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Doha, Qatar (May 2013)

Flying into Doha is like reaching an oasis in the desert. Suddenly, the lifeless desert is replaced by a modern, glistening city with its beautifully landscaped crescent-shaped Corniche on the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf with an amazing skyline in the background. Most of the new buildings of the skyline, as well as the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara and the Pearl were designed by many of the world’s great architects and were constructed in the last twenty years. Doha held the 2006 Asian Games, which was the largest Asian Games ever held and hosted the 2011 Pan Arab Games and the UNFCCC Climate Negotiations in December 2012. Doha has become a magnet for music, art, cultural events, sporting events and more. People, who visit or live in Doha, fall in love with the place. Doha is ready for its close-up, and the rest of the world is starting to take notice.
Doha, Qatar cover page.
Doha, Qatar cover page.		 Map of Qatar with the star indicating the capital, Doha.
Map of Qatar with the star indicating the capital, Doha.		 The Doha, Qatar skyline as seen near the Museum of Islamic Art across the Corniche.
The Doha, Qatar skyline as seen near the Museum of Islamic Art across the Corniche.		 Another view of the skyline. The triangular building on the right is the Sheraton Hotel.
Another view of the skyline. The triangular building on the right is the Sheraton Hotel.
Buildings being constructed on the left. Most of the Doha skyline has been constructed in the last twenty years.
Buildings being constructed on the left. Most of the Doha skyline has been constructed in the last twenty years.		 A jet skier passing by along the Corniche.
A jet skier passing by along the Corniche.		 Skyline with wooden boats in the foreground.
Skyline with wooden boats in the foreground.		 Some wooden sailboats along the Corniche.
Some wooden sailboats along the Corniche.
There are a lot of wooden vessels in Qatar. Some are dhow boats used for cargo, while others are passenger boats.
There are a lot of wooden vessels in Qatar. Some are dhow boats used for cargo, while others are passenger boats.		 A small boat coming into shore.
A small boat coming into shore.		 A Qatar Airways flight passing over the Museum of Islamic Arts in Doha.
A Qatar Airways flight passing over the Museum of Islamic Arts in Doha.		 View of the Museum of Islamic Art, which was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei.
View of the Museum of Islamic Art, which was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei.
Pei suggested a stand-alone island for the structure built on the water in order to avoid the encroachment of other buildings.
Pei suggested a stand-alone island for the structure built on the water in order to avoid the encroachment of other buildings.		 The museum houses one of the world’s most complete collections of Islamic art, including manuscripts, textiles and ceramics.
The museum houses one of the world’s most complete collections of Islamic art, including manuscripts, textiles and ceramics.		 View of the Fanar Islamic Centre with its spectacular minaret.
View of the Fanar Islamic Centre with its spectacular minaret.		 The Fanar Islamic Centre is a tribute to Qatar's goal of promoting world diplomacy and Islam's important role in attaining it.
The Fanar Islamic Centre is a tribute to Qatar's goal of promoting world diplomacy and Islam's important role in attaining it.
Close to the Museum of Islamic Art, is this fountain in the form of an oyster with a pearl.
Close to the Museum of Islamic Art, is this fountain in the form of an oyster with a pearl.		 It symbolizes the importance of the pearl diving industry, which was the backbone of the Qatar economy until the discovery oil.
It symbolizes the importance of the pearl diving industry, which was the backbone of the Qatar economy until the discovery oil.		 The Diwan Emiri (Emir's Palace).
The Diwan Emiri (Emir's Palace).		 Green minaret of the Grand Mosque and the Clock Tower next to the Diwan Emiri. The mosque is not open to non-muslim visitors.
Green minaret of the Grand Mosque and the Clock Tower next to the Diwan Emiri. The mosque is not open to non-muslim visitors.
Orry, the 2006 Asian Games mascot with countdown clock on the Corniche.
Orry, the 2006 Asian Games mascot with countdown clock on the Corniche.		 Close-up of Orry.
Close-up of Orry.		 Nearby Orry, is another countdown clock with mice attached.
Nearby Orry, is another countdown clock with mice attached.		 Orry with the Doha skyline in the background.
Orry with the Doha skyline in the background.
A nearby passenger boat with the Doha skyline in the background.
A nearby passenger boat with the Doha skyline in the background.		 View of part of the skyline as we drove into the West Bay downtown area.
View of part of the skyline as we drove into the West Bay downtown area.		 The building in the center is called the Tornado Tower.
The building in the center is called the "Tornado Tower."		 Another modern building in the West Bay section of Doha.
Another modern building in the West Bay section of Doha.
This building is officially called Burj Qatar, but people refer to it as the condom.
This building is officially called "Burj Qatar," but people refer to it as "the condom."		 Another modern Doha skyscraper.
Another modern Doha skyscraper.		 This building is the Qatar Telecom Headquarters.
This building is the "Qatar Telecom Headquarters."		 View as we drove through the West Bay section of Doha.
View as we drove through the West Bay section of Doha.
Ahead, is the Doha stock exchange building.
Ahead, is the Doha stock exchange building.		 Close-up of Doha stock exchange building.
Close-up of Doha stock exchange building.		 The 5-star St. Regis Hotel Doha.
The 5-star St. Regis Hotel Doha.		 The next stop on my tour was to the Katara Cultural Village, where many art forms are promoted in Qatar.
The next stop on my tour was to the Katara Cultural Village, where many art forms are promoted in Qatar.
Beautiful mosaic tiles on a Katara building.
Beautiful mosaic tiles on a Katara building.		 Close-up of the mosaic tiles.
Close-up of the mosaic tiles.		 An overhead canopy with a sign showing different exhibits.
An overhead canopy with a sign showing different exhibits.		 We went to a Qatar Photographic Society exhibit in Katara. It highlighted photographers from around the world.
We went to a Qatar Photographic Society exhibit in Katara. It highlighted photographers from around the world.
Even though Katara is new, it uses traditional Arab and Islamic architecture.
Even though Katara is new, it uses traditional Arab and Islamic architecture. 		One of Katara's many stunning buildings.
One of Katara's many stunning buildings.		 A typically-dressed couple walking by.
A typically-dressed couple walking by.		 A traditional straw ceiling in Katara.
A traditional straw ceiling in Katara.
The roof beams are traditional, too.
The roof beams are traditional, too.		 The Katara Amphitheater balances classical Greek theater concepts and Islamic features.
The Katara Amphitheater balances classical Greek theater concepts and Islamic features. 		View standing from the top of the amphitheater. It was officially opened in 2011 for a Vangelis concert.
View standing from the top of the amphitheater. It was officially opened in 2011 for a Vangelis concert.		 New Doha high-rises as seen from the amphitheater. Doha, presently, has a real estate glut.
New Doha high-rises as seen from the amphitheater. Doha, presently, has a real estate glut.
View of the St. Regis Hotel from Katara.
View of the St. Regis Hotel from Katara.		 This famous statue symbolizes Qatar pulling the world towards herself as she emerges as a great and vibrant country.
This famous statue symbolizes Qatar pulling the world towards herself as she emerges as a great and vibrant country.		 A golden mosque in the Katara Cultural Village.
A golden mosque in the Katara Cultural Village.		 These two structures are known as the Katara Birdhouse, since birds live inside them.
These two structures are known as the Katara Birdhouse, since birds live inside them.
This building near Katara is supposed to look like a hooded falcon.
This building near Katara is supposed to look like a hooded falcon.		 Falcon hunting is a popular sport in Qatar.
Falcon hunting is a popular sport in Qatar.		 After leaving Katara, we drove by these two buildings at the well-known Fifty One East shopping center in Doha.
After leaving Katara, we drove by these two buildings at the well-known Fifty One East shopping center in Doha.		 Entrance to the Pearl, an exclusive artificial island development in Doha.
Entrance to the Pearl, an exclusive artificial island development in Doha.
The Pearl is the first freehold development that allows ownership by foreign nationals.
The Pearl is the first freehold development that allows ownership by foreign nationals. 		In other developments in Qatar (which are leasehold), foreign nationals can lease for 99 years, but they cannot own real estate.
In other developments in Qatar (which are leasehold), foreign nationals can lease for 99 years, but they cannot own real estate.		 A waterfront promenade at the Pearl.
A waterfront promenade at the Pearl.		 Luxury boats on the Pearl waterfront.
Luxury boats on the Pearl waterfront.
Entrance to an exclusive shopping center at the Pearl.
Entrance to an exclusive shopping center at the Pearl.		 A fountain in the shopping center. The stores are very expensive.
A fountain in the shopping center. The stores are very expensive.		 A chandelier in the shopping center.
A chandelier in the shopping center.		 A Rolls Royce dealership at the Pearl.
A Rolls Royce dealership at the Pearl.
If a Rolls Royce is too staid, perhaps a Maserati or Ferrari would be best.
If a Rolls Royce is too staid, perhaps a Maserati or Ferrari would be best.		 Sculpture at al Bida Park, in the center of a roundabout. The pointed arches are found in traditional architecture of Qatar.
Sculpture at al Bida Park, in the center of a roundabout. The pointed arches are found in traditional architecture of Qatar.		 It was now dusk, and we drove by this newer addition of the Diwan al-Amiri with the lights illuminated.
It was now dusk, and we drove by this newer addition of the Diwan al-Amiri with the lights illuminated.		 Green minaret of the Grand Mosque and the Clock Tower illuminated at dusk.
Green minaret of the Grand Mosque and the Clock Tower illuminated at dusk.
Our next stop was at a shop where they kept falcons.
Our next stop was at a shop where they kept falcons.		 The falcons were getting excited because it was dinner time.
The falcons were getting excited because it was dinner time.		 Falcon eating some raw chicken.
Falcon eating some raw chicken.		 Next to the shop was the Souk Waqif Falcon Hospital.
Next to the shop was the Souk Waqif Falcon Hospital.
Front entrance of the Souk Waqif Falcon Hospital.
Front entrance of the Souk Waqif Falcon Hospital.		 Next, we passed by this mosque where prayers were going on. Shoes were left outside the door.
Next, we passed by this mosque where prayers were going on. Shoes were left outside the door.		 A beautiful hotel in traditional Qatari architecture illuminated at dusk.
A beautiful hotel in traditional Qatari architecture illuminated at dusk.		 The name of the hotel is The Arumaila Boutique Hotel.
The name of the hotel is The Arumaila Boutique Hotel.
Next to the hotel is the Souq Waqif, a market renowned for selling traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
Next to the hotel is the Souq Waqif, a market renowned for selling traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs.		 Interior of the Souq Waqif. It was recently rebuilt, but still retains the feel of an ancient souq.
Interior of the Souq Waqif. It was recently rebuilt, but still retains the feel of an ancient souq.		 The smell of the souq was wonderful due to the spice markets there.
The smell of the souq was wonderful due to the spice markets there.		 My tour guide, Sylwia, standing next to huge pots in a kitchen shop.
My tour guide, Sylwia, standing next to huge pots in a kitchen shop.
I am dwarfed by the pot. You could cook for hundreds of people in it!
I am dwarfed by the pot. You could cook for hundreds of people in it!		 We entered a part of Souq Waqif where they sold birds and small animals.
We entered a part of Souq Waqif where they sold birds and small animals.		 Kittens for sale in the souq.
Kittens for sale in the souq.		 These rabbits were also for sale.
These rabbits were also for sale.
The parrots were amazing at the souq.
The parrots were amazing at the souq.		 There were many bird cages lined up.
There were many bird cages lined up.		 An assortment of parakeets in a rainbow of colors.
An assortment of parakeets in a rainbow of colors.		 We passed by many bird shops.
We passed by many bird shops.
People walking through the souq at night.
People walking through the souq at night.		 Next, we went into a gallery with colorful lanterns.
Next, we went into a gallery with colorful lanterns.		 Lanterns suspended from the ceiling.
Lanterns suspended from the ceiling.		 Close-up of one of the lanterns.
Close-up of one of the lanterns.
A lantern in another shade of blue.
A lantern in another shade of blue.		 An orange and red lantern.
An orange and red lantern.		 Beautiful chairs with mother of pearl inlay and a traditional lamp.
Beautiful chairs with "mother of pearl" inlay and a traditional lamp.		 An exquisite chandelier at the entrance to the gallery.
An exquisite chandelier at the entrance to the gallery.
Driving back to my hotel, we passed by the Fanar Islamic Centre illuminated at night.
Driving back to my hotel, we passed by the Fanar Islamic Centre illuminated at night.		 Close-up of the minaret of the Fanar Islamic Centre.
Close-up of the minaret of the Fanar Islamic Centre.

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