Aspire Tower

The Aspire Tower is the big tower between Villaggio Mall and the Khalifa Stadium. During the day it is quite an impressive structure and is a good sighting landmark when you are negotiating your way around Doha as you can see it from miles away.

However, at night it is really impressive with a multitude of computer controlled lights and some big TV screens (adverts?) in the side.

There is a hotel inside the Aspire Tower now that is called the Torch. There is also a revolving restaurant too.

Some details about the Torch Hotel at Booking.com

Happy New Year

Qatar Technology and Gadgets Zone Group

This Group on Qatar Living has lots of members and lots of posts, so I thought that you should know about it. I am not too clued up on this sort of thing and can manage light switches but still cannot find the silent mode on my mobile phone.

However, if you are a techno or a geek then get down to this Group in Qatar Living and join up to see what's happening in this area.

Qatar Technology and Gadgets Zone Group

Gulf Times Newspaper and Website

The biggest selling local newspaper in Qatar is usually to be found around most cafes and you can therefore get to read this for free. However, you can also purchase copies from the supermarkets and shops as well.

Printed in colour every day with good quality photos and with a magazine in the Friday edition. The usual features of international news, local news, editorial, sports and classifieds.

The Gulf Times also has a website too.

Aryaas Pure Vegetarian Restaurant

This is another recommendation for an Indian vegeterian restaurant from my work colleague Aloma who is from Sri Lanka, so she must know what she is talking about. The restaurant is situated down in Al Mansoura near the B Ring Road.

The telephone number is 4441 9668 (or according to Qatar Living it is 44360097

Some further details can be found at:

Qatar Living

The Peninsula Qatar newspaper



Qatar Tribune newspaper and website

For the size of the place, Doha/Qatar has quite a few local newspapers in English. One of these is the Qatar Tribune.

It has all the usual features: international and local news, sports and advertisements too.

Pick one up at a newstand, look at one in a cafe or trot along to the Qatar Tribune Website

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Website

I have been a member of Talking Matters Toastmasters Group since January 2011 and I thoroughly enjoy going along to the fortnightly meetings and listening to speeches and also overcoming my fears by making some speeches too or undertaking some of the roles there too.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 7pm at the Oryx Rotana Hotel that is near the Airport.

I am also on the Executive Committee (The Excom) as Secretary and we are proud to announce that Talking Matters now has a website too. Please click on the link below and check it out and make sure that you come along and join us too!!!

Talking Matters Website

Talking Matters Toastmasters Meeting on 26 December 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 26 December 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

The British Club in Qatar Living

Being British msyelf, I have joined up for this group on Qatar Living. Feeling a bit homesick and wanting to pal up with some fellow countrymen, then you need to join up to this on line group too. It has quite a few members and has a load of posts for you to browse through and pick up information about life in Qatar and much more.

The British Club in Qatar Living

Khalifa Stadium in the Aspire area

The Khalifa Stadium is in the Aspire area, it has the huge Aspire Tower next to it and is next door to the Villaggio Mall too.

They have local football matches here generally and other local sporting events, finals etc.

However the yearly trip to Doha by Brazil usually provides my reason for visiting. Tickets for these friendly games can be had from local outlets and Malls. The last three fixtures have been Brazil v England (2009); Brazil v Argentina (2010, pictured) and Brazil v Egypt (2011). The matches are friendlies and to be frank the atmosphere is a bit sanitised and lacks the excitement of a Premier League or England at Wembley etc match. However the opportunity to see some of the greats (I saw Ronaldinho and Messi last time) is too good to pass up.

Columbus Cafe in Villaggio

This coffee shop has a prime location between Virgin and the cinema in the dome area of Villaggio Mall. It has tables and comfy seats outside (still inside the Mall and with AC!) in the dome area too.

The coffee is generally good as is the selection of food. I don't go there too often as it is often crowded that is a good sign in some ways but off putting in others.

Suffers a bit with some people smoking there although the entire Mall is supposed to be non smoking. That too is not very endearing either, however worth a trip if you can avoid this.

Some posts on Qatar Living

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on 28 December 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 28 December 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Faces Beauty Store in Villaggio Mall

Whenever my after shave runs out my wife always takes me along to Faces Beauty Store that is in Villaggio alongside the Canal and next door to Marks and Spencer and near the 1882 Cafe.

This visit is always a bit of a tussle as I am keen to just get what I got last time and get out. My wife wants me to try all the proffered samples and others as well as getting some perfume for herself too. She always wins and I generally end up getting two bottles of after shave.

However, the staff try hard to show you what is being promoted and there are often free samples or gifts to be had.

Faces Beauty Store have a Facebook page

Qatar Construction Group in Qatar Living

A good place to swap ideas, make new friends and find out about all sorts of things going on in the construction industry in Qatar. I work in this industry and it is a source of information that you should sign up to if you are in the industry.

With the World Cup coming to Qatar in 2022, interest in construction is bound to grow, so use this group to keep in touch and keep abreast of local matters in construction.

Qatar Construction Group

Star of India Restaurant Doha

Another recommendation from my Sri Lankan work colleague Aloma and this one is the Star of India Restaurant that is situated near Doha Municipality on Khalifa Street.

The phone number is: 4486 4440

Have done a bit of research on the internet about this restaurant and the links are:

Time Out Doha 

Qatar Living

The New Metro in Doha

Doha has a new Metro planned (2011 as I write) and this looks as if it is going to be pretty extensive across Doha with many lines. At the time of writing we have seen little/no signs of the Metro starting on the ground, I assume that it is now in the planning and design stages.

However there are a few bits of news about it on the net so maybe you can check these out in the meantime so that in some years time you will know the Metro station near you and how you can get around in Doha:

Doha Metro Website

Railway Technology Website

Subways.Net

Al Sultan Textiles and Tailoring - Clothing Repairs and Alterations

This is the shop that my wife likes to go to for repairs to clothes and alterations as well. It is situated at the junction of Al Miroab Road and Al Jadeed Road that runs parallel with the Salwa Road and sort of behind the Jarir Bookshop on Salwa Road.

The shop telephone number is 4444 9257

Prices are very reasonable, they do a good job punctually. There are a few seats to sit on and watch the fun. The front of the shop is three benches with Indian men all sewing away with a big workshop in the back with sewing machines on the go.

All of the men serving have bare feet that I always find amusing, and worth going to for these matters.

Home Centre for Christmas Decorations

My wife is intent on getting a garland/wreath for our front door to celebrate the Christmas season. However we are not having much luck!

We visited Home Centre that is in Centre Point that is also called Al Asmakh Mall on Jawann Street near Sports Roundabout. We did not find a suitable garland but they did have a reasonable selection of Christmas decorations.

The usual things were stocked, artificial trees, ornaments, lights etc. Worth popping in there to see what they have as well as all the other furniture etc. that is in the store too.

The atmosphere in the Christmas part of the store was pretty uplifting too.

The Peninsula Qatar Newspaper and Website

The Peninsula is an English language newspaper that is published each day in Qatar. It is on pretty good quality paper with colour photos.

It also has a good website of news at: The Peninsula Qatar

There are sections on the website for business, sport, lifestyle, editorial, and sections of the world news. It also has a very good archive that is searchable too for all things Qatar.

So either pick up your paper copy in a shop or bookmark the link above.

The Champs Elysee Christmas Shop

My wife and I visited the Christmas decorations shop called Champs Elysee in Al Miroab Street. If you are heading down the C Ring Road, go across the Ramada Crossroads towards La Cigale Hotel, you need to do a U turn at the first junction after the Ramada crossroads. Al Miroab Street is on the right after Hardees. This shop is a little way up on the left hand side.

I bought a Christmas stocking for my Mum and Dad's cat! It is full of stock when we went (early December), the usual things such as tinsel, fake Christmas trees, cards, ornaments etc.

For me the quality was not great and the prices seemed more than the goods were worth. However if you are in the area maybe you can pop in for a browse and make up your own mind?

I Love Qatar Website

Another local website with tons of information including news, events, blogs, classifieds, eating out and generally making friends in Qatar.

The website is called I Love Qatar

Head on over there and see what else you can learn about Qatar and Doha!!!

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on Monday 12 December 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 12 December 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Qatar Living Volunteers Group

The introduction on the Group page for Volunteers reads as follows:

No feeling can be compared to the good of the feeling of satisfaction after helping others.Let’s challenge ourselves and see how far we can go without self-centeredness! Let’s embrace positive attitudes towards society!!

There is tremendous satisfaction in giving your time and energy to others, particularly those in need. Check out this group and I am sure that you will get back more than you receive:

Qatar Living Volunteers Group

Bombay Silk Centre, Salwa Road

This is a two storey shop along the Salwa Road that sells all manner of materials, and will also make up clothes and garments for you. This shop appears to be more for the ladies and appears to lean towards saree material etc.

It is at the Alain Complex opposite Hardees, near the second roundabout after Decoration Roundabout as you head out of Doha.

The telephone number is 4416 9348

For the gentleman waiting around for their wives there are plenty of seats to sit and wait in the shop or a few doors down there is Caribou Coffee for the longer trip :-)

Some details of the Bombay Silk Centre in Qatar Living

Spare Parts and Repairs

At the time of writing it is Eid (early November 2011) and we need a new hose for our hoover as the old one has gone (it is a Black and Decker) and we are advised that the place to go is Al Muftah Service Center. This will reopen after Eid.

Therefore if you are looking for some spare parts for some domestic appliance or a repair then you too should head to:

Al Muftah Service Centre

This is situated along the Al Wakrah Road, that is the road that extends from Airport Road. So, taking the Airport Road heading towards Al Wakrah you will see the Al Matar Petrol Station on your right hand side and approximately 100 metres after this you will find the Al Muftah Service Station so it is pretty easy to find.

It has a host of phone numbers that are:

4465 0110

4465 0880

4465 3261

Working hours normally are:

7 am to 12 noon

3 pm to 6pm

The ticket that I have does not indicate whether the place is open on Saturdays, so please ring to check. Closed on Fridays I would have thought?

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on Monday 12 December 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 12 December 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Egyptians in Qatar

There are some great groups in Qatar Living and there is one especially for Egyptians. Our neighbours are from Egypt and they always make us very welcome so it is probably a good idea to join up to this group, they will treat you well in my experience.

The group has 600 members so there will probably be just the information that you are looking for.

Qatar Living Egyptian Group

Life on the Spot Blog

This is another blog about Doha and Qatar that is worth a look, the blogger keeps it up to date at the time of writing (November 2011).

It has topical offers on the site as well as local news items and opinions.

Head over and check it out at Life on the Spot

Football Qatar Blog

This is a blog that is specifically about local football in Qatar. It has results, fixtures and reports on matches. It has had (at the time of writing early November 2011) nearly 90,000 hits so it is a pretty impressive piece of work (I am still aspiring to get to this figure!!!).

If you want to know more detailed information about local football then you need to check out the blog at:

Football Qatar

Doha Rugby Club

I had the misfortune to go to a rugby English Grammar School and I am sorry to say that it put me off rugby for life. My childhood memories were stolen and put into a book called "Fever Pitch" by Nick Hornby who was in the year above me there.

However, I know that there are plenty of people out there who love the old egg chasing game so you should check out Doha RFC and see what they have to offer both on and off the pitch.

Their website is Doha RFC

Qatar 974 Website

This website describes itself as "

"Qatar974 is a directory for people living in Qatar that lists events, restaurants, shops, schools, services, sports and special offers - in addition to a free classifieds section."

Plenty of useful information on the website and worth a look over to fill in some gaps in your knowledge.

The link is Qatar 974

Personal Trainer Recommendation

If you are looking for a personal trainer that will come to your compound and give you personal training, the you need to contact the one that my wife uses. She has improved her fitness markedly over the past few months while she has been seeing him.

Marcio speaks both English and Portuguese and he will make you fitter in no time at all

Ring Marcio on 6627 1430

Or email:

·         ms_leite@yahoo.com.br

Qatar Living Books Group

This group can be found at Qatar Living Groups and just reading through a few of the posts I feel sure that you will pick up a few ideas about books in Doha. Also you can maybe meet a few people as well along the way.

Books and new friends seems like a winning combination to me.

Pop along to the link above and join up!!!!

Qatar Squash Federation

I used to love playing squash, a really good workout. You have to turn up once the court is booked with someone so that is a big plus (we can all talk ourselves out of going to the gym). Also it is a great time to make new friends on a one to one basis, then if you play in tournaments and leagues/ladders then more than one person at a time.

The Qatar Squash Federation has a great website that you should check out. There are links about history, championships, news, photo gallery, rules etc etc

Many thanks to my pal Dan for sending me the link.

Pakistanis in Doha

There seems to be a very well used and posted group within Qatar Living for Pakistanis. I know quite a few people in Doha from Pakistan and therefore I would suggest that you get along to this group so that you can meet up with your fellow country folk.

Has information on the Pakistan Embassy, Toastmasters, Cricket, Engineers and overseas employment.

The Qatar Living Pakistani Group

Talking Matters Toastmasters Next Meeting Monday 28 November 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 28 November 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Talking Matters Toastmasters New Website

I have been a member of Talking Matters Toastmasters Group since January 2011 and I thoroughly enjoy going along to the fortnightly meetings and listening to speeches and also overcoming my fears by making some speeches too or undertaking some of the roles there too.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 7pm at the Oryx Rotana Hotel that is near the Airport.

I am also on the Executive Committee (The Excom) as Secretary and we are proud to announce that Talking Matters now has a website too. Please click on the link below and check it out and make sure that you come along and join us too!!!

Talking Matters Website

Filipino Expats in Qatar Group

This appears to be the biggest and most posted group in Qatar Living, the Filipino group certainly seems to be a mine of useful information. If you want news from your homeland, or the Filipino slant on life in Qatar, then this is the group for you.

It is at the Qatar Living website.

Filipino Expats in Qatar Group

Ministry of Interior Website (Visas etc!!!)

The Qatar Ministry of Interior has a pretty informative website, called MOI

There is plenty of information there for residents, visitors and citizens. Sign up for Metrash and you can get text messages of traffic violations, reminders for visa renewals etc.

The site also gives details of visas, traffic violations and many procedures that you may have reason to know about.

Worth bookmarking the site for possible future use.

Talking Matters Toastmasters Next Meeting on Monday 28 November 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 28 November 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

The Lighthouse Club in Doha (Construction Charity)

The Lighthouse Club is a construction charity that is just starting up in Doha, and had its first meeting on 01 November 2011 at the Rugby Club that is near Decoration Roundabout.

It is a good event in my experience (in Hong Kong) to support. You get to meet new people, have a drink and network in a convivial atmosphere. They also usually hold meals every so often and raise considerable funds for construction charity.

Construction is the world's most dangerous profession, causing death and injury. Your support is needed.

For more details contact in Doha: Richard Celand at rceland@gmail.com

For details of The Lighthouse Club use this link

Medical Insurance

Coming from the UK, we have the National Health Service so generally we do not have to pay for medical treatment or maybe a small fee.

As I understand it, in Qatar there is a public medical service and you can go to the Hamad Hospital. My wife has been there once for an out patients visit and this was pretty efficient (although the separation of the sexes was in place) and the prescription charge was on 2 Riyals.

However if you want the flexibility and comfort of more choice then please do some research on medical insurance if your company does not provide it for you. If you are from overseas and not used to the climate etc then you are at a higher risk than if you are in your home country. Also, your family too must be considered, a family policy should be purchased.

Check the cover very carefully to ensure that you know what you are covered for and what you are paying for. Monthly payments are usually allowed too.

I have cover through my company with Allianz and they have an office on the C Road down from Ramada Junction towards the airport, but there are obvioulsy other providers so please check them out.

Poets and Writers in Qatar

For those of you aspiring writers and poets out there, Qatar Living has a group especially for you. As at the time of posting it has 227 members so I am sure it will be a fountain of knowledge for you as well as some useful support to help you through the lonely hours of writing.

Check out the Qatar Living Group.

Magrabi Clinic on the D Road

Have been here a few times and the Magrabi Clinic is situated now on the D Road. From Airport Road get on to the D Road, pass the Harley Davidson showroom then take the slip road to your right, Magrabi is a little further up (about 200 metres or so).

Very charmingly they do valet parking and there is a waiter there to give you tea or coffee in a cup and saucer.

However, they also give medical treatment, specialising in eye complaints and ear/nose/throat as well. They also do dental treatment but we have not tried this.

The service has been very good and there is a small pharmacy on the ground floor to pick up your prescription  too.

You will need health insurance or payments will need to be made.

Magrabi Clinics Website

The Arab Museum of Modern Art

The Arab Museum of Modern Art (MATHAF) is located in a converted school building on the edge of Education City off Al-Luqta Street. I must confess I have not been there yet, I have only had a quick glance at the website.

It does not appear to be open all the time and at the time of writing (2 November 2011), it will be reopening on 05 December 2011.

However, the website looks good and you can get all the information that you need there I am sure.

Gulf Paradise Hotel

This hotel is situated in the heart of Doha. From the Ramada crossroads, head towards the flyover but go to the roundabout underneath this and turn left, the Gulf Paradise Hotel is on the right hand side.

The hotel in some ways is showing its age but I have been there for a couple of Toastmasters meetings and the staff were friendly and the snacks we had were nice too.

Worth considering for a budget hotel stay in Doha in one of the main areas.

Gulf Paradise Hotel

Christmas Cards in Doha

To be honest there is not a great selection of Christmas cards here, particularly the boxed variety. You can get Christmas cards from the usual places: supermarkets and Hallmark cards. Generally the stand alone single cards are fine and you will probably find what you want, however the boxed variety are not so good.

The Christmas cards that come in boxes will say have 24 cards but there may be as few as two designs, so maybe twelve of each cover.

Worth thinking about ordering these from the UK or having them sent over or brought over by someone for you? Or next time you visit home you could stock up, particularly if you are in the UK in January when they are in the sales.

Don't break your back looking for better boxed ones in the next shop, in my experience you are wasting your time in Doha.

Ritz Carlton Christmas Carols

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Ritz Carlton put on some Carols with the afternoon tea in the Reception Area and adjacent to the Lobby Lounge.

Best to book (unlike us, but some people kindly let us share their table!) first to be assured of your place. Contact the Hotel nearer the time or keep a look out in Time Out Doha magazine or website.


Contact details for the Hotel are:

P.O. Box 23400 Doha Qatar   

Phone:  +974 4484-8000  

Fax:  +974 4484-8484

The Ritz Carlton website is here

Panetone for Christmas anyone? This is where you need to go

One of the joys of the Christmas time is that the Italians bring out their pannetone that is a lovely rich moist cake with chocolate or plain. Often you can see these stacked up in supermarkets etc in November and December.

We have bought the mass produced ones from supermarkets in Dubai and we have been immensely disappointed. The boxes are generally big and expensive then the pannetone cake inside is much, much smaller than the box.

However, if you head along to Carluccio's on the Pearl they have a little shop next door to the restaurant so you can pick up a superb pannetone there. No small portion here and it is super tasty, the cake inside pretty much fills the box. They do two sizes, a family size one and a baby one person size one (or maybe it is for two people, I just have a big mouth!)

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Next Meeting Monday 14 November 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 14 November 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Germans in Qatar

I have met a few Germans in Doha, including my dentist Sven! If you would like to meet up with fellow Germans or want to learn German (and you can tap up a German speaker) then I would suggest that you try the Qatar Living Group

This can be found by following this link. 

Arabic Sweets

There are many types of Arabic sweets around the Middle East and I imagine that most varieties are available in Doha.

You can purchase these in supermarkets but there are also stalls in the Malls, specialist independent shops etc. The sweets presentation can be basic or up market depending on your pocket. There is a big sweet shop opposite the Al Ahli Hospital.

I am not a big fan of Arabic sweets, I can take them or leave them but you should try them while you are here and maybe they will be right up your street.

I used the picture from the blog at Sonis' Kitchen

Al Jazeera News

This is the Arab News in English and the channel is called Al Jazeera News that is based in Qatar.

Sometimes it has some interesting news features and debates, these are generally worth tuning in for. Also, with current affairs and reporting, particularly with Arab area issues the journalism is often closer than Western media.

The only drawbacks that I find with Al Jazeera is that it can be a bit Middle East based in terms of coverage and for Arab issues it does tend to promote the Arab viewpoint. This latter issue can be overcome by watching other news channels and getting your balanced viewpoint from a number of sources. Try and sift the facts from the opinion then form your own opinion.  

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on Monday 14 November 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 14 November 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

An oasis or two in Al Wakrah

We were travelling to Messaied City for a Toastmasters evening and when we reached Al Wakrah that is the only sizeable town on the way from Doha my wife said that she fancied drinking a Costa Coffee. I nearly said to her "Yes, and I think it is going to snow too soon!" However, a very short way up the road we found a Costa Coffee.

The Costa Coffee is on the main road through Al Wakrah on the right hand side as you head out from Doha. The shop is quite big and has the usual Costa food and drinks. It also has clean toilets. Unfortunately, despite the entire shop being designated and clearly signposted no smoking some people still seem to violate this rule. What price some clean air when you drink your coffee or eat your snack.

Next door is a Pappa Johns that is a pizza joint so maybe you could get a more substantial meal in Al Wakrah as well too?

Book your Christmas Lunch early

Now is the time to book your Christmas lunch if you are going to a hotel for this. It may even be too late now to get the booking that you desire. We left it too late last year and ended up at our third choice place. Christmas lunch was a sort of Lebanese affair, hardly any vegetables, very dry turkey, no Brussel sprouts, no Cranberry sauce etc.

From my understanding the Christmas lunches in the hotels in Doha generally tend to be the buffet sort. Also, as we found out some of the trimmings were missing too.

Don't be caught out, if you are intending to have your Christmas lunch at a hotel, better to book right this minute.

Squash in Qatar

My knees gave up on squash a few years ago, but I used to love to play.

Judging by the website, squash seems to be alive and kicking in Qatar. From my brief look at the website there is plenty of opportunties to play at all levels. Run along to:

John Lord Duffers League

and get more information and join up as well as getting a few games under your belt, meet new friends etc.

Running in Doha in Qatar

If you are interested in running in Qatar, then there is a hash group for you. The contact details are at the website at:

Doha Hash House Harriers

If you are interested then you had better run along to the website right now and contact some people.

Qatar Football Association

The locals here in Qatar are very keen on football (or soccer!) and the Qatar Football Association has a very interesting and informative website for local football including local teams and the national team.

If you are interested in local football in Qatar then get along to:

Qatar Football Association Website

Portuguese in Qatar

My wife is Brazilian and hence she speaks Portuguese and not Spanish as many people think (although she does speak Spanish too). Qatar Living does have a group for Portuguese at:

Portuguese Qatar Living Group

Hurry along to this link if you are a Portuguese speaker and make some new friends in Doha and Qatar.

Attention all Urdu Speakers in Qatar

On the Qatar Living website there is a group for all people who speak Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. My knowledge of these languages is exactly zero but if this is your language then maybe you should check out the link below:

Qatar Living Urdu Hindi Punjabi Speakers Group

Avaiation Information in Qatar (Qatar General Avaition Club)

If you are interested in all things aviation in Qatar, there is good link at Qatar Living that may be able to assist you first hand or lead you to other websites to keep your interest going.

Qatar Living Avaiation Link

Qatar National Day Holiday 18 December 2011

Just so that you know there is a public holiday on this day each year and you will get the day off from work.

Maybe they will have some fireworks at the Corniche as well?

A lie in!!!

The spa at the Four Seasons Hotel

We have been to quite a few spas in Dubai, Doha and other countries. However one afternoon we had a tour round the Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel. It looked to me to be the best I have seen. The staff were very nice and showed us around nicely.

The decor and lighting were sumptous and there was a full range of treatments and massage. You can also use the fitness centre and the private beach too. They recommend that you book to ensure that there is space for you.

It is a tad on the expensive side but would be great for a birthday treat!!!!

Four Seasons Website.

Ice Skating in Doha

Doha hasn't built a ski slope like Dubai yet but it does have a couple of ice skating rinks if that is what takes your fancy. I usually end up sitting on the ice or clinging on to the rail so I am just an observer!

One of the rinks is in City Centre Mall that is out in West Bay. This to me generally seems just for the public to use and you can hire skates there and skate to your heart's content.

The other rink is in the Food Court of Villaggio Mall. When I have been here (to the Food Court!) it often seems to be used by ice hockey teams so you will need to check out with them there if you want to go individual or family skating. However, it is nice to watch from the sidelines while you have a coffee.

Middle East Hub about ice skating

Expedia.com Website for your holidays

I have found that Expedia.com is the best website that I have found for your holiday travel needs. You can select either just the flights, or hotels, or car hire and it gives you choices that you can refine until you get just what you want.

The website is really easy to use and helpful in that it gives you plenty of options that you can chop and change. If you do have any questions then I have found the people really friendly and easy to deal with.

Expedia also have a UK website that I tend not to use from Qatar as most of the deals seem to be from the UK. The .com version (based in the USA) seems easier to use for holidays originating from Doha.

Nando's Portuguese Restaurants in Doha

Nando's is a Portuguese chain of restaurants focusing on chicken with piri piri sauce. As my wife is Brazilian she likes this sort of thing and I am OK with visiting Nando's too.

There are three branches that I know of in Doha. One is in City Centre Mall, another in the Hyatt Plaza Mall (at the entrance to Giant Supermarket) and there is another down the Salwa Road.

Ideal for children as well as adults and if you need your chicken fix then get to Nando's.

Some Trip Advisor Reviews

The Gourmet House Shop in the Kempinski Hotel

The Kempinski Hotel is a fairly new hotel to Doha (writing now in 2011) and to your left as you go through the door is the Gourmet House shop that has fancy cakes, biscuits, coffees etc. From my own experience it has very expensive olive oil too!!!

It is a nice little shop for having a wander round and talking to the staff there. You can also choose a cake or two and pop into the cafe next door and eat it there.

Kempinski Hotel Website

Using Yahoo Messenger to keep in contact

I am much happier sending emails or phoning someone but some people like to use Yahoo Messenger (or similar applications in MSN or Facebook) for staying in contact.

I have only used Yahoo a couple of times for this and it is not really for me. Basically you just go on line on the site and look for your friends who are also on line then click on their name/symbol and type a message. The software will tell you when the other person is typing when they reply.

Fuddruckers Restaurant

I have not personally been in this restaurant but have been in branches of Fuddruckers in Dubai so I expect that the food would be similar.

The branch in Doha (is this the only one?) is just up from the Oryx Roundabout. Take the turning up the hill towards TV Roundabout and take the first slip road on the right and there is a big car park and Fuddruckers is on your right hand side.

It does burger type food with chips and the usual accompaniments. I have generally enjoyed myself in Fuddruckers and I have no doubt that you will too.

Here are some details at Dining In Doha

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on Monday 24 October 2011

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 24 October 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Arabian Oud perfume shops

These are perfume shops that sell Arabic perfumes that for me tend to be a lot heavier in smell than western ones. The bottles are usually very interesting and the people in the shops are helpful and attentive. They also can do two for one sales at time so it is worth keeping your eye out for these. My wife likes to shop there and enjoys the attention as well as buying presents for her family who like the perfume.

The shops that I know of are situated in City Centre (on the first floor opposite Carrefour) and in the Sharq Village.

Check out the Arabian Oud website.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is the state airline and it tends to have the monopoly on flights to and from Doha. They fly to more places than the other airlines. Check out their website.

They do offers and you can sign up to be sent details of these by email. Qatar Airways also have many shops around Doha and you can pop in there to book if you prefer although in my experience it is cheaper to book on line.

Be aware of booking on the website, the first price that you are quoted does not include taxes and by the time you get to later screens it is added and it can add considerably to your costs.

Qatar Airways also have a loyalty scheme called the Privelage Club where you can get air miles etc.

Juice Zone in the Hyatt Plaza shopping mall

The Hyatt Plaza Mall is the one with the huge shopping trolley in the car park next to Villaggio. As you look at the Mall from the ample car park towards your left is the entrance to the food court.

If you go into the Food Court and keep to your right you will find the Juice Zone that sells fresh juices that are really nice. However my favourite is the frozen yoghurt where you can choose your fruits to have on top of this. You can sit at any of the tables in the Food Court and eat there.

There is a great review of the Juice Bar in Time Out

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on 24 October 2011 at 7pm

The next meeting of the fantastic Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is being held next Monday, the details are:

Date: Monday 24 October 2011

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Oryx Rotana Hotel (near the Airport)

Come along as a guest and hear the wonderful prepared speeches from the P1 Ice Breaker to the more advanced speakers. Understand how the speeches are positively evaluated. Maybe you will get the chance to participate in the lively Table Topics session too?

As a guest you get in free, get a nice drink at the interval with biccie as well as getting the opportunity to network and make new friends.

Come along and join us!!!

Weekend Away to Dubai

Sometimes you need to get away from Doha and visit other places around the area. Dubai is less than one hour's flight away from Doha, and it does have more choice to shop and spend.

We lived in Dubai for two years and there are many places to visit (the souks, the Creek, Burj al Arab and other hotels) and hotels to stay in. They have a choice for all pockets with accommodation.

Getting around is easy as the taxis are plentiful, you can hire a car and there is also the Metro too.

Shopping is bigger and more varied than Doha so you can top up a bit there. The best malls for me are Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, although the latter has no where to sit!!!

Eating out too can be for people on a budget or top class restaurants. There are food courts in most of the shopping malls and some swanky restaurants in most hotels.

Qatar Tennis Federation

The main tennis stadium is called the Khalifa International Tennis Complex and is just as you are entering West Bay. It is run by the Qatar Tennis Federation.

I do not play tennis but it looks a nice place and they have tournaments where the best players in the world come and play for money. The women's tournament the Qatar Ladies Open will be in February 2012 between 12 and 18th I believe (please follow the website link above). This year (the 2012 tournament) we will go and see. February is a nice time of year in Doha and not too hot.

If you like or play tennis then this is the place to head to. Also all around the stadium there are places to eat, cafes and banks etc.

Teagschwendner Tea Shop in Hyatt Plaza

This is a speciality tea shop in the shopping mall at Hyatt Plaza. I am not much of a tea drinker but my wife likes to go there and get her brew. The two guys in there are always informative about tea and they weigh it out for you or you can buy the packets ready made.

They also sell nice tea pots and mugs that look nice. The tea is a bit on the expensive side but if that is what floats your boat then this is the place to visit.

It is in the Hyatt Plaza shopping mall that has the big shopping trolley in the car park and is next to Villaggio Mall. The Teagschwender shop is sort of opposite the Giant Supermarket although a bit to the left. 

Teagschwendner Website

Wahm Bar at the W Hotel in West Bay

The W Hotel is two blocks up from the front of City Centre Mall. At present this area (August 2011) is a bit of a building site but in the evening it is easy to park in the streets around. The Wahm Bar is on one of the upper floors.

I have been there for a couple of company drinks evenings. The bar is a bit dark but the beer is cold and the service is pretty good. The music sometimes gets to you a bit (I am old!) and the food is OK too (they seem to generally serve snacks). Not sure of the prices as I have never paid for a drink there as it has been a company do! They allow smoking that is very disappointing but thankfully at the times we have been there it has not been too bad.

Link to W Hotel Wahm Bar Website

Tribeca Film Festival in Doha October 25 to 29 in 2011

We saw this advertised last year but unfortunately the films we wanted to see had already been shown or were too late for me. I need my beauty sleep.

The website for the Tribeca Film Festival is here. The Festival this year is on between 25 and 29 October 2011 and is held at most of the Doha cinemas. You need to check the website or cinemas for the times of the films and what is on.

This year I will be making an effort to go and be in plenty of time for this event this year. At the time of writing (August 2011) it does not seem to have any films on the website yet!

Comfort Website: Fantastic Fiction

Fantastic Fiction lists all the novels written by authors so that if, like me, you want to read all the novels by an author you can check them out here. For each author there is a little biography and a list of their books in date/series order together with a picture of the cover.

If you click on the cover you can read more about the book. Once you have clicked on the book cover the site gives you details of where you can buy the book. For recent novels this is the Amazon site but for out of print novels etc it will direct you to sellers who have second hand copies for sale. As it is a UK based website the links are generally to UK sellers.

I find the website very helpful to ensure that I read all the books by a particular author or just for surfing around on.

Fantastic Fiction Website

Police Stations in Doha

I have had to visit the police stations a few times due to car accidents, three times for accidents when my car was parked and once when my car was stopped at a junction.

The two police stations I have been to are at Al Maamourai Traffic Police which is near the Fish Market off the Salwa Road, the other is at the Traffic Department just off the Al Gharrafa interchange off the C Ring Road. The latter has the offices where you get your driving licence.

In my experience it is better if you go with someone who speaks Arabic as some of the policemen's English is not great and my Arabic is non existent. For women, go with a man to the police station for support.

Note that the procedures are generally in Arabic too (the forms etc) and you will have to pay some money sometime during your visit. Your ID card and/or passport are essential and for a traffic accident/violation your insurance and car registration will be required. The police accept all credit cards for fines etc.

Orion Bar in the Ramada Plaza Hotel

This bar is on one of the upper floors of the Ramada Plaza Hotel, the left hand part as you look from the car park. We have been to a few company drinks evenings at this bar.

It is a bit dark inside and the decor seems a bit mixed but the atmosphere is nice. You have to remember to take your ID card with you to gain entrance. The bar and serving staff are attentive and I have always had a good time the three times that I have been there.

On one of the evenings they laid on some food for us and there was plenty of it and it was nice to eat too.

They have live music on whenever I go, not sure of the prices as the company pays but it is a nice bar to visit to unwind and have a few beers.

Dining In Doha Reviews

La Mer Restaurant in the Ritz Carlton

We went here for our Wedding Anniversary celebration, we did want to go during Ramadan but it was shut for the month. Therefore our anticipation was high.

This restaurant is on the 23rd floor of the hotel next door to Bar 23. The setting is splendid with lovely views, the restaurant is quiet, nice pleasant music and attentive serving staff. Unfortunately that is where the enjoyment ended.

The AC is turned up so high that I was freezing cold. We ordered our main course, no starters and had to wait nearly an hour for this to turn up. When it did, I had a small piece of beef that was good but no vegetables to speak of. I was hungry when it turned up and hungry when I had finished eating. Where were the vegetables? I do not want to look at food for long, I want to feel satisfied, and I was far from that.

My wife had fish that was OK but she left half of it and there was not much to start with. My wife's dessert was a chocolate fondant that she said was good, I had to order cheese as I was so hungry. This was so-so.

A bill of 555 Riyals was too much for so little enjoyed by so few. We won't go back.

Talking Matters Toastmasters Meeting on Monday 10 October 2010 at 7pm

Come along to our next meeting of Talking Matters Toastmasters Club:

Venue: The Oryx Rotana Hotel, Doha (near the airport)

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Date: Monday 10 October 2011

Listen and be entertained by the prepared speeches, hear them being kindly and positively evaluated. Watch the people playing the various roles for the meeting and be enthralled by the lively and entertaining table topics session.

As a guest you can get in for free, have some nice snacks and a coffee at the interval as well as making some new friends. Come along and join us!!!

Hediard Cafe on the Salwa Road

This branch of Hediard's is along the Salwa Road from Ramada Junction before the flyover on one of the run off shopping parades.

It is three stories tall and the layout is based on the Saudi style. That is on the ground floor it is for all where they sell cakes, sweets etc. The first floor is men only and the second floor is for families.

My wife and I went there during the World Cup and it was nice to wander around the ground floor looking at the goodies. We went to the family area on the second floor but this was a bit out of the comfort zone. Screens up around the edges so that it was mainly private areas to drink coffee for families. The coffee was OK but the atmosphere was lacking. We watched football on the TV but for me it was much too quiet and the screens meant that we could not really see out of the windows or interract with others.

Hamad Hospital

Hamad Hospital is a public hospital and is situated in Doha in Hamad Medical City. We usually go to Al Ahli Hospital that is like a hotel, wheras Hamad Hospital is like a hospital! We went the other Friday as the Al Ahli is closed on a Friday.

Hamad Hospital is a maze of corridors but there is good parking but it takes some time to find emergency, as it is not called this (it seems to be called See and Treat but the sign posts are not very clear). My wife wanted some medicine for conjunctivitis on a Friday so we had to go here.

Once we found See and Treat for women we checked my wife in, you basically need your ID card. However once this was completed it became women only and I had to sit outside in a corridor. My wife was seen very quickly and we got some medicine for 2 Riyals so it is pretty cheap.

Worth knowing about the Hamad Hospital in an emergency.

GO Sports shop in Villaggio etc

The GO Sports shop is a big store that sells sports equipment and clothing etc. It is in the Villaggio Mall and is near the entrance that looks like the San Siro football stadium and next to the food court. It is worth a look round to get your sports stuff. They have plenty of helpful staff.

If by any chance you cannot get what you want there (for example size 9 white socks!!!) then you can wander along the adjacent mall (going away from the Food Court) and there are quite a few sports type shops although these are mainly sports shoes (e.g. Foot Locker).

Worth a look in this area if you are feeling energetic!

Talking Matters Toastmasters Meeting on Monday 10 October 2011 at 7pm

Come along to our next meeting of Talking Matters Toastmasters Club:

Venue: The Oryx Rotana Hotel, Doha (near the airport)

Time: 7pm to 9.30pm

Date: Monday 10 October 2011

Listen and be entertained by the prepared speeches, hear them being kindly and positively evaluated. Watch the people playing the various roles for the meeting and be enthralled by the lively and entertaining table topics session.

As a guest you can get in for free, have some nice snacks and a coffee at the interval as well as making some new friends. Come along and join us!!!

Comfort Website: Goodreads.com

If you are an avid reader like me then I am sure you are on the GoodReads Website. This has lists of books for you to record what you have read, what you intend to read as well as marking books that you have read.

You are also able to see what other people are reading or have read as well as gauging how good books are as many people have rated them. I find it very useful when I am considering reading books by a new author to find out what other people think.

I find the GoodReads website good fun and if you like books I am sure you will too.

Goodreads Website