Al Ahli Hospital

I have only been here for an eye test and for a blood test, but one of my pal's wife has been here to give birth and for a gall bladder operation. It is a recommended hospital, not somewhere any of us like to go but...

Parking here can sometimes be a bit of an issue but the building is like a hotel. The ground floor is like a hotel lobby with numerous reception desks and a cafe (that curiously sells all sorts of fattening and tempting cakes!).

Service is generally very good and efficient. It looks clean and modern too with many specialist departments and doctors.

Contact details are:

Tel: +974 4898888
Fax: +974 4898989
Ahmed Bin Ali Street
P.O.Box:6401, Doha, Qatar
Email: info@ahlihospital.com

The hospital is not too far from Defence Roundabout.

The Al Ahli Hospital Website is Here

The Ritz Carlton Cookery School - Porcini Restaurant

The Hotel is situated out near the entrance to the Pearl beyond West Bay, Doha. It is well signposted.

We have attended one cookery school at the Porcini Restaurant on a Friday in December 2010. It was advertised as a demonstration on how to cook turkey. When we arrived it became apparent that the receipe for today was pasta! However, we stayed and had lovely snacks while the Head Chef prepared pasta, fish and a dessert. The other people there watching were nice too. The demonstration was informative and we learned how to gut a fish properly too!

Following the demonstration you have a sit down lunch prepared by the chefs of what has just been demonstrated to you. Cost is about 250 Riyals per person. You need to book and check the price and availability.

Contact details are:

P.O. Box 23400 Doha Qatar   

Phone:  +974 4484-8000  

Fax:  +974 4484-8484

The Ritz Carlton Doha Website is here

Quality Hypermarket on the Salwa Road

This is a nice shop for me as I can pop in and get a pint of milk and some fruit once or twice a week. However you could just as easily do your weekly shop there.

The shop is practically brand new (mid 2010) and I never seem to queue for long there and the selection of goods is pretty good. I have also found that it has some products that are difficult to find elsewhere (Dove liquid soap anyone?).

Upstairs to the supermarket are some other shops, but I must confess I have never been up there! Also in the car park on Salwa Road the sign in the car park is something like "More Parking at Back Side" never fails to amuse me!

Here is a nice little feature in the Peninsula newspaper about the opening.

Womens Coffee Mornings and Womens Groups

I have not been to these!!! However, my wife has been to a few that are usually held on weekdays for women to meet in Doha. For details of where these are, check out the postings on Qatar Living or Qatar Visitor websites or in the local newspapers. Better still, if you know other women in Doha speak with them and network.

Good for networking and for women (particularly non working women) it is a great way to work your way into Doha life. It is also a great place to network get tips and advice on all manner of things, including job hunting. It is also a great support to you.

Many of the groups are categorised (USA, Latin etc) so you will need to be aware of this too.

Men can also benefit from the information that their wives find out too.

QDC Shop - Drinking at home in Doha

To buy alcohol for home consumption, there is only one drinks shop in Doha, and that is not signposted but can be found few streets off the Salwa Road. You need to ask around!

To shop at the QDC (Qatar Distribution Company) shop, you will need a liquor licence. To get the liquor licence you will need to have a Residence Permit, letter from your employer with your salary details. When you have this documentation you will need to go to QDC and pay a deposit (refundable) for your drinks permit.

You are allowed to purchase 10% of your salary per month on alcohol. The shop is shut during Ramadan, and on Fridays too.

The selection I believe is pretty good. I only drink lager (and not much at that) and purchase cheap wine for risotto. However friends and colleagues tell me the wine selection etc is very good.

Marriott Hotel JW's Steakhouse

Described on the Marriott Doha Website as:

JW's Steakhouse

International

Experience the exclusive gentlemen's club feeling, serving US PRIME Certified Angus Beef. Truly a memorable dining experience with mouth-watering flavor in every bite.

• Open for dinner
• Dress code: Casual
• Phone: 974 4429 8499

I went there with my wife for her birthday and the atmosphere is great, classic big chairs, name labels on the tables for very regular customers. We both had steaks and both enjoyed them very much. Good attentive service, nice atmosphere.

Towards the expensive end of the scale but a nice place to go to if you like meat and are looking to celebrate something, particularly as a couple.



Metrash Government Service for visas, ID cards, traffic violations etc

This for me is a very useful and free government service in Qatar. Basically you go to the government website and put in your ID card number and mobile phone number (see right hand side of the web page that opens from the government website link).

Once you have carried out this very simple registration process, Metrash will send you text messages to remind you to renew your visa (a few weeks before it is due) or when you have committed a traffic violation (have managed to avoid this one so far) or other matters that will be of interest to you and your dealings with the government.

When my wife came back to Doha from London I knew exactly when she went to immigration as I got an immediate message on my mobile phone.

Worth checking out this simple registration to ensure that you are up to date with the latest from the government.