Qatar

My Qatar travel summary:

Visited: December 2016

Duration of visit: 3 days

Capital city: Doha

Population: 2.8 million (2016); 313,000 Qatari, 2.5 million foreign workers

Botswana travel blog reading time: 6 minutes

• Exploring Doha on scooters with my partner and two small kids.
• Amazing transformation of a desert town to one of the most prosperous cities in the World.
• City in construction preparing for the World Cup: stadiums, metro, other infrastructure.
• Fog in the early morning and late afternoon, with very limited visibility, while sunny and hot during the day.
• No rush, calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Our Qatar travel experience began as a family stopover during a winter trip to the UAE and Oman in December 2016 and January 2017. It was a pleasant stopover destination during the cold European winter. My kids were still small at that time (5 and 7 years), so we decided to take manual scooters with us. It was a pleasant stopover destination during the cold European winter.

My kids were still small at that time (5 and 7 years). Therefore, we decided to take manual scooters with us. It was easier for kids to overcome long distances and fun at the same time.

Doha turned out to be surprisingly scooter-friendly, making Qatar travel with kids both easy and enjoyable. The pavements were new, promenades clean, and there was little traffic or foot traffic.

Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world. We parked our scooters anywhere without worrying about theft or damage.

Arriving at dusk, we settled down in a residential area in the norther side of Doha. It was warm and quiet, but I was really surprised with the fog that was reducing visibility to only a few meters. I went for a walk around the neighborhood and I could hardly see to the other side of the street.

When the sun broke through the fog, I noticed that most infrastructure was new or under construction. Wide roads, parks with efficient irrigation system, tall buildings, and empty streets filled the city. I liked having so much space, with no pedestrians or cyclists around.

Our host was an expat couple that emigrated to Qatar from Malaysia and Egypt.

In Doha, they can save more money, enjoy better living conditions, and improve their career chances. Hadi and Mohamed played with our kids and gave us many helpful tips about exciting things to do.

They also introduced us to delicious, authentic Palestinian knafeh. Knafeh is a traditional Arab dessert made of spun pastry, sweet syrup, stretchy cheese, and pistachios.

Moments like these reminded me that Qatar travel is not just about landmarks, but also about people and everyday encounters.

We began our travel with a short taxi ride and then rode scooters to the Corniche. Drivers were cautious, asphalt on the sidewalks smooth, distance manageable, view of skyscrapers adorable. Doha Corniche was built to link West Bay with the southern part of the city and Doha International Airport.

The first stop of our Qatar travel adventure was the Museum of Islamic Art. We admired the striking exterior of one of Qatar’s most respected landmarks. The museum elegantly rises on the seashore, not far from the pier, where traditional dhow boats were docked.

As we approached the old town, Souq Waqif was the first place to visit. This marketplace, where traditional garments, spices, handicrafts and souvenirs are sold, is very nice organized. Stands look luxurious; no haggling, screaming or loud negotiations are heard.

From my travel experience, I was used to very different Middle Eastern souks. The markets were crowded, with vendors loudly offering goods, inviting visitors for tea, and pushing to buy.

Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. This activity began over 5,000 years ago and it was introduced to Qatar through Bedouin tribes who used the birds as a tool for hunting.

Although, over the centuries, falconry has virtually disappeared from the European continent, the sport lives on in the Middle East. It is estimated that 2,000 falcons are still employed on the Arabian Peninsula each year.

The best way to explore this mysterious sport is by visiting the Falcon Souq in Doha. Situated beside Souq Waqif, the market attracts buyers with falcons, hunting equipment, accessories, and competition gear.

I entered one of the shops to observe the elegant birds sitting on perches, covered with leather helmets that restrict the animal view. Not much action was happening because the birds were quiet and covered. Still, I sensed strong respect and a lot of money in this activity.

If evaluated by GDP per capita at approximately 135.000US$ per capita, Qatar is the wealthiest country in the World.

Oil and natural gas bring in huge wealth, making up about 60% of GDP. As a result, leaders focus on excellence in all major decisions.

Having one of the best airports in the World, Qatar Airways was named the best airline in the world in 2019. The country has been hosting Formula One Grand Prix races and it was preparing to organize football World Cup 2022, the biggest event worldwide. Besides that, Qatar is the safest or one of the safest countries in the world.

It would be hard to say that Qataris are hard workers, consistent or dedicated. There is no need to be, if money can acquire cheap work force, mostly from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of workers have emigrated for low-paid jobs. Many live in poor conditions, work long hours in unsafe conditions without rest.

Apparently, it is still better than life at home, and they can save a few hundred dollars each month. However, I think it is unethical to exploit ordinary people like this; it feels like modern slavery.

Qatar has one of the highest male-to-female ratios in the world. This is mainly because most foreign workers are men working in construction, maintenance, and engineering.

There are more than two million expats in the country while Qatari citizens only slightly exceed 314,000 people. Only 12% of the nation’s population consists of Qatari citizens, living in a separate cultural realm.

Qatari women are mostly at home, occasionally cooking or caring for children, but mostly mingling among themselves. In a traditional Muslim society, the superiority of men is clearly observable in various public settings, where they frequently gather, drink tea, or engage in commercial activities.

Doha in 2016 was probably the fastest developing city in the world, with construction visible everywhere and new projects rising daily. Good planning, huge financial resources, and clear goals have driven rapid change. They transformed Doha into a major hub for sporting events in the region and wider.

So far, Qatar is a pleasant stopover for a few days, but it will soon upgrade to a final destination. Visitors will attend events, live, work or simply enjoy good weather during European winter, while having fun at the modern facilities.

When I return to Qatar in a decade, I expect the city to look completely different. Ongoing projects suggest many new attractions that will keep visitors busy for days.