Kuwait - Is it safe to drink the water?
Nov 3rd, 2007, 10:03 PM
#1
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Kuwait - Is it safe to drink the water?
My husband is taking a business trip to Kuwait. Only be there a couple of days. Is there anything he should be aware of like not drinking the tap water? etc. Thanks.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 10:46 PM
#2
Hi Rhonda -
We lived in Kuwait for 4.5 years. We drank bottled water, but only because it tasted better than the water out of the tap at our house. AND because the tap water was always hot - the water tanks are stored on the roofs in Kuwait and during the hottest months, it's near scalding when it comes out of the tap!
The tap water is safe - bottled water is everywhere and usually offered in restaurants - it's also dirt cheap.
We lived in Kuwait for 4.5 years. We drank bottled water, but only because it tasted better than the water out of the tap at our house. AND because the tap water was always hot - the water tanks are stored on the roofs in Kuwait and during the hottest months, it's near scalding when it comes out of the tap!
The tap water is safe - bottled water is everywhere and usually offered in restaurants - it's also dirt cheap.
Nov 5th, 2007, 03:32 PM
#4
Rhonda -
No, no worries in the fresh produce department either. Kuwait has high food standards and most produce is imported from elsewhere anyway.
His biggest concern should be driving. The Kuwaitis drive like maniacs and completely ignore traffic regulations. He'll see drivers turning left from the far right lane, jumping over medians to get to the other side of the road, making double and triple turn lanes where there's only a single, and SPEEDING. If he plans to drive, tell him to expect anything at anytime and he'll never be surprised.
No, no worries in the fresh produce department either. Kuwait has high food standards and most produce is imported from elsewhere anyway.
His biggest concern should be driving. The Kuwaitis drive like maniacs and completely ignore traffic regulations. He'll see drivers turning left from the far right lane, jumping over medians to get to the other side of the road, making double and triple turn lanes where there's only a single, and SPEEDING. If he plans to drive, tell him to expect anything at anytime and he'll never be surprised.
Nov 6th, 2007, 07:00 PM
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Thanks for the info! No, no driving. Taxi from airport to hotel for meetings, taxi back to airport.
Looks like the exchange rate is really pretty bad (for us) if I am reading it right.
Looks like the exchange rate is really pretty bad (for us) if I am reading it right.
Nov 6th, 2007, 09:03 PM
#6
Hi Ronda (sorry for mispelling your name previously) -
Are you from the US? I just checked the exchange rate - looks like 1 KD is about $3.61 US. It was $3.35 when I lived there. The US dollar is getting its butt kicked just about everywhere these days.
Kuwait is quite expensive. I remember paying about 5-7 KD for a salad and iced tea at lunch, but now that I live in a place with only one restaurant, it doesn't sound so bad!
PS - gas is cheap though!
Are you from the US? I just checked the exchange rate - looks like 1 KD is about $3.61 US. It was $3.35 when I lived there. The US dollar is getting its butt kicked just about everywhere these days.
Kuwait is quite expensive. I remember paying about 5-7 KD for a salad and iced tea at lunch, but now that I live in a place with only one restaurant, it doesn't sound so bad!
PS - gas is cheap though!
Nov 7th, 2007, 01:52 PM
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"now that I live in a place with only one restaurant, it doesn't sound so bad! "
Oh my goodness, Mel, where do you live?
I am from San Jose, California.
Hubby made it to London for the first part of his trip but having computer battery problems (it's the computer) so I can tell he is a little unhappy.
Oh my goodness, Mel, where do you live?
I am from San Jose, California.
Hubby made it to London for the first part of his trip but having computer battery problems (it's the computer) so I can tell he is a little unhappy.
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Nov 7th, 2007, 07:17 PM
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slightly off-subject....
Melnq8 - Kuwait was one of our options when we left Cairo, but we ended up in Baku. The drivers sound just like the ones in Cairo and in Baku! They must all go to the same driving school!
Just got back from a trip to Cairo (son had a school conference there) and it was so weird going back! The first few days I was thrilled to see friends, shops, go to my fav restaurants, etc....but by day 4 - all the stuff that used to bother me....REALLY bothered me! And I felt the pollution, traffic, and trash were worse, but maybe I had just become "immune" to it while living there!
However...I still loved sitting on the banks of the Nile and drinking beer at a TGIFridays!
Melnq8 - Kuwait was one of our options when we left Cairo, but we ended up in Baku. The drivers sound just like the ones in Cairo and in Baku! They must all go to the same driving school!
Just got back from a trip to Cairo (son had a school conference there) and it was so weird going back! The first few days I was thrilled to see friends, shops, go to my fav restaurants, etc....but by day 4 - all the stuff that used to bother me....REALLY bothered me! And I felt the pollution, traffic, and trash were worse, but maybe I had just become "immune" to it while living there!
However...I still loved sitting on the banks of the Nile and drinking beer at a TGIFridays!
Nov 7th, 2007, 08:06 PM
#10
Grcxx3 -
Can't imagine visiting Egypt let alone living in Cairo - guess I've seen enough of the Middle East for the time being. I think the problem with the driving is that there isn't a driving school! In Kuwait all we had to do was pass a vision test to get our driver's licenses.
Can't imagine visiting Egypt let alone living in Cairo - guess I've seen enough of the Middle East for the time being. I think the problem with the driving is that there isn't a driving school! In Kuwait all we had to do was pass a vision test to get our driver's licenses.
Nov 8th, 2007, 06:42 PM
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"oil company camp in the middle of nowhere on the island of Sumatra"
WOW. I just can't imagine!
Baku looks pretty interesting.
Well, sounds like your spouses are in oil. Mine is in alternative energy (lol). Fuel cells, solar, etc. etc. etc.
Interesting isn't it, that we should 'meet'.
WOW. I just can't imagine!
Baku looks pretty interesting.
Well, sounds like your spouses are in oil. Mine is in alternative energy (lol). Fuel cells, solar, etc. etc. etc.
Interesting isn't it, that we should 'meet'.
Nov 8th, 2007, 08:36 PM
#14
Unfortunately oil company types have to go where the oil is, and it's seldom in nice places.
We've lived in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Indonesia and my husband also worked 28/28 in Angola.
I'm ready to live somewhere nice - preferably somewhere COOL with more than two seasons (hot and hotter in Saudi and Kuwait, rainy and smoky here in Indonesia!)
We've lived in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Indonesia and my husband also worked 28/28 in Angola.
I'm ready to live somewhere nice - preferably somewhere COOL with more than two seasons (hot and hotter in Saudi and Kuwait, rainy and smoky here in Indonesia!)
Nov 9th, 2007, 03:14 PM
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Grcxx3
Slightly off topic, but I'm having difficulty getting a response from Old City Inn in Baku for my hotel reservations next Summer. Do you, by chance, know if its a legitimate hotel (I'm looking for something in the old city, with a bit of character), and do you happen to have access to their email address.
Thanks
I'm also monitorning azal.az to see when they publish their August 2008 schedule -- I need to book a trip to Naxcivan).
Slightly off topic, but I'm having difficulty getting a response from Old City Inn in Baku for my hotel reservations next Summer. Do you, by chance, know if its a legitimate hotel (I'm looking for something in the old city, with a bit of character), and do you happen to have access to their email address.
Thanks
I'm also monitorning azal.az to see when they publish their August 2008 schedule -- I need to book a trip to Naxcivan).
Nov 9th, 2007, 09:17 PM
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thit_cho - don't hold your breath waiting for the AZAL schedule! I haven't figured out their system for changing things. I thought I had their latest schedule, but when I went to make my reservations for Milan next month - the flight times were QUITE different!
As for the Old City Inn - I think it is legit, altho for the life of me I can't picture where it is right now! I don't go into the Old City that often because I am too tempted by the carpets!!!! Their address is 16 dalan 10 Kichik Gala Street and the email I have for them is [email protected]
I don't know what price range you're looking for but you might also check out the Sultan Inn Hotel. It is right in the Old City and there are a couple of restaurants in the building - a traditional Azeri restaurant and a cafe/bar on the roof with a nice view of the Old City and the Caspian. It is at 20 Boyuk Gala Street. Their email is [email protected]
As for the Old City Inn - I think it is legit, altho for the life of me I can't picture where it is right now! I don't go into the Old City that often because I am too tempted by the carpets!!!! Their address is 16 dalan 10 Kichik Gala Street and the email I have for them is [email protected]
I don't know what price range you're looking for but you might also check out the Sultan Inn Hotel. It is right in the Old City and there are a couple of restaurants in the building - a traditional Azeri restaurant and a cafe/bar on the roof with a nice view of the Old City and the Caspian. It is at 20 Boyuk Gala Street. Their email is [email protected]
Nov 11th, 2007, 08:44 PM
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Had an e-mail from my husband in Kuwait today. He said it smells like Bakersfield! (He did work for an oil company when we were first married in Bakersfield). He did say the drivers were crazy, eating well, and the service is good. I'll be interested to hear more when he gets home.
