James and Jeannie's Travelblog » Qatar http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels Thoughts and photos from James Poyser & Jeannie Ivanov's big adventure Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:06:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Doha desert adventure http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/2009/02/doha-desert-adventure/ http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/2009/02/doha-desert-adventure/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:18:21 +0000 James http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/?p=41 We went on a 4×4 trip into the desert yesterday with some of the Vodafone Qatar crew.  15 people, three jeeps and a lot of sand and speed, loads of fun.  The drivers were pretty crazy – shooting up and down sand dunes at speed, catching some air (yes, in a Toyota Landcruiser, take a look at the photo) and generally having a riot.  We made it down to the inland sea (Khor al Daid) where the sea juts into the desert – you can see Saudi Aribia on the other side – before heading off to a camp for tasty middle eastern food, yummy.

PS – Leigh, thanks for the travel sickness tablets, very handy :)

]]> http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/2009/02/doha-desert-adventure/feed/ 0 25.28617614587039 51.521255490370095 Doha, Qatar http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/2009/02/doha-qatar/ http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/2009/02/doha-qatar/#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:37:01 +0000 jeannie http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/?p=38 Hello folks,

This is my first blog so be gentle with me.

Arrived in Doha on Thursday – imagine a large construction site in the middle of the desert which is gradually being transformed into a millionaire’s playground, where Western ex-pats and migrant workers from the sub-continent outnumber the natives 5-1, and you’re getting the picture.

Qatar has a population of 1 million (85% in Doha) and the highest average GDP in the world. I’ve seen no crime, no begging (but labour is extremely cheap), 4,000 beautiful hotels and 6 million massive Jeeps plus the odd Jag. Just like Delhi, then.

Stelios and Hee-Jong are looking after us very well – we had a tour of Doha and its COWS (cell cites on wheels, silly) yesterday, lunch in a mall built to look like the place that looks like Venice that’s in Las Vegas, and a lovely night out with booze and everything in an open air sky bar. Only £14 for a glass of wine. We also visited the museum of Islamic art, which was fascinating and beautiful.

Oh, and did I mention the pool and sauna on the top floor of the apartment building? That’s fascinating and beautiful too.

We’re off for a 4×4 tour of the desert this afternoon and we fly out to Delhi tomorrow for some proper luxury. I can’t sing off though, without mentioning that Qatar has an IRISH BAR. Is nowhere safe?

Toilets – 8/10 (marked down for lack of amusing trademarks like shower hose etc)  Food – 9/10 (amazing Sri Lankan buffet last night)

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