In Qatar state of bliss...
Qatar would be a great country for those who love the deserts - be it an adventure or a romantic escapade.
Teddy Tales said he has always wanted to watch sunset over sand dunes at the desert but never had an opportunity to do so.
So today we went on a little trip to Mesaieed which is about 40 km south of Doha. Mesaieed is an modern industrial city but it is a popular tourist destination because it is set on a beautiful desert oasis.
On our way we passed by Al Wakrah, a small town and an old fishing port halfway between Doha and Mesaieed. Al Wakrah is famous for its fine mosques and old Islamic architecture, apart from its booming commercial fishing industry .
Having explored dune bashing in Dubai, I thought a romantic escapade in the desert would be nice for a change. Teddy Tales parked his 4WD at the edge of the desert where we found a nice clean spot to sit and bury our feet in the fine sand. We watched the sun set over the desert's sand dunes before heading back to Doha.
Back in Doha we had a little picnic on the grass by the sea-front Doha Corniche. We strolled bare foot on the soft silky grass as Palm Tree Island beckoned from the centre of the bay. Across the bay water I watched Doha's cityscape ablazed with lights, activity and culture.
I sighed with sensuous wonderment at the sight, sounds and smells of the Middle East. I inhaled Doha's air - a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern.
Before heading back to the hotel, Teddy Tales brought me to the souq for some more souvenir shopping. What I liked most about the souq was that exotic smells of mounds of spices, coffees mixed with the heady scent of cardamom, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes that filled the air.As we strolled the souq, handicrafts, fabrics and shops gilttering with gold waylay our every step.
After doing a bit of shopping for almonds, pistachios, dates and raisins, and exploring the shops, we relaxed in a traditional Arab Coffee Shop at the souq. Delicious strong coffee, but sharp stares from the local men who were not accustomed to seeing women out this late at night. Because I was with Teddy Tales they would usually assume that we were husband and wife. But they quietly stared anyways and I heard hushed whispers "Chinese?". It striked me that I haven't seen Chinese around in Doha except those at our company's project site office.
Oh well I don't really give shit, I am in a state of bliss :)
Teddy Tales said he has always wanted to watch sunset over sand dunes at the desert but never had an opportunity to do so.
So today we went on a little trip to Mesaieed which is about 40 km south of Doha. Mesaieed is an modern industrial city but it is a popular tourist destination because it is set on a beautiful desert oasis.
On our way we passed by Al Wakrah, a small town and an old fishing port halfway between Doha and Mesaieed. Al Wakrah is famous for its fine mosques and old Islamic architecture, apart from its booming commercial fishing industry .
Having explored dune bashing in Dubai, I thought a romantic escapade in the desert would be nice for a change. Teddy Tales parked his 4WD at the edge of the desert where we found a nice clean spot to sit and bury our feet in the fine sand. We watched the sun set over the desert's sand dunes before heading back to Doha.
Back in Doha we had a little picnic on the grass by the sea-front Doha Corniche. We strolled bare foot on the soft silky grass as Palm Tree Island beckoned from the centre of the bay. Across the bay water I watched Doha's cityscape ablazed with lights, activity and culture.
I sighed with sensuous wonderment at the sight, sounds and smells of the Middle East. I inhaled Doha's air - a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern.
Before heading back to the hotel, Teddy Tales brought me to the souq for some more souvenir shopping. What I liked most about the souq was that exotic smells of mounds of spices, coffees mixed with the heady scent of cardamom, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes that filled the air.As we strolled the souq, handicrafts, fabrics and shops gilttering with gold waylay our every step.
After doing a bit of shopping for almonds, pistachios, dates and raisins, and exploring the shops, we relaxed in a traditional Arab Coffee Shop at the souq. Delicious strong coffee, but sharp stares from the local men who were not accustomed to seeing women out this late at night. Because I was with Teddy Tales they would usually assume that we were husband and wife. But they quietly stared anyways and I heard hushed whispers "Chinese?". It striked me that I haven't seen Chinese around in Doha except those at our company's project site office.
Oh well I don't really give shit, I am in a state of bliss :)
posted by Penglipur Lara at
11:58 PM
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