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.   .....

Dublin to Doha, Qatar

We arrived at Doha International airport aboard the Dreamliner  at 00.10 local time - 20 minutes early. Local time in Dublin was 22.10 hrs. We were quickly taken to the terminal but endured a wait at emigration. 

Most passengers were transmitting to African and Asian countries or to Australia and New Zealand. Our fellow passengers at emigration were mainly young Indian boys, work visas in hand, coming to do the menial jobs here. The Qataris, I believe, are given a government allowance to hire foreign workers!! 

CC had bought a bottle of spirits, and as a consequence we were taken to customs, where they will hold it until we board the flight to Perth. The officer was very pleasant about it, explaining that no alcohol can be permitted to enter Qatar !!

That settled, we collected our bags and took a taxi to the  new Intercontinental hotel (there are 2 in Doha). At the Dublin Holiday Fair,  the Qatari Airline’s agent informed us that as we were travelling in the off season the Qatari Tourist Board were offering a free night’s accommodation in one’s hotel of choice. It is an attempt, he explained, to entice visitors to Qatar.  We are quickly checked in to room 2904 on the 29th floor.- it’s 59 story’s high!!  We have that room until we depart for the airport at 23.00 hours, which is most civilised. 

Initiallly, I couldn’t sleep but was I glad to break the trip after 7 hours;  the thought of another 11hours to Perth with a 2 hour  stopover in Doha was more than the body could bear!!

   Views from the 29th floor towards the CBD 

Until tomorrow then.......

Day 10 At Sea

I awoke to a very dull and overcast morning with the sea as choppy as ever. It appears as if there will be no sunbathing today!! Just saw on the news that in the next few days, the Caribbean is set to experience more the twice its usual rainfall ! A preparation for home!!! 

Today is our last day at sea. We disembark at 0830 tomorrow morning. 

Last night the show was good but though the dancers and acrobats are excellent, their shows tend to be repetitive and they have not performed any of the well known musicals, which I believe the sister ships do. 

At dinner each night we sat beside a family who had come to the USA via Israel and Canada. She is Jewish but she didn’t want to settle in Israel because of the tense atmosphere. She and her husband were students at Art school when we visited Russia  in 1988, shortly after Gorbachov came  to power. She told us that the students could then sell their paintings and sketches on the street - something that was not allowed prior to Gorbachov’s era. Two of their three daughters accompanied them. We have had some interesting conversations at dinner each evening. 

The staff on board are very attentive. They must represent practically every nation of the world (100 I’m informed). Our waiter is from Indonesia and his assistant from Peru and our sommelier from Columbia. They work on a 9 month contract renewable at the discretion of Celebrity! 

After breakfast, as I took my last tour of the ship, I found the gym - I should have found it earlier! It was well equipped. It was full - everyone trying to burn off the calories.! 

Prior to lunch, I was directed to a theatre I didn’t know existed until now, to hear a talk on the History of Cruises. What other little gems have I missed? It was very interesting detailing how the liners struggled with the advent of air travel but have successfully reinvented themselves as pleasure ships in the last twenty years. This year Celebrity is launching a new 3D ship called the The Edge. Our lecturer advised that much of what to expect is under wraps but it will be the last word in cruising with an option to view the ship from outside aboard a ship climbing Magic Carpet platform!! It will accommodate 2,918 passengers with its largest suite measures  2,500 square feet.

With 2,886 passengers and 1,500 crew, our ship the Celebrity Silhouette has a gross tonnage of 122,400 and by the time we dock st Fort Lauderdale, it will have travelled 2,259.5 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 24 knots. Its overall length is 1,047 feet. 

Our three ports of call were very interesting and we got a great flavour of the Caribbean. The autumn hurricanes did alter our itinerary - St Maarten was so badly affected and its recovery so slow that a visit there was replaced by a visit to St Thomas.  

I’ve just heard on BBC News that temperatures are set to fall to -30C on the north east coast. Florida has had snow for the first time in 30 years! Turtles have been taken from the surrounding seas as their muscles are freezing. 

What are we facing?  

As the sun sets on the final evening

Tonight’s show was a three male vocalists named Uptown. They were excellent. Their origins in Haarlem., NYC, where the careers such as Stevie Wonder, the Supremes and Michael Jackson and more had been launched. They sung many of  he latter singers’ hits and they got a standing ovation. 

Til the next trip - good- bye dear reader

Day 9 At Sea

This morning we decided to have a lie in as for the past three days we have been sightseeing with early mornings on two occasions. Breakfast in the dining room is from 0730- 09.00 - the alternatives: a late breakfast in the Ocean Cafe until 11.00 or breakfast in bed. 

As we are at sea today, I think it is time to consider using the pool facilities. We are lucky that the weather is in the mid 20s when at sea because unlike the Queen Mary, there is little to occupy one’s self on board, other than sunbathing, though the casino appears to be a major attraction!!! 

For your delectation, I have just completed a tour of the ship: 

First stop the Central Area the focus of the ship’s activities on 3 levels: 

 

                         Central area 

It is located mid ship on decks 3, 4 and 5. 

On Deck 3 one finds the Guest Relations and opposite Shore Excursion desks. 

On level 4, the more affordable shops. 

                            Deck 4

At every turn there are shops to tempt you to part with your money. Numerous promotions are available with something to suit every pocket. This morning there was an art auction in progress as I passed. I heard a bid of US$28,000! Every type of  promotion is used to entice you to buy, including raffles for free gifts - their value negligible. 

       

                             Deck 5

On deck 5 are the more exclusive shops including leading watch brands Breitling and Omega and designer handbags including  Prada, Gucci, Michael Korrs and many others. 

Thirteen Bars are well placed all over the ship.!! 

On Decks 3 and 4 is the main restaurant , the Grand Cuvee located on the two levels 

             Grand Cuvee Restaurant 

which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Attendance at breakfast and lunch is low but very busy at dinner. 

Dinner menu had 6 starter choices, 6 main courses and 6 desserts in addition to what were termed classics eg salmon, chicken and pork plainly cooked and New York Cheese Cake, Creme Brûlée and Assorted Ice Creams for dessert. 

Starter: spinach and ricotta cheese with fruit coulis. 

Main course: Tailipi fish with pasta and tomatoes. 

Dessert: New York Cheese cake 

Assorted fruit pastry with vanilla ice cream. 

The alternatives  are a number of small restaurants and bars, 15 in all, dotted around the ships  - serving anything from a healthy lunch in the Spa to burgers on Deck 13.

                Lawn Tennis Grill 

Most people appear to frequent the Ocean Grill  open from 0600 hrs - 0100 hours as it is conveniently located next to the interior and exterior pools. 

Here every type of food is available on a self service basis - Italian, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, British, German and Japanese and much more.  The desert bar is enticing and the ice- cream bar irresistible !!! The photographs do not  do justice to the vast array of good served here. 

                       Indian

                           Salads

                      Desserts

There are 4 Speciality restaurants Japanese, Italian, French and  Qsine (described as uniquely extraordinary) that warrants an extra cost carying from $50 - 90 pp excluding wine. We had anticipated sampling one but a guest we met wasn’t impressed so I think we’ll forego the opportunity this time. 

The theatre on decks 3 and 4 is located towards the front of the ship adjacent to our stateroom. Here each night is the venue for the entertainment that I’ve illustrated earlier.  There are two shows each evening.  We chose the late sitting for dinner at 20.30 hrs. and we attend the 19.00 hrs show before dinner. The early sitting for dinner is 18.30 hrs and the early diners attend the 21.00 hrs show.

A film is shown each day but the titles are not familiar.    

The library is located on. Decks 10 and 11 with a reasonable selection of books. 

A floor below is the card room

On Deck 7 is the Hideway, where the teenagers congregate.   

This afternoon, the weather has changed and as we adjourned to the Ocean Cafe for afternoon tea, lights rain was falling!! The crowded deck I photographed this morning was abandoned. The temperature  has also fallen - it must be in preparation for our home coming!!! So tomorrow is the last day to take the sun if sun there is??? The sea has become  very choppy and our balcony floor is wet!!

Afternoon tea consists of scones, clotted cream and jam. There are no finger sandwiches nor is there an ensemble playing as on the Queen Mary. An American lady and her daughter asked us what clotted cream was - we explained and encouraged them to try it !! 

It’s the show and dinner. I go to the show more hope than expectation!