Driving into Hawalli this morning to finish the errands I failed to complete last week (see Wednesday's post/rant), I was struck by a bright sign leading to a "Hawalli International Youth Hostel".
Now maybe I'm out of touch, but I didn't know we had youth hostels here, only overpriced hotels with no mini-bars. And I never imagined Kuwait as a destination for young backpackers, the traditional hostel customers. I know there are hundreds of backpackers who pass through the airport on their way to India, Thailand and other exotic destinations, but since our visa regulations have supposedly been relaxed, does this mean they can now come into town and get a good night's sleep before they continue their journey? It sure beats being trapped inside Kuwait Airport where all they have is that awful cafeteria, while all the "fun stuff" and food outlets are conveniently located outside for everybody except actual travellers (see Mad M2000's post).
But wouldn't it be fun to see hippy backpackers roaming the streets of Kuwait? That would certainly freak out a lot of people! Some might decide to stay behind and open up a holistic aromatherapy spa, or sell beads and draw henna tatoos on the beach, or play their guitars at the entrance to Marina Mall, or...... yeah whatever.
Do not be surprised my friend
ReplyDeleteMaha House behind Safir hotel in Bneid Al Gar is the cheapest hotel of 10KD/single room "..located on an unmarked street"
"...It isn't as bad as it once was. You should always be aware that both Heating and Air-con are dodgy at best." Page148, Lonely Planet guide to Bahrain, Kuwait & Qatar (Demystifying the desert)
Why Kuwait will not be a Backpacker haven:
a. Its too expensive to fly to and from Kuwait, accomadation is too expensive for hardcore packpackers who spend an average of $7-$10/night.
b. what is there to explore?
rent a dingy and go to Failaka for an "off the beaten track" experience?
c. Clusterphobia factor unfavorable, Backpackers transit in places that actually take them somewhere. Saudi & Iraq are not yet tourism hotspots but more like terrorism hotspots.
d. Backpackers like cheap means of transportation, the intercity bus-routes aren't that great specially in Salmya area. Cheapest taxi ride is 1.5KD which is still expensive for backpackers favoring rail-passes etc.
Kuwait might have a few things perhaps middle-upper range slightly older tourists might like, ex. Hotels, Shopping & beach but I'm not sure about younger Backpacker types who would rather go to Iran or Oman for a more enriching travel experience.
P.s. I highly recommend the LP guide to the trio: Bahrain, Kuwait & Qatar for a good laugh.
this may come shocking but i did see some Backpacker in kuwait, and if you know someone who work there , he would tell you they get some who stay there , but like 5-7 per year , most people using it are sport team or such
ReplyDeleteThis place sounds like a true find.
ReplyDeleteZaydoun, care to share the address?
I don't know where it is exactly... I just saw the big sign on the roundabout near Hawalli Central and Bayan School.
ReplyDeleteCheerio
ReplyDeleteI will surely check it out..
Now this IS interesting-- and to be called a youth hostel! I'm sure it is used for other purposes too); however i did see a grp of 5 back packers actually going thru immigration the last time i travelled (July 04i think) & i wondered shesalfa.. But it does all make sense now,, we used to see a lot of them inside the airport on their way to India mainly because Kuwait Airways (surprise surprise) has very low fares from NY to India; they have flights to Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Trivandrum, Cuchin, Hyderabad, Chennai (Madras). Someone pls remind me why they changed the names of "Bembay" & Madras?
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