Update: Watch this in better quality, and with clearer subtitles in Doha Movie: the Remake
In our latest movie we take a drive along Doha's Corniche, taking in some of the sights to the sound of the haunting Doudouk, an Arabian wind instrument.
The Independent today has published an article today questioning whether Qatar is becoming the new Venice. The article is not referring to the new developments taking place in West Bay - which the Pearl will be disappointed about - or even the canal and gondolas in Villagio shopping mall. Instead it is comparing Qatar's growing economic muscle with the former trading ability of Venice, which despite its small size was able to dominate shipping; at the zenith of its power the city state had 36,000 sailors operating 3000 trading ships.
In our latest book review on the website we look at the Emergence of Qatar: the Turbulent Years. The book covers the history of Qatar from the bombardment of Qatar by the Portuguese at the start of the seventeenth century till the signing of a treaty of protection between the Al Thani family and the British in 1916. The history of this period is covered in detail, and this is probably the only detailed general history book published about Qatar's history for many years.
Read the full review.
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An exciting archaeological find has been made by Danish Archaeologists in Qatar, according to UPI.com. A Danish team excavating in Qatar has found a prehistoric settlement which may be more than 700,000 years old. A total of eight dwellings by an early species of human has been found in the desert of Qatar. The discovery could be used to sound out theories of early emigration patterns from Africa, as the archaeologists believe the humans may have left Africa via what is now the Red Sea. Keep your eyes peeled on the Gulf Times for further details!
Also see: Qatar Archeology
According to the Gulf News the recent high status terrorist alert in Dubai was based on a conversation between two drunken men at a bar in the Hilton, according to "Diplomatic sources".
One of two drunk Arab man was reported to have said, jokingly:
"If someone wants to scare all these people and make them run away, just say there is a bomb. A belt bomb will kill hundreds of them."
The weather in Qatar has been murky and dusty for more than a week now, with mild dust storms kicking up whenever the wind gets going. While there has been an improvement in the weather this weekend, things are forecast to get worse again from tomorrow, and the local met estimates that conditions are the dustiest they have been for six years.
These dust storms are a mixture of dust and sand. Within Doha itself, though, there is an increased quantity of dust and other materials, partly caused by the huge quantity of building and demolition (of older buildings) going on. These dust storms can cause allergies and illnesses, and local hospitals have reported a surge in cases of respiratory infections. Doctors are also advising asthma sufferers to purchase air purifiers or dehumidifiers to clean the air in the houses.
The immediate cause of the dust storms is the movement of wind over loose particles of dust on the ground. This causes the dust to first vibrate and then to leap into the air. As they return to the ground, they strike and loosen smaller pieces of dust which are then borne by the wind. In Qatar this wind is often caused by differences between land and sea temperature.
Dust storms can be huge things. They can spread over hundreds of miles, rise over 300 metres in height and are visible from space.
The Gulf Times reported today that the British Embassy has warned of a serious threat of an attack in The UAE.
"There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indescriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places."
Source: Travel Advice: UAE
After reading the story I spoke to the British Embassy earlier, and they said that the warning applied specifically to the UAE and not to Qatar. The status in Qatar remains the same, which is of a general warning:
"There remains a general threat from terrorism in Qatar. Attacks could be indiscriminate, and against Western, including British, interests as well as against civilian targets, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers."
Source: Travel advice: Qatar
Our latest addition to our website is an interactive map of Qatar. Click on the map to the left to get to the full size Qatar map, and follow the instructions to activate the controls. When you have activated the controls, you can zoom in or out or pan around Qatar to get more of an idea of the country.
We attended the Qatar- Australia match in Doha this evening, along with a few thousand enthusiastic Qataris. As usual, the Qtaari supporters showed their enthusiasm with chanting, drumming and throwing thousands of small pieces of white paper in the air.
The first half of the match proved quite exciting, and the Qatari team managed to create quite a few chances. However, excellent goal keeping by the Aussies managed to keep them at bay.
Australia scored once in the first half, and then twice in rapid succession in the second half - one was disallowed. After this, the game seemed to change totally. Many supporters gave up hope and started to leave early to avoid the traffic, especially after the Australia's third (allowed) goal.
Unfortunately, we followed their example and left a few minutes before the end of the game - missing Qatar's only goal of the match!
Also see Qatar Football
Whenever I enter Thai Snack and breathe in I feel like I have been transported back to Thailand. The aromas are exactly the same as they are in Thailand. That's not surprising, as all the staff in this busy little restaurant are Thai too. Even the neon sign looks like it could come from a Thai high street, while the trees overhead remind you of the Asian jungle.
Here you can enjoy a meal outside in the slightly run-down garden by the water fountain (at least in the cooler months), eat in the restaurant or order a take away. Although the restaurant is always busy, the restaurant and its Thai staff incredibly efficient and normally your order is ready within minutes. And the food is probably the best Thai food you are likely to get in Qatar, from the spicy tang of Tom Yam seafood to the sweet but delicious Pat Thai, which you can liberally sprinkle with crushed peanuts for that authentic Thai taste.
The restaurant is located at the bottom of Al Nasser Street, close to the Ramada signals. As you head up Al Nasser street away from Suhaim Bin Hamad street keep an eye out for Thai Massage signs on your left, as the restaurant is located within the the Thai Massage complex.
Also see:
Qatar Restaurants
Qatar Food
This is an exciting time for Qatar Football. Not only have Qatar just beaten China 1-0 with a penalty at half time during their away game, the country is also now joint first with Australia after Australia's shock defeat at the hand's of Qatar. The upcoming Saturday game against Australia will prove interesting, although the heat is likely to preclude dramatic play from either of the two sides. Check out the discussion on the I love Qatar forum.
More could be coming, according to an article in the Guardian entitled Qatar plans Shock Bid for 2018 Tournament, which suggest that Qatar is likely to apply for the Games. However, Qatar is likely to be cautious this time around after being rejected from the Olympic Games bid despite tying joint third with Chicago on technical points. (Rio de Janeiro, which was behind on points, was accepted in this preliminary round.)
The move could see them in direct opposition with the UAE, which has also been discussing bidding for the 2018 world cup.
Following in the footsteps of the Intercontinental, The Marriot Hotel have sent us their flier for the Euro 2008. Starting, well, from yesterday (we only received it today - honest!) you can watch the Euro 2008 live at the hotel until the 29th of this month. at the Pearl Lounge, Salsa, Cafe Trettoir and Shisha Terrace. You can also find information about the Euro 2008 and its schedule on our partner website Soccerphile.
Also see: Qatar Football
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I was a little surprised that Qatar fell out of the Olympics at the first hurdle. I didn't expect them to get the 2016 Olympics on their first attempt, but I did think they'd get further than they have.
Then today the Gulf Times had a front page article on the bid, entitled "IOC bends own rules to kill Doha bid."
The article pointed out that on technical points Doha finished ahead of Rio, yet the IOC chose to bump Doha out rather than Rio. Perhaps more interestingly, though, is that the IOC seems to have ruled Doha based on the choice of dates.
Apparently, the IOC prefers the games to be held between July 15th and August 31st to maximize television revenues. However, as the Gulf Times pointed out, this would rule the whole of this region out forever.
Certainly choosing a country based on the amount of TV revenue is a long way from the Olympic ideals which the games are supposed to be based on, although a lot closer to everyday reality!
However, Australia were allowed to hold the Games in the second half of September. Perhaps the real reason that Qatar has been kicked out early has more to do with local politics.
The Olympics would involve sending a team of athletes from a nearby country, a country regarded by locals (who include a number of Palestinians) as occupied Palestine. While Doha has been perhaps unique in the region in their readiness to engage with Israel - Israeli citizens can visit Qatar, study, take part in sports, trade and have taken part in the Interfaith dialogues that are held here - the issue may still have weighed heavily in the IOC's rejection of Qatar.
Indorachel has posted about upcoming event War of the DJ's. The event will be taking place on the 20th June 2008 from 8pm, with tickets available from today from Virgin in Villagio, Bombay Chowpatty on Airport Road, Music Land in Family Food Center on the same road, Tandoor Express in City Center, Maharaja Restaurant in Al Smakh and Gulf Cinema in C Ring Road.
There have been several reports of the Qatar-China match but what most seemed to have missed was just how hot it was. Even the spectators were soaked through with sweat, so it must have been awful for the players, even though they were gulping down fluids at every opportunity. Obviously the Chinese players' special water cooled vests had less effect than they had anticipated, as they seemed the more lackluster of the two teams. There is little chance of playing good football in this weather - and when Qatar play Australia it will be even hotter...
Also see: Qatar Soccer
This tiny beach can be found on Doha's Corniche, by the former jetty and close to the Sheraton Hotel. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed on the Corniche, but children always seems to enjoy a paddle and a pad in the sand.
Also see:
Beaches in Doha (on the forum)
Qatar Beaches: Al Khor
At the beach: Qatar Style
Qatar meets China tonight at the Al Sadd stadium in the Group one qualifying stage of the world cup at 7 pm tonight. Qataris I have spoken too are quietly confident that the heat, which reached 44 degrees in the day yesterday and is still cloying at night, will prove too much for the China players. China thinks differently, as they have been training in heat, and their players will be equipped with special water cooled vests. China state they are more worried about Qatar's naturalised players, especially Sebastian Quintana, who originates from Uruguay.
Qatar and Qataris are very keen on football, and is currently nurturing talent at its world class sporting academy, Aspire. Friends working there have told me that the centre only employs staff who are at the very top of their profession, and its scouts travel widely to choose the best promising talent from thousands of applicants in Africa and, more recently, Vietnam.
I expected my Qatari friend, who is a keen football supporter, to be at the match tonight. Unfortunately, he plans to watch the match from home, citing the heat, the traffic and the capacity of the stadium as his excuses.
If you don't want to watch the match but do want to know who wins, you don't need to check the internet or the newspaper. Just wait, and if Qatar wins you will soon hear a cacophony of honking horns as thousands of Qatar fans make they way round the city.
Also see:
Qatar Football
World 2010 Qualifying Asia: Group 1
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