Corniche

The Corniche is a waterfront promenade, where you will find everyone and anyone congregating - for a stroll, a run, a picnic, or buying the catch of the day at the jetty, it's a focal point in Doha's city centre.

If you love the walk along the Esplanade in Singapore, it's something like it, minus the sight of a 'durian' structure or a water-spitting merlion! :0)

Walking along the Corniche (beginning from the Sheration roundabout), you'll past by the National Theatre, the Emiri Diwan, the jetty, the 'pearl in a shell' monument, the Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Doha Port - about 7km, one way. I know of a colleague, living in the West Bay area, who religiously walks the route every weekend morning. I think it's great to live so close to the Corniche, and to enjoy the promenade activities. But if you're not up to stretching your legs too strenuously, you could board a dhow (similar to a Chinese junk, but the arabic version) and have a leisure cruise around the Corniche.

With summer temperatures rising, there are not very many people on the Corniche in the day time. How to describe the heat - it's like I'm walking towards a furnace, and it's just a blast of hot air coming right at you! Burn, baby, burn!

Come evening time, you'll see quite a few people out on the promenade, doing their own thing and enjoying what outdoor time they can before it's just too hot to do anything.

Here's another photo update of the recent Powerboat race that took place at the Corniche last month. It was a good photo/video opportune moment for both amateurs and professionals alike. I got some fowl action in the waters too!

http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaleemei/PowerboatRaceCorniche02?feat=directlink

Till next time, Mart

Things to do in Qatar

It's been an eventful past few weeks - time's a-flying fast; this coming 21st May will be my 3rd month in Doha...wah...I'm still alive, and surviving :0)

I've often been asked about how I spend my free time in Doha - most of what I've blogged about are mostly trips out of Doha and into the desert....yes, desert excursions do take up most of my weekends, but it's really quite enjoyable; life in Doha is about "getting out".

So what's been happening? Couple of weekends back, I was up at Sealine Resort for a day and a night with the Wrights and friend. The chalet setting and beach reminded me of the beach resorts at Port Dickson and Kuantan, ala 70's style. I felt I was taking a trip down amnesia lane. It's a nearby getaway from the hustle and bustle of Doha.

Another weekly ritual for some is to head out North to the beaches of Dukhan or Zirkreet/Abrouq. For the latter trip, you'll need a 4WD. It's good to pack a picnic and to start the day early - you avoid the chaos and mayhem of Qatari drivers (or Indian drivers since there are about 400,000 of them (so I've been told, out numbering the Qatari population).

If you want to get yourself fit (and a booze-boost post-run), and get acquainted with other expats, there's always the Hash House Harriers Doha chapter. I was a hash-harriet when I was 10....yes, that was so long ago, when joints and bones were still intact and I had the lung capacity to hash...ah those youthful days...

Indoor-wise, there's shopping, cinemas and cafes that does not require sun-block application. Just make sure you have a good dose of cash. There are some good bargains to be had at the local stores. But you need to be quick; some items fly-off the shelves fast.

The local food-fare is so-so (the usual suspects of fast food chains are everywhere) but there are some good restaurants about Doha - thai, italian, northern/south indian fare...think my next blog featurette will be on food!

Photo update:
http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaleemei/ReddottersZirkreetOuting?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaleemei/SealineResort?feat=directlink

Till next time, Mart

Brouq Nature Reserve, Reprised

Have GPS will travel!

Yup, it sure helps to have a little gizmo like a Garmin handheld on desert trips.

So with Chris at the helm of his Toyota Land Cruiser, the Wright family and myself, we used the last QNHG co-ordinates to re-visit Brouq Nature Reserve.

Arriving at the film set, there were more ostriches out and about then the last trip, which gave me more photo opportunities for up close shots and a chance to pet one of the more friendlier ostriches.

We journeyed a little further up and settled ourselves at the 'caves'to have our picnic. We then ventured to the beach to wade/swim in the clear, cool waters. It was quite shallow in some areas, but we did manage to spot some above knee level waters for swimming.

Here’s one place that’s flagged on my GPS; a place worth coming back to over and again to chill out with family and friends. Camping, anyone?

Here's the link to view my updated photo and movie journal:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaleemei/RevisitingBrouqNatureReserve?authkey=Gv1sRgCPCJotLilvvnbg&feat=directlink

Till next time,

Mart

Of camels and dunes

Twas just another fun-filled weekend with the Wright family (including their daughter, Katherine, in from London for the Easter holidays).

This was quite a memorable dune-bashing experience. To really enjoy the ride, go with experienced tour operators as the drive through the dunes can be risky at times; better to have drivers who know the dunes/terrain and their car (a Toyota Land Cruiser, no less).

And speaking of peril, we came across a family along the dunes who met with what seemed like a near fatal accident. Luckily, the driver and presumably, his family members (3 women and 2 children), managed to escape unscathed! The car boot looked like it was packed to full capacity including picnic paraphernalia and a couple of rugs/carpets (if they were test trying their 'magic carpets', they were really very lucky to survive the aftermath).

Our guide Ali and his fellow drivers/guides were quick to react, and they got into gear with the rescue mission to save the family car. Miraculously, the guides managed to ‘resurrect’ the totaled car, and the family was off and away again being led out of the dunes by two land cruisers. As the wrecked car wheeled its way out of the sands, we continued with our tour, making scenic stops along the way.

After that incident, it was clear that Ali was not about to take unforseen/uncalculated risks and strayed away from some of the usual dune-bashing routes. We reached base camp by the beach just a little before sunset.

We had some time to ourselves to wander around base camp before dinner was announced.

The buffet was sumptuous and we dined in large carpeted canopies. By 8 or so, we had to make our way out of the sands; it was amazing to watch the guides meander and maneuver through the soft tracks and out of the dark unlit path. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip/evening; to catch a glimpse of sunset and behold, a full moon. Scenery/landscape aside, I also had good company. Doing it solo would have been no fun and/or excitement, or at all.

Go to the link below to view updated photos. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaleemei/DuneBashing?feat=directlink

Till next time, Mart

Lightning in Dubai

For more photos, go to: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237326

I am not alone

** Trying to lift the veil on Qatar **
Katya Adler attempts to discover what life is like in one of the Middle East's richest countries.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7981478.stm >

Umm Tays Traverse

Here's another interesting day-trip with the Qatar Natural History Group.

Only a selected few (about 25pax) get to attend this traverse - so I got real lucky, along with some friends from Singapore (Siew Hua, Philo and Jeff).

Here's the photo link for your viewing:
http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaleemei/UmTaysTraverse?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfK95Hoi_7DwwE&feat=directlink

Till next time,

Mart