Doha, Qatar.

Sand, sand and more sand, replied a friend who had spent some time in Doha.  Add to that skyscrapers and traffic and you have the picture!! 

I awoke to the sun peeping  through an aperture in the curtain. It was 0530 and the sun was high in the sky. I slept again and awoke too exhausted to go to breakfast. 

I felt refreshed by 1100hrs and I arose. We had missed the early sight seeing tour and were too early for the later one so the concierge suggested we take a taxi. Taxi fares are inexpensive. There are very well regulated The metre vocally tells the passenger what the fare is and the tip is included. I haven’t seen this before. Taxis are necessary as the temperature today was 38’!! In summer the temperature reached 45-50c !!! Unimaginable!!  

We taxied to the  Museum of Islamic Art.  

It was a beautiful space. It is located on what I presume is a reclaimed area, adjacent to the Corniche, a very pleasant 7 km, palm fringed promenade surrounding Doha Bay teeming with dhows, traditional boats. It is to their credit that these have been retained. In Singapore the city was sanitized and the dhows which I saw on my first visit in the 1970s had disappeared on a later visit in the 1990s. 

There are two floors of exhibits and a library floor. It was designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei. It is an airy space -a good juxta position to the heat outside. It is the largest exhibition of Islamic art in the world. 

The exhibitions include not only Qatar’s art but Iranian and Syrian too. Here  are a few examples of the richness of these cultures: 

                                The Koran

                     A Horseman passed by!!

                          Exquisite jewelry 

Fancy a spot of opium - on the left is an opium cup!

              14th century Mosque lamps

All the exhibition rooms display the exhibits to best advantage. 

                 10th century ceramic bowl

                  9th century ceramic bowl

From both floor but particularly the 2nd , there was a great view of the Cornice and the CBD 

On quitting the Museum

 I discovered that I had lost a pair of reading glasses. I was to regret enquiring as a full scale search of all information booths ensued, resulting in my being taken all over the Museum.  The glasses,  having  been located and my ownership established, I had to produce ID.  All I had was my driver’s licence, which was duly taken together with a form  detailing my personal data. After what seemed an interminable time, the gentleman returned bearing  my Driver’s License! 

 Meantime CC baked in the sun as the sleuthing continued -  all for the sake of €3 glasses but there was no halting the process once it began!   The Qataris are a  very obliging and friendly people and at pains to enquire if you are enjoying your stay. 

Glasses secured, we took the short walk across the road to the Souk., which re-opened in 2006. It was 1600hrs and the Souk had just opened at 15.30 hrs. 

              Awaiting the opening of business 

As a result it was quiet - usually the Souk is teeming with life! 

The Souk is divided into areas - the Bird Souk, the Textile, the Gold etc. 

The Tea Souk , where the men repair for tea before the evening’s business begins. 

The Gold Souk  is in a class of its own.

The shops are beautifully appointed. It is enclosed and air conditioned! 

One of many! In Dubai in the 1980s, I purchased a 22carat golf bracelet and chain. On having it valued in Ireland, I had done incredibly well. Later this and other jewellery was stolen from home. The jeweller who visited us to assess the loss told of how he was duped in Dubai - on returning home he asked a colleague to size the ring and to his horror the ring had only a film of gold. This time I made no purchases!! 

We taxied back to the hotel.   En route we saw the very imposing parliament building 

and a few Qataris out on a camel ride!  

Two other areas are said to be attractions - the residential area namely The Pearl  Qatar, 400 hectares with two circular offshore islands that mirror Doha Bay’s natural shape. 

It reputed to have a Mediterranean feel  with its marinas and striking architecture - a refuge for the wealthy. The other attraction within the city area is Katara, a cultural centre. I cannot say whether it’s a legitimate site or a cross between Disneyland and Bunratty Folk Park. When we return, we’ll factor them in with a foray into the surrounding desert.....

A well earned rest followed by dinner and we taxied to the airport 30/40 minutes (fare 65) to board our 02.05 for Perth.   .....