www.rococoa.com and follow them on Instagram @rococoakw.
For more information on these great places, check out our website www.bazaar.townnew.
