Admit it: Kuwait is not the first country that springs to mind when you consider a quick weekend getaway.
But as I learnt on a recent brief jaunt, the prosperous Gulf state offers enough to keep tourists occupied for a day or two.
Good combination
Granted, the trip to Kuwait was a result of an off day that coincided with an amazing airline offer. However, I am pleased I made the effort.
The first thing you notice about the place is the traffic, which flows at a remarkable pace at any time of the day.
In other words, residents don't think about “the traffic situation'' before engaging in non-essential travel.
The other thing is public transport. For instance, you can catch a half-empty bus from just outside the airport to the centre of town for just about Dh3.5. But the same trip by taxi will make you poorer by Dh70.
However, public buses are ubiquitous in Kuwait and it is the preferred mode of transport for many poorly paid expatriate workers, especially from the subcontinent and some Arab countries.
Best in the budget
Three companies — KPTC, Citybus and KGL — operate several routes, with buses arriving every few minutes. If you are on a budget, this is the best way around town.
Of the city attractions, the Kuwait Towers have come to symbolise the country and will be familiar to visitors from tourism-promotion brochures and images of Kuwait.
The question is: What is the point of these polka-patterned structures? They are quite a sight, though.
Tall highlight
A visit to the Kuwait Towers, designed by the Swedes and built by the Yugoslavs in 1979, is likely to be the highlight of your trip.
It is best to get there by taxi, as the nearest bus stop is more than two kilometres away. An entry ticket costs KWD1.5 (Dh20) and includes a ride up the main tower and light refreshments at any one of the two restaurants on the ground floor.
One of the towers (145.8 metres high) is used for water storage and reportedly contains one million gallons of the fluid.
Two fast elevators take you up to the Viewing Sphere of the other tower (178 metres high) — the view of the city from there is breathtaking.
The sphere has a revolving floor. From there, you can get an excellent view of the water park next door. The third tower has no sphere and stands between the other two.
The sphere has a good restaurant and some souvenir shops. Saddam Hussain's men came here in 1990.
You will find photographs of the destruction at the hands of the “invaders'', which are plastered on the walls.
The Iraqi invasion is a topic of heated discussion in Kuwait. Everyone you meet has a tale or two to tell about those seven months (August 1990-February 1991).
February 26 is marked each year as Liberation Day and to commemorate the occasion, the Kuwaitis built — you guessed it — another tower.
Breathtaking view
The 150-metre-high Liberation Tower is one of the world's tallest and the view from the top is awsome.
You can have lunch, Kuwaiti-style, in one of the many restaurants in the Heritage Souq area that serve authentic Kuwaiti food.
You can then spend the rest of the afternoon loitering around in the area.
You will come across several political posters and campaign slogans — leftovers from the latest in a series of elections.
Other attractions
The indoor fish market nearby is worth a visit too. Wind up your tour of the Heritage Souqs with a “chai cutting'' (half a cup of tea) for less than a dirham in one of the many tiny Indian cafeterias.
Apart from this, the National Museum is also worth a visit, as is the Grand Mosque.
Go there ... Kuwait
From the UAE ... From Dubai
Emirates flies daily.
Fare from Dh4,700
Sri Lankan Airlines flies daily.
Fare from Dh2,650
Kuwait Airways flies daily.
Fare from Dh2,640
— Information courtesy:
The Holiday Lounge by Dnata.
Ph: 04 4298576
Getting there
There are several flights operating daily from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to Kuwait.
Most Gulf residents get a visa on arrival. Make sure you have some Kuwaiti dinars on you, as the visa fee is KWD6 (Dh84) if you pay in Kuwaiti currency or Dh100.
As you enter the airport terminal, you will see the “Arrivals'' sign. Don't go there. Instead, head straight to the visa-issuing section to save time.
