MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - DAR HAMAD RESTAURANT

I am back to posting an interesting photograph for the day from my collection of incessant captures. This photograph is of Dar Hamad I took a few months back when I went out for lunch with a friend. They serve delicious contemporary Kuwaiti cuisine. I'll be doing another post on our dining experience. 

The interesting architecture of this villa styled restaurant is designed to resemble 'Sandook Mubaiyat', meaning dowry box, which is gifted to the bride during her wedding. Dar Hamad is located close to gulf road, very close to Marina Mall bridge.

KUWAIT TOWERS VISIT AFTER RENOVATION

I don't know how many years the Kuwait Towers was under renovation. It reopened to the public after the grand fireworks of March 5th, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kuwait Liberation day. When we visited Kuwait Towers last month, what caught my attention was the attractive and colorful landscape surrounding the outer area and within the premises. And the splendid towers with its unique architecture stood tall and majestic against the cerulean blue sea beside it and the lovely serene sky above in a strikingly similar shade.

The entrance fee is 3 K.D. per person. Once we got our tickets, we headed towards the 'Viewing Sphere'. After a quick security check, we took the elevator that zoomed us to the 120th floor to the viewing sphere.  It was half an hour before sunset so we were able to enjoy the breathtaking view during day light, during sunset, the blue hour and witness the shimmering city lights when it turned dark. We climbed a flight of  stairs that leads to the revolving deck to enjoy the scnenic sights of the sea on one side and the cityscape on the other. A little cafe beckons you to enjoy light beverages. The gift shop is no more. I remember in the past there used to be a gift shop at the viewing deck where you could get to buy souvenirs.

The restaurant on the 88th floor is renovated, serving buffet at around 7pm.  If you are going to the restaurant and not to the viewing sphere, you don't have to buy a ticket. You can avoid the ticket counter and walk in through the entrance to the left of the ticket counter and walk towards a separate entrance behind the towers. Take the stairs leading to the basement with elevators. Take the elevator to 88th floor to the restaurant. If you wish to go the viewing sphere alone or as well as the restaurant, you should purchase the ticket and head to the elevators in the direction marked 'Viewing Sphere'. Enjoy your time at the sphere and tell the elevator staff to let you off at the 88th floor where the restaurant is, if that's where you wish to go.

If you haven't been to the Kuwait Towers after the renovation, why not pay a visit? If you go during high tide, the sea view would be fabulous from both outside and inside the towers.

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.