KUWAIT BUCKET LIST: Explore Kuwait National Museum

Kuwait National Museum - Heritage Museum

A night tour to Kuwait's National Museum.

Since it was my first visit to the biggest museum of Kuwait, I got very excited prior to going. I really do not have an idea what's inside since people usually do not go here. In fact, most of my friends who have resided in Kuwait for 10 to 20 yrs have not visited this place once. Given this fact, few photos, reviews or even information are scattered in the web to tell what's inside.

KUWAIT BUCKET LIST: Visit Kuwaiti Maritime Museum

The Kuwait Maritime Museum showcases the Maritime history of Kuwait. They have exhibits of the tools and gears used to build and navigate ships.

The museum is located just in front of Souq Sharq. Two large dhows and a lighthouse stand outside the Museum. These serve as a landmark of this attraction making it easier to spot.

KUWAIT BUCKET LIST: Visit Kuwait Zoo

A day trip to the Kuwait Zoo has been a pending plan for me and Ryan for quite a time. But today, thanks God that plan got materialized. Ryan is fanatic with animals and just everything about them which convinced him to come with me today even if he was from his night shift duty.

I had no plan to shoot and rather just let Ryan use our 70-200mm f2.8 (telephoto) lens to capture up close shots of the animals. But when I started seeing animals which I only saw here (like the bear, lion and the like), and after my co-hobbyist felt weird with my go pro cam, I forced my (18-105mm) kit lens to capture great shots.

The Kuwait Zoo is located at Al-Omariya, Kuwait. It is nearby the intersection of 5th ring road and Jahra Road. It homes various species but fewer than I expect. I have seen only few zoos in my life so I cannot make good comparison. It is best to visit the Kuwait Zoo during winter (November to March) so that there will be a bit of shade. Entrance fee is 500 fils during holiday and 1 KD during working days. It opens from 8am to 12nn then 4pm to 8pm.

Inside is a train you can ride on that roams on the streets of the zoo. There are also areas where you can feed the animals and ride a camel which sadly I was not able to try.

train ride

KUWAIT BUCKET LIST: Photoshoot at the desert

Thanks God it's Friday! Another weekend getaway with Lens Artists Group. But this time it is a desert girl concept shoot at Mutla Ridge. Mutla Ridge is by far the most amazing desert terrain I have seen here in Kuwait. It's in Northern Kuwait beyond Al Jahra and is on the way going to Iraq border. 

We were greeted by an awesome sunrise and cloud formation that day. So before we set-up for the portraiture shoot, we had couple of landscape shots, jump shots and selfie shots. When the sun was a bit high, we started mounting our gears for the shoot. 

Today our model is Ms. Pretty Joe-Ann Mateo Remoyan. (fb: https://www.facebook.com/hubbyangel22) Thank to her we were able to materialize our concept which is a pretty lost girl in the heat of the desert searching for an oasis. The place and the model collided realizing the concept which made me very happy. Below are my shots of the concept Desert Girl. 

Another bucket list entry to tick!!! ^___^

DIWALI Celebration 2014

Happy Diwali to all!!!

I have to admit, it was my first time to hear this celebration. This just means that there are still too much to learn and love even to the things i'm already passionate of-travel, people and culture.

Just the day before this big celebration for Hindi's, I was informed that we will have an office party. I need to do the inviting and head count for that party. But what it was for, I have no great grasp. It just came to my notice that moment what are those greeting cards I kept on receiving on my inbox since morning. And yup, I also noticed that everyone was in good mood.

So basically, THANKS TO GOOGLE, I got my answer without sounding naive to someone. OHHH DIWALI! So that what it is.

BORACAY HOLY WEEK PACKAGE

3D2N BORACAY ALL IN PACKAGE HOLY WEEK PROMO

P6,400/PERSON - QUADSHARING
P6,800/PERSON - TRIPLE SHARING

KUWAIT BUCKET LIST: The Lovely Bride - First Wedding Gown Themed Shoot

Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Sigma 50mm f1.4.

Fashion Designer: Ms. Abeth Rivera

We are thankful to the wedding gown designer and our lovely models who bestowed this photoshoot opportunity.  My first time to shoot someone in a lovely wedding gown. Model Marsh, was also too professional to carry the mocked scenario. 

The event transpired at Salmiya Park last October 17, 2014. 

----which was actually NOT the original plan.

KUWAIT BUCKET LIST: Visit the Sheikh Mubarak Kiosk

It was once the headquarters of  Sheikh Mubarak Al- Sabah who is a member of the Kuwaiti ruling family. In here he manages trade and the issues and concerns of the people.

At present, they turned this in a museum where you can see artifacts, old documents and furniture giving visitors a gist of the life this place once have.

Seeing this structure now, you will realize that Kuwait was really just a small and peaceful country.

My BUCKET LIST aim is just to finally see this easy to reach heritage place of Kuwait. I was revisiting Mubarakiya for couple of times and yet never knew where this place is until today. (11-10-2014)

Sheikh Mubarak Kiosk Exterior just in the middle of Mubarakiya, Kuwait City

Kuwait-Iraq Border Abandoned Camp

EXIF: ss 13", ISO 200, f2.8 tokina 11-16mm

Yesterday was a very unforgettable experience. It was a fun long ride with my Lens Artists group. Initially went to Saudi Border and realized half way on our journey that we went at the wrong place, so we reroute to Iraq Border and got lost again until we reached this place. The old US Camp which is now abandoned. It's my first time here, so Ali told me to bring Iron metal with me. Anyhow, I felt really sick yesterday so I was shooting while febrile. I hope I can come back to this place again, there's a lot of interesting foregrounds to choose from. 

Kuwait City Street Hunt

Yes, it was a challenge for me. It seems that the people here are not used to seeing women photographers. I got stalked during the hunt and has to ask Ryan to shoo the person away. It was hard to conceal myself and avoid my subjects from looking at the camera. Nevertheless, I can say that shooting at the city was a great challenge I conquered.

:) Til next hunt!

People in the Souq

Another chance to capture the day to day lives of the people in the Souq. The produce and meat sellers, the elite buyers, the porters, the lost, the middle class shoppers, the haggler, the lonely, the content, the family, the passerby, and the photographer. Immersing in this market called Mubarakiya of Kuwait was such a fulfilling experience.

New Riggae Highway Panning

There are times wherein you think that your world is moving too fast and time is always in shortage. Rush, hassle and bustles seem to overwhelm. But you choose to remain steadfast as you enjoy your own life pace. Cause for you, LIFE IS NOT A RACE. 

Sharing my panning bnw of a view of our home here in New Riggae. 

Mubarakiya Kuwait City

Photowalk to Kuwait City Mubarakiya: 

It was a great experience immersing to the market culture of Kuwait. It was a great place for good products in good deals. It was still mid day and yet the place was already alive. 

I took these captures which should end up candid, but they were too friendly so the shots became staged. Anyhow, I love this place's atmosphere, it's clean and cheap. It's a MUST-GO place in Kuwait.

Looking for the cheapest meals in Avenues Mall? GO to IKEA

Are you looking for the cheapest meals in Avenues Malls?

They say that you really need to prepare bucks when you plan to go to Avenues Mall. Aside from the fact that it is the depot of mid-class to luxurious stores, it is also a place for casual and fine dining. So what if you just want to enjoy its atmosphere with no plans of spending. Where will you go if you just want to eat cheap?

Aside from the Avenues Mall food court which offers variety of to-go or combo meals in its fast food stalls, another great option you can consider is the IKEA Food Court. IKEA Food Court is located at the Avenues Mall Phase 1 inside the famous IKEA. It is not difficult to spot cause the  place is hugely labeled.

Cheesecake Lust

Who does not like free sweets?

Maybe I did something good today to be greeted at home with these luscious strawberry cheesecake from Cake and Bake. Though it was not given to me directly, but it was shared to me and it's kind of the same thing.

Cheesecakes are sinful treats made of creamcheese, egg, butter, sugar, crackers(base) and is flavored the way you want it. I personally love strawberry and blueberry flavors.

The Never Ending Voyage (Doha Kuwait)

At that Bridge (Kuwait City Seaside)

Crescent Moon over the Marina

The crescent moon over the Marina Waves of Kuwait. I and Ryan had a quick walk by the seaside to witness the calmness of the waters a par of the calmness of the land. The dusk kissed the earth, and then marks the end of the second day of Ramadan here in Kuwait. View of the Marina Waves.

EXIF: 40" f16 ISO100 AWB MM (Sigma 10-20mm at 13mm)

The Majestic Kuwait Towers

The Kuwait Towers is an iconic landmark of Kuwait. It is located at the Arabian Gulf Road in Kuwait City.

PF Chang's China Bistro in Avenues Mall Kuwait

PF Changs China Bistro is a famous Asian bistro worldwide. It may have been a couple of times for my friends to visit and dine here, but for Ryan and I, it was our first. The reason why we suddenly decided to try this restaurant that day was actually due to our leg pain after a night of walking at the long stretch of the Avenues Mall. It was an Eid Holiday in Kuwait, the barrage of people in the mall and the long queues summon some sitting down somewhere. But still we ended up being listed on the waiting list and waited for 30 minutes before we got accommodated.

PF Chang's China Bistro in Pinay In Kuwait

Just an overview, PF Chang's China Bistro is an Asian-themed casual restaurant with 200+ branches worldwide. It was founded by Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang in 1993 whom the name of the restaurant also comes from - PF (Paul Fleming) and Chiang (Chang's). The ownership of PF Chang's was purchased by the Centerbridge Partners in 2012. Today, PF Chang's China Bistro have established itself across the US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Chile, Costa Rica and even in the Middle East. Their specialty has always been American Chinese Cuisine.