A glimpse at this title, it seems like it is presenting ‘Colva beach to Goans’ for the families residing around Fahaheel & Abu-Halifa areas. ‘Al-Ahmadi’ is that kinda own picnicking spot for them and the Schools here. But this green Garden deserves a visit by everyone living in Kuwait and for those just landed in this ‘Lights’ season. Entering this township, you will see planted boulevards, shrubs, lawns and mixed plantings far and wide. The ‘Catholic faithful’ attending mass in Maliya or Salmiya, for a change can attend the ‘Our lady of Arabia’ mother Church gifted by KOC. This Church sustained damages during War, but is well rebuilt. St. Paul’s CSI congregation is equally eventful on the weekends. Few years back, while we drove searching for a Neem tree on all the streets of Ahmadi, I realized the ‘work of wind’ for centuries has made this venue as an elevated place sloping towards Fahaheel Sea. The high area was selected to build Crude storage Tank farms and the Port Mina Ahmadi being on a lower level technically aided Crude oil to ‘flow by gravity’ from Ahmadi Tanks to the Tanker Ships on the Port inside Refinery. The mild slope landscapes are like Essex County and the Burgan Oil fields nearby prompted KOC to construct its ‘Home’ here in late 1940’s. The first Crude Oil shipment commenced in 1946. Even if Burgan was discovered in 1938, World War II delayed production and export. Burgan is the heart of Kuwait’s Oil backed economy.
Ahmadi was named after the then ‘Emir H.H Sheikh Ahmed’. This private preserve of KOC is a unique town and has surprisingly pleasant Parks and Sports complexes. Hubara & Unity Clubs are for KOC employees, however, all the Parks are open to Public. Ahmadi not only has clean streets but also numerous roundabouts and speed bumps. The turning radius is acute at few places and please take care while driving. The free entry BBQ Public Park near the Old Ahmadi Cinema theatre is frequented by all ages. This park has a mini Zoo too and is an ideal place for kids cycling and skating.
Food can be ordered from many Indian/Arabic restaurants in the Sultan Center area or the ‘Shopping center’ to deliver inside the Parks. The Classical Park, opposite D.P.S school has a fine swimming pool and food is served around the pool inside tents and huts. If the family is not getting well with the silent inexpensive Ahmadi’s arts, then drive on that evening to nearby Sabahiya’s “Marah Land Park” which has many ‘paid rides’ and a Circus, on road 212 towards Fahaheel. The walking pathway opposite to the Governorate is a long oval track frequented by Locals. KOC’s 2011 celebrations already started here with lavish decorative LED lights from advanced lighting technologies. On KOC’s expense, this place on any flashing Friday gives us a fairy tale life with fun, food and family games inside the Parks until 11pm. Cricketers echo their willow knocks and Soccer players create waves further influencing this English ambience during the sunny day hours.
The so called ‘Japanese’ Park or the KISR bioremediation Park is not familiar to the Public. A large group of people can utilize this park which is just opposite to the Governorate on the south side. Few were lucky to sight ‘fennec fox’ a cat sized furred fox in this area (FOX news??). The fruit market displayed ‘Frout’! on the right side of Sultan Center has ‘dates’ put on sale inside glass bowls. Taste Lebanese-honey dipped seedless dates with badam or cashew nuts inside with a cup of sugar free black Tea or brewed Coffee. Trial test the Chicken-kebabs of Mahata matham or Shesh-tawooq of Jazeera restaurant in Ahmadi with a sip of Pepsi. Holy food and bites! The KFC/ Hardees are new here with fewer crowds. Due to township renovation, few shops may get relocated. Drive in and around Ahmadi to escape from the usual hustle and bustle of other crowded commercial areas and in addition get to enjoy the cleanest and greenest quality town in Kuwait during this spring with all the simple pleasures of Kuwait life. Start your Camera!
‘Back to foam & lights season’ and ss..praying foamless celebrations!!!
Special “THANKS” to “KOC” for the tantalizing light grapes.
Celebrations venue : Road 212 end, in the Park on the back side of Governorate.
Route : Roads 212 & 304 meet Ahmadi from Expressways 30 & 40.
Ahmadi Park location : Block 10, mid 7th street, open 7am to 11pm.
Marah Land Park :http://www.marahlandpark.com/ 2362 4500/ 2362 0057.
Indian Restaurants : SAS- 2398 3500 / Mughal Style- 2398 0770 in Block 4.
Arabic Restaurants : Choo lazeez-2398 3766 / Mahatta-2398 7509 /
Jazeera- 2398 7500 / Penguin Oasis- 23988865.