In January 2010 we built a new restaurant able to service the village square situated in the centre of the village with pergola seating for some 200 guests. We called the new restaurant "Dar Al Kout" primarily to serve shawarma, grilled chicken various kebabs, all prepared in front of the guests, this restaurant has internal and external seating.

The front of "Dar Al Kout"

Things were not standing still in the riding stables, Denise had been joined by an assistant from the UK, Ria, an accomplished equestrienne and was backing the horses we had bred on Failaka, Failacha has now been fully backed and trained and is Ria's favourite, Denise is now also backing and training Sabiha and later this year Sharif.

Denise backing Sabiha, notice that for this quite dangerous phase Denise is wearing a body protector.

FAILAKA HORSE ENDURANCE MARATHON, OCTOBER 2010

In October 2010 we are planning the very first horse endurance marathon to be held on the island. Above are Denise on Safir and Ria on Burgan checking and planning the marathon course.

In April 2010 our new catamaran "Walad Al Khair" arrived at Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait, after registering the boat under the Kuwait Flag "Walad Al Khair" commenced a schedule daily service in late April.

"Walad Al Khair" photographed in Kuwait Bay on his first scheduled trip to Failaka

6th ANNIVERSARY

On 1st May 2010 Failaka Heritage Village was six years old and we celebrated during the earlier part of the month with all our staff and with special packages for our guests.

Above is Chris Hartley, General Manager, thanking all the management and staff for their hard work, over the last six years the turn-over of staff has been only 1% since opening.

Food and beverage team who provided a fantastic buffet for the anniversary celebrations for the staff.

Staff buffet for the 6th Anniversary celebrations.

Without my fantastic team on Failaka, there would be no Failaka Heritage Village, they have all worked long hours with dedication and loyalty to make the Village what it is today, and this web site is dedicated to them.

Management and staff photographed in front of the village reception.

THE FUTURE 

Denise and I will have spent six years on Failaka Island, and I was 65 in July 2009, so will be 66 in July of 2010, body and health permitting we will carry on for another two years until the end of June 2012 and be home in time for the London Olympics.

We hope that we will remembered as the pioneers of the post invasion Failaka Island and the Heritage Village, probably not as long as Alexander the Great, but hopefully our names will be firmly stamped into the history of Failaka.

Of the island, I really do not know! For six years we have heard that between 4 and 5 billion dollars are to be spent in making Failaka Island a touristic destination. In the beginning in early May 2004, both myself and Denise thought that we would be part of this, but unfortunately time has flown by and we will probably be retired by then....but who knows perhaps we will be invited back to look at the finally developed island?

When we finally leave we will miss Failaka Island, but then again it will always be in our thoughts....Failaka Heritage Village would be hard to erase from our memories.

Many years ago I read a quotation, "The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way", I hope that I have successfully pointed my team in the correct direction, and had some bearing on their future careers.

Christopher J Hartley FIH, Failaka Island, 15th May 2010.