Monday, 12 October 2015

OUR NEW YEAR'S EVE AND SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

My husband surprised me with an enchanting birthday gift last December 2014.  A trip to Sydney, Australia, followed by a trip to Singapore and Malaysia. I love to travel, a passion I share with my husband.  I know this is a delayed post but it's something I very much wanted to share in my blog. We flew first to Sydney to see the New Year's eve fireworks and stayed for a week exploring amazing Sydney. The weather in Sydney was summery and sunny in January with the weather turning very pleasant in the evenings.

Sydney is known as the New year's eve capital of the world with the world's largest and technologically advanced, visually incredible display of fireworks. The famous Sydney fireworks was held above the Harbour Bridge and Opera house. Sydney has an excellent network of transport system with trains, buses and, ferry you can use to commute anywhere.   After breakfast, we took a train from near our hotel to Circular Quay and then took a ferry to McMahons vantage point. We reached at 11 am and managed to find a spot amid thousands of people all seated so close to each other. A lot of people were camping in their tents with food and water from the previous day and even two days earlier to get the best spot possible in advance. There are various vantage points you can choose to be at. Apart from that,  fireworks can be enjoyed on special cruises with New year's eve dinner. Opera house celebrates new year's eve with a dinner as well and you can watch the fireworks .  A family was so kind enough to have us share with them a great spot right where we had the perfect view of the Harbor bridge and Opera house, above which the fireworks takes place. Food, water and make shift toilets were arranged at every vantage point for the public. McMahons is a vast beautiful place to take walks every now instead of remaining seated for hours on end. Photographers and tourists come from all across the world to Sydney to see the fireworks. 

Being surrounded by a sea of people, children and the grand scenic beauty, there was not a moment of boredom nor did we realize time fly by. At 9 pm there was a small display of fireworks for children. And then at midnight was the much awaited breath taking display of spectacular fireworks that lit up the sky. The continuous burst of plethora of colors and designs created such magic for the 1.5 million people witnessing it and to the entire world though various media.  We were awe struck and I was so excited that we got to experience the most magnificent fireworks in person. I can't thank my husband enough for this fabulous experience. Sydney celebrates new year's eve a day before rest of the world! The city council spends 7.2 million AU dollars on the fireworks each year. 

If you love travelling, how about visiting Australia? New year is just two months away and it's worth visiting Sydney and experience a spectacular new year's eve fire works followed by exploring all the interesting places during the rest of your holiday. Be sure to come back to my blog to check about all the places to visit in Sydney. If you plan on visiting around new year's eve, be sure to book your hotels and flight by end of October or early November. Other wise it's difficult to get hotel rooms and prices would sky rocket too. Should you require a visitors visa, approach the VFS office to get information on application, fees and documents to submit. Usually you should get an e-visa within 10 to 15 days after applying. We got our e-visa within a week. 









































Sunday, 11 October 2015

PICTURES FROM BUBBLE SHOW AND MAGIC SHOW AT 360 MALL



During the Eid holidays, there was an entertaining magic show and bubble show for children at the 360 mall. I think it was fun watching not just the Bubble man and magician but the little children who were so captivated, amused and excited. 






RETURN TO BLOGGING AFTER NINE MONTHS OF SILENCE





Where do I start? Nine months feels like a long time to be away from blogging. I had a bad fall in January and dislocated the ulnar bone in my  right wrist. I'll keep it short and restrain from  boring my readers with too many details of my traumatic hand surgery. The failed surgery on my right wrist rendered it partially handicapped with a stiff wrist and nearly stiff fingers. With intensive physiotheraphy,  I can move my right hand a little bit with lots of limitations as my wrist is still stiff with the ulnar bone set in a dislocated position. 

As much as I love blogging and photography I couldn't do either for all these months. I can type with my left hand though and quite comfortably after a little practise. Since a few days, I can actually raise my right hand just high enough to press the shutter button on my camera. And I am super excited about that.  Little developments and small progress makes me forget my limitations and I focus on what I can do rather than what I can't.  After any trauma or suffering it's amazing how the human spirit is endowed with this miraculous power to adapt, to adjust and move on even though it might seem impossible at first. 

I am ready now to pursue my zen, my meditation, my joy of photography and hope to share them on my blog. 

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

THE JAZZMAN : ENJOY AN EVENING OF JAZZ TODAY

Don’t miss ‘The Jazzman’ performed by Tarek Yamani; today, Wednesday, 12 November, 7pm at the Amricani Cultural Centre.

Born and raised in Beirut, Tarek Yamani is a New York based award winning composer and a self-taught jazz pianist who got exposed to Jazz around the age of 19. He founded, organized & produced a unique initiative called “Beirut Speaks Jazz” which aims to promote jazz in Lebanon by igniting adventurous collaborations between artists from the worlds of rock, pop, tarab, rap, blues and alternative over the foundations of jazz.


Americani Cultural Centre location map - marked as American hospital on map

DAY OUT FIESTA AT WAHRAN PARK




Day Out Fiesta : on Saturday 15 November
Where : Wahran Park, Shamiah
Time : 11 am to 5 pm

Wahran Park location map

ANNUAL WINTER WONDERLAND BAZAAR AT THE ENGLISH SCHOOL


When : Friday 14 November
Time : 2pm to 5 pm
Entrance : Adults - 1 KD, Kids - Free
The English School location map

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

GALLERY LAHA - EXHIBITION BY MAHA MAKDISI





For more information contact Maha Makdisi: 66171179

Costa del Sol Hotel location map

SHAM MUSIC BAND - MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT AL KOUT MALL


Why not visit the Al Kout mall during this beautiful weather on Thursday or Friday and enjoy beautiful music by Sham band, watch the musical fountains and enjoy a wonderful evening out. I have always found my visits to Al Kout Mall and it's premises is quite exhilarating, with the beach on one side and the mall, the boat jetty and the musical fountains. Try to go a bit early to get a good parking spot.

SHOE SHOW AT 360 MALL - LAST OF EXHIBITION IS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13

Get a chance to witness the Shoe Show at the 360 Mall from a different perspective ! The exhibition has moved to Gate 1 - Ground Level, main entrance. Don't miss the unique and exquisite shoe show and exhibition as the last day is Thursday November 13.

If you have gently used shoes or footwear you don't wear any more, this is an opportunity to drop your gently used shoes at the special counter set up at the shoe show and your shoes will get delivered to those in need. The counter to drop off shoes was originally near the big stair case at the Atrium. When you go there, you can enquire where you can donate your used shoes. 

Benefit from special offers in participating stores and have the privilege of donating a gently used pair of shoes for a chance to win fantastic prizes. 

Visit my blog post for write up and photos on the Shoe show I visited last week

Venue : 360 Mall, Ground level, Gate 1 - Main entrance
Time : 10 am to 10 pm
Tel : 25309530




Image credit : 360 Mall facebook



YELLOW CAR PARADE ON GULF ROAD


The Yellow Parade! This World Kindness Day we celebrate on the road. We are taking a Yellow Car Parade from Marina on the 14th of November and you should join us! This World Kindness Day, let’s take the vow to drive kind on the roads and let’s make Kuwait a kinder more positive place! So if you have a yellow car or know someone who does contact us at 97222140!

Parade starting at : Hard Rock Cafe area, near Marina Waves, Marina Waterfront, Salmiah
When: Friday 14 November
Time : 1 pm

Content and image credit : Al Nowair 
Al Nowair is an organization with initiative driven to spread positivity in Kuwait