I could have taken a plane, I could have joined my friends (a group of 10), but I wanted to experience the trip, I wanted to do something that I havent done before. That was drive to Bahrain from Kuwait. I thought it would be fun, driving across the vast Saudi Arabian Landscape. And Im glad I did it, cause it was a thrilling ride. The fact that I drive a sports car, made it even more interesting. No I did’nt speed *laughs* I was going just as fast as the rest of the people on the road.

I started out from Kuwait around 6am, and reached sometime at 10:30am. On the way (it was daylight) I stopped on the side of the road a few times (natures call), dont drink Red Bull on a long road trip. Overall the feeling of driving through “no mans land” alone, with nothing but your trusty GPS pointing the way was really exciting. Though I must admit at times it was just plain scary, the stuff of modern horror movies.

So I’ve been told the golden rules of this trip are:

• NEVER EVER EVER STOP ANYWHERE IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Dont fuel up in Saudi Arabia either (apparently their fuel aint that great for our fuel filters)
• Always have 2 Mobiles, a GPS unit, and be aware of all things around you 100% of the time

I must say even though I did stop on the way there, I didnt dare stop on the way back. I would not risk stepping out at night in the middle of nowhere just to take a leak. The way back was a bit life threatening though, as 2 vehicles decided to go up against oncoming traffic at night to take a shortcut (”Geisterfahrer”). That was just an insane experience. Why on this earth would you head against a group of cars going at least 180km/h for a shortcut.

Im just happy the guy in front of me (Kuwaiti License plate) didnt freak out, he kept calm, kept his lane, and so did I. But as they passed us (on each side) I was thinking WTF???? Obviously the guy ahead of me, whom Ive been pacing the speed with wasnt too happy bout it either.

The strange thing is, the way back just never wanted to end, it felt twice as long of a trip. Eventually you start searching for Kuwaiti license plates, and when you see them, you breath a sigh of relief, as if they were your last link to home, to Kuwait. Ive never missed Kuwait so much ever before, I was so happy when I reached Khafji. Happy to be back at home, my beloved Kuwait. (This last line almost brought tears to my eyes)

I was all excited about this weeks trip, cause I was going to drive to Bahrain using my car, following a convoy of 3 other cars. Havent you ever been in another country and thought to yourself; “Damn I wish I had my car on these roads”. This would be especially true for those that own sports cars, or HD Off Road Vehicles. However 3 days prior my trip I had to take care of a few things.

1. My sports car however had a flat tire, was extremely dirty, needed an oil change, all four tires changed, and a new battery. Since I’ve had my bike, I completely neglected my car.
   1. I got a Malaysian car battery, since no one including the dealer stocks my battery size
   2. 4 x Toyo wheels (sub KD 100)
   3. Most of the work was done by Express Group Int. when the garage handed me the keys, it looked brand spanking new.
2. Though I have a Garmin Nuvi 250, I needed the Middle East Map, picked this up for KD 45 from Seas Deserts Group. Their located in the vicinity of City Center, you can reach em at T: 82 22 88
3. Packed stuff I would need for the next 3 days.
   1. 3 x : pants, shirts, boxers, socks, under-shirts
   2. a light jacket
   3. bathroom stuff
   4. detol (heh, trust me on this one, if i could I would disinfect the entire”motel”)
   5. iPod
   6. Laptop
   7. 2 x Mobile Phones (always keep a spare on trips, you never know when you could use one)
   8. GPS Unit, car lighter charger, HUD suction cup type stand
   9. Passport

All set! …… Not!

I was under the impression that I have renewed my cars insurance and registration, but forgot that I did not complete the last step. Which is actually pick up my new Car Registration Card (Dafter). Its 5:15pm, and Im still at the Garage in Al Rai. What do i do?

I simply stepped into my car sped off to Jabriya Vehicle Testing (fa7s al-fanni), turns out the dept. that hands you the Registration was moved to Medan Hawalli. So get going, upon arrival, I was shocked and disappointed,  since it was wednesday, and the last working day this week, it was insanely crowded.  Simply being at any government building makes me nervous, cause you always run into complications. I was ready to give up and just go home.

An old man behind one of the counters, spotted me, and beckoned me to come to him. He knew I was lost dazed and confused. He took my papers, (ignoring the masses of angry trolls behind me), told me to pay a late fee of KD5, and come back to him. I did that, and came back, again he skipped the que, and took my paper work, he was about to print the Registration Cards, when he noticed that my Vehicle Inspection papers were no longer valid. The last vehicle Inspection I made was in 2007. Were in 2008, so he told me I had to redo the vehicle inspection, cause the computer wont accept it otherwise. I looked at my watch it was 6pm, I could still make it, I had hope.

I arrived at Jabriya Vehicle Inspection center at 6:15pm, it was closed. =( I was so disappointed, and shocked, while at the same time not knowing what to do, I involuntarily walked in circles in the parking lot, going through all my options again. When a guy in a uniform passed by, I asked him:

“When does the place close?”

Cop: “5:15pm at the very latest”

So I thought well it seems it was a lost cause right from the get go. I thanked the guy, and kept walking in circles. *Light bulb*

me: “Do you know anyone inside?”

cop: “I work here, of course I know people inside”

me: “Ok heres the deal, Ill tell you my situation, and Id appreciate your time no matter what the outcome”

cop: “ok… shoot”

me: “I have an entrance exam in Bahrain on Saturday, and really need my cars registration for that, all the paperwork stamps etc. is done, but its expired. think you can help me out?”

cop: “I’ll ask the guys, and let you know”

2 minutes later the cop calls me in. Turns out I was talking to the guy in charge, and to my luck all the people needed to help me with this were there too. (I have to get them something from Bahrain for their help)

The did all the paper work for me, I hastily thanked them, before I left the guy in charge pulled me aside, reminded me that I need to have the insurance date changed, (theres an insurance place right across the street).
I did that, and practically teleported myself and my vehicle back to Medan Hawally Traffic Dept.  Where the old man took my papers again, smiled, and said it was done.

The moral of this story is: There are some decent people in the Traffic Dept, even though by their looks you would think otherwise. You know the old saying “Dont judge a book by its cover”

End result, looks like Ill make the trip anyways =)

Copies of the following:

• Passport
• Civil ID
• Highschool Transcript / Diploma
  • Has to be approved (mu3adel) by Kuwait MOE if you graduated from a private school
• 4 x pictures
• Filled out application form
• Application Fee: KD 23

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Gulf University Specifics

Testing Fees: KD 75 (depending on what tests you take)

They charge KD 210 / per course
Every Course is 3 credits