September 15 and we've been in Dubai almost a week to begin the tedious, unknown of processing Jeroen's work visa for Kuwait. After 10 years in Angola, Jeroen and I have accepted that visa = time. A lot of it. We arrived in Dubai and escorted to the Consulate, where the smartly dressed Jeroen was prepared to join the queues and submit his paperwork. Instead, we sat in the air-conditioned car, and the neighboring Sheik driver introduced himself, relieved Jeroen of the passport and photo's and we sat in the car again. After 10 minutes he returned and we were driven to a decidedly seedy
apartment building with no working lift. After taking Jeroens name and details, the receptionist then became the doctor who asked a few questions, took some blood and off we went. Visa submitted and back to the hotel within an hour. Very painless.
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| Dubai Mall decoration |
A visit to the Dubai Mall and a looksee at the worlds tallest building, the Burj standing at 628 metres tall.
Dubai is in the process of building and even taller building.
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| Dubai Tower, worlds tallest building |
Dubai Mall was worth a visit.
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| Diving fountain |
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| Umbrella walkway |
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| Dubai Dinosaur |
This skeleton installed at the Dubai Mall was discovered in a sleeping position in 2008 at the Dana Quarry in the US state of Wyoming. The exhibit was air-freighted from the US and is now on permanent display in Dubai.
Also in the Dubai Mall is a massive aquarium. Jeroen commented he may like to set up aquarium again...
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| Underwater magic |
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| Diving in Dubai Mall |
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| Tickets please! |
Still used to Angola and the many things that can go wrong with visa applications, imagine our amazement that the visa was granted within 3 days!
So, off to Kuwait to our new host country.
Kuwait is a tiny oil-rich nation situated on the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, and shares borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. As of 2016
[update], Kuwait has a population of 4.2 million people; 1.3 million are Kuwaitis and 2.9 million are expatriates.
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| Kuwait |
Kuwait marked 27 years since the end of the Gulf War this year and there appear to be no remnants of war in the city.
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| Kuwait invaded |
Iraqi lea
der Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion and occupation of neighbouring Kuwait in early August 1990. Hussein defied United Nations Security Council demands to withdraw from Kuwait by mid-January 1991, and the Persian Gulf War began with a massive U.S.-led air offensive known as Operation Desert Storm. After 42 days of relentless attacks by the allied coalition in the air and on the ground, U.S. President George H.W. Bush declared a cease-fire on February 28; by that time, most Iraqi forces in Kuwait had either surrendered or fled.
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| Kuwait City today |
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| Beautiful mosques everywhere |
After the sometimes insecure feeling of being out in public in Angola it was a pleasure to be out walking in Great Avenue Mall, Kuwait with Angola friends, Nancy and James. The Mall is one of the largest in the world, housing over 800 shops. The appearance and feel of the mall is a whole lot of 'avenues' where you walk up and down between the houses, trees, shops all under cover with natural light.
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| Strolling through Grand Avenues Mall |
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| Gold, crystals, marble.. everywhere |
Upon arrival to Kuwait I messaged family that the temperature was 43 degrees. I was wrong...it was 46. We are so thankful and blessed to have high functioning AC.
Our temporary accommodation is at Movenpick Beach Hotel and Resort. I have already enjoyed my first swim in this pool -
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| Wonderfully relaxing |
and after a lot of exercise walking a few kilometres through the Mall (a common way of exercising here) I will sleep well. Not to mention the delight in enjoying Movenpick's free chocolate hour EVERY evening! Wahoo!
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| Chocolate goodies |
September 16 already in New Zealand and big shout out and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear Dad, Graeme Satherley. 70 today.
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| Whitebaiting - Sept 2013 |
Congratulations Dad. You've done well to get here after all you've been through. Loving you across the miles. xxxsharon and jeroen.
September 30, we've been in Kuwait 2 weeks now. The temperature is between late 30's to late 40's...pretty warm but thank God for AC and swimming pools. What is very nice is the sunshine.
While Jeroen has begun his new work I have been looking for a house, checking out supermarkets and generally finding my way around. For now, we have a temporary driver who scoots Jeroen off to work and spends the rest of the time telling me I have to hurry up as he doesn't want to be late to pick Jeroen up. A nice Indian man who often gives me oranges and generally likes to give me advice on where to live and which supermarkets are too expensive for me. I am looking forward to the freedom of relying on taxi's which seems to be the norm for expat wives here.
Jeroen has not driven to work for 10 years! And recently we heard that even a failure to stop at a stop sign could be reason to be deported.
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| Stop here Jeroen! |
A stiff penalty but hopefully a deterrent for the crazy driving here. Still not as crazy as Luanda....the roads here are much smoother, better maintained and the cars are all new. No patched-up-with-duct-tape here!
I have been scouting around for street animals and generally have only seen cats who all look reasonably healthy (compared to animal life in Angola). Maybe we will get a cat however in the meantime I found this place to visit!
The Q-8 Cat Café is open for people to go and share some time with cats and adopt them if you are able.
Yesterday I caught up with Angola friend, Rebecca, who has also moved here. Wonderful to reconnect with her again. We went to church together and she shared light on why there is not much advertising on churches in Kuwait. They are not illegal, but don't seem to be widely publicised. After phoning I was given the location of another church. So seems there are two nearby to where we will live.
I have spent most of my time here looking for a home - not easy when Arabic-English translation goes a bit wonky like this ad:
Villas and houses For Rent in Kuwait
City
For rent Villa in Al Jabri finishing deluxe two and a quarter and five
rooms and halls and Diwaniyah and a store and Saik and servants of monsters and
a large garden and an indoor garage Remote Control Rent 2000 dinars final
Finally found one last week in the area of Bayan. Looking forward to moving in the next weeks and settling a little after months on the go.
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| Not our new home but the Bayan Palace nearby |
His Royal Highness, Shiekh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah is the Monarch in Kuwait - The Palace serves as the seat of Government. America, Brazil, and Belgium are some of the countries with embassies located in Bayan.
The Kuwait Dinar or KD is one of the highest valued currencies worldwide and is subdivided into 1000 fils -presently its all just paper and coins to me. The notes are easily distinguishable however I haven't cottoned onto the coins yet. Time to learn Arabic I guess...still blurting out the Portuguese until then.
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| Coins of Kuwait
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Thursday saw the Red Arrows return to Kuwait for the 3rd time as part of their Middle East Tour. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team performed a 22 minute show.
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| Red Arrows...remember them, Mam? |
October 1, Word for today - shukran=thankyou. Gotta start somewhere.
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| The Movenpick ladies |
I met this lovely group of women who live at the Movenpick. In the centre is a kiwi - Ang and on the right is old friend from Angola, Nancy.
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| New Old Singer machine |
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| Lunch box at work |
Jeroen gets this cool little goody box for 2 KD per month daily.
I had an encounter today while hanging out the washing on the balcony clothes drying rack. My mind somewhere else and looked to the left and there's this little fella.
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| So close! |
Well, I thought, poor parrot; you're lost and probably hungry. So out with a selection of nibbles and he chose the apple.
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| My first Kuwait animal rescue! |
But then,.....
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| His mate came too |
and then!
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| Invalid first Kuwait Animal rescue |
Cheeky birds are everywhere...no doubt they'll be back tomorrow.
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| View from one of the homes we viewed |
October 4, after speaking with a friend at home who was concerned for our safety in Kuwait, be reassured that we are as, if not safer, than anywhere else in the world. I feel so much more free to walk in safety than in Angola. To be realistic: Kuwait does not have the biggest threat to life that Angola does: the Malaria-carrying mosquito. One of my friends' husband almost died following complications from malaria.
Its true there have been terrorist attacks here in Kuwait, notably the suicide bombing of a Shia mosque in 26 June 2015 where twenty-seven people were killed and 227 people were wounded. Twenty-nine suspects were taken to court and 15 were found guilty, with death sentences for some.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombing.
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| Mosque attack |
Death sentences are not common but do happen with 7 hanged in January for crimes or rape and murder.
Kuwait airport, malls and hotels (including where we are currently living) routinely scan bags and cars for bombs.
Ligther impressions of the day:
NOTE TO SELF:
Mint cordial tastes like mouthwash.
Turkish coffee is not the same as Jeroen's favoured espresso.
Wipe mouth and chin before leaving chocolate hour at Movenpick and do not rely on husband to inform me that I have a telltale chocolate streak on my chin.
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| Not on the shopping list |
Still on the hunt for a Kuwait bin-kitty. Found these Felix-looking chaps on the beach having a squabble. I notice that birds and animals come to drink from the swimming pools...clearly they've adapted to the chlorine taste!
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| Beach kitties |
I feel as if I have been on a magic carpet trip today! Nancy and I whisked through the Kuwait Fabric Souq (market). Wonderful.
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| Outside the souq |
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| Indian Heritage Shop |
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| Nancy and me, together again |
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| How much are those scissors? |
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| Outside humidity fans |
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| Suit time! |
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| Every kind of embellishment |
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| Cute little Indian stools |
October 10, keys picked up for new home.
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| New home in Bayan, Kuwait |
Car-spotting by Jeroen.
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| Nice wheels |
Off to the supermarket....everything under the sun available. Everything fresh and how can it be that prime NZ beef is cheaper than at home?
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| Spices at Sultan Centre |
I have noticed there are alot of bloggers here in the Middle East. Mine is a humble little thing but still enjoy keeping this travel diary.
There is strict regulation on what is published here...if i try to read an article on a certain crime, the link simply wont open.
But i did manage to spot this sad/funny picture from a few years ago in the area we will live. Not sure if he took off from the nearby zoo or was abandanoed due to a new law prohibiting people to keep dangerous animals...there was speculation that these exotic animals would be abandoned to the streets.
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| Lion in custody |
Bin Kitty Alert! Today i enjoyed a late afternoon swim and heard a cat making a racket...i called out to the little ginger and white kit and she stopped near me in the bushes - just lay there scrunching her paws and watching. The most beautiful amber colour eyes.
I said farewell and later in evening Jeroen went for a beach stroll...there she was! I had taken a bit of food, which was ravenously eaten ...then we're surrounded by four of them!
Here are two of them.
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| Bin kitties |
October 12, supposedly our airshipment arrives tonight for pickup on sunday. As per regulations Jeroen is required to go to airport to authenticate shipment...i am not able to do it.
I was given this artwork by new Kiwi friend, Ang.
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| Kiwi art |
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| Bedroom view |
Moving in to new place on sunday...this is the view from our bedroom...check out the dusty water toys opposite.
I have noticed on many occasions unrestrained children in moving vehicles in Kuwait but this one wins the most otlandish!
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| On the move |
Scandal is enveloping Hollywood in harrassment claims, A british man is in jail in Dubai for breaching local law, UK school children are being sent home from school with skirts too short, wrong colour hair and shoes - whatever happened to 'treat others as you would like to be treated yourself' and 'rules are for everyone'?...you break the law in that environment or country, you take the consequences.....meanwhile in, Kuwait Scrolling through classifieds:
- A leading mobile accessaries destributers is looking for a full time Merchandiser. Good looking and speaks Arabic and English.
- Nurses Needed Urgently : Basic nursing..good salary, 3 years experience, female...brain starts ticking over...can i work here? oh...needs to be less than 40 years old ðŸ˜
- For sale: volkswagen car. Red in colour. Awefully maintained.
- Reputed Medical company looking for Secretary/Administration Officer .
Bachelor’s degree in a related position
Good Looking
Any Nationality (no Egyptians)
- Hi room for rent in flat for decent family or bachlores
Back out to find the street cats....
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| ...there they are! |
October 13, out and about Kuwait for haircut for Jeroen (most expensive ever at NZD $65 and never again!), out to Grand Avenues and lunch with new friends, an unexpected mad hatters tea party strolling by, and chocolate hour!
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| Amusement group |
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| John and Jo |
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| Haircut |
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| Chocolate with Rose |
We had a super time staying one month at Al Bida'a Movenpick Hotel and Beach Resort, Kuwait - thanks to master chocolatier, Rose, our stay was even brighter. Time to move soon into our new home. No free chocloate hour in Bayan.
October 17, back to fabric market also Thai dinner with Jeroens colleague and wife.....where we met their 'street cats'.
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| Sparky |
Robert and Alice lived in Kuwait before - when they left they took SEVEN street cat pets ensuring their fame even before they arrived in new host country. Now they have no moggies of their own but they do look after six bin kitties who are not exactly struggling, having been catered for also by their previous humans.
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| Street cats |
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| Fabrics of all sumptuousness |
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| Colour everywhere |
October 17, off to the Cat Café!
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| The only scuffle |
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| Lottie and pals |
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| Chocolate box cat |
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| Felix clone |
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| Don't mind me, I'll just carry on snoozing |
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| Jo and her moggy |
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| Wants to play |
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| Bowl cat |
October 20, friday and off to church.
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| Christian Fellowship Kuwait |
Church is in a villa, underground. There is no advertising for services or location and i have to remember which villa its in as there is no signage.
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| Love one another |
So nice to catch up with Angola Rebecca. We had a nice morning at church then a bit of shopping. Rebecca is a teacher at one of the local schools.
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| Rebecca and me |
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| Ice cream |
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| NZ apples |
I often see NZ products here....please can you explain, new New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern; why can i buy prime quality NZ products here in the Middle East cheaper than in NZ?! Crazy. But i am happy.
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| NZ rugby |
New Zealand is popular here!
A house on our street. Many spectacular, ornate and grand homes here. And lots of nice doors!
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| Second street |
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| Door next to church |
October 21, out eith Jeroen to pick up tailored trousers he had made from fabric souq. Nice merino wool and craftmanship. No doubt we will go back.
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| Contact |
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| Dress shopping |
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| Old Souq |
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| Different cultures |
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| Tea for Two....Thousand! |
Quote of the week:
Sharon: I am ready to go home now thanks Peter.
Driver: Good Madam. Because time is running like hell!
October 23, out walking in our neighbourhood, Bayan in morning and at night.
This is Bayan Public Park, an oasis of green near our home.
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| Bayan Public Park |
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| Walking in the Park |
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| Gated park |
And I seem to find car cemetery's...here's Bayan's one.
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| What's under here then? |
My Dad would know....maybe a Bentley, Dad?
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| Bayan Old Cool Bus |
Or.....
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| Genuine Buns! |
Temperatures are decreasing and soon it will be winter. 19-35 degrees today.
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| Mosque near home |
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| Peaceful |
October 25, remembering my Grandad.
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| Downtown Kuwait |
Driving around with Jo...she's able to drive on her international licence and having lived here before knows her way around most places.
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| Cute building |
Today, initiating Jamila to the world of fabric and sewing.
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| Jamila and Jo ogling the fabrics |
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| Night walk |
Loving being able to walk at night in freedom with Jeroen. Still warm at 28 degrees.
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| Night mosque |
October 30, out to market and watched the procss of bread making at the market. Delicious with kebab, humous, pomegranite, rocket, lemon, garlic, onions.
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| Baker |
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| Cook |
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| Hot oven |
That’s the bread stuck on the left inside the clay oven wall. The dough is placed on top of the puffy thing sitting next to the oven, then the baker reaches with it into the oven and the dough is slapped on the inside wall where it sits roasting over the open fire.
2.50 KWD for two of us to eat a meal. ...we got takeaways also!
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| More NZ produce |
Who knew NZ is an exporter of ...ghee!
November 7, back in NZ...walked the green mile between international and domestic terminals, enjoying as always the fresh air of NZ and a welcome Kia Ora!
Melbourne Cup day today and we went down to Uncle Ross’ work to join the sweepstake.
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| Power cut at start of race |
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| Will The Dutchman and The Dog win? |
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| Uncle Ross |
