No matter where one lives or visits, the recreation and leisure activities are no less important than work and business. Kuwait has all the amenities and infrastructure for business and modern living and has plenty to offer for extra curricular activities, pleasure, relaxation and pastime.
   With modernization the pastime activities of the past, Falconry, hunting in the desert and sea fishing have lost much of their appeal, though evening 'Diwaniyah' is still a favourite pastime for Kuwaiti men. Expatriates and visitors have every conceivable modern pastime and recreational activity for relaxation available in Kuwait.

THE MEDIA
In Kuwait, television and radio are state run and the rest of the media is supervised by the Ministry of Information.

   The Press
Five daily newspapers are published in Arabic, Al-Qabas (the Torch), Al-Watan (the Native Land), Al-Anbaa' (the News), Al-Rai Al Aam (Public Opinion), and Al-Seyassah (Politics). These cost 100fils each, but home delivery is available for a subscription of KD35 per year, except for Al-Anbaa' which costs 150fils a copy or KD45pa.
   There are also two daily English language newspapers, the Arab Times and the Kuwait Times. These cost 150fils each but are also available on early morning home delivery for KD45 a year. Most foreign English language quality papers are available from hotel kiosks and the larger bookshops, though they tend to arrive a day late.
   Plenty of weekly, bi-weekly and monthly magazines are published in Arabic. Many English and Arabic Newspapers and magazines from various countries are available at the better bookshops.

   Videos & Music
Kuwait has plenty of video and music shops where music audio and latest films video cassettes and CDs in Arabic, English, Hindi, Tagalog, and other languages, are available.
   Television
The ubiquitous satellite dish means that TV programmes from all over the world can be received, including CNN, TNT, Star TV, the BBC, LTV, even MTC and Israeli TV --- programmes and timings are shown in the daily newspapers. Many apartment blocks have communal dishes.
   Kuwait has four state-run channels. KTV1 broadcasts a comprehensive selection of programmes in Arabic, including variety and music shows, movies, news and current affairs, from morning until late in the evening. KTV4 takes over from KTV1 when the latter closes down and broadcasts a rather entertaining mixed bag in Arabic and English throughout the night.
   KTV2 broadcasts a variety of family and popular programmes in English. Some programmes, such as the evening movie, are subtitled in Arabic. Opening at about 2pm, KTV2 closes past midnight after the late night movie. KTV3 is Kuwait's Sports channel. It broadcasts a wide selection of live and prerecorded sporting events from all around the world, some with voice-overs in Arabic.

   Radio
Kuwait Radio bro-adcasts a wide variety of progra-mmes in Arabic and English, and in a few other languages such as Persian, Urdu and Philopino on several FM, MW and SW transmitters.
   The main Arabic station broadcasts programmes on current and social affairs as well as music and regular news bulletins.
   Kuwait also has a commercial Arabic FM station pumping out modern Arabic music on FM103.7 and classical Arabic music on FM87.9 24 hours per day.
Kuwait has its own English-language FM station, Super Station 99.7 and Easy FM 92.5.Kuwait's SUPER STATION is probably the best music station in the region.
   Kuwait's AM service in English broadcasts a mixture of cultural, religious and musical programmes that reflect a Kuwaiti view of the world, twice a day, from 8 am to 11am and from 9pm to midnight, on 963KHz on the medium wave for listeners in Kuwait and the Gulf. There is a main news at 9:00am and an extended news at 9:30pm. Listeners in South and South East Asia may tune into the morning programmes on 15110 KHz on the 19 meter band on the short-wave, while listeners in Europe and North American may pick up the evening programmes on 11990KHz on the 25 meter band on the short wave.
   Details of programmes, advertising rates and other information on Kuwait TV and Radio are available on the Ministry of Information website:www.moinfo.gov.kw
   The American Armed Forces FM Radio broadcasts a variety of programmes for American servicemen from Camp Doha on the north side of Kuwait Bay, which can be received in most parts of Kuwait.

   Overseas Radio Reception
Most international radio stations can be received in Kuwait.
   The major international broadcasting stations publish lists of frequencies, programmes and times, and these are usually available from embassies in Kuwait. The BBC World Service reports world events around the clock in English and several times a day in other languages. The VOA (Voice of America) has a relay station in Kuwait.

RECREATIONAL GARDENS & RESORTS
   The Government's success in greening the harsh desert can be seen in Kuwait's parks and road verges. Most public gardens have children's play areas and there are several amusement parks dedicated to the art of keeping children actively enthralled for hours at a time.
   Municipal Gardens
The Municipality maintains several well designed public gardens, all with naturally shaded areas, around Kuwait City.

   Zoological Park
Kuwait Zoo (tel: 473 3389) is open every day except Saturdays from 8am to 8pm in winter, and from 8am to 12 noon and 4pm to 8pm during summer. Located in Omariya on the Airport Road, entrance is 250fils, infants free.

   Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC)
The Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) organises many of the major entertainment and recreational facilities in Kuwait. It works in cooperation with local companies in developing and maintaining leisure related projects, such as beaches and sea clubs, recreational parks, guest houses and resorts, and entertainment centres for children. (tel: 5650111/5653771)

   Recreational Parks
Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) has two recreational parks, the South Sabahiya Garden (tel: 361 0472) in Ahmadi Governorate, and the Touristic Garden (tel: 434 5961 / 434 9283) in Jleeb Al-Shyoukh. Each has amuse-ments, rides and other games for children and adults, as well as snack bars, gift stalls and piped music. Both parks have 'Roman' theatres for the presentation of entertainment on weekends. Entry is 250 fils a person on ordinary days and 500 fils on evenings when shows are presented. There are also several smaller parks, run by private enterprise, offering amusements and games for children, located in different areas.
   The privately owned Al-Shaab Leisure Park (tel: 561 3777) is located next to TEC's offices on Gulf Arabian Street. The Park has a variety of games and amusements for young and old, including carousels, dodgems, bowling hall, billiards, snooker and tennis, as well as a theatre and cinema. All the amusements are linked by paths that meander through gard-ens and around water fountains. There is a restaurant block conta-ining branches of most fast food outlets in Kuwait. Open daily from 4pm to midnight (from 10am on weekends), entry is 500fils a head and games cost 250 to 750fils a go, though a full ticket may be purchased for KD2/500.

   The Green Island
Managed by TEC, this artificial island is near the Kuwait Water Towers. Linked to the main land by a short walkway, the Green Island has an amphitheatre, two restaurants, a viewing tower, a children's castle and landscape of flowers and greenery. The entry charge of 250fils a person provides a pleasant walk with some nice views of Kuwait City.

ENTERTAINMENT CITY
   Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya (the City of Entertainment) is located in Al-Doha, about 20 kilometers from the City. Run by TEC, the complex provides a complete range of amusements based on themes from the 'Arab World', the 'International World', and the 'Future World'. One of the best amusement parks in the world, the entrance fee is only KD3/500 per person, an all-in price which allows the ticket holder to enjoy various rides and amusements without paying anything extra.
Timings: Summer Winter
Sun - Wed 4- 12pm 2:30-10:30pm
Thur - Fri 4- 12pm 10am - 9pm
Sat - Closed
tel: 487 9545 / 487 9455

SHOWBIZ
   Showbiz (tel: 571 4094/5/7) is a permanently sited carnival with carousels, dodgems, donkey and cart, pony and camel rides, etc, located in Ras Salmiya. Open daily from 4pm to midnight (from 1pm on weekends), entry is free but each amusement costs 500fils a go, except for the large roller coaster (KD1) and a few other main attractions.

TOURISTIC BUS
   The Touristic Bus is an open top double-decker bus that runs from Showbiz in Ras Salmiya along the coast to Shaab and back via Salmiya and the Sultan centre. The half hour sight-seeing round trip costs 250fils per person.

THE MUSICAL FOUNTAINS
   Considered to be the fourth largest fountain in the world, the Musical Fountains (tel 242 8394), next to the Ice Skating Rink on the First Ring Road, provide a sight and sound show of music and colourful 'dancing waters', every night during the summer from 4pm to 11pm. Entry is 250 fils per person, but subscriptions for week-end shows are 500fils per adult and 250fils per child.

RESORTS & CHALETS
   Accommodation for the week-end or longer can be rented in many places along the southern part of the coast.
   Al-Khiran Resort (tel: 395 1122) is a TEC facility about 120 kilometres south of Kuwait City. The resort has nearly 200 chalets and studio flats. Facilities include a yacht club and fully serviced marina, swimming pools, playgrounds, sports and health facilities, shops, a supermarket, coffee shops, and a 24-hour business centre. Small chalets cost KD100 for a weekend and KD202/500 a week. Regular chalets cost KD110 per weekend and KD285 for a week.

   The Scientific Center
A new addition to Kuwait's attractions, The Scientific Center, was inaugurated on 17th April 2000. Situated on Gulf Road in Salmiya, this new monument is a symbol of cultural heritage projecting the advancement in sciences. Conceived and financed by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), it has the largest aquarium in the Middle East, a class IMAX theatre, Dhow Harbour, Discovery Place for children, a restaurant and a gift shop. (For further details Tel: 848888, or visit their website at: www.tsck.org.kw)

   Other Palces of Interest
Other places of interest to see in Kuwait encompass the moderately old and the almost brand new.

   Dhow Harbours & Building Yards
There are several dhow harbours along the coast where traditional wooden boats, such as sanbooks (medium-sized coastal traders), can be seen. There is a fairly large dhow harbour between the Seif Palace and the fish market, and another one just opposite the National Assembly. These are working harbours and most of the boats are used for fishing.
   Doha Village was once the centre of boat building in Kuwait but the building yards were looted and fortified by the Iraqis, and nowadays very few dhows are being built except for some exquisite miniatures.

   Al-Hashemi II
The world's largest wooden dhow, owned and built by Hussein Marafie, Al-Hashemi II is a 'Baghalah'of monumental proportions. 'Baghalah' was a large wooden cargo vessel which sailed the seas in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Constructed next to the Radisson SAS Hotel, the double-decked Al-Hashemi II is dry-docked next to a pre-oil era Kuwaiti village and marine museum containing models of extinct and modern dhows. The lower deck has the Grand Ballroom, one of the finest in Kuwait.
   Al-Hashemi II has earned the distinction of being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

OLD BUILDINGS
   There are several old houses from the pre-oil era along the seif (waterfront) which have been renovated and prese-rved, including the old British Political Agency building opposite the Dhow harbour. In the area just inland in Sharq there are some interesting broken down old houses awaiting preservation.
   Bayt Al-Badr, an old house located next to As-Sadu house, was built between 1838 and 1848. It is a good example of the famous front doors of old Kuwait and exhibitions of local handicrafts are sometimes displayed there.
   There is a replica of an old Kuwaiti town next to the Dhow harbour opposite the National Assembly, which includes a play area for children and is occasionally used for traditional cultural events. Though it is a bit contrived, the replica does provide a good idea of what a coastal Gulf village was like in the old days.
   There are several ancient mosques in Kuwait City which are still in use. The oldest is the well-preserved Al-Khalifa Mosque, opposite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Arabian Gulf Street, which was built in 1714CE (1126AH). Other 18th century mosques include Ibn Khammes, Al-Nesif and Soud Mosques, and Al-Hamdan Mosque in the Central Area. Al-Matabba (now Shamlan bin Ali bin Seif Al-Roumi) Mosque and Ibn Bahar Mosque (opposite the Council of Ministers) are from the 19th century.

OLD CITY WALL GATES
   The wall around the old City was demolished in 1957 but its five gates were left standing as monuments to the past. These are Maqsab Gate (by the sea, down from the Sheraton Hotel), Jahra Gate (inside the roundabout at the bottom of Fahd Al-Salem Street), Shamiya Gate (at the start of Riyadh Street), Beraisi Gate (at the end of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street), and Bneid Al-Qar Gate (in Bneid Al-Qar), in the green belt between Soor (wall) Street and the First Ring Road. The gates were destroyed by the Iraqi invaders but have since been rebuilt.

BAYT LOTHAN
   A wonderful cultural centre on the seif at Salmiya, Bayt Lothan (tel: 575 5866 / 5877) was set up to preserve the culture of, and develop skills in the creative arts and crafts of Kuwait and the Gulf, and to promote fine arts and handicrafts both locally and internationally. The Bayt's facilities include a court yard for lectures and concerts, an exhibition hall, a children's play centre, two tea rooms, a shop selling art materials, books and gifts. The Bayt, a private non-profit organization, offers basic training programmes in creating jewellery, pottery, drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, Arabic calligraphy, and music, and provides much of the materials and equipment needed. All courses are conducted by professionals and are open to both the indigenous and expatriate communities. Bayt Lothan also organises and sponsors art exhibitions, educational programmes and public service campaigns.

SADU HOUSE
   The 'House of Weaving', located near the National Museum, is a fine example of a pre-oil era house. It exhibits bedouin camel bags, decorations, tent dividers, carpets and cushions and is open in the mornings and from 5 to 7 pm, Saturdays to Thursdays. Founded to preserve the art of Sadu, Bedouin women can be seen weaving inside. Sadu House (tel: 243 2395) organizes weaving lessons. The Kuwait Textile Association (President: Fadela Bird tel: 5624517) holds seminars, lectures and demonstrations under the auspices of Sadu House.
(Website: www.sadu-house.com)

MUSEUMS
   The National Museum (tel 245 1195 / 245 6534 fax 240 4862), near the National Assembly, comprised four buildings and a planetarium. It once housed the Dar Al-Athar al-Islamiyah, the As-Sabah collection of Islamic Art, one of the most comprehensive in the world. Other buildings housed pearl diving relics, ethnographical artefacts and archaeological material from excavations on Faylaka Island. Looted and burned by the Iraqi invaders the museum is now restored and some exhibits are again open to the public including parts of the Dar Al-Athar al-Islamiyah collection, ninety percent of which has been returned from Iraq. In 1997, Muhallab II, the replacement for (and replica of) the magnificent trading dhow from the 1930s that graced the front yard of the museum before it was burned by the Iraqis, was constructed on site and is now open to visitors.
   The Educational Science Museum (tel 242 1268 / 244 8320-1 / 244 1791-2) is on Abdullah Mubarak Street. It contains displays of the petroleum industry, natural history, aviation, machinery, electronics, space and zoology subjects, as well as a health hall and a planetarium. The museum is open from 9:00am to noon and from 4:30 to 7:30pm everyday except Thursdays and Fridays. Entrance fees are 150fils per adult and 100fils per child.
The Taraq Rajab Museum (tel 531 7358 / 531 8060) is a private museum, located in a villa in Jabriya (area 12), that specialises in Islamic arts and crafts. A large collection of ethnic and Islamic gold and silver jewellery, manuscripts, metalworks, textiles, embroideries and costumes, ceramics and musical instruments, can be viewed every weekday from 9am to noon and 4 to 8pm every day except Friday afternoons.
   The new KOC Display Centre is an ultra-modern audio-visual museum of Kuwait's oil industry, past and present. It is open to the public by appointment (tel: 398 2393).

LIBERATION MONUMENTS
There are several monuments to the Iraqi occupation and Allied liberation of Kuwait here and there, all conceived in a discrete understated style.
   Al-Qurain House (tel 543 0343) was the site of a bloody battle between the Messilah Resistance Group and the Iraqi occupiers. Situated in the new Qurain housing area on road 208 between the Fahaheel and Magreb Expressways, the house is now a museum and monument to the martyrs of Kuwait.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE
A stroll around Kuwait City or its suburbs is well worth the while for persons interested in modern buildings.
   The Kuwait Water Towers (tel 244 4021) are situated on Arabian Gulf Street on a promontory to the east of the centre of the city in Dasman. The Towers are the country's most famous landmark. The uppermost sphere of the largest tower (187 metres high) has a revolving observation area (one full turn every half hour) and a restaurant, with access by high speed lift. Entrance is 500fils per person but is free if lunch or dinner has been reserved. Cameras with zoom lens are forbidden. The other two spheres in the towers are water tanks, containing about 4.5 million gallons of water each.
   The Liberation Tower, with a height of 372 meters, is the fifth tallest communication tower in the world. Construction started in April 1987 but had to stop due to Iraqi Invasion in August 1990 and resumed in 1993. Covering an area of 21,000 square meters, it includes a hall to serve the public 24 hours a day and the new main building has administrative and technical offices and the Liberation Tower. The eighteen meter under ground foundation holds three basements. The tower has a revolving restaurant and the vertical cavities in the tower body contain two elevators which provide panoramic view of the city as they climb to the revolving restaurant and the viewing balcony.
   There are many fine examples of modern mosque architecture in Kuwait. These include the pyramid shaped mosque in Ras Salmiya and the Fatima Mosque in Abdullah Al-Salem. The Grand Mosque (tel 241 8448/7 to arrange guided tours), opposite the Seif Palace, combines several traditional Islamic styles using modern technology while retaining the local characteristics of Kuwait as well as preserving the Islamic tradition of calligraphy. The three-storeyed Islamic Medicine Mosque, attached to the Centre for Islamic Medicine in the Al-Sabah Hospital Area, is a masterpiece of Islamic style and calligraphy.

AROUND & ABOUT
There are several areas in the country of interest to nature lovers. Near Sulaibi-khat, for example, there are mudflats where various species of marine and terrestrial animals can be seen, as well as (occasionally) flamingoes.
   Jahra Town was once a small flourishing garden settlement, with a strategic importance because it was on the intersection of three major caravan (and invasion) routes. The ancient Qasr Al-Ahmar (Red Fort), famous for several historic battles, is open during the morning and is well worth a visit. Driving in Jahra is a unique experience.
   Ahmadi, Kuwait's oil town, lies about 40km south of the City. It is attractively laid out in tree-lined avenues fringed by small houses with well-tended gardens, which gives the place a park-like appearance.
   Wafra, in the deep south, is the main centre for farming in Kuwait. The area has about 1,000 farms and the town has a vast vegetable market for local produce which is patronised by buyers from Kuwait City, who descend on the place in droves during the weekend.

THE MOVIES
   There are 15 cinemas run by the Kuwait National Cinema Company (tel: 5396091). Seating areas for families and single men are segregated, and women do not usually go to the cinema alone. Arabic, Indian, Chinese and international films are shown. Prices range from KD1/500 to 3/- a head. Tel 5387300/400 for locations and timings. Automated 24-hour telephone service for movies schedule 803456.

New Cinema Entertainment Center
KNCC has plans to construct a unique multiplex cinema entertainment center at the current location of Drive-in cinema on the 6th ring road with 10 screens. The center will also have restaurants, bowling alley, games arcade, prayer rooms, internet cafe and extensive shopping centre.

SCIENCE & CULTURAL ARTS
The cerebrally orientated will find that Kuwait is a hive of intellectual activity.

The Sciences
The sciences are actively encouraged. The Kuwait Fund for the Advancement of Science receives a compulsory donation from the annual profits of public companies which it uses to fund scientific research.
   Membership of The Science Club on the 6th Ring Road is open to all nationalities. Managed by a group of enthusiastic amateurs, the Club's amazing range of facilities and the latest in scientific hardware includes Al-Aujairy Observatory. Its aims are to create an informal environment in which people of all ages, from pre-teens to grandparents, can develop their scientific hobbies. Contact:
tel 5396561/2 fax 5392549
e-mail: kscintr@hotmail.com.

ART & ARTISTS
   The government actively encourages the development of artistic talents in Kuwait and provides funding for developing artists to study abroad.
   The Free Atelier, founded in 1960, to provide technical help and professional instruction for students, and its full-time artists have their studios on the premises near the British Embassy in Arabian Gulf Street. Visitors are welcome between 8:00am and 2:00pm every day except Thursdays and Fridays.
   There are several commercial art galleries, notably in Salhiya Complex and in Salmiya.

VISITING DIWANIYAHS
   Male expatriates, are often invited to the diwaniyahs of their Kuwaiti friends. These are excellent opportunities for making good business contacts. Indeed, a pleasant evening may be spent going from one diwaniyah to another. These diwaniyahs range from large formal gatherings used as public meeting places and platforms by well known Kuwaitis down to small private diwaniyahs where a club atmosphere reigns.
   In the formal diwaniyahs seating is usually provided. If not, sitting cross-legged on the floor becomes comfortable in time. Tea and other beverages, and small snacks are served.

OTHER CLUBS & SOCIETIES
   Kuwait has many clubs and societies catering to a wide range of social interests.
The Kuwait Transplant Society carries out public awareness campaigns to encourage the public to donate their organs. The society also encourages re-search and, in cooperation with Arab and international organisations, organises seminars and conferences. (tel: 2520230/0147, fax: 2560751).
   The Social Reform Society was established in 1963 with the aim of providing moral guidelines for the country's youth. It does so by contributing to the debate on educa-tional policies and by encouraging charitable works through the organisation of social activities for all sectors of society. (tel: 2514180, fax: 2560523).
   Bayader Al-Salem Society - Women aims to achieve social, educational, cultural and religious objectives in practical ways, such as by organising lectures and seminars to improve the cultural awareness of women, by establishing model nurseries, by organising educational courses in household management and other topics, and by founding kindergartens and schools. (tel: 2514501/8, fax: 2514528).

SPORTS ACTIVITIES
   Kuwait has an abundance of sports and leisure facilities and there are facilities for playing all major field, track and indoor sports, such as tennis, handball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, gymnastics, squash, table tennis, etc. Despite its small size the country has four world-class stadiums. Each has a capacity for about 25,000 spectators and can host international field and track events by day or night. Football, with more than 120 football pitches in sporting clubs and schools, is by far the most popular sport in Kuwait, followed by basketball.

SPORTS FEDERATIONS & THE KUWAIT OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
   The Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour provides generous funding for organised sports activities through the Public Authority for Youth and Sports. Sports activities are organised into federations which are supervised by the Kuwait Olympics Committee. The sports federations and the Kuwait Olypmic Committee are located in Hawalli (tel: 263 7904).
   The Kuwait Olympic Committee, which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and is a member of the Asian Games Federation, organises Kuwait's participation in international events. Kuwait first took part in the Olympics in Mexico City in 1968 and Kuwait won the Olympic gold medal, in Moscow in 1980. Indeed in the last twentyfive years Kuwait has had outstanding success in international soccer, equestrianism, swimming and athletics, much of which can be attributed to the encouragement of HH the Amir, generous state support, the enthusiasm of fans and the media and, above all, to the guidance and organisational genius of Sk. Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah who was first elected chairman of the Kuwait Olympic Committee in 1974. Sadly, Sk. Fahd died valiantly in defence of his home on the 2nd August, 1990. The current chairman of the Olympic Committee is Sk. Ahmed Fahd Al-Ahmed, a worthy successor to his father.

ICE-SKATING
   TEC's Ice Skating Rink (tel: 241 1151-3 ) is just off the 1st Ring Road at Shamiya Gate. It has an Olympic size skating floor as well as a smaller rink. The small rink is often reserved for women and children, and it may be rented for private and corporate parties. Training is available and there are equipment rental shops (which also sell skating clothes and equipment) and a small cafe. Hours are 8:30am to 10:00pm every day except Saturday. Entry 500 fils and scating costs KD1/500 per head (including rental of shoes).
   Kuwait Skating School offers a variety of reasonably-priced courses from beginners to advanced for children and adults.
Contact: Gilda Karam mbl: 9058996

SWIMMING
   The beaches are safe, though sea urchins and stone fish may be encountered. Sea snakes are sometimes seen but they are not aggressive. Jelly fish may annoy at times. Shark attacks are virtually unknown. However there are strong currents along parts of the coast, so bathing at the popular beaches and clubs is safest.

   Swimming Pools & Sea-Clubs
Women and families may prefer to go to the facilities operated by TEC, all of which have supervised bathing, swimming pools, cafeterias, shaded areas with tables, showers and changing rooms, gardens and play areas for children, though moderate entry fees are charged.
   The Swimming Complex (tel: 562 2600) in Shaab on Arabian Gulf Street contains an Olympic-size pool and a diving pool for youth and adult use only. There is a family section with a beginners' pool and two pools for the under-fives. The complex also has a swimming school and cafeteria as well as a billiards and snooker hall.
   The Aqua-Park (tel: 243 1960-3) is beside Kuwait Towers. Its main attractions are the water slide and artificial wave pools. There are also kids pools, as well as restaurants.
TEC runs three sea clubs, Shaab Sea Club (tel: 564 1953), Ras al-Ardh (tel: 574 0977) in Ras Salmiyah, and Fahaheel Marine Club (tel: 372 4073). The clubs have swimming pools, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, and amusement halls. Shaab and Ras al-Ardh have bowling alleys, fitness centres, a sauna, a swimming school, and amusement halls. Shaab also has a karate gym, while Ras al-Ardh has table tennis. All three clubs have gardens, each with a theatre and cafeteria. Ras al-Ardh has a billiards hall and a ball room, while Shaab caters to nautical members with a 200-berth anchorage for boats (maximum 15-foot) and related services.
   TEC operates three beaches, Messilah Beach (tel: 5650642) just off the Fahaheel Expressway and Oqeilah near Fintas(tel: 3900583), and Fahaheel (tel: 3719496), where bathers are supervised by trained life-guards. These beaches have cafeterias and open theatres. Messilah also has a swimming pool for adults and two for children, as well as children's entertainment such as a spider's web climbing pole and a train.

WATER SPORTS
   Sports such as boating, wind-surfing and jet skiing may be enjoyed off most beaches. Police regulations prevent speed-boats and jet-skis from entering areas used for swimming.

   Fishing
There are fish of every conceivable shape and size in the waters off Kuwait, just there for the taking, including six different sorts of shark, two types of barracuda, stinging and non-stinging ray fish, four sorts of mackerel and tuna, and an array of soles, breams, snappers, rock and cat fish, flounders, cobias, puffers and needlefish.
   Fishing can be done from the beaches using sophisticated long casting rods, from prominent rocks and the ends of piers using simple poles, lines and hooks or wire baskets to catch fry, from the water off the beaches using nets held by several persons, from boats using trawls and multi-hooked lines. Tackle, from the simple to the ultra-sophisticated, is available (see Boats & Yachts in the KPG Business Directory), though many of the most successful fishers seem to use rather crude looking home-made equipment.
The fishing boats can be hired either from dhow harbours or private companies operating in TEC's sea clubs.

   Yachting
Kuwait is a sailor's paradise. Off-shore there is nearly always a moderate breeze and it is not often that sailors are becalmed or driven to land by rough seas. Boats range from small sailing dinghies to large yachts.
   The Yachting Club, on Arabian Gulf Street next to Shaab Sea Club, has a marina with 390 fully-serviced berths for craft with a minimum length of 25 feet. The club has a marine survey centre and also runs the nearby Shaab Anchorage where it costs KD1 a day to moor a small boat. The Yatching Club organises an annual regatta and speed boat championships.
The Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association (KOSA) is a registered Royal Yachting Association shore-training centre and offers internationally recognised shore-based theory courses. KOSA, which has about 50 members and ten boats (24 to 40 foot), runs three racing series in Kuwait each season (September to June) under international offshore racing regulations and also takes part in international races. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 7:30pm in the Messila Beach Hotel. Sailing and racing takes place on weekends from TEC's marina at Shaab.
   There is a Catamaran Club centred on the Messilah Beach Hotel for Hobie (16-footers) and Dart (18-footers) which meets once a month at the home of one of its members. All the boats are privately owned. Members welcome visitors on Thursday afternoons and Fridays and, though there are no formal training courses, newcomers will find that members are happy to demonstrate their craft.

   Scuba Diving
Despite increasing pollution from the Shatt al-Arab, the seas off Kuwait are comparatively clear, and scuba diving is popular. The best locations are off-shore around Qit'at (Donkey's Reef), Umm al-Maradim and Qaruh islands in the south and so most trips leave from Fahaheel or the Khiran Resort area.
   There are several diving schools offering training courses, from complete beginners to assistant instructors, conducted by instructors with internationally recognised certification. Equipment can be hired from diving centres and commercial establishments, which also organise diving trips on weekends and public holidays. Diving trips are about KD15 a person per day and full cylinders can be hired for KD2 each.

   Pearl Diving
To preserve Kuwait's pre-oil heritage, pearl diving using traditional boats and equipment is being revived under the auspices of HH the Crown Prince. The boats are prepared in April, training in diving techniques takes place in June and July, and there are diving competitions in late August.

HIRING & BUYING BOATS & EQUIPMENT
   Taking a boat trip to one of the islands, such as Failaka, can make for a pleasant day out, with swimming and picnicing on fish caught by trawl or line along the way. A dhow can be hired for a few hundred dinar a day, including crew and all running costs, which is ideal for a small office outing or for several families clubbing together. Enquire at any dhow harbour.
KPTC (tel: 5742664) runs ferry trips from Ras Salmiya to Failaka Island every day. The return journey costs KD2/500 per person, cars with driver KD 20 and box cars KD 25. The time schedules are different for every day and monthly schedules are available from KPTC. A trip by dhow to Umm al-Maradim Island for 30 people from Khiran Resort (tel: 3951122) costs KD100 for 12 hours.
   Boats may also be hired at the sea clubs. One holding 14 persons rents for KD25 an hour. A 45-minute sea trip in a large boat usually costs KD2 a head or KD1 in a small boat. But at the Yacht Club a 74-footer holding up to 35 persons can be rented for KD250 for the day.
   Parasailing is available from some of the sea clubs. Jet skis may be hired from private traders on the beaches for KD10 an hour; the owner usually insists on holding the customer's civil ID to ensure the safe return of the equipment.
   For long-term enjoyment it is more economical to buy. Most international brands of marine equipment are on sale (see KPG Brands & Agents Directory), though locally made boats are also available (KD1,150 upwards for a fibreglass pleasure-fishing boat). Gear for speed boating, windsurfing, jet skiing, water skiing, yachting and scuba diving can be bought from the dealers shown under Boats & Yachts in the KPG Business Directory.

THE CUISINES OF KUWAIT
   The polyethnic diversity of the population is the reason that a vast range of foodstuffs is available in Kuwait. The staples of the Arabian, Western, Indian and Far Eastern diets are sold in the supermarkets. Up-market speciality shops offer haute nouriture from Lebanon and Europe. Small groceries supply the soul foods of Arabia and the Eastern Mediterranean, Pakistan, Baluchistan, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand --- everything from fragrant rice to fermented fish. This phenomenal choice is reflected on private dinner tables and in Kuwait's innumerable restaurants. Kuwait is a food lover's paradise.
   Home cooking and partying play an important part in the social life of expatriates. This may be due to the emphasis on family life and the conservative nature of evening entertainment in Kuwait. But the culinary emphasis also arises from the abundance of freshly caught seafood and fresh vegetables and fruit available every day in the local markets.

EATING OUT
   Kuwait is rumoured to have more restaurants per resident than any other country in the world. Without a doubt there is choice enough to suit every taste and pocket.

Hotels Restaurants
   The restaurants found in Kuwait's major hotels range from coffee-shops to exclusive dining rooms where international haute cuisine is served. Compared to Europe, America and Japan, prices are reasonable.
   Every hotel has a buffet where for a fixed price guests may gorge themselves without limit. These serve a variety of hot and cold foods and though the cooking is not exclusively Arabic, they do offer excellent introductions to Kuwaiti cuisine. Prices range from less than KD5 to 15 a head at most, which is cheap considering the quantity, quality and variety of food.
   In addition to Arabic and 'intern-ational' cuisine, many hotel restaurants have 'theme nights', such as Italian, Japanese, Western, etc, when they offer foods and ambience based on national cuisines from the East or the West.

   Other Restaurants
Outside the hotels there are hundreds of restaurants where substantial meals can be enjoyed at very reasonable prices. Those that specialise in particular national cuisines, such as Arabic, Persian, Indian, Chinese, Philippino and Italian, seem to enjoy better culinary success than the few that serve a mix of styles in an attempt to satisfy all tastes.
   Possibly because of its relative blandness, Continental and American cuisine is mainly found in the larger hotels. Yet there are several Italian and other European restaurants in Kuwait City and down the coast.

   Small Restaurants, Take-aways & Casual Dining
Every street in Kuwait has several small sandwich shops with a few seats and a mainly take-away clientele. Most sell Arabic snack foods, such as sh'wermas, samboosas, and falafel, and a filling collation may be enjoyed for less than half a dinar. Most of the Arab, Indian, Persian, and Chinese restaurants, even the larger ones, provide a take-away service.
   The apex of local restaurants are the kebab houses selling kebabs, shish kebabs, hummus, juices, samadi (a mix of ice creams, fruits and juices) and other triumphs of Arabic casual dining. These are mainly found in residential areas. A full meal costs KD1/250 a head at most, and foil and plastic wrapped deliveries to nearby flats and residences at no extra charge are usual.
   For those with unadventurous palates, the homogenous burger of American casual dining experience is available most everywhere, along with the usual range of pizza parlours. Though they tend to be concentrated in the City and the shopping areas such as Salmiyah and along the Seif (Gulf Road), outlets for international chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Wimpy's, Hardees, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut, Pizza Italia, etc, are found just about everywhere in Kuwait. Of more interest to the discerning is the growth in recent years of local chains of casual dining outlets, such as Bint Al-Deek, Naif Chicken, which serve a creative mix of international and Arabic casual dining foods using mostly home-reared animals and fresh produce.