As Japan begins it’s slow recovery from the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami that lay waste to so much of the country’s homes and industry, there is a fierce debate raging as to the long term impact that the disaster (and its aftermath) will have on the Japanese economy. It is therefore, perhaps and interesting point in time to take a look at the history of the Japanese Stock Market.
Japan is one of the world’s largest economies and most important financial hubs. The principal exchange on the Japanese stock market is the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), which is the third largest in the world by market capitalisation (i.e., the value of all outstanding shares of all companies on the exchange) behind only the Americo-European stock exchanges, NYSE Euronext and NASDAQ OMX. It is the largest in Asia and the Pacific region, ahead of both China and Hong Kong. Trading through the TSE is reported by two primary indexes, the Nikkei 225 and the TOPIX. In addition to the TSE there are currently four further stock exchanges operating from other Japanese cities: Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange was founded as the Tokyo Kabushiki Torihikijo on May 15th 1878 by Japan’s Finance (later Prime) Minister Okuma Shigenobu together with the prominent businessman Shibusawa Eiichi, however it didn’t begin trading until 1st June the same year. At the time, many of Japan’s largest cities held their own stock exchanges and it wasn’t until after the Second World War that it became the central market place for the Japanese economy that it is today.
The stock exchange actually merged with those of other Japanese cities in 1943, as part of the war effort, to form the consolidated Japanese Stock Exchange (JSE). However, following the Allied bombing of Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945 the infant stock exchange was shut down for four years. The passing of the Securities Exchange Act reorganised the exchange however, and on May 16th 1949 it was re-opened as the Tokyo Stock Exchange alongside two others in Osaka and Nagoya. That year also saw the founding of five other exchanges across Japan: Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Niigata whilst the following year the Sapporo Securities Exchange was created.
Shortly after the TSE’s inception, on September 7th, 1950, the Nikkei 225 index was introduced by the country’s leading Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper to index the TSE’s top 225 performing companies, retrospectively providing data from the entire post war history of the exchange.
The end of the 20th Century initially saw the value of the TSE’s companies flourish leading to a rapid rise in the exchange’s market capitalisation. The period between 1983 and 1990, in particular, was one of extensive growth, by the end of which the TSE was by far the largest exchange in the world with 60% of the entire world's stock exchange market capitalisation. The zenith came on December 29, 1989, when the Nikkei hit all time high at an intra-day price of 38,957.44. This growth couldn't be sustained through the economic troubles that were to follow though and during the ‘90s the value of the market fell away. By March 10, 2009 the Nikkei 225 even fell as far as 7,054.98, 81.9% below that high 20 years earlier.
Japan’s Stock Market underwent a considerable re-organisation in the opening year of the 21st Century; on 1st March 2000 the Hiroshima and Niigata exchanges were both merged into the TSE whilst the Kyoto exchange was concurrently merged into the Osaka Securities Exchange to leave the three exchanges that exist today (Kobe had closed in 1967).
In the final year of the 20th Century, on April 30th, the TSE itself witnessed one of it’s most significant developments as the trading floor closed for the last time. At that moment the switch was made to electronic trading. The TSE Arrows complex was opened shortly afterwards on May 9, 2000 to replace the old trading floor and provide a symbol of the new era whilst being a facility for the exchange of information and face-to-face contact.
The incorporation of technological solutions through the exchange has not gone entirely smoothly, however. On November 1, 2005 bugs hit Fujitsu’s transactional system which was only able to operate for trading for 90 minutes during the entire day. TSE’s systems were also alleged to be partly accountable for allowing mistakes by employees at both UBS Warburg and Mizuho (each selling c600,000 shares at 1yen a piece rather than 1 share at c600,000 yen) resulting in loses running into the hundreds of millions of yen for both companies. In the latter case, the affair even brought about the resignation of the TSE’s CEO and two other executives.
The TSE and therefore the Japanese stock market in general continues to develop and look for new opportunities, especially building alliances with other exchanges throughout the world. The TSE has formed a partnership with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in the UK to jointly investigate products, services and technologies which may benefit both parties. In particular the LSE has been helping the TSE in the last few years with the establishment of a Japanese equivalent to the LSE’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). There have also been tentative explorations into emerging exchanges in the East including a 5% share purchase in the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX).
The long term impact of the recent Earthquake and Tsunami which hit Japan are still to be seen. In the immediate aftermath (on Mar 15th) the Japanese markets closed 10% down (the lowest since April 1st 2009) whilst the Bank of Japan injected a massive 15 trillion yen into money markets in the hope of stabilising them.
Both the physical and economic impact was felt worst in the north of the country whose chiefly manufacturing industries account for 8% of Japan’s GDP. Corporate giants such as Toyota, Nippon and Sony were forced to temporarily suspend production in the wake of the disaster and the subsequent logistical difficulties the country has faced (e.g., power cuts). With the overhanging nuclear threat, some multinationals are even moving their staff abroad.
The total cost of the earthquake is estimated to run into tens of trillion of yen. However, there is still much debate as to whether the disaster will significantly damage the market or even as some have suggested, boost Japan’s economy as businesses across the country get stuck into the rebuilding process. Depending on which point of view you take you may even find that this is the opportune time to consider making an investment in Asian Investment Funds.
Monday 20 June 2011
What is an Investment Trust?
If you are new to the world of financial services and investments, you’ll encounter a myriad of technical terms and abbreviations that constitute what might be perceived as an esoteric financial lexicon. One of the first terms you will come across is that of an Investment Trust, but what exactly is an Investment Trust and how does it work? the following article will give you a quick overview and touch on a couple of related concepts.
In short, an investment trust is typically a closed-ended collective investment vehicle which is traded on the stock markets as a public limited company, but that doesn’t really explain much, so more on that later. They are primarily operated in the UK and so the examples outlined here will be assumed to be UK based.
Investment Trusts are essentially companies (not technically trusts) which have been set up to invest in the shares of other companies. Their value therefore represents the assets in which they are invested rather than the company's own property, personnel or ideas. They are designed to give individual investors the opportunity to invest in wider range of companies, and at a lower cost, than they would be able to achieve on their own.
They are termed collective investments because they achieve this aim by providing a vehicle by which they can allow many investors to pool their money and together to invest in a large range of underlying assets. As institutional investors they have access to investments which may not be within the reach of the individual investor and they are logistically able to invest in a greater variety of assets. The scale on which they trade also means that they benefit from economies of scale as well as bulk discounts on costs and charges. Therefore, the relative cost that is passed down to each investor in the trust is lower than if they were to trade on their own.
The fact that Investment Trusts are closed-ended means that there are a finite number of shares that have been issued for the trust (as with a listed company). This number will be set out in the Initial Public Offering (IPO). As with a company, further shares can be subsequently issued by the company but these will normally result in the value of each share being reduced. This is a key distinguishing feature between Investment Trusts and the other common investment vehicles, Unit Trusts and Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs, otherwise known as an Investment Company with Variable Capital, ICVCs) which are both open-ended and therefore have a total number of units which will fluctuate as people buy and sell. With open-ended investments this fluctuation occurs because the investor is trading directly with the fund manager (not other investors) and therefore either putting their money into the ‘pot’ to make it bigger, or taking it out to make it smaller. Furthermore, Investment Trusts differ from Unit Trusts in that they can borrow money and incur debts to fund the purchase of assets.
As they are essentially companies, Investment Trusts have a board of directors (although in a non-executive capacity because they are not actually employed by the Investment Trust). The board will guard the interests of the trust, but decisions on which actual investments should be made are take by the Fund Manager. Investors will not have a direct say on individual investment decisions but each Investment Trust will have a theme or objective which will provide criteria to guide the Fund Manager in how to manage the fund. The investor will have therefore chosen whether to invest in an Investment Trust based on this theme. The theme’s criteria will ensure that the Fund Manager selects the companies, in which the trust will invest, based upon factors such as their geographical focus, industrial sectors, how developed they are (start ups etc) - all affecting the risk and potential yield of the fund.
As a public limited company, Investment Trusts are traded on the stock exchange the shares fluctuating on price based upon supply and demand. It is therefore the case that the price of a share in an Investment Trust does not necessarily represent a proportion of the value of that Investment Trusts underlying assets or investments. That value is calculated as the Net Asset Value (NAV) - the value of all assets less costs incurred - and is often quoted as a value per share. If this value is higher than the share price the Investment Trust is defined as trading at a discount; if it’s lower then it is trading at a premium.
It is also worth noting that Investment Trusts that meet Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) criteria will qualify for tax exemptions that ensure that investors do not get taxed Capital Gains Tax on any shares they trade and therefore avoid being taxed twice as the trust’s income will have already been taxed.
Without going into too much detail here there are a couple of specific types of Investment Trust that you may come across. Split Capital Investment Trusts have a limited life span and a structure which allows them to issue different types of share, with differing risk, based on criteria such as whether dividends are paid, application of capital protection, prioritisation at the point of pay out and the presence of a ceiling on any income. The higher risk shares will usually have less limitations on the capital they receive but also less capital protection if the investments go down and they will not be prioritised at the pay out. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are companies that invest in real estate. Companies can qualify for the status and therefore avoid double taxing if they distribute 90% of their income to investors.
As an interesting aside, the first collective investment fund to be established was in fact an Investment Trust. The Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust, was created in 1868 by the founder of the Royal Brompton Hospital Philip Rose. It initially invested in Government Bonds but started investing in equities (company shares) in 1925, and is still going today, listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Now that you are hopefully more familiar with the concept of Investment Trusts you may want to find further information on actually making an investment but it is always recommended that you speak to a qualified individual such as a Financial Adviser before taking any investment decisions.
In short, an investment trust is typically a closed-ended collective investment vehicle which is traded on the stock markets as a public limited company, but that doesn’t really explain much, so more on that later. They are primarily operated in the UK and so the examples outlined here will be assumed to be UK based.
Investment Trusts are essentially companies (not technically trusts) which have been set up to invest in the shares of other companies. Their value therefore represents the assets in which they are invested rather than the company's own property, personnel or ideas. They are designed to give individual investors the opportunity to invest in wider range of companies, and at a lower cost, than they would be able to achieve on their own.
They are termed collective investments because they achieve this aim by providing a vehicle by which they can allow many investors to pool their money and together to invest in a large range of underlying assets. As institutional investors they have access to investments which may not be within the reach of the individual investor and they are logistically able to invest in a greater variety of assets. The scale on which they trade also means that they benefit from economies of scale as well as bulk discounts on costs and charges. Therefore, the relative cost that is passed down to each investor in the trust is lower than if they were to trade on their own.
The fact that Investment Trusts are closed-ended means that there are a finite number of shares that have been issued for the trust (as with a listed company). This number will be set out in the Initial Public Offering (IPO). As with a company, further shares can be subsequently issued by the company but these will normally result in the value of each share being reduced. This is a key distinguishing feature between Investment Trusts and the other common investment vehicles, Unit Trusts and Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs, otherwise known as an Investment Company with Variable Capital, ICVCs) which are both open-ended and therefore have a total number of units which will fluctuate as people buy and sell. With open-ended investments this fluctuation occurs because the investor is trading directly with the fund manager (not other investors) and therefore either putting their money into the ‘pot’ to make it bigger, or taking it out to make it smaller. Furthermore, Investment Trusts differ from Unit Trusts in that they can borrow money and incur debts to fund the purchase of assets.
As they are essentially companies, Investment Trusts have a board of directors (although in a non-executive capacity because they are not actually employed by the Investment Trust). The board will guard the interests of the trust, but decisions on which actual investments should be made are take by the Fund Manager. Investors will not have a direct say on individual investment decisions but each Investment Trust will have a theme or objective which will provide criteria to guide the Fund Manager in how to manage the fund. The investor will have therefore chosen whether to invest in an Investment Trust based on this theme. The theme’s criteria will ensure that the Fund Manager selects the companies, in which the trust will invest, based upon factors such as their geographical focus, industrial sectors, how developed they are (start ups etc) - all affecting the risk and potential yield of the fund.
As a public limited company, Investment Trusts are traded on the stock exchange the shares fluctuating on price based upon supply and demand. It is therefore the case that the price of a share in an Investment Trust does not necessarily represent a proportion of the value of that Investment Trusts underlying assets or investments. That value is calculated as the Net Asset Value (NAV) - the value of all assets less costs incurred - and is often quoted as a value per share. If this value is higher than the share price the Investment Trust is defined as trading at a discount; if it’s lower then it is trading at a premium.
It is also worth noting that Investment Trusts that meet Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) criteria will qualify for tax exemptions that ensure that investors do not get taxed Capital Gains Tax on any shares they trade and therefore avoid being taxed twice as the trust’s income will have already been taxed.
Without going into too much detail here there are a couple of specific types of Investment Trust that you may come across. Split Capital Investment Trusts have a limited life span and a structure which allows them to issue different types of share, with differing risk, based on criteria such as whether dividends are paid, application of capital protection, prioritisation at the point of pay out and the presence of a ceiling on any income. The higher risk shares will usually have less limitations on the capital they receive but also less capital protection if the investments go down and they will not be prioritised at the pay out. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are companies that invest in real estate. Companies can qualify for the status and therefore avoid double taxing if they distribute 90% of their income to investors.
As an interesting aside, the first collective investment fund to be established was in fact an Investment Trust. The Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust, was created in 1868 by the founder of the Royal Brompton Hospital Philip Rose. It initially invested in Government Bonds but started investing in equities (company shares) in 1925, and is still going today, listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Now that you are hopefully more familiar with the concept of Investment Trusts you may want to find further information on actually making an investment but it is always recommended that you speak to a qualified individual such as a Financial Adviser before taking any investment decisions.
A History of Harley Street
Harley street is world renowned as the home to London’s private medical services. In this article I want to touch on how the street and the surrounding area of London became so intrinsically linked with the medical profession.
The term Harley Street is itself synonymous with high class private medical care and many medical establishments rely on the prestige of the address to denote a certain quality in their service. As a result the street is now home to over 3,000 people employed in around 1,500 organisations covering the full spectrum of health care establishments ranging from general practices, clinics and cosmetic surgeons to dental practices; even private hospitals. Patients come from around the country and the world due to the reputation the small area of London has built up and it is estimated that the services provided in the area contribute a sizable £300 million to the county’s economy every year.
The land around Harley Street originally belonged to the Dukes of Newcastle, forming part of their Marylebone Estate, before the passing down of the female side of the family through the late 17th and early 18th centuries, ending up in the hands of Henrietta Cavendish Harley, wife of Edward Harley. The connection to the Harley family lent the most famous street in the area its name, but Edward Harley was also responsible for the initial development of the area having built Cavendish Square in 1715.
In 1741 when Edward died the estate passed to his daughter Margaret Cavendish Harley who was already married to William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland and so the area became know as Portland, passing through the Portland family until 1879 when the childless 5th Duke of Portland died. The estate was divided between the duke’s sisters and cousin and when the last sister, the widow of Lord Howard de Walden, died it passed to her husband’s family in which it is still held, constituting part of the de Walden estate.
Due to the extensive growth and prosperity of the area during the 18th and 19th centuries, under the Harley and Portland families, the area around Harley Street became home to some of London’s best examples of Georgian architecture. It is believed that the primary reason that the area attracted so many medical organisations from the 19th century onwards was that these buildings were so suitable in size, layout and location for the development of medical establishments with high levels of comfort and patient care. The area is close to some of London’s major transport hubs too, including the stations at Paddington and Kings Cross, making it the ideal location for the gentry of the Victorian era to commute by using the nation’s burgeoning rail network.
Harley Street can not only boast a rich medical history and reputation but can also lay claim to being the residential address of some repute in the Victorian era with residents such as the four time Prime Minister William Gladstone and perhaps the biggest name in art from that period, J. M. W. Turner. Whilst in more recent times the street has become more famous as the home to leading lights in the medical arena and was notably the residence of Lionel Logue - the Australian who treated George VI for his stutter in the episode that was recently the subject of the Oscar winning film The King’s Speech. The street is further renowned as the home of the girl’s school dating from 1848 , Queen’s College - one of the oldest in the country.
The architecture of Harley Street is testament to the wealth that was flowing through some sections of Georgian Society and laid the perfect foundation for the area’s industry that was to follow. However it was the prosperity of the Victorian era, the desire for medical care and the leaps in science and medicine witnessed by that age that helped establish the area as the hub of medical care that it is today - a primary location for Medical Chambers London.
The term Harley Street is itself synonymous with high class private medical care and many medical establishments rely on the prestige of the address to denote a certain quality in their service. As a result the street is now home to over 3,000 people employed in around 1,500 organisations covering the full spectrum of health care establishments ranging from general practices, clinics and cosmetic surgeons to dental practices; even private hospitals. Patients come from around the country and the world due to the reputation the small area of London has built up and it is estimated that the services provided in the area contribute a sizable £300 million to the county’s economy every year.
The land around Harley Street originally belonged to the Dukes of Newcastle, forming part of their Marylebone Estate, before the passing down of the female side of the family through the late 17th and early 18th centuries, ending up in the hands of Henrietta Cavendish Harley, wife of Edward Harley. The connection to the Harley family lent the most famous street in the area its name, but Edward Harley was also responsible for the initial development of the area having built Cavendish Square in 1715.
In 1741 when Edward died the estate passed to his daughter Margaret Cavendish Harley who was already married to William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland and so the area became know as Portland, passing through the Portland family until 1879 when the childless 5th Duke of Portland died. The estate was divided between the duke’s sisters and cousin and when the last sister, the widow of Lord Howard de Walden, died it passed to her husband’s family in which it is still held, constituting part of the de Walden estate.
Due to the extensive growth and prosperity of the area during the 18th and 19th centuries, under the Harley and Portland families, the area around Harley Street became home to some of London’s best examples of Georgian architecture. It is believed that the primary reason that the area attracted so many medical organisations from the 19th century onwards was that these buildings were so suitable in size, layout and location for the development of medical establishments with high levels of comfort and patient care. The area is close to some of London’s major transport hubs too, including the stations at Paddington and Kings Cross, making it the ideal location for the gentry of the Victorian era to commute by using the nation’s burgeoning rail network.
Harley Street can not only boast a rich medical history and reputation but can also lay claim to being the residential address of some repute in the Victorian era with residents such as the four time Prime Minister William Gladstone and perhaps the biggest name in art from that period, J. M. W. Turner. Whilst in more recent times the street has become more famous as the home to leading lights in the medical arena and was notably the residence of Lionel Logue - the Australian who treated George VI for his stutter in the episode that was recently the subject of the Oscar winning film The King’s Speech. The street is further renowned as the home of the girl’s school dating from 1848 , Queen’s College - one of the oldest in the country.
The architecture of Harley Street is testament to the wealth that was flowing through some sections of Georgian Society and laid the perfect foundation for the area’s industry that was to follow. However it was the prosperity of the Victorian era, the desire for medical care and the leaps in science and medicine witnessed by that age that helped establish the area as the hub of medical care that it is today - a primary location for Medical Chambers London.
Five Things to Think of When Renting Abroad
Each year hundreds of thousands of Brits set up home on foreign soil. Whether re-located by business or starting a new life in the foreign climes that they’ve fallen in love with on their holidays, it can be a daunting adventure. For many the idea of renting may be the perfect way to take their first steps without the financial commitments and risk of selling up and buying afresh overseas. There are however some key areas you must consider before starting your adventure if you feel this option is for you.
Choosing your Location:
Virtually every guide you will read concerning either buying or renting abroad will start with the question of location, location, location. This is where your research can really come into play. You must be familiar with the area to which you are moving and the most effective way that this knowledge can be garnered is by visiting and experiencing your destination first hand. There is no substitute for this. The chances are that if you are considering taking such a major step you will either already be familiar with the country and/or area through either holidaying there or through your business activities but even so, it is important that you have experienced the location at different times of year, through the different seasons etc (if you are used to a location through the tourist season you may find it to be quite a different place off-season - and vice versa).
In addition the experience of a foreign country as a visiting tourist or businessman is likely to bare little relation to the experience of living and working there. As a full time inhabitant you may be more exposed to cultures, customers and social dynamics that may have been diluted in your experience as a visitor.
Once you have decided upon an area your next consideration will need to be the local facilities. Will you need to be near a supermarket, doctor’s surgery or even laundrette, and how feasible are the transport links to such places? It can be easy to be swept up in the perceived idyll of a remote country retreat but will you have the facilities within reach that will allow you to live there comfortably and securely?
You will also need to be clear as to why you are moving to the country in the first place - what is it that attracted you to the area and will your desired location allow you to fulfill the reasons for your move? This may be something that ultimately will need to be compromised for a degree of amenities and will determine whether the dream is a realistic one or not.
How Long?:
The other fundamental consideration before you launch into you property adventure is to decide how long you plan to be living in your new home. Is this a permanent move, a trial move or just a move for a fixed amount of time (e.g., for business or study)? If you are planning to move to a new country permanently it may be prudent to agree a trial period in which you sample the experience of living in that country over a period of time. In this scenario, the rental solution can be ideal as it leaves you with a cleaner exit strategy and allows you to maintain a safety net in your country of origin.
Choosing an Agent:
Having chosen the area that you want to explore further you will need to make contact with a real estate/letting agent that operates in the area.
An essential step that you should take is to agree what their charges will be at the outset so that there are no nasty surprises for you later down the line. In addition you should try to have a written agreement of what the agent’s responsibilities will be and these subsequent charges before anything else. When renting property abroad these steps are even more important as the mechanics of the property market and how agents levy their fees may vary from country to country. For example if you are looking for apartments for rent in Kuwait agents will, on the whole, charge you an amount equivalent to 50% of you first month’s rent, but crucially only once you have signed the tenancy contract.
The other issues to consider when choosing your agent are which areas, and therefore properties, they will be able to show you and do they speak fluent English if you yourself are not fluent in the country’s language.
Choosing the Property:
In addition to assessing what services and amenities the locale can provide you with you must also ensure that you have a clear idea as to what amenities you require from the property itself. If you are planning to keep in touch with the loved ones that you have left behind then an internet connection may be a necessity. If you have trouble climbing flights of stairs then apartments in buildings without elevators may not be practical places for you to live. You should consider the size and layout of the property - will it give you the space and rooms that allow you to live as you had planned? The specifications for all properties you are shown should contain this information for you and allow you to refine your search. There is no point wasting valuable time and energy viewing properties that do not meet these fundamental requirements.
Once you have a list of desirable properties, you must visit the property itself. Hopefully you have chosen an estate agent who will show you the property personally and will have a knowledge of the property and surrounding area to answer any questions you may have. This is your chance to make sure that the property not only feels right but covers the basic living, security and safety standards that you expect. You need to consider everything that you may take for granted in your current home, such as smoke alarms. The regulations governing what safety features, building standards etc you can expect may again vary in the country to which you are moving.
The Contract:
When it is time to sign on the dotted line it is paramount that you have a comprehensive and clear contract drawn up to ensure that you have a trouble free occupation of your chosen home. The contract should first of all contain all the relevant contact details and names for yourself as tenant, the landlord(s) and the agency through which you have found the property. This information should also contain details of the nature of the entities that are entering into the agreement on both sides (e.g., individuals, organisations) and their respective responsibilities.
The contract should accurately detail the property itself; its location, situation and condition. Furthermore all financial aspects of the rental agreement should be defined including the currency, frequency, date, and the amount of the payments that you will be required to make. The contract must also be clear on what will happen if payments are missed and the notice periods for changes to the agreement. Finally, the contract should record details of the initial deposit including the amount and the conditions of its return.
If you follow the steps in this brief guide then renting abroad can be the perfect way to start your new live overseas, to assimilate yourself into the country's culture and sample the delights of another pat of the world; or perhaps find the ideal base for your business activities. Whether you are looking for apartments for rent in Kuwait or a country house in New Zealand, these steps should ensure the whole process runs smoothly and you’re in your new home in no time.
Choosing your Location:
Virtually every guide you will read concerning either buying or renting abroad will start with the question of location, location, location. This is where your research can really come into play. You must be familiar with the area to which you are moving and the most effective way that this knowledge can be garnered is by visiting and experiencing your destination first hand. There is no substitute for this. The chances are that if you are considering taking such a major step you will either already be familiar with the country and/or area through either holidaying there or through your business activities but even so, it is important that you have experienced the location at different times of year, through the different seasons etc (if you are used to a location through the tourist season you may find it to be quite a different place off-season - and vice versa).
In addition the experience of a foreign country as a visiting tourist or businessman is likely to bare little relation to the experience of living and working there. As a full time inhabitant you may be more exposed to cultures, customers and social dynamics that may have been diluted in your experience as a visitor.
Once you have decided upon an area your next consideration will need to be the local facilities. Will you need to be near a supermarket, doctor’s surgery or even laundrette, and how feasible are the transport links to such places? It can be easy to be swept up in the perceived idyll of a remote country retreat but will you have the facilities within reach that will allow you to live there comfortably and securely?
You will also need to be clear as to why you are moving to the country in the first place - what is it that attracted you to the area and will your desired location allow you to fulfill the reasons for your move? This may be something that ultimately will need to be compromised for a degree of amenities and will determine whether the dream is a realistic one or not.
How Long?:
The other fundamental consideration before you launch into you property adventure is to decide how long you plan to be living in your new home. Is this a permanent move, a trial move or just a move for a fixed amount of time (e.g., for business or study)? If you are planning to move to a new country permanently it may be prudent to agree a trial period in which you sample the experience of living in that country over a period of time. In this scenario, the rental solution can be ideal as it leaves you with a cleaner exit strategy and allows you to maintain a safety net in your country of origin.
Choosing an Agent:
Having chosen the area that you want to explore further you will need to make contact with a real estate/letting agent that operates in the area.
An essential step that you should take is to agree what their charges will be at the outset so that there are no nasty surprises for you later down the line. In addition you should try to have a written agreement of what the agent’s responsibilities will be and these subsequent charges before anything else. When renting property abroad these steps are even more important as the mechanics of the property market and how agents levy their fees may vary from country to country. For example if you are looking for apartments for rent in Kuwait agents will, on the whole, charge you an amount equivalent to 50% of you first month’s rent, but crucially only once you have signed the tenancy contract.
The other issues to consider when choosing your agent are which areas, and therefore properties, they will be able to show you and do they speak fluent English if you yourself are not fluent in the country’s language.
Choosing the Property:
In addition to assessing what services and amenities the locale can provide you with you must also ensure that you have a clear idea as to what amenities you require from the property itself. If you are planning to keep in touch with the loved ones that you have left behind then an internet connection may be a necessity. If you have trouble climbing flights of stairs then apartments in buildings without elevators may not be practical places for you to live. You should consider the size and layout of the property - will it give you the space and rooms that allow you to live as you had planned? The specifications for all properties you are shown should contain this information for you and allow you to refine your search. There is no point wasting valuable time and energy viewing properties that do not meet these fundamental requirements.
Once you have a list of desirable properties, you must visit the property itself. Hopefully you have chosen an estate agent who will show you the property personally and will have a knowledge of the property and surrounding area to answer any questions you may have. This is your chance to make sure that the property not only feels right but covers the basic living, security and safety standards that you expect. You need to consider everything that you may take for granted in your current home, such as smoke alarms. The regulations governing what safety features, building standards etc you can expect may again vary in the country to which you are moving.
The Contract:
When it is time to sign on the dotted line it is paramount that you have a comprehensive and clear contract drawn up to ensure that you have a trouble free occupation of your chosen home. The contract should first of all contain all the relevant contact details and names for yourself as tenant, the landlord(s) and the agency through which you have found the property. This information should also contain details of the nature of the entities that are entering into the agreement on both sides (e.g., individuals, organisations) and their respective responsibilities.
The contract should accurately detail the property itself; its location, situation and condition. Furthermore all financial aspects of the rental agreement should be defined including the currency, frequency, date, and the amount of the payments that you will be required to make. The contract must also be clear on what will happen if payments are missed and the notice periods for changes to the agreement. Finally, the contract should record details of the initial deposit including the amount and the conditions of its return.
If you follow the steps in this brief guide then renting abroad can be the perfect way to start your new live overseas, to assimilate yourself into the country's culture and sample the delights of another pat of the world; or perhaps find the ideal base for your business activities. Whether you are looking for apartments for rent in Kuwait or a country house in New Zealand, these steps should ensure the whole process runs smoothly and you’re in your new home in no time.
How to Use a Search Engine
If you are planning to make the most of the internet and world wide web then one of the first things you should become familiar with is how to get the most out of a search engine.
When looking for information or a service online there may be hundreds, thousands or even millions of websites out there on the web that are relevant (to a greater or lesser extent) to your query. However without using a search engine you would either have to be told about them specifically or hunt them down yourself by linking from one website to another, until you hopefully find a few that are relevant enough. Even then it can be difficult to gauge how trusted or reliable they are.
This is the job that search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo perform for you. There are billions if not trillions of web pages on the web and the number is always growing. Search engines are designed to quickly find you those few that are the most relevant to your query and give more credence to those that are established and therefore more trustworthy.
To understand how to get the best out of a search engine it a good idea to have a basic understanding of how they work. Search engines gather their information using software that sends out what are called ‘robots’ or ‘spiders’ which read the text on every page of every web page they can find, following links from one website to another. The data is then stored by the search engine company.
The exact methods (the algorithms) that search engines use to process all this data are complicated and kept very secret, due to the fierce competition between them, and they are constantly evolving to provide a more refined service. In essence though they will rank web pages for any given terms based upon whether the text content on those pages includes those (and related) words as well as the number and relevance of the other websites which link to the original web page. Factors such as the age of a website and how many people use it (i.e., traffic) are also taken into account to determine how established and reliable the site is.
Each search engine will present you with one obvious search box for you to type your search query, accompanied by a search button. To perform a basic search you simply need to enter the key words that are relevant to your query and click the search button. For example, if you are looking for a dog sitting service in the Salisbury area then type dog sitters salisbury. The results, the pages which the search engine thinks are relevant to your query will appear as a list of links on the page, each with a brief description. Clicking on the link will take you through to that page.
There is no need to present the words as a literal question like Where can I find dog sitters in Salisbury? because the search engine may return results that have the extra words in - you don’t necessarily want a page that asks the same question as you but one that might answer it after all. Some of this extra words are so common that they will not help your search to be more specific anyway. Punctuation is also ignored unless it is a special character which changes the nature of your search - see below.
In addition the words you are searching for do not necessarily have to appear next to each other or in the same sequence on a web page for that page to appear in the search results. However if you do only want to see the pages that contain an exact phrase then you can contain your words in quotation marks. For example, if you are trying to find the website for a business called Salisbury Dog Sitters then you can refine your search results more effectively by searching for “Salisbury Dog Sitters“. Moreover, if you want to web pages that don’t include particular words you can use a hyphen immediately in front of the word. Following the earlier example through, if you want to rule out search results that are appearing for pages that mention dog sitters in Salisbury, Maryland so that you can focus on results from Salisbury, Wiltshire you could search for dog sitters salisbury -maryland.
You can add more words to be more specific in your query such as dog sitters overnight salisbury but be careful not to over-complicate your search and use too many words. Whilst increasing the specificity of your search it can also rule out some results which may be relevant to your query but don’t necessarily contain every single word you’ve used, especially if some of your words weren’t essential for your query. The trick is to be only as specific as you need be and at the same time, target your words carefully. The words you do use need to be as descriptive, unambiguous and as relevant as possible.
Most search engines will offer the ability to perform advanced searches where you can usually specify other criteria for your search results which will help you to be more targeted in your searches. Useful options here can include a time period (to find web pages published within a certain time frame) the language of websites, a filter for more adult content and a geographical focus for your results (usually by country).
Moreover, most search engines also provide you with the ability to search for particular types of online content such as images, news, videos and shopping results using variations of their main search page. Look out for a link to these alternative search pages on the search engine’s main menu and you can ensure that you are only accessing the type of online content you want. The display of the results on these pages will often be more suited to your needs as well. An image search for example will display the results as images so that you don’t need to click on each link to see the image you’re looking for.
Search engines really are the principle gateway to world wide web and it is no coincidence that an estimated 80% of people accessing the web do so through a search engine. Learning how to get the most out of search engines is a key step in learning how to use the internet. Once you’re familiar with how they can be used you may find that the web is far more accessible than you had thought.
When looking for information or a service online there may be hundreds, thousands or even millions of websites out there on the web that are relevant (to a greater or lesser extent) to your query. However without using a search engine you would either have to be told about them specifically or hunt them down yourself by linking from one website to another, until you hopefully find a few that are relevant enough. Even then it can be difficult to gauge how trusted or reliable they are.
This is the job that search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo perform for you. There are billions if not trillions of web pages on the web and the number is always growing. Search engines are designed to quickly find you those few that are the most relevant to your query and give more credence to those that are established and therefore more trustworthy.
To understand how to get the best out of a search engine it a good idea to have a basic understanding of how they work. Search engines gather their information using software that sends out what are called ‘robots’ or ‘spiders’ which read the text on every page of every web page they can find, following links from one website to another. The data is then stored by the search engine company.
The exact methods (the algorithms) that search engines use to process all this data are complicated and kept very secret, due to the fierce competition between them, and they are constantly evolving to provide a more refined service. In essence though they will rank web pages for any given terms based upon whether the text content on those pages includes those (and related) words as well as the number and relevance of the other websites which link to the original web page. Factors such as the age of a website and how many people use it (i.e., traffic) are also taken into account to determine how established and reliable the site is.
Each search engine will present you with one obvious search box for you to type your search query, accompanied by a search button. To perform a basic search you simply need to enter the key words that are relevant to your query and click the search button. For example, if you are looking for a dog sitting service in the Salisbury area then type dog sitters salisbury. The results, the pages which the search engine thinks are relevant to your query will appear as a list of links on the page, each with a brief description. Clicking on the link will take you through to that page.
There is no need to present the words as a literal question like Where can I find dog sitters in Salisbury? because the search engine may return results that have the extra words in - you don’t necessarily want a page that asks the same question as you but one that might answer it after all. Some of this extra words are so common that they will not help your search to be more specific anyway. Punctuation is also ignored unless it is a special character which changes the nature of your search - see below.
In addition the words you are searching for do not necessarily have to appear next to each other or in the same sequence on a web page for that page to appear in the search results. However if you do only want to see the pages that contain an exact phrase then you can contain your words in quotation marks. For example, if you are trying to find the website for a business called Salisbury Dog Sitters then you can refine your search results more effectively by searching for “Salisbury Dog Sitters“. Moreover, if you want to web pages that don’t include particular words you can use a hyphen immediately in front of the word. Following the earlier example through, if you want to rule out search results that are appearing for pages that mention dog sitters in Salisbury, Maryland so that you can focus on results from Salisbury, Wiltshire you could search for dog sitters salisbury -maryland.
You can add more words to be more specific in your query such as dog sitters overnight salisbury but be careful not to over-complicate your search and use too many words. Whilst increasing the specificity of your search it can also rule out some results which may be relevant to your query but don’t necessarily contain every single word you’ve used, especially if some of your words weren’t essential for your query. The trick is to be only as specific as you need be and at the same time, target your words carefully. The words you do use need to be as descriptive, unambiguous and as relevant as possible.
Most search engines will offer the ability to perform advanced searches where you can usually specify other criteria for your search results which will help you to be more targeted in your searches. Useful options here can include a time period (to find web pages published within a certain time frame) the language of websites, a filter for more adult content and a geographical focus for your results (usually by country).
Moreover, most search engines also provide you with the ability to search for particular types of online content such as images, news, videos and shopping results using variations of their main search page. Look out for a link to these alternative search pages on the search engine’s main menu and you can ensure that you are only accessing the type of online content you want. The display of the results on these pages will often be more suited to your needs as well. An image search for example will display the results as images so that you don’t need to click on each link to see the image you’re looking for.
Search engines really are the principle gateway to world wide web and it is no coincidence that an estimated 80% of people accessing the web do so through a search engine. Learning how to get the most out of search engines is a key step in learning how to use the internet. Once you’re familiar with how they can be used you may find that the web is far more accessible than you had thought.
Managed Hosting Services
As businesses put more and more emphasis on the online side of their operations for marketing and as a point of sales the performance of their websites becomes more integral to their success as a whole. Therefore, many businesses are now opting to place the management of their website infrastructure into more trusted hands and are opting for managed hosting.
In summary a managed hosting service is one that provides businesses with a complete package of a dedicated server to host their website, software, the set up and the ongoing maintenance of their server. Therefore, allowing the business to completely outsource their hosting requirements.
At the heart of the managed service package is the dedicated server. With a dedicated server, the client uses (most often rents) an entire distinct server within a data centre on which to host their website. This server is not physically shared by any other website or client and therefore will not suffer from performance issues that result from sharing, such as, load handling, malware or physical damage during the maintenance of the sharing website’s hosting.
A managed hosting service will also benefit from server colocation whereby the server is physically housed away from the businesses own premises and within a purpose built data centre. These data centres are usually located on the internet backbone (offering high degrees of connectivity) and have advanced systems in place to preserve the performance and up-time of the server, such as fire protection systems, security and back up servers/cables/power.
In practice managed hosting can incorporate a variety of different services offered by the hosting provider that distinguish it as being proactively managed, such as, advanced levels of server configuration (which the business itself may not be capable of achieving), software/operating system updates, malware protection/scans, performance monitoring and assistance in the deployment stages. What’s more providers will often include a certain level of client support access as part of their service - sometimes even 24 hour telephone support.
Managed hosting in particular gives businesses the flexibility to respond to changing business needs. For example, in a scenario where a website is likely to receive abnormally high levels of traffic at short notice the managed hosting provider will be able to offer bespoke solutions that may have proved too costly or technically out of the reach of a business managing their own hosting.
The key advantage of managed hosting that underpins all of the aforementioned benefits of a data centre location, the use of a dedicated rather than shared server, and the server management, is that the client business will gain from the expertise of the hosting provider in providing a bespoke and high performance hosting solution. Some businesses will be able to run a self-managed server but it can be difficult and costly to match this level of expertise in-house, without the economies of scale that a managed hosting provider utilises.
As managed hosting can offer the complete gamut of hosting services, providing the client with a fully outsourced, flexible and robust hosting platform, they do tend to come at a higher cost than simple colocation for example. However, for businesses looking to focus their expertise and resources on their own propositions whilst benefiting from a high degree of online reliability and performance, managed hosting really is the ideal solution.
In summary a managed hosting service is one that provides businesses with a complete package of a dedicated server to host their website, software, the set up and the ongoing maintenance of their server. Therefore, allowing the business to completely outsource their hosting requirements.
At the heart of the managed service package is the dedicated server. With a dedicated server, the client uses (most often rents) an entire distinct server within a data centre on which to host their website. This server is not physically shared by any other website or client and therefore will not suffer from performance issues that result from sharing, such as, load handling, malware or physical damage during the maintenance of the sharing website’s hosting.
A managed hosting service will also benefit from server colocation whereby the server is physically housed away from the businesses own premises and within a purpose built data centre. These data centres are usually located on the internet backbone (offering high degrees of connectivity) and have advanced systems in place to preserve the performance and up-time of the server, such as fire protection systems, security and back up servers/cables/power.
In practice managed hosting can incorporate a variety of different services offered by the hosting provider that distinguish it as being proactively managed, such as, advanced levels of server configuration (which the business itself may not be capable of achieving), software/operating system updates, malware protection/scans, performance monitoring and assistance in the deployment stages. What’s more providers will often include a certain level of client support access as part of their service - sometimes even 24 hour telephone support.
Managed hosting in particular gives businesses the flexibility to respond to changing business needs. For example, in a scenario where a website is likely to receive abnormally high levels of traffic at short notice the managed hosting provider will be able to offer bespoke solutions that may have proved too costly or technically out of the reach of a business managing their own hosting.
The key advantage of managed hosting that underpins all of the aforementioned benefits of a data centre location, the use of a dedicated rather than shared server, and the server management, is that the client business will gain from the expertise of the hosting provider in providing a bespoke and high performance hosting solution. Some businesses will be able to run a self-managed server but it can be difficult and costly to match this level of expertise in-house, without the economies of scale that a managed hosting provider utilises.
As managed hosting can offer the complete gamut of hosting services, providing the client with a fully outsourced, flexible and robust hosting platform, they do tend to come at a higher cost than simple colocation for example. However, for businesses looking to focus their expertise and resources on their own propositions whilst benefiting from a high degree of online reliability and performance, managed hosting really is the ideal solution.
The Different Styles Of Shutters
Shutters can provide the ideal solution to compliment your window space, whether you are looking for ultimate privacy, noise insulation or the ability to have real control over the levels of light entering your room. There is probably a greater range of shutters than you think, from popular solutions, such as shutters that cover the full height of the window, to Café Style shutters to give the balance between light and privacy. They can also come in variety of woods and colours to suit the aesthetic that you are after.
The most versatile style of interior shutters, and therefore the most popular, is the Full Height Shutter. As the name suggests these shutters are designed to cover the full height of the window space and usually come with a mid rail. Their flexibility, however, derives from the ability to control the louvres and individual sections of the panels to tailor the flow of light, and privacy levels, to suit your needs. As a result they are also ideal for use on Velux windows, particularly when used in conjunction with a remote control to open and close the louvres.
If you are looking for more of a balance between the amount of light entering the room and privacy, the Café Style Shutter may be more appropriate than a Full Height shutter. This style employs a shutter on only the lower half of the window to keep prying eyes out whilst keeping the top half free to allow sunlight in. This style is therefore perfect for windows in town houses, particularly those at ground level.
For the greatest degree of control over the balance between light and privacy, Tier on Tier shutters are designed with separate panels on the top and bottom half of your window space which can be operated independently. However to achieve the highest levels of noise, light and privacy insulation the best solution is Solid shutters. These traditionally styled shutters also provide the highest levels of security and can be purchased to cover either the full height of your window space or individual panels.
Moreover, you can find a diverse range of louvred shutters in special shapes that you may not have previously considered, but which may be ideal for your unique requirements. Whatever your window space, whether an attic window, an arched window, a porthole window or even a cupboard under the stairs, there can be a bespoke shutter solution made to fit.
The aesthetic and durability of your shutter can be further tailored to suit your needs by selecting the appropriate material. Shutters come in a number of different woods including Basswood, Premium Hardwood, Larchwood, Craftwood (MDF) and Cedarwood. You may prefer the clean finish of Basswood, distinctive grain pattern of Larchwood or even the unique fragrance of the Cedarwood.
A shutter really does give you that combination of style and control. Interior shutters offer a stylish way to dress your window space, whether you’re viewing them from the inside or out. They offer unparalleled control over light, noise and privacy whilst their versatility and ability to fulfil a bespoke solution means that they are a real alternative to curtains and blinds.
The most versatile style of interior shutters, and therefore the most popular, is the Full Height Shutter. As the name suggests these shutters are designed to cover the full height of the window space and usually come with a mid rail. Their flexibility, however, derives from the ability to control the louvres and individual sections of the panels to tailor the flow of light, and privacy levels, to suit your needs. As a result they are also ideal for use on Velux windows, particularly when used in conjunction with a remote control to open and close the louvres.
If you are looking for more of a balance between the amount of light entering the room and privacy, the Café Style Shutter may be more appropriate than a Full Height shutter. This style employs a shutter on only the lower half of the window to keep prying eyes out whilst keeping the top half free to allow sunlight in. This style is therefore perfect for windows in town houses, particularly those at ground level.
For the greatest degree of control over the balance between light and privacy, Tier on Tier shutters are designed with separate panels on the top and bottom half of your window space which can be operated independently. However to achieve the highest levels of noise, light and privacy insulation the best solution is Solid shutters. These traditionally styled shutters also provide the highest levels of security and can be purchased to cover either the full height of your window space or individual panels.
Moreover, you can find a diverse range of louvred shutters in special shapes that you may not have previously considered, but which may be ideal for your unique requirements. Whatever your window space, whether an attic window, an arched window, a porthole window or even a cupboard under the stairs, there can be a bespoke shutter solution made to fit.
The aesthetic and durability of your shutter can be further tailored to suit your needs by selecting the appropriate material. Shutters come in a number of different woods including Basswood, Premium Hardwood, Larchwood, Craftwood (MDF) and Cedarwood. You may prefer the clean finish of Basswood, distinctive grain pattern of Larchwood or even the unique fragrance of the Cedarwood.
A shutter really does give you that combination of style and control. Interior shutters offer a stylish way to dress your window space, whether you’re viewing them from the inside or out. They offer unparalleled control over light, noise and privacy whilst their versatility and ability to fulfil a bespoke solution means that they are a real alternative to curtains and blinds.
Friday 17 June 2011
Tourist Attractions in Kuwait
Kuwait is a modern nation with a rich history. Situated on the Arabian Peninsula between Saudi Arabia and Iraq with its coast on the Persian gulf, it has a culture influenced by the peoples of the Arabian uplands, Mesopotamia, ancient Greece and traders along the spice trail. The modern day Kuwait is an oil rich urbanised emirate. Based around the capital of Kuwait City, it has boomed since the discovery of the natural resource in the 1930s. With a cosmopolitan mixture of old and new, Kuwait might be the destination that you’ve been seeking, for that unique holiday experience or even to settle down. There is certainly plenty to see and do.
Owing to its extensive gulf coastline, Kuwait offers many activities on or around the water. Pearl Diving was formerly a crucial industry in the state before the discovery of oil. Most diving now occurs during pearl diving festivals in which the Kuwaitis re-enact their traditional diving methods before rounding off the festival with song and dance. If you want to get below the water yourself, Kuwait’s reefs and islands offers plenty of opportunities to scuba dive and experience the underwater marine life first hand.
However, if you’d rather stay above the water, the gulf seas off the coast of Kuwait also offer the ideal conditions for yachting, with calm waters and gentle breezes. For those visiting, the Yacht Club in Salmiya offers plentiful mooring. Alternatively, you can take boat trips to experience the tranquillity of the emirate’s handful of islands and find a quiet spot for a quick swim. These trips may also offer the chance to squeeze in some fishing which can’t be missed. The waters around Kuwait contain an incredibly diverse fish stock ranging from shark and stingray to tuna. If you’re planning an activity in a small group you may even prefer to hire your own boat and get complete control over your excursion.
For those seeking a more high action activity then there are plenty of other opportunities for fun on the water including water skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing (although you may have to purchase your own equipment). Otherwise, why not relax on one of Kuwait’s many stunning beaches, perhaps Messilah Beach, Oqialah Beach or the Seafront at Al-Shaab.
Kuwait City is a great location to while away your hours shopping whether you are after leading international clothing brands or fresh fish. The Avenues shopping mall in Kuwait City is the state’s largest and if you crave some serious shopping you can easily spend a day or two in its international stores with plenty of restaurants and cinemas to keep you fed and entertained in between. For a different shopping experience, take a cool stroll through the promenades of Souk Sharq and its neighbouring fish market on the waterfront in Safat. The traditional architecture creates a unique backdrop as you shop at many of your favourite outlets. Once you’re ready for a pit stop, it is the perfect place enjoy lunch overlooking the water at one of its many cafes and restaurants, perhaps sampling Kuwait’s traditional seafood and spice infused dishes. The main attraction of Souk Sharq, however, must be its rare example of a functioning water clock – not to be missed.
To gain a better understanding of Kuwait’s heritage and culture, your primary destination should be Kuwait’s National Museum. Entrance is free and it is by far the best place to learn about the history of Kuwait and its peoples, giving insights into topics such as pearl diving and the spice trade. Particular highlights include the rich archaeological discoveries on the island of Failaka (once settled by ancient Greeks), the extensive collections of Islamic art and its planetarium.
The Scientific Center, on the other hand, combines the largest aquarium in the Middle East, a facility for children to experiment with science themselves and an IMAX theatre showing educational films. The aquarium houses a diverse range of marine fauna from sharks to otters, to penguins. Watch the shark feeding in the evening or get closer to some of the indigenous Gulf sea life. In addition, you can visit the Kuwait Zoo in Omarrya to see a variety of animals, great and small.
Due to its changing economic fortunes, Kuwait is home to mixture of old and new Islamic architecture. One site which must be on any visitor’s is Kuwait’s largest mosque, the Grand Mosque. The building is covered with beautiful decorations and can be visited by all faiths (as long as you adhere to the dress code). However, if you are looking for views then why not head to the iconic Kuwait Towers in the Sharq district of Kuwait City. There are three towers which have become a symbol of the nation and its resistance throughout recent conflict. One tower has a rotating observation deck at a height of 123 metres giving you 360 degree views of Kuwait City and beyond. And if that’s not enough, keep an eye out for the 372 metre high Liberation Tower, one of the tallest communications towers in the world.
However, for more action based fun to entertain the children Kuwait has a number amusement parks including the largest, Entertainment City in Al-Doha, with its plethora of rides and arcades set alongside gardens and more serene boating lakes. In addition, children may enjoy the water rides of Messilah Water Village and the Aqua Park (next to the Kuwait Towers), or the ice and roller-skating rinks at Al-Shaab Leisure Park.
With so much to keep you entertained and with Kuwaiti people being so naturally welcoming and hospitable as hosts, Kuwait really is a unique destination whatever the reason for your visit. …And if you are tempted to stay why not have a look at the Kuwait Property Listings.
However, if you’d rather stay above the water, the gulf seas off the coast of Kuwait also offer the ideal conditions for yachting, with calm waters and gentle breezes. For those visiting, the Yacht Club in Salmiya offers plentiful mooring. Alternatively, you can take boat trips to experience the tranquillity of the emirate’s handful of islands and find a quiet spot for a quick swim. These trips may also offer the chance to squeeze in some fishing which can’t be missed. The waters around Kuwait contain an incredibly diverse fish stock ranging from shark and stingray to tuna. If you’re planning an activity in a small group you may even prefer to hire your own boat and get complete control over your excursion.
For those seeking a more high action activity then there are plenty of other opportunities for fun on the water including water skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing (although you may have to purchase your own equipment). Otherwise, why not relax on one of Kuwait’s many stunning beaches, perhaps Messilah Beach, Oqialah Beach or the Seafront at Al-Shaab.
Kuwait City is a great location to while away your hours shopping whether you are after leading international clothing brands or fresh fish. The Avenues shopping mall in Kuwait City is the state’s largest and if you crave some serious shopping you can easily spend a day or two in its international stores with plenty of restaurants and cinemas to keep you fed and entertained in between. For a different shopping experience, take a cool stroll through the promenades of Souk Sharq and its neighbouring fish market on the waterfront in Safat. The traditional architecture creates a unique backdrop as you shop at many of your favourite outlets. Once you’re ready for a pit stop, it is the perfect place enjoy lunch overlooking the water at one of its many cafes and restaurants, perhaps sampling Kuwait’s traditional seafood and spice infused dishes. The main attraction of Souk Sharq, however, must be its rare example of a functioning water clock – not to be missed.
To gain a better understanding of Kuwait’s heritage and culture, your primary destination should be Kuwait’s National Museum. Entrance is free and it is by far the best place to learn about the history of Kuwait and its peoples, giving insights into topics such as pearl diving and the spice trade. Particular highlights include the rich archaeological discoveries on the island of Failaka (once settled by ancient Greeks), the extensive collections of Islamic art and its planetarium.
The Scientific Center, on the other hand, combines the largest aquarium in the Middle East, a facility for children to experiment with science themselves and an IMAX theatre showing educational films. The aquarium houses a diverse range of marine fauna from sharks to otters, to penguins. Watch the shark feeding in the evening or get closer to some of the indigenous Gulf sea life. In addition, you can visit the Kuwait Zoo in Omarrya to see a variety of animals, great and small.
Due to its changing economic fortunes, Kuwait is home to mixture of old and new Islamic architecture. One site which must be on any visitor’s is Kuwait’s largest mosque, the Grand Mosque. The building is covered with beautiful decorations and can be visited by all faiths (as long as you adhere to the dress code). However, if you are looking for views then why not head to the iconic Kuwait Towers in the Sharq district of Kuwait City. There are three towers which have become a symbol of the nation and its resistance throughout recent conflict. One tower has a rotating observation deck at a height of 123 metres giving you 360 degree views of Kuwait City and beyond. And if that’s not enough, keep an eye out for the 372 metre high Liberation Tower, one of the tallest communications towers in the world.
However, for more action based fun to entertain the children Kuwait has a number amusement parks including the largest, Entertainment City in Al-Doha, with its plethora of rides and arcades set alongside gardens and more serene boating lakes. In addition, children may enjoy the water rides of Messilah Water Village and the Aqua Park (next to the Kuwait Towers), or the ice and roller-skating rinks at Al-Shaab Leisure Park.
With so much to keep you entertained and with Kuwaiti people being so naturally welcoming and hospitable as hosts, Kuwait really is a unique destination whatever the reason for your visit. …And if you are tempted to stay why not have a look at the Kuwait Property Listings.
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