PEARL - NOW OPEN FOR COFFEE !

I visited Qatar last exactly one year ago, and saw the early stages of the ambitious Pearl development. WOW - what progress this year!

I have just come back from my second visit, and found the area amazing. The approach passes two mirror glazed contorted towers, seemingly one-dimensional on first glance, then taking a more solid shape as you drive by.

Then over the causeway edging the blue Doha waters, past a curved crescent of "posh" shops, such as Armani, Hermes, Cavalli and more and under an elegant and imposing marble floored arch, passing the main foyer/entrance on your right.

In here are yet more shops - one with the Rolls Royce logo! - and an elegant atrium with cooling water features, leading through to the one promenade which is now open.

Safely fenced, this is ideal for the many children playing there, whilst elegant parents watched proudly.

The sapphire-blue waters are already housing the first of no doubt many stylish yachts and catamarans.

Sitting in the sun here, with the misty towers of Doha in the distance and drinking coffee at one of the coffee shops now open was a great experience and I really look forward to the next visit, when no doubt the first of the many different types of appartment blocks and houses will be inhabited.

By Jean

Also see:

The Pearl Qatar by Shabina Khatri and Qatar Property by David Chaddock

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New: Qatar Photo Comp

Enter our latest competition. In addition to winning great prizes, you could see your photographs published in a National Newspaper. Check out www.QatarComp.com for more information.

The Pearl Qatar: Movie

I spotted this movie on Qatar Living, so apologies if you have already seen it.

If you are interested in the Pearl Qatar be sure to check out our full length article on the subject here: The Pearl Qatar.

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Qatar Intersection

Great little movie here by MidWestintheMidEast

While we are on the subject of Qatar intersections, here is another one we took a couple of years ago after a road had been suddenly blocked off without prior warning:

At least it was light for these guys - I had nearly crashed into it when returning home late at night!

If you are planning to drive in Qatar, be sure to check out our driving podcast - even if the advice didn't work out very well for us:

Qatar Visitor's 90 Second Guide to Driving in Qatar

Last Chance to Enter!

We'll be wrapping up our January competition tomorrow, so if you are still interested in entering now is the time to do so. The prize is a Japanese tea set provided by our sponsor Goods from Japan, and all you have to do to enter is sign up for our newsletter and answer the three simple questions contained within.

Newsletter

If you wondering what our newsletter looks like you can see an example here: Qatar Newsletter. If you are not interested in a tea set, we'll be announcing a new competition in our next newsletter with three great prizes to be won.

Qatar Business Directory

Our sponsors Qatcom.com have now released a movie to explain exactly what they do. For more information see the Qatar Business Directory post on the Qatcom blog.

20 Days to Find a New Shop and Home

In what must be devastating news for shopkeepers and residents in the Mushereib area eviction notices have been posted up on their doors and windows giving them just 20 days to clear out. 

Following that period water and services will be turned out. 

Adding to the problem of moving residents will be unlikely to find either accommodation or premises that matches what they currently have. 

Prices have been set since 2000 - and since then the price of both renting and buying property has gone sky high. 

Read the full article in the Gulf Times

Find information about buying and renting property in Qatar

Standard of Living in Qatar

The standard of living in Qatar is improving - but what about the cost of living?

According to the latest Human Development Report, reported today in the Gulf Times, the standard of living in Qatar improved slightly between 2005 and 2006. 

Acording to the report, although Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world it only ranks 34th in the standard of living index. The result may be surprisingly low given its wealth and huge natural resources, and below the rank given to its neighbours, the UAE and Bahrain, but is still one better than last year. 

The study looks beyond factors such as GDP  to include factors such as life expectancy, literacy and education to provide a more complete picture of country's development. 

If GDP alone were included Qatar would rank far higher - the GDP per person was nearly $73,000 compared to just 27,664 the year before. 

It is likely that GDP has also increased substantially since 2006 - but then so has the time spent waiting in traffic. It is perhaps ironic that as the spending power of some of Qatari's residents has increased (labourers continue to earn a fraction of what they would in the West) the time they have to enjoy that wealth has decreased. 

Also unmentioned in the Gulf Times report was the several years of high inflation suffered by Qatar. In addition, with the global economy suffering, wages seem to have been put on freeze, so even with the reduced rate of inflation now predicted (estimated to be around 10%) many people in Qatar are likely to see a decrease in real wages over the next year. 

Movie: Human Development Report: 2007

Qatar Natural History Group Celebratory Dinner

The Qatar Natural History Group will be marking its 30th anniversary this year, and in celebration will be having a fabulous buffet dinner at the Diplomatic Club on Friday 6th March. The event will also be open for non-members. For more information click on the image below to download their flyer (PDF).

Burning Oil in the Desert.

By John

On the weekend of 24th to 26th April 2009, there will be the smell of burning oil and hot rubber, twinned with the scream of engines at 19000 rpm as 20 or so Formula One cars hurtle round the Sakhir Racetrack in Bahrain. This is the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.

Modern Racetrack.

Sakhir is one of the new breed of racetracks designed by Herman Tilke to allow overtaking in the contemporary racing scene, which is dominated by aerodynamics and downforce.

Image by Sabbah

New Rules

Attempts are being made to enhance overtaking possibilities with new rules this year making the rear wing narrower and higher than before. Hopefully, this will make racing more exciting, although Schumacher, Alonso and Hamilton have shown that overtaking is possible on virtually any track if the driver has what it takes.

Team Form in 2009.

With these new rules, it is harder than ever to predict which teams will have the edge this year. In addition to the rear wing, other changes include a larger front wing with variable geometry, slick tyres instead of grooved and a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) as at least a token acknowledgement to the existence of global warming and the contribution that cars make to it. (Please note, drivers of gas guzzling 4-wheel drive vehicles!)

New Cars.

In the last week both McLaren and Ferrari have launched their new cars.

This year testing halts once the racing begins, so the teams will be working flat out in the next few weeks to test their new developments. It also means that the drivers will be less familiar with the cars at the start of the season.

Upset in Bahrain.

By the time the circus reaches Sakhir circuit, we should have some idea of this year's form, although last year Ferrari's performance had been unpromising until Bahrain. In fact, Bahrain completely upset the order that had been established in the first races, with Hamilton having a disastrous race and Massa showing winning form for the first time that season.

Other News

Toyota have also launched their 2009 car. The former Honda team are in talks with Mercedes and McLaren over the supply of engines. Pedro de la Rosa started testing the new McLaren car in Portugal yesterday.

An Exciting Year in Prospect.

With new cars, new rules, a possible "new" team (formerly Honda) and a new race on the calender in the Middle East, this looks like being an exciting year. Will Hamilton retain the Championship or will Massa prove the winner? Will Renault continue the resurgance it showed in the second half of last season to bring Alonso into contention? Will Vettel be able to show his form of last year after his change from Toro Rosso to Red Bull?

Will BMW become a dominant team in 2009?

Questions answered in Bahrain

These questions will be at least partly answered in Bahrain and by the end of that race we should have some idea of the teams' pecking order in 2009.

Bahrain Grandprix Highlights

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Toothache

A friend the other day was asking me about dentists in Qatar, and I pointed her to our webpage on dentists. Of course, as she pointed out, there is no indication of how good these dentists are. And while the dentist was quite cheap compared to some of the other dentists around, she still had a pain in her jaw several days after going to the dentists.

As a result we have extended our rating system to our dentist's page. If you have had a good or bad experience with one of these dentists, we would be very grateful if you could let other users know by rating them. (If you really feel strongly you may also wish to submit a review.)

Note - we have also added the rating system to our restaurants review page.

Image by Many Cats 4 Me

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Horse Race

The next exciting horse race meeting in Qatar will be on 29th January at Doha Racetrack - with the main race being the Championship Class 2000m for 4-years and over horses - serious prize money of 500,000.00.

Entrance and a program is free. In addition to the racing, children can usually enjoy a bouncy castle and pony rides. Although no gambling is allowed, there are plenty of prizes to be won, and you can enjoy the spectacle from the club's restaurant, set high above the race track. The next race is the 25th February. Go and have a look at these wonderful Arab horses and have a great day out.

By Jean

Also see: The Arab Horse: The Beginning

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