BOULEVARD KUWAIT

Have you been to the newly opened Boulevard in Salmiyah? It took quite a number of years to complete the project, didn't it? It's a beautiful oasis of lush greenery with lakes, man made rivulets, in sprawling 353,000 square meters with all kinds of facilities for recreation, sport, fitness, leisure, dining, shopping, entertainment, and children's play area. There's a Multipurpose Hall for functions, conventions and seminars. The Amphitheater is crowned on the side by a charming placid lake. Only some of the retail shops in the Boulevard Mall have opened for now, and the rest will be opening shortly. The food court on the first floor offers  a spectacular view of the beautiful fountain in the lake across. You will see restaurants by the lake as well with both indoor and outdoor dining. 

To walk around the pathways or sit amid diverse plants, trees, flowers and luscious green grass all around is bound to offer the alluring serenity you find only the magic of nature can offer, besides the benefits of walking. This is the sort of place not only grown ups would enjoy but children would experience an exciting sense of freedom to run and play and even explore the vast expanse of the green belt. I don't think picnics with food are allowed. Understandably to avoid the trash and litter some people are bound to leave behind . No worries about food or beverages because there is a nice food court in the mall as I mentioned earlier. There's ample car parking all around as well in the basement. A train service within the Boulevard which is actually a shuttle service hopefully would be functional soon. There are rest rooms near the courts and in the mall. 

Volley ball, basket ball, tennis courts, cricket stadium are all near each other in a corner away from the main entrance and the Mall with separate car parking facility. 

The weather is just beautiful. So head out there much before sunset, walk around the mall, experience the food court, go out in the open and explore the green surroundings, the walking bridge, color changing tunnel, climb the green hill and bask in the view, sit by one of the lakes, enjoy the sunset, the blue hour and  watch the fountain and park light up at night. 

Ready to look at some photos? Welcome to Boulevard Kuwait!

BAYAN BOTANICAL GARDEN

We are always on the lookout for interesting places to capture some good photographs. After coming across a video and a post on Bayan Botanical Garden, I thought, really, there is a Botanical garden in Kuwait? Isn't that terrific?, Being nature lovers, my husband and I decided this is definitely a place we need to explore with our cameras. So in February, we visited the Botanical Garden on a Thursday since it was open to public only on Thursdays, 9 am to 1 pm. Right now being summer, I am not sure if they've begun to allow visitors during any other time in the late afternoon or during weekend other than Thursday. The Bayan Botanical Garden is a  part of the Bayan Palace. You cannot enter through the main entrance of Bayan Palace. The entrance to the botanical garden is located behind the U.S. Embassy. 

The entrance is free. You have to leave your civil id card with the security officer who will show you the way to the botanical garden. Its a huge sprawling landscaped area where three beautiful green houses stand together. The three green houses are adorned with a beautiful variety of plants, trees, flowers and small man made water falls, that for certain will captivate you visually and nourish your soul. Once you are done inside the green houses, you can walk about in the open landscaped area and enjoy the outdoor landscape, flowers and the central fountain.

The photos I've taken speak for themselves. All I'd like to say is the Bayan Botanical Garden is an absolutely must visit place.