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Our first steps in Doha, Qatar

Posted Middle EastBlog

So we arrived. Air-conditioned bus took us from air-condishoned airport to the air-condishoned hotel. Before we decided to go outside only our phone was telling us what was happening there. And it was a lot.

Qatar temperature

We didn’t find enough courage to go outside right away. We waited until dusk hoping the temperature will drop and decided to step out of the hotel. Arm covering shirt for mum and we left. When we steped out of the hotel we were hit by high temperature. Nevertheless we decided not to waste time and go around, firstly to the Souk Waqif as it looked as a walking distance from our hotel. Before we got there we passed by Al Jabor Souq, another Doha market.

Doha, QatarDoha, QatarDoha, Souk WaqifDoha, Qatar

Souk Waqif is an old Arabic market, around 100 years old, nicely restored in traditional style, offering spieces, textiles and all you can imagine. Handicrafts and souvenirs are primary goods. It’s a popular destination for tourists as well as locals. It hosts some restaurants, art galleries and different events.

Doha, Souk WaqifDoha, Souk WaqifDoha, Souk WaqifDoha, Souk Waqif

And when you are done shopping and have hands full of stuff you can hire somebody who will take it for you to your car. Guys with barrows wait for the oportunity to earn some money.

Qatar, Souk WaqifQatar, Souk Waqif

Between those two markets there is an interesting building seen above the rooftops. It’s Fanar – Qatar Islamic Culture Center Mosque. It’s the largest mosque in Qatar, declared to be unique because of it’s minaret shape. Indeed impressive but cannot deny inspiration by the Great Mosque in Samarra, Iraq. Nevertheless it looks amazing, especially illuminated at night.

Fanar, Qatar Islamic Culture Center Mosque

Leaving this area we directed towards the sea. Ola was fast asleep, tempereature still high. Hoping that sea breeze will give us some relief we got to the coast. Dissapointed of course. At least Ola woke up and decided to familiarize herself with Qatari plants. All areas of Al Corniche promenade must be well hydrated as the grass is so nicely green.

Qatar

Amazing view of the city skyscrapers contrasting with old boats attracts many locals, often not leaving their air-condishioned cars at all. This is the place where they meet in the evenings, to socialise, to admire the view, to relax.

Doha, Qatar

As the temperature was still high we decided to head home. And here we learned what it means that traffic light are set with the priority for cars. As the pedestrians are in minority it took ages before we got green light.
What a relief we felt when we go to our hotel!

Qatar

Comments (10)
  1. TuJarek Tuesday October 27th, 2015 at 07:34 PM

    Tak trochę z innej beczki. Zastanawia mnie jak zostanie rozstrzygnięta sprawa z ubiorem podczas Mistrzostw Świata w piłce nożnej. Nie wierzę, że da się opanować taką ilość kibiców i upilnować czy postępują zgodnie z wszystkimi zasadami.

  2. polakogruzin Thursday October 29th, 2015 at 08:29 AM

    Piękna wyprawa ale Mamie i Maleństwu współczuję upałów.

  3. Agnieszka Thursday October 29th, 2015 at 04:40 PM

    Podoba mi się to zdjęcie z korytarza sklepowego, gdzie widać kobiety w burkach przechodzące obok witryn z kolorowymi materiałami :) I ciekawa jestem ile kosztuje “opcja dowozu zakupów” na parking. Jak patrzę na tego starszego pana przy tej taczce, to byłoby mi szkoda go tym obarczać :)

    • Magdalena Kuźma Thursday October 29th, 2015 at 05:11 PM

      Co prawda zakupy zrobiliśmy, ale nie kupiliśmy aż tyle żeby potrzebować pomocy przy transporcie. Myślę, że nie są to duże kwoty, ale parę riali da się z tego interesu wyciągnąć.

  4. KamKam Visuals Thursday October 29th, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    Zatoka nocą prezentuje się przepięknie. PS. nie obawialiście się jechać z maleństwem w te rejony – chodzi mi głównie o klimat, ew. dodatkowe szczepienia? Jak zniosła całą podróż?

    • Magdalena Kuźma Friday October 30th, 2015 at 08:30 PM

      Na szczęście Ola od zawsze świetnie znosi wszelkie podróże i wydaje się dobrze z nami bawić. Klimat rzeczywiście trudny dla dorosłego, a co dopiero dla dziecka dlatego staraliśmy się spędzać jak najmniej czasu na zewnątrz!

  5. Nadia vs. the World Friday October 30th, 2015 at 09:01 AM

    Panowie na taczkach, co za pomysł? Widziałaś żeby ktoś korzystał z ich usług?

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