See the Sea at Failaka!
Mrs. Indira Priya Rajan
Friday, October 8, 2010
A dream to sail on a ‘Luxury deluxe Catamaran’ came true when we boarded the “Bint al Khair” at the Marina crescent’s Yacht docking area. We bought the Tickets priorly at the Marina counter. This is the spot where a ‘vegetarian whale shark’ got stranded and the poor ‘Willy- Freed’, by skilled Kuwaiti Divers last year. The high speed boat’s ticket includes a Luncheon meal. Please board earlier as a basic protocol to hold your window seats. The crew checked our baggage which had a bed sheet and plenty of snacks. The silky cruise headed towards Failaka like a flight. The water was murky and the speed of the boat picked up. Few minutes after, we braved the winds to climb to the top deck and had a glance on the captain’s cabin and his navigational instruments. We sighted few sea-gulls chasing our craft for edibles. I had to grip my kid’s hands as the wind was turbulent and we need to stay-safe well inside the hand rails. My kids bestowed ‘Titanic’ poses while I clicked the mood. The catamaran has all the marine safety and is maintained well. Since we travelled as a Group, we enjoyed the boat trip chatting, munching snacks and soft drinks, the inside was like an aircraft and had no bouncing at all.
On seeing Failaka’s shore, the cruiser reduced its speed and got smoothly docked. The land transport was waiting. We refreshed and had our buffet lunch which was a standard display. Vegetarians had a few choices too. We went around the heritage village premises to see a pool and a small pond with pedal boats. Then a mini-bus took us around to show some rare breed camels, devastated ruins left by the ‘Gulf war’ and the island’s old Histories. The Greeks had lived in Failaka for 2 centuries from 4th century BC. They thought the island’s intense heat was because of its nearness to Sun- their God and built a Temple. Failaka is located about 20 kms north-east of Kuwait. It is 14 kms long and 6 kms wide. You could also stay in the island’s Heritage village too. Google -“failaka heritage village” and get all the info required for the village stay. ‘Boat+Lunch’ Ticket is KD 15 /adult and KD 10 /child. The island has enough sweet water and electricity supplied from the main land through submarine lines. Call ‘22244988’ for cruise reservations and timing. The Tides decide the starting time of the 40 minutes Trip and Timing changes every day. The return trip had more occupants as they might have stayed the previous night. Please read “Failaka--A General Manager’s story” by Mr C.J.Hartley in the internet which is interesting and I was awe-struck by his honest narration.
On the year before, we went on KPTC ferry Ikarus (barge vessel) which runs from Ras -Salmiya behind Showbiz, near scientific center. [Tel: 22328814]. The return journey costs KD 3/adult, cars with driver KD 20 and box cars KD 25. The journey with KPTC vessel is not recommended for ‘families with infants and pregnant ladies’; gives sickness sensation on rough seas and high winds. Bachelors were very well enjoying this KPTC ferry, sitting on top deck and playing cards. KPTC buses inside island are on and off in the News. If you take your car into ferry to the island, please know the island roads and have a spare tyre too. The food is expensive in the resort’s café. It’s better to pack the food and take. When you travel by KPTC ferry, you have to catch hold of the transport inside the island which is very thin. Take a note not to miss your return timing and get stuck there. It also takes time to rack in all the vehicles before the ferry starts. The visit to Failaka is worth a trip, when the climate is pretty cool. The Wanasa private beach has water sports but Expats do not prefer sports here, as we noticed. The ferry returned on twilight to see the shore lights twinkling. As usual, the rush was more on the return trip. KPTC docking jetty is near ‘Kuwait institute of scientific research’ (marine studies).
‘Sultan Restaurant’ is 1km after the Marina Bridge on your right side. If you wish to have an inexpensive short sail close to the Kuwait coast, then there is a boating premise on the Yacht club, rear side of ‘Sultan center-Restaurant’ (Jeans-Grill) on the Arabian Gulf street. It’s a 1 KD/ head pontoon boat trip for half hour with music. If ‘Gents’ are interested to go for a private fishing trip to Doha fishing zone from this same dock, then contact “Silsan Sea Tour Unit” Tel: 25650674, experts for specialized sailing. They guide you in fishing time, fish belt, and tidal charts and rent you tools for fishing. A 5 hour trip for 6 persons costs around KD 100/-. We are recommending this agency only after we did a fine fishing trip with them recently. God willing, we have a plan to explore Kubbar island’s coral reefs and color fishes soon with our friends. Let’s go cruising this winter weekends and see awe-inspiring places of Kuwait!
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