DESS Car Boot Sales

We met with some people at the Exhibition Centre at a book fair and they recommended to get cheaper English Language books (I love murder/mystery/thrillers) then you would do no better than to try DESS car boot sales that are held periodically.

DESS stands for the Doha English Speaking School and you need to check on their website for up and coming sales, not just for books but other odds and ends that you may be seeking.

DESS Website

Desert Safari

When in Qatar you need to do the desert safari and you need to do this while the weather is OK and not in the heat of summer (when they probably don't run either).

We went with Qatar International Tours and the driver picked us up on time from our compound in his 4x4 and took us out to the Inland Sea. They let the tyre pressure down and then head out like maniacs across the dunes taking all sorts of risks. It is not for the feint hearted and you maybe need to take an extra pair of underpants :-)

On the way to the safari we stopped somewhere to have our pictures taken with camels and falcons (for a price) and then after having been frightened witless we went to a compound on the Inland Sea where we were able to chill out with some soft drinks. The guys then did a barbecue for us that was OK too.

The day out that you must do.

To contact Qatar International Tours ring 4455 1141 or 4452 2242 or visit their website

Katara Cultural Village

This is situated between the Exhibition Centre and the entrance to the Pearl islands. It is an area set off for exhibitions, shows as well as having some restaurants as well. It was "soft opened" in 2010 and at the time of writing (end of 2011) it appears to now be going full tilt.

This year (2011) it held the Tribeca Film Festival and we have visited there a couple of times. It seems quite big on exhibitions of photographs and you need to keep an eye out in the local press for these. Also in the centre there is a big ampitheatre that will probably have outdoor shows and events.

Here are some details about Katara:

Official Website

A movie on You Tube

Talking Matters Toastmasters Meeting on 09 January 2012

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

Date: Monday 09 January 2012

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!!!

Comfort Movies in Qatar

You would be well advised to think about having a stock of your favourite comfort movies in Qatar while you are here. The films on TV (that you usually have to pay extra for) are not great and the turnover is pretty slow. Also the selection of old films is pretty meagre. Even the cinemas not all the films I would like to see come to Doha and what does is often heavily censored (even Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson was censored at one point)

I am currently investigating getting a multi media box to download films what I want but have not got too far with my research.

You can get some DVD's at Virgin in Villaggio etc or the DVD shop in the Hyatt Mall but the selection is fairly limited. You can also try and import them from the UK/US via Aramex etc or via relatives. However for those more difficult to find movies that you find such a comfort, and if you are stil using DVD's then best to stock up when you go back to your home country.

Mums in Doha Group

Whether you are a Mum to an ankle biter or a Harry Enfield "Kevin" then this is probably the group for you. This is the welcoming message to the Group:

This group is not only for Mums, it is open to all ladies. Any nationalities, age and race. Married or single, kids or no kids.

I will organize monthly meets (coffee mornings) with hope the newbies can get connected with the old timers in Doha and make new friends.

When you attend my coffee mornings - breakfast meets, do feel free to exchange contacts details with other ladies :)

Welcome to everybody!!! I hope you all have a wonderful time and feel free to contact me if there is anything I can help you with or to post a sensitive topic on our Mums Forum.

Alumnar :)

Sounds delightful, get down to the group right now.

Qatar Living Mums in Doha Group

Brigadeiro sweets

Happy New Year 2012 !!!!

Brigadeiro sweets are from my wife's homeland Brazil and she makes these for us on special occasions or when I can persuade her on not so special occasions.

They are pure chocolate soft sweets covered in chocolate hundreds and thousands. They are easy to make (so I am told!!!) and absolutely the king of sweets.

Here are a couple of receipe pages for you:

Maria Brazil

All Recipes