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.

Georgetown University Library

Georgetown University Website

The Georgetown University is out in Education City just off the C Ring road and is relatively easy to find. At the entrance to the campus the security staff will keep your ID card until you leave.

The Library is in a building fairly close to the entrance and it is generally easy to park. The library is on the first floor and is all new with lots of computers for you to use. You can also find books on line at this link where the library catalogue is on the web.

The Library catalogue system is completely unintelligible to me. You are best served by searching for your book on line either at home or at the library and then making a note of the catalogue number. A member of staff will point you in the right direction.

The cost of a library ticket is 50 Riyals that is refundable, and we were given a nice little cloth carry bag that I still use to carry books around.

The staff are friendly and helpful. Books have to be returned after 3 weeks but can be renewed on line or by phone. The selection of books for me (thrillers!) is not fantastic but it is cheaper than buying them if the University has them on the shelves. The parent Georgetown University in the USA has a better selection and books can be had from there too.

The library is not just for students but for members of the public too.

Salam Shop near City Centre Shopping Mall

This shop is near the City Centre and is an up market department store. My wife loves to wander around and look through all the different departments.

For me, it is where I go to look at watches (and never buy!) as well as getting refills for my Cross pen. It has a fantastic camera department that is well worth checking out.

Also sold are perfumes and cosmetics, luggage and goods for the home.

Not the cheapest of shops but worth a visit. And there is also a second branch of the shop in Doha, but the one near City Centre is the one we go to.

Salam Website

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting Monday 23 May 2011

The next meeting of the Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is on Monday 23 May 2011 at 6.45pm at the Oryx Rotana Hotel. This is down near the Airport and just behind the Keo building at the Toyota crossroads.

Hear people giving interesting and funny speeches, listen to the evaluations of the speeches and enjoy the spontaneity of Table Topics. It is free to guests, and there are also refreshments at the break.

The Oryx Rotana is a new hotel with fantastic facilities. Come along and make some new friends and enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Just turn up at reception on the night and the staff will show you where the Club are meeting on the first floor.

Pier 12 Seafood Restaurant in the Ramada Hotel

After a year in Doha, I am now really getting to like the restaurants in the Ramada. Initially we went to the Chengari that was OK for us but not great. However a couple of months ago my company had a get together in the Moroccan themed Orion bar that we enjoyed very much. On that visit we spotted the Bombay Balti/Ruby Wu's that we subsequently visited.

My wife came back this week from visiting her family in Brazil so we decided to try somewhere new. Not wishing to stray too much from our home we went to the Ramada and went to Pier 12 that is a seafood restaurant on the ground floor.

The decor is light, airy and has a nautical flavour. The service was kind and attentive. The food however was fantastic. I had a prawn cocktail to start that was big prawns and very tasty. My main course was fish and chips that was of a fine standard too. The chips were made with sweet potato that was unusual. My wife ordered some hammour that was out of this world, she allowed me to pinch a piece! My dessert was fruit cocktail with lemon sorbet. A perfect fish meal.

I am not over keen on seafood, but I would thoroughly endorse this restaurant based on this trip.

The Ramada website should be visited for further details.

Al Ahli Hospital - Dr Alex the Ophthalmology Man (Eyes!!!)

Went to see Dr Alex Bialasiewicz for a routine eye test. He was very efficient and gave my eyes a thorough testing. His department is in the Al Ahli Hospital and the hospital is clean and has up to date equipment too.

I was told by Dr Alex that my eyes were sensitive to bright sunlight such as there is in Qatar in the summer. However the grade of sunglasses I needed were not available in Qatar and I had to get my prescription sunglasses from Vision 3K via the internet/phone in the UK.

Al Ahli Hospital website for Dr Alex is here

Contact details for the hospital are:

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

It is not too far from Defence Roundabout and easy to find.

English Radio Stations in Doha and thanks for the IPod

We have not found any listenable English language radio stations in Qatar. When we lived in Dubai there were a few (Virgin etc) but here there appears to be nothing suitable. Also, the CD player in my car will only take one CD at a time so I have simply overcome this by using my IPod.

You need to get a lead with a jack plug each end and put one end in your car radio console and the other end in your IPod and you can play your favourite tunes or Podcasts when driving around Doha.

Try to remember to take your IPod out of your car if you leave the car during the day. The crime risk is minimal but my Classic IPod becomes the hottest object on the planet after a day in the sun, plus it probably does it no good at all.

Film Nights in Doha

This is nothing formal, we were just invited to go to someone's house one evening for some buffet food and to watch two old Fred MacMurray films. Could not remember the actor but the films were very watchable and we had a great evening watching old comfort movies in company.

We returned the favour watching Yes Man and the Bucket List. We did the buffet/serve yourself food and we enjoyed being hosts too.

It just made a change, so how about organising an evening like this yourself sometime? Put on some comfort films and some comfort food. A nice change for an evening.

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club Meeting on Monday 23 May 2011

The next meeting of the Talking Matters Toastmasters Club is on Monday 23 May 2011 at 6.45pm at the Oryx Rotana Hotel. This is down near the Airport and just behind the Keo building at the Toyota crossroads.

Hear people giving interesting and funny speeches, listen to the evaluations of the speeches and enjoy the spontaneity of Table Topics. It is free to guests, and there are also refreshments at the break.

The Oryx Rotana is a new hotel with fantastic facilities. Come along and make some new friends and enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Just turn up at reception on the night and the staff will show you where the Club are meeting on the first floor.

Massimo Dutti Clothes Store in Villaggio and Landmark Malls

Massimo Dutti is a clothes store for men and women. I am not a keen clothes shopper and prefer just to get in and out as quickly as possible.

My wife however loves to clothes shop and I go with her. Practically all women's clothes shops do not have anywhere to sit, when will they ever learn?

However, Massimo Dutti is really thoughtful and not only does it provide seating but the seats are comfortable Chesterfield style sofas. I can sit and read my book while my wife can select, try on and seek my opinion all in one shop!!!

Best women's clothes shops in Doha for husband and wife shopping. Maybe one day all women's clothes shops will cotton on?

21 June 2011 Update: Have visited Massimo Dutti branches at both Landmark and Villaggio over the weekend and they have taken out the comfy sofas. There are only a couple of single chairs now that you have to fight for. I am hoping that this is only during the sales that are on at the moment. If it is permanent well I will not be a happy bunny.

Japanese Daiso Shop in the Hyatt Plaza Shopping Mall

This is in one end of the Hyatt Plaza Shopping Mall, at the Villaggio Mall end. You need to go into the furniture shop and up the escalators in the entrance there, then turn right at the top and Diaso is right in front of you.

The shop is just full of stuff! If you want a cheap mug for work, some stationery, a shower cap, etc etc, this is the place to go. It is fun to walk around and see all of the fascinating things they have on sale.

If you are in need of some sort of small object then it is worth popping in to see what they have. I got some good spectacle/glasses cases there.

You need to go and look to see if they have what you want :-)

Marriott Hotel Friday Brunch Doha

The Marriott Hotel down on the end of the Corniche does brunch in its aptly named Corniche Restaurant. We have been once and it was very busy. However it was a convivial atmosphere with plent to eat and drink.

The brunch extends down the corridor past numerous cooking stations (Indian, Japanese etc) outside other restaurants within the Marriott Hotel. The food is very nice and there is plenty of choice.

You can either have the alcohol or non alcoholic brunches, these are different prices.

Contact phone for the Marriott Corniche restaurant is 4429 8404. You will need to make a reservation and try to get there on time to get a good parking space and first in line for the food too!!!

Mariott Hotel Website

Chopstix Restaurant in the Holiday Villa Hotel

This restaurant is on the ground floor of the Holiday Villa Hotel, that is on the C Ring Road. It is a big building and pretty difficult to miss really. Parking at the hotel is easy and they have an underground car park so this is really useful during the summer months when you don't want to be out in the sunshine.

We have been to Chopstix restaurant for the Friday Brunch that was a mixture of Japanese and Chinese food. It was good value for money and the food was pretty good too. Open from 11.30am to 3pm on a Friday for this.

Contact details are:

P.O. Box 47601, Al-Muntazah, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4408 4888 Fax: +974 4408 4008
Email : info@holidayvilladoha.com

Pinkberry Yoghurt at the Landmark Mall

This is a shop just inside one of the entrances to the Landmark Mall that serves delicious frozen yoghurt. It is very popular with all and it has tables and chairs to sit and eat your yoghurt or you can take some away and wander around the Mall.

A nice place to get a cooling dessert even in the AC controlled world of Landmark Mall.

There are some details on the Pinkberry website

Ritz Carlton Hotel Bar 23

Bar 23 is situated, incredibly, on the 23rd floor of the Hotel. It has a stunning view and all snacks/food served there is 23 Riyals per go, so it can be very good value for money.

The atmosphere is relaxed and smart casual dress is required. The staff are efficient as is the service of food. You also get a big bowl of nuts, so maybe just have the drink.

The view from the bar, particularly at night, is spectacular. When all the construction work around is complete it will be stunning. At night you generally do not see the unfinished works going on.

A nice romantic place for a drink and you can also go on to La Mer restaurant that is adjacent.

Contact details for the Ritz Carlton are: 

P.O. Box 23400 Doha Qatar   

Phone:  +974 4484-8000  

Fax:  +974 4484-8484

The Ritz Carlton website is here

Kia Cars in Doha

Kia Cars has a showroom where we have been many times that is at:

Al Rayaan Road - next to LuLu and opposite Hamad Hospital

Tel : (+974) 4403 9451
Fax : (+974) 4403 9499

Business hours
Saturday - Thursday:
8.30am - 10pm

It is a pretty new big showroom near Sports Roundabout.

We got a Kia Sportage from there for 2,700 Riyals per month that is pretty good. The staff generally are friendly and helpful. There is a slection of cars across most tastes and budgets.

Worth checking in with Kia if you either want to buy or lease a new car.

Holiday Villa Hotel on the C Ring Road

The Holiday Villa Hotel is situated on the C Ring road and is a big building so easy to find. It is easy to park there and to go in and enjoy the hotel. There is a car park underground so in the summer this is most welcome not to have to go out in the heat.

We went to see a couple of football matches during the World Cup in 2010 and this was fun to do. The service during that busy time was good with nice food and drinks. This was in the Lobby Lounge.

We have also been to the Asian buffet there too on a Friday Brunch that was good value for money and worth a trip to too.

P.O. Box 47601, Al-Muntazah, Doha, Qatar

Tel: +974 4408 4888 Fax: +974 4408 4008
Email : info@holidayvilladoha.com

Talking Matters Toastmasters Meeting on Monday 9 May 2011

The next Talking Matters Toastmasters meeting is on Monday 09 May 2011 and will be at 6.45pm at the Oryx Rotana Hotel in a first floor meeting room.

The first part of the meeting is people giving prepared speeches at different levels. The topics are usually interesting and it is nice to see people triumph over their fears about public speaking.

There is a break then when refreshments are served. Following this the speeches are evaluated and pointers given to the speakers. People vote for the Speech of the Day and certificates are given for Best Speech and Best Evaluator.

Also in the second part of the meeting there is the Table Topics session when people get up and are given a subject to talk for one to two minutes about. This is always fun and gives people who have not given a prepared speech to get up and have a go! A certificate for Best Table Topics Speaker is also given.

As a guest, your attendance is free, you will soon become hooked!

Please come and join us next Monday!!!!

Garden Centres in Doha

There are a number of garden centres on the road near the Fish Market just off of Salwa Road. These appear to be independent places with a good selection of plants available, together with soil, fertilisers, pots etc. Not as great a selection as in the UK but well worth a look around.

In that area there are quite a number of garden centres and you can just park at the side of the road and wander in and make your selection. They will also deliver heavier items for a small fee.

Due to the climate here, we consistenly kill off our plants but enjoy the trip to the various garden centres and looking around. There is also sometimes the opportunity to haggle a bit too!

Worth a mooch around first to see what is available in all of the miscellaneous stores before buying.

Umm Ali - The best Middle Eastern Pudding

Not quite sure where this pudding comes from, no doubt every country in the Middle East will claim it as their own. The favourite country seems to be Egypt but no doubt there will be disagreement.

For a pudding lover like me from England, I love jam roly poly, spotted dick and custard, bread and butter pudding etc. Umm Ali is along those lines, a sweet, milky bread type pudding.

Make sure you leave some space for this when you go to a buffet, as invariably they are on the dessert menu.

A receipe is available here if you would like to make your own.



Dr Sven Hasse Dentist in Doha

Dr Sven deep cleaned my teeth and did a fine job as I was smiling for weeks afterwards. None of us like a trip to the dentist and deep teeth cleaning is not a pleasant experience either. However Sven made the visit as good as a trip to the dentist can get.

In the waiting room there is not only magazines to read but a laptop to access the internet too. His practice is not far from the Ramada Junction on the road to La Cigale side.

The service is efficient and there is a price list for all treatments so you know exactly what you are going to pay beforehand. Of course they accept all major credit cards and you also need to check any health insurance you may have to claim costs back.

Dr Sven Hasse is on 4441-1711

Asha's Restaurant in Villaggio

Asha's is a nice Indian restaurant in Villaggio in the food court near the Ice Rink. We always like to grab one of the booth seats. The food is always good (although I am pretty much stuck into chicken tikka massala at all Indian restaurants) and the service is friendly and efficient too.

When you have been traipsing around Villaggio and need a fill up then Asha's is the place to go. Not too spicy food for me and it always hits the spot.

Have a look at their dinky website on line before you go too:

Asha Website 

Krispy Kreme Donuts

Krispy Kreme have eight branches in Qatar and sell donuts, coffee and you can also get these delivered too. Ideal for a quick snack on the go or a delivery to your office. Only don't go too often!!!

Branches at:

1. VILLAGGIO MALL
2. AL WAAB PETROL STATION
3. B-RING ROAD, (TEYSEER BUILDING)
4. ABU HAMMOUR PETROL STATION
5. AL KHOR
6. LANDMARK
7. ALMANA TOWER (C-RING ROAD NEAR SUHAIM BIN HAMAD ST)
8. CITY CENTER

Reviews at Qatar Living

Subway sandwiches

This is the American chain of sandwich shops, that I am sure you know. They have a few branches around Doha and they do a good selection of fresh fillings for you to enjoy. They also deliver.

They have branches in Qatar please follow this link.

A great place to get a quick bite to eat and a drink, and relatively healthy too.



Tokyo Freight Services

We had a container of our furniture and belongings shipped from Dubai to Doha. We found that Tokyo Frieght Services were very good, they just handled the delivery of our goods from Doha port.

They kept us informed, dealt with all the customs procedures and delivered on the day that they said they would. We moved in on a Friday (a day off in the Middle East) and the guys delivering our goods also re-assembled furniture and unpacked as necessary.

I could recommend them on the basis of this one delivery where they went out of their way to help us.

Telephone number is 4406 5888 and emails are: info@tokyofreight.com
operations@tokyofreight.com