KUWAIT: Members of the International Friends Club put together a group trip to explore the various sights and attractions in Kuwait, covering Kuwait’s six governorates. A group of ambassadors and diplomats as well as members and friends of the club and their spouses took part in this trip, where the group travelled around Kuwait in a tour bus starting from the capital, around the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation headquarters and the residence of Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al Sabah.

The club’s advisor, Narjes Alshatti, became the tour guide on this trip as she offered commentary on the background and history of the various areas through which the bus travelled and the sites the bus stopped at. She also talked about the heritage as well as the cultural and social value related to the areas and sights along the route of the trip. She was assisted by Jibril, the consul general of the Republic of Benin, who offered a French translation to the French-speaking members. The route started at the capital governorate then proceeded through the governorates of: Hawally, Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Ahmadi.

The group also learned about the role of the governors in looking after and promoting development in the various areas of their governorates and the role of government and private sector in supporting this, especially economic and civic engagement. The trip ended with exploring the governorate of Ahmadi, home of Kuwait’s oil and energy production. There, the group learned about the history of oil discovery in Kuwait and how it went on to drive Kuwait’s economic progress and much-valued social development for decades.

The group then stopped for a fabulous lunch at the brand new Park Inn hotel in the Mahboula area, where they were met by Narjes Alyousifi, the Chair of the hotel’s board of directors. Alyousifi gave the group a tour of the hotel premises where they were impressed by it’s modern Italian design, while appreciating the combination of Italian and Turkish craftsmanship in the interior finishes and most notably the woodwork installations from the Republic of Benin featured throughout the hotel.

The group then continued the trip to the Farwaniya and Jahra governorates while enjoying a film on the history and development of the State of Kuwait. At the end of the trip the members expressed their appreciation for the club’s efforts in organizing this trip and wished Kuwait continued success and prosperity as it celebrates its National and Liberation days under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.