2008 - Continued
PALACE OF SHIEKH ABDULLAH AL SALIM AL SABAH 
Aerial view of the Palace The Palace of Sheikh 'Abdullah was totally renovated and will reopen on 1st December 2008. All the exhibit rooms have been upgraded; at the start of the conducted tour there will be a lecture about the Palace in English and Arabic accompanied with a slide show, after the tour visitors can purchase postcards of the Palace plus books about Failaka island. 
Palace of Shiekh 'Abdullah photo taken on completion of renovation on 10th November 2008 
The Riding Stables had been forging ahead over the last 5 years; Denise had started a breeding programme at the end of 2004 and to date we have bred three foals and one colt, Denise will back them in 2009. VISIT OF TONY BLAIR In March 2009 Tony Blair the former Prime Minsiters of the UK and Middle East Peace Envoy, visited us in the Village, this increased the number of "Brits" on the island from two to three for a short period. Even though Denise and I never voted for Tony Blair we fould him to be a charming person. The photographs below are of myself and Denise escorting Mr. Blair around the Greek ruins on Failaka and in the courtyard of the Palace of Sheikh Abdullah in the Village. 
Denise, Executive Housekeeper & Stables Manager with Tony Blair at the Greek ruins on Failaka 2009 - 15th MAY 2010 In 2009 we built the first 18 hole mini golf course in Kuwait whic h is proving a big hit with our guests, it is a professional mini golf course and we will have competitions in the future. 
The new mini golf course with the holes numbered. Also in May our carpenters built a giant size chess set and board. The chess pieces where made from teak wood and are some one metre high. The people playing chess not only have a fine game to play but are body building at the same time. 
Giant Chess in front of the Palace of Sheikh Abdullah In June 2009 I went to Antalya to sign the contract for the construction of a new catamaran. This boat had already been constructed requiring only engines and all other equipment. We wanted a high speed deluxe boat to carry 40 passengers, mainly to be used as the "Failaka Sea Bus" and working a daily schedule during weekdays when the numbers are not as high as the weekend. We will name the Catamaran "Walad Al Khair" (son) who will join his mother "Bint Al Khair" and sister "Bint Al Khair" in March 2010. I also visited Antalya again late in 2009 with our fleet capatain, Captain Hassan, to conduct sea trials on Walad Al Khair. 
Chris Hartley, General Manager during sea trials of "Walad Al Khair" 
Interior passenger cabin of "Walad Al Khair" ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS 
Chris & Denise Hartley opening Safir Nile Cruise for Safir Hotels & Resorts in 1992
| 
HOME