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

Mauritius (short layovers) 2018

Several 24h layovers in Mauritius (2018)

• I visited Mauritius a few times in 2018 and apart from beautiful beaches I had time for some trekkings and sightseeing

Main places visited:

• a) La Cambuse beach
• b) Chamarel (Seven Coloured Earth & Waterfall)
• c) Le Morne
• d) Mahebourg & Blue Bay Marine Park
• e) Grand Baie
• f) Port Louis
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a) La Cambuse beach:

• I was in the southeastern part of the island for work so I cycled towards La Cambuse, isolated and beautiful beach
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I had time for some water sports in the resort as well
  
  
  
  

b) Chamarel (Seven Coloured Earth & Waterfall):

• Renting a car I visited the southwestern part of Mauritius, totally worth it
• In Chamarel you can visit a few attractions with a ticket which costed $8 approximately
• Early in the morning I visited Chamarel, where I enjoyed views of a nice waterfall...
  
• and the Seven Coloured Earth,a beautiful geological formation in which iron and aluminium repel each other giving the field a separated reddish/brownish and bluish touch
  
  
  
  
• In the same area there are a few giant turtles brought from Seychelles
  

c) Le Morne:

• Le Morne is one of the highest peaks in Mauritius (still less than 600m high) and the area is gorgeus
• Beaches here are stunning, with cristaline water, lovely sand and green areas and mountanious views 
• It is a great area for water sports which require wind
  
• However, the activity I enjoyed the most was the trekking to Le Morne World Heritage Site, my favourite activity I have done in Mauritius so far
  
• Driving towards Hotel Riu Creole in La Morne you can find the start of the trek 
• The path is 7km return, approximately 3 hours at a good path, and it is completely free (sadly these free activities are every day less and less)
• The final part of it is challenging; you find signals advicing climbing experience but I do not consider that necessary
  
• During the path you have wonderful views at both sides of Le Morne
  
  
  
  
• Reaching the peak feels great, and the coastal views are some of the most amazing I have ever experienced
  
  
  
  

d) Mahebourg & Blue Bay Marine Park:

• The village of Mahebourg offers some colourful houses, a busy market and a relaxed waterfront but too much compared to other parts of the island
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Blue Bay Marine Park can be visited nearby. From the beach itself there are many boats offering a 1h snorkeling boat ride where you can enjoy colourful fishes, corals and if you are lucky turtles (not my case)
  
  
  
  

e) Grand Baie:

• In the north, with a rented car as well, I went to La Cuvette a beautiful beach in Gran Baie
  
  
  
  

f) Port Louis:

• On the way back to the south, we stopped for a few hours in the capital Port Louis, a "big city" in Mauritius
• Not much apart from a very busy market and a decent waterfront but still I am happy I saw something different in the island apart from beaches
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• I am looking forward to exploring the northern areas of Mauritius and travelling to the island of Reunion why not!
  

Tunis, Tunisia (short layover) 2018

24h layover in Tunis (August 2018)

• I had the opportunity to spend a full day in Tunis visiting Carthage & Sidi Bou Said  

Main places visited:

• a) Carthage
• b) Sidi Bou Said  
• c) La Marsa beach
  

a) Carthage:

• Carthage was one the most important cities in the Mediterranean history and some ancient ruins are preserve
• The ruins are not in best condition but most are located by the beautiful coast
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Acropolium (Saint Louis Cathedral), no longer for worship since 1993, is nearby
  
• As well as Al Abidine mosque
  

b) Sidi Bou Said:

• This beautiful coastal village was the highlight of the trip

• I had one my the best tea I have ever had (mint tea with pine nuts) with wonderful views

• Under the hill (15 minutes walk) you can also enjoy a swim by the beach right next to the port
  
  
  
  
• We had dinner with great views (as you can expect, prices are muxh more expensive than 1km further from the coast) and we enjoyed traditional Tunisian cuisine such as brik, couscous or kabkabou

c) La Marsa beach:

• Next day morning I had time to enjoy a swim in La Marsa beach before leaving

• I am looking forward to travel around Tunisia properly but  hope this short post helps