Last pictures of Sharq Mall (Souq Sharq)

 I visited Sharq Mall for some pictures before it was closed, I have a lot of memories. Marina and Sharq mall were the place to be when I moved to Kuwait in 2004. I remember trying to find parking on the weekends which was nearly impossible. Walking along the seaside, enjoying the many events held there, what a time to be alive! There used to be a tiny shop there selling cassette tapes, we picked up a few of them back then.

I made a post about the mall back in 2014 noting some changes that came when Avenues opened up, Marina and Sharq mall were left behind. 

Here's a video from four years ago.....

Kids Land in Sharq Closed

 This is an old entertainment place for kids; I know about it because my classic car garage was in front of it. I used to see schools and nurseries bring busloads of kids to hang out there. As time went on and shops began to close in the Awqaf complex I knew it was only a matter of time before it too closed.

It was full of old retro games, some broke, some so old the color was gone but I'm sure a lot of memories were made here.

I came to the garage and found out it was closed when I went to use the bathroom. I went inside to take some pictures until the security started coming.

I don't have any idea of what the Awqaf building will turn into, I watched as the Indian restaurant where we would get lunch closed, tailor shops gone and the offices connected to the building shut down. 

Matcha Matcha

 As everyone knows, Matcha has become the new craze in Kuwait. Men, women, old and young alike are gathering at this new spot in Abu Halifa. It's a cute, green shop serving matcha drinks and related desserts. There are so many mixes to try, we got the regular matcha and recently my daughter tried the salted banana matcha but you couldn't taste any matcha.

Cute theme but really crowded all of the time

This was like a matcha tres leches cake, really good!

You can watch them as they weigh the matcha and mix it before mixing it all together

Outside sitting area is very colorful

I really like the regular matcha but I've discovered that after drinking I don't sleep so I have to limit my matcha serving to a sip here and there.

Ahmadi Employees in the 60's

I found this on Facebook and thought it was a cool picture and story:

“This photo was taken in the 1960s in Kuwait, during my grandfather’s years working with Kuwait Oil Company (standing first from the right). We don’t know the occasion, venue, or who many of the people in this picture are — but this image feels like a beautiful snapshot of early oil-era Kuwait, when people from many different countries and cultures lived and worked together in places like Al Ahmadi. 

“During that period, KOC’s Ahmadi township had clubs, cinemas, social halls, and community gatherings for employees and families from around the world. 

“I’m sharing this with the hope that someone, somewhere, may recognize a face in this photo — perhaps a father, grandfather, grandmother, family friend, or colleague who once worked in Kuwait during those remarkable years. If this picture feels familiar in any way, please comment or share. It would mean a lot to reconnect even a small piece of this history.”

The great storm of 2026

I remember the great sand storm around 2009 or so and that was scary. This day my daughter and I went out for lunch in Abu Hassani. Afterwards we drove around the area looking at houses, it started raining so I decided to head to the beach to get some lightning videos.

 I started recording and the sea was a little rough, then it got crazy and I was trapped under the covered area by the beach.

It got harder and harder, my circle got smaller and smaller as I looked for an escape

After 15 minutes of pelting rain I decided to make a run for it to my car, running through 2 inches of water until I reached my car, shoes and socks soaking wet. There was police on the main road blocking some flooded lanes, I remember one storm that flooded Salwa and since we were beside that area I got to the highway as soon as I could to get home. I know how the highways flood, thankfully we made it home as I watched videos of the same highway we took home flooded down to one passing lane.

Maya Restaurant

As a lover of Mexican food it can be difficult to find a good burrito in Kuwait. I think Maya has some of the best birria tacos and that says a lot coming from me. This little restaurant is cute and cozy with an outside seating area as well. I wanted to try it all, burritos, tacos and sides. I ordered the beef burrito with cilantro rice, birria tacos and twister fries. Birria tacos were soooo good and with the consume, wow that's some good stuff.

The burrito was good but I would have carne asada or birria instead of hamburger meat. Next time I will try the quesadilla and chicken burrito.

Behbehani House Complex 2026

I had some free time and was in the area when I thought I would check on one of my favorite Old Kuwaiti areas, the Behbehani Housing Complex. You can find my 2013 post for more details and old pictures about the houses. It really makes me sad to see it in this shape. Where we used to visit @shatea_alwateya (you can find pics of the restaurant on their IG) all the time, I loved the old decor. It was one of the first Kuwaiti restaurants I went to when I came to Kuwait. 

This restaurant had menus from a restaurant called Abd el Wahab but I remember it being Bait 7?

I remember going to this place for sheesha and it was sooo crowded with people, I was always nervous going down those slick glass stairs.

2013 

2026

It really breaks my heart to see the condition of it now! It's part of Kuwait history yet they let it die!