Dynamic Doha, the heart of Qatar
It was close to the end of summer when Gaya Travel Magazine, together with other fellow Malaysian journalists, arrived at Qatar’s capital, Doha, which is also the country’s gateway. Starting from the airport and all the way to the city, we found out that Doha, being the microcosm of Qatar, possesses impressive state-of-the-art infrastructure, on-going robust development and notably cosmopolitan.
Read on to find out more on Doha:
Travellers might feel transported to the olden days when Souq Waqif was the hub of trade and commerce for Doha, prior to the emergence of modern and gleaming shopping centres, where travellers can find souvenirs, mementos and local handicrafts, besides spices, traditional garments, gold and even falcons.
It is also home to the organisation called Embrace Doha that helps foreigners understand Qatari culture, where travellers can learn how to receive coffee properly when being a guest at the majlis (the space where guests are feted) and behave appropriately according to Qatari custom.
Souq Waqif began since ancient times when the Bedouins began converging around the area called Msheireb oasis to trade goods, especially livestock. Waqif means ‘stand’; it was said that in the olden days, merchants and patrons conducted their business transactions while standing most of the time. Travellers will also be able to see men patrolling the area on horseback, a feature carried on from the past till this day. These men, who are actually part of the Royal Guards, are in charge of maintaining peace at the market because, besides mitigating theft and fraud, they also help to settle disputes during business transaction. That is why the market, unlike other ancient bazaars in the Middle East, has no covered walkways: this is to allow these men and their horses to easily access many parts of the market.
Travellers can enjoy authentic Qatari cuisine in Al Enna Restaurant, located in Souq Waqif. The dishes served here consist of various meats such as chicken, beef and mutton, including camel, all prepared using traditional Qatari ingredients and cooking method that give them their distinctive flavour and texture.
One of the must-dos when travellers visit Qatar is to experience the dhow dinner cruise at sunset. Taking the dhow dinner cruise affords travellers the memorable experience of admiring the city’s impressive skyline from the water, besides its magical sunset and night time. During the cruise along the Doha Corniche and the entire West Bay (developed on reclaimed land and constructed between 2003 and 2006), travellers are feted to a hearty dinner amidst a relaxing atmosphere, a perfect way to end the day.
Located within the first phase of the Heritage Quarter, adjacent to the Diwan Amiri Quarter and the Qatar National Archive, the Msheireb Museums is a complex comprising four houses.
Each of these houses respectively contains exhibits pertaining to the development of Doha’s history such as in the House of Bin Jelmood, which used to be an abode of a slave trader when Doha was a slave and pearl trading hub; the Company House, the building that served as the administration house for workers to receive their pay during Qatar’s early years of petroleum exploration and production, including how life was like for the pioneering oil labourers; the Radhwani House, a traditional Qatari house to showcase how life was like for a typical family who has lived in the Msheireb neighbourhood for the past 70 years; and the Mohammad bin Jassim House, which showcases the history of Msheireb neighbourhood and its future development that employs contemporary urban regeneration solutions using human-scale and pedestrian-friendly traditional architectural principles to preserve the neighbourhood’s distinct identity.
Free admission.
This I.M. Pei-designed museum is an architectural marvel that defines Doha’s modern skyline, simultaneously putting Doha and Qatar on the international map as an arts and culture hub for the Middle East. Various historical artefacts and exhibits from the Islamic world that stretch over a thousand years are interestingly showcased to highlight the splendour and advancement of the Islamic civilisation, which are bound to enthral the educated and cultured. The museum also holds museum tours and special programmes that the public can participate.
Free admission.
The hop-on hop-off Doha Bus Night Tour brings travellers to the city’s important places during the night so that travellers get to savour Doha’s spectacular city lights, besides escaping the day’s heat. This tour provides the chance for travellers to have a quick feel of the city and conveniently get up close to many of Doha’s major landmarks at one go. The Doha Bus is also equipped with informative audio documentary in seven different languages. During the Night Tour, travellers will be served with a complimentary cup of hot karak, not unlike Malaysia’s teh tarik.
Price: QR95 per adult, QR45 per child and QR235 for a family of four (two parents and two children).
Departure time: The bus departs daily at 7:00 p.m. from the Souq Waqif booth.
Travellers who have purchased the 24- or 48-hour Doha Bus tickets get to ride on the Night Tour for free
- Experience Qatari culture in Katara Cultural Village
This is an expansive development where locals and foreigners are able to be exposed to Qatari history and culture. The place holds interfaith programmes and film festivals, in line with the government’s long-standing vision to position Qatar as a cultural beacon in the Middle East through theatre, literature, music, visual art, conventions and exhibition. Philately lovers will also take pleasure in knowing that Katara Cultural Village is also home to the Arab Postal Stamps Museum.
When frolicking around Katara Cultural Village, travellers must have lunch or dinner at L’wzaar Seafood Market Restaurant for a lip-smacking seafood experience, especially the sinful lobster with cheese and mushroom. Then head to Chapati & Karak for a spot of satisfying hot tea with milk.
For more info, visit http://www.visitqatar.qa .
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