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| Doha Bay skyline from the Corniche |
Yet, I still had not visited the more modern part of the city, which is still going under tremendous construction work, either to expand or to get ready to the upcoming FIFA 2021 World Cup.
The purpose of my visit, this time, was to visit the new section of twn as well as provide a convenient stopover enroute to Northern Africa and southern Europe.
1. ARABIAN HOSPITALITY at a fabulous boutique hotel in the old section of town.
Qatar Airways offer free visa and free hospitality for a short break in Qatar. This time, I took advantage of this offer in order to further explore the booming city of Doha.
I chose to stay in a fabulous 5-star boutique hotel at Souq Wakif, a great place to enjoy the local feel as well as a bit of night life and an array of fine restaurants.
Qatar Airways offer free visa and free hospitality for a short break in Qatar. This time, I took advantage of this offer in order to further explore the booming city of Doha.
I chose to stay in a fabulous 5-star boutique hotel at Souq Wakif, a great place to enjoy the local feel as well as a bit of night life and an array of fine restaurants.
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| Hotel front |
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| My room |
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| Indoor patio |
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| Arabian mood |
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| One of the side lounges |
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| Hall mirror |
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| Ceiling light |
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| Stylish niche |
2. SOUQ WAKIF.
Souq Wakif stands in the heart of the old city. Although it has been adapted to modern living, it has kept its original Arabian atmosphere.
The Qatari doors can be really picturesque:
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| Sidewalk café |
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| The Qatari mounted police |
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| Original architecture in the pedestrian alley |
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| One of the streets |
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| Solid wood and traditional lock |
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| Door-knockers and an intricate frame |
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| A very colorful entrance |
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| A more humble door |
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| An interesting door-knocker |
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| Another unusual door |
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| A simple but handsome design |
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| A grand design for 1001-Nights |
3. The CORNICHE.
The city of Doha is built around a large bay. On one side, there is the traditional dhow harbor above which the Museum of Islamic Art is standing. And at the other end, there is the new business skyline having some amazing structures that turn it into a real showcase of of modern architecture.
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| The old traditional dhow harbor at night. |
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| A contrastive view over Doha Bay |
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| Detail of an old traditional dhow |
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| The Pearl sculpture |
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| Bayview from the Corniche |
4. The MODERN PART of DOHA.
The City of Doha now has 1,3M inhabitants and it is increasing in size, as it has become a major landmark in the Arabian Peninsula.
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| Sculpture made of Arabic glyphs |
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| The Oryx, emblem of Qatar |
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| At the Marina |
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| Marina Fountain |
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| Modern blending architecture |
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| Giant statue of a horse at a resort |
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| A large modern Marina |
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| In the business district of Doha |
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| A side view of the mosque |
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| The minaret |
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| Th two pigeon nests |
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| View of the pigeon holes |
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| Architectural lines. |
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| Live animation in the street |
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| Art center |
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| Building in the shape of a ziggourat |
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| Street cafés at night |
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| Modern yard |
7. Just for th BIRDS!
Two interesting sites of Doha are the bird section. First, there is an old traditional bird market. Then, there is an amazing section entirely dedicated to the hawks, an old local tradition. The birds of prey have even thir own hospital!
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| At Souq Wakif bird market |
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| A man holding his hunting hawk. |
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| A hawk shop |
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| A hawk wearing a head protection |
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| One of the hawks |
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| The royal horses |
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| Doha Bay at night - The End - |
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