Malta (short layover) 2018

24h layover in Malta (October 2018)

• I had the opportunity of staying in Malta one day due to my job and I took most of it
• I really want to visit this island with time in the future, maybe 4-7 days
• I mainly moved around with buses (for 1.5 euro you can use any buses during up to 2h)

Main places visited:

• a) Bugibba 
• b) Valletta
• c) Mdina
• d) Popeye village

a) Bugibba:

• The hotel was near Bigibba, a nice coastal area with plenty of life during the day and popular nightlife

b) Valletta:

• Capital of Malta, always worth a visit
• Views from Upper Barrakka Gardens are great
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• And walking around is nice
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

c) Mdina:

• I prefered Mdina as compared to Valletta
• Its old city is gorgeous
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Mdina is quieter than Valletta, and its surroundings are relaxing
  

d) Popeye village:

• While I did not pay the ticket to enter to the village itself, the free views from the area are worth it xx
  
  
  
  
• I had a nice feeling in Malta, despite its heavy traffic
• Hope this post helps :)

Kuwait 2018

Kuwait (November 2018)

• I did not expect much but while living in Dubai I decided to visit Kuwait for two days
• My experience was absolutely amazing thanks to a couple living in Jabriya who hosted me through couchsurfing: Mohammed from Egypt, and Ahlam from Tunisia

Main places visited:

• Kuwait towers
• Grand Mosque
• Souq Al Mubarakeya
  
• Maybe I was lucky but even with locals I had a much better feeling in 2 days than 4 years in Dubai
• Mohammed picked me up in the airport, and he was hosting a guy from Nebraska as well. We went for fresh juices and a delicious seafood dinner
  
• We had time to visit Kuwait towers in the evening. Even if they charge to go up, you can choose to visit the restauran for free, or even ask some information and check the menu while having a view and some photos as well. They look very pretty at night constantly changing colour
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• That night we went to their home and watch the final of the African cup between the Egyptian team Al Ahly and the Tunisian team ES Tunis,exactly the 2 countries of our hosts
• Next day the guy from Nebraska and me took the bus from Jabriya into the city center. By the way, Ahlam was so nice to wake up early just to offer us some breakfast before leaving
• First stop was the Grand Mosque, and we also got lucky to arrive on time for a free guided tour within the mosque explaining the pillars of Islam, and different aspects of Kuwait and that mosque itself
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Nearby we visited Souq Al Mubarakeya, possibly the biggest and one of the most popular in Kuwait
  
  
  
  
• We wanted to visit the National Museum, nearby and for free as well, but we found it closed at 12:30
• After this, magic happened... We tried hitchhiking towards Kuwait towers, just 5 km away, and a local guy took us in his car and stopped a bit earlier by Souq Sharq
  
• There his friend, also local, was waiting in a 1972 Mini and they took us for a ride around the city
• Not only we visited Kuwait towers again literally driving around the pedestrian areas...
  
• but also they took us to a few different beach areas to have a look...
  
  
  
  
• ... and inissted on inviting us for lunch!
• When we said we were meant to meet our hosts before I had to leave to the airport, they did not doubt about inviting them for lunch as well
  
• After lunch Mohammed took me back to the airport 
• I am very happy I visited Kuwait, I was very lucky and I still have a great feeling of gratitude towards them