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

Rambles & Quizzes

Hi all

Another weekend, another ramble with the Qatar Natural History Group.
On this excursion, we travelled along the Arabian Gulf coast then inland to Barooq. From ostriches to TV location set and Bedouins on pedestals, one thing’s for sure, a Ramble outing is all about discovering, and if you’re lucky you might pick up a fossil remain or just take in some breath-taking views/scenery.
This ramble was extra special. I met my fellow countrymen who were seasoned ramblers in their own right and they came well prepared from ‘pitching tent’ to preparing some good old fashioned home-cooked foods for their picnic. The family-ness of it all was reminiscent of my outings with my parents to coast of Malaysia. I sure miss those days, but I was glad to see this Singaporean group gathering friends and family members together to commune under a make-shift ‘winnie-the-pooh’ fleece blanket and sharing a yummilicious pot-luck.
With a few hours of rest and wash-up after the ramble, I met up with Lawrie and his wife, Niki , Niki’s sister, Jean and Chris. It was Pub Quiz Night at Al-Khor community club.
For those not too familiar with this British culture, pub quiz is “Who wants to be a Millionaire” minus the glitz and glamour and the million dollars (you do get a prize, but its a small token). It’s a very popular activity in UK watering holes. So instead of just sitting on a bar stool and drinking, pubs may hold regular, weekly quiz nights, generating social stimulus. The quizzes will test your knowledge on topics ranging from Sports trivia, music, history, geography, etc. This culture has spread to other British-themed pubs all over the world (in Singapore, Penny Black) and yes, even in Doha!
Al-Khor community club does not have a pub but to create the atmosphere, you bring your own ‘pub’ in a cooler bag; yes, it’s BYOB – Bring Your Own Bottle.
It was a fun-filled evening of laughter and entertainment as the participating groups were ever ready to take on each quiz dished out by the quiz master.
Even though we didn’t win top prize, it was all done for the fun of it. Cheers!

Photo link: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=marthaleemei&target=ALBUM&id=5318298217728559873&authkey=Gv1sRgCLavpd_l6ebkFw&authkey=Gv1sRgCLavpd_l6ebkFw&feat=email

Till next time, Mart.

Drag racing and ice cream

Got myself an invite to watch a Drag Race event. An interesting drive out of the city limits and into the industrial part of Doha, aka MAD MAX CITY.

Not quite like Formula 1 racing but it was interesting all the same watching fancy sup'd up cars and bikes screaming down the straight course to clock the fastest time.

With our ear-drums a little numb and hard of hearing (forgot ear-plugs), that didn't deter us from making a detour to Villagio for ice cream @Stone Cold Ice Cream stall. People come here not so much for the flavours of ice cream but more to watch the servers perform; its quite entertaining to watch them dish out a generous helping of ice cream, plonking it onto a cold marble slab and 'goreng' the ice cream balls with a mix of selected ingredients of your choice. Pure entertainment, but a berry good tasting one too.





Photo update link:

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

Till next time, Mart