Vodafone: The first 1000

I have just signed up to be one of the first thousand customers on Vodafone's first 1000 offer. 

I normally let the others make the first leap and then evaluate their experiences (I let friends try out Qtel's Mozaic Offer before joining them). However, in what seems a particularly good deal Vodafone are offering QAR 700 riyals worth of calls (at least that's how I interpret it - they 700 riyals worth of value) for just QAR70. 

It will also be a good chance to assess them - will they come up with any sneaky ways to limit the use of that (use within a month e.t.c.) or will they be as straight as everyone is hoping?

Certainly with the disenchantment many customers have with Qtel, Vodafone has a golden opportunity to win loyal customers, even despite the disadvantage of coming against a well established competitor. 

Let's hope they make the most of that opportunity!

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Falling Rents

All the stories in the papers today have been about falling rents in Qatar. There have been several reports predicting falls, with predictions ranging from a 10 to 25% decrease in rents.

For everyone apart from landlords this will be a huge relief. Rent price increases had increased by over 100% between 2005 and 2007, and landlords generally found ways to get round limits on rent increases imposed by the government.

While owners could protest against rent increases, or even take landlords to court, there was nothing to stop landlords evicting the tenants a few months later because the property needed renovation.

Indeed, when one friend was asked to move out of her house so that it could be 'renovated', she realised that the issue was the rent - which, to be fair, was by then very low compared with surrounding properties.

Reluctant to leave a house which had been her home for two decades, she approached the landlord directly and offered to pay increased rent - an offer which was accepted.

Her house wasn't among the most expensive. At one point prices seemed to increase every month - and some large villas are still going for well above the QAR20,000 mark.

It's not unusual to hear expats who have been here a few years to moan that they could easily have bought a house for the rent they have paid over three or four years.

These high prices triggered speculation in real estate - and a bubble. However, that bubble has well and truly popped now, with land prices in some areas falling over 30% in one month alone last year.

What's more, further downward pressure on prices is likely to be maintained with 9000 apartments due to come on line by 2009.

Also see:

Huge Falls in Rent Predicted | Qatar Property Articles

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property rent

Qatar's Mangrove Swamps Under Attacks

We are a big fan of Qatar's mangrove swamps, covering them in our website, and we must be one of the few residents who have actually been snorkelling in them.

The greenery they provide is a great contrast to the scrub of the surrounding desert, and they are of immense benefit both to the environment and to fish stocks.

Yet it seems the swamps, supposedly under official protection, are under continuing attack.

We were upset when the beautiful swamp at Al Wakra was destroyed - a few managed to avoid the destruction but were then lost when the beach was dug up.

Now, according to an article by Fran Gillespie in the Gulf Times, the swamps at Al Dhakira are also being dug up.

The swamps, which were planted by the Qatari government in the 1990's in an admirable attempt to protect against coastal erosion and protect the environment, are in fact protected.

A Goverment resolution forbids the “cutting, or destroying, or transporting plants” and “rooting out or cutting of wildlife organisms or parts of it, or the collection of their seeds unless there are scientific purposes behind it”.

So it's quite suprising that the reason given to an environmental scientist by the engineer on location was simply:

“Local people did not like the smell”.

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mangrove swamps

Wealthy Fish

In Oil and Gas rich Qatar even the fish are wealthy - in fact they even have their own wealth department, which is probably why this Lobster is so happy!

Original Lobster image by Sr Curran.

Qatar Visitor Friends

Spanish Food comes to Qatar

Image by Sifu Renka

Food enthusiasts will be delighted with the latest addition of food to Doha's culinary selection: a Tapas bar.

Named Picasso's, the bar has opened in the Eastern wing of the Ramada hotel and will be open from 6 Pm on a daily basis.

While we have not yet checked out the restaurant personally, you can rest assured that as soon as we have done we will add it to our restaurant reviews!

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Qatar Courtesy

by Jean

I am just home from my second visit to Qatar -where I had a really wonderful time. I saw so many things, from camels to cakes, to the Inland Sea and stunning flights of thousands of cormorants - and in the process got very close to some sand dunes.

The one constant thing that I noticed, from the start of my flight out with Qatar Airways to my boarding my return flight some 9 days later, was the unfailing courtesy extended to me as a woman.

Shopkeepers in the souks, in Villagio, Carrefour, and the wholesale vegetable and fish markets (another amazing treat) were unfailingly polite and helpful. At one shop the cosmetic counter girl did not have the product I wanted, and went then to all the others to try and find it!

I am slightly disabled, and the airline staff seated me in an aisle seat, near the toilets, and
enquired if all was well on more than one occasion. They also ensured that as there was space on the plane I had maximum space I will definitely travel with them rather than Emirates on my already much anticipated next trip.

They were also exceedingly patient with a gentleman who wanted three seats together (one of them mine!) which apparently he felt he deserved because he had checked in first, having been at the airport 4 hours earlier..... I am sure I could not have been as polite and smiling with such an awkward customer - perhaps this is the Qatari way?

Qatar Visitor Friends

Images of Qatar: Qatar Photo Comp Update

After the first week of our competition we have already had some excellent images submitted. Choosing the best will be a difficult job, and I am very glad that I am not the judge!

We have published a small selection of the images here. Remember that there is still plenty of time to enter the competition, and a great selection of prizes to be won - ranging from a free HDR download to a Japanese Kagura mask.

Also see our article on Desert Photography by our judge Abigail Harman

The Islamic Museum at night by Shabbir Husain

Al Kharrarah sunset by Roger Clark

Doha Port by Dwi Yudianto

Qatar Falconry by Faizal Duta

Qatar National Day by Ashish Balsawer

Qatar Cranes by Tevfik Oguzhan Yilmaz

Dune Tracks by Shabbir Husain

Trio for Comp by Jacquie Mecklenborg

You may also be interested in seeing how the Japan Visitor competition is panning out: Japan Photo Competition.

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photo competition

Qatar Property: The Movie

For more information see our articles and resources on Qatar Property.

The Pearl Qatar | Qatar Property | Buying Property in Qatar | Property Links and Resources

Also see a selection of our other movies:

• Qatar
• Qatar Jobs
• Doha Gondolas

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Qatar property

Dune Bashing Gone Wrong

Driving in the desert we came across this horrific accident - a very real reminder of the dangers of desert driving...

Also see: Desert Day Out

Qatar Visitor Friends


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desert

American Women Associan: February Events

Sunday, February 1, 8, & Monday February 23

American Women's Association presents
"Accessorize your Camel".

AWA has organized two shopping days for Camel accessories. The last day will be spent putting the accessories on the camel. Shopping time is 9:30 AM. till noon. Ladies only please.

info at :
awaqatarvp@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com

Monday, February 9
American Women's Association
General Meeting @ Retaj Al Rayyan Hotel.
Our speaker this month will be from the College of the North Atlantic who is an expert on security. He will be speaking to us about self defense. Some of the meeting will be interactive, so gym clothes and tennis shoes are recommended.

Registration begins at 9:30 AM.
Meeting begins at 10:00 AM.
Members 60 QR. Guests 80 QR.
Ladies only please.

info at :
awaqatarmember@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com

Tuesday, February 10
American Women's Association Pokeno. Join us for a fun game of Pokeno (similar to Bingo).
No experience necessary to play.
Bring a 50 QR wrapped gift and 10 QR.
Start 9:30 AM. Ladies only please.

for info :
awaqatarmember@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com

Thursday, February 12
American Women's Association Dinner
@ The Italian Job at the Ramada Hotel.
Join us for a very special dinner with live entertainment and have a great time with other AWA members.
Spouses are welcome.
Dinner is at 7:00 PM.
50 QR deposit per person
can be made at the General Meeting.

info at :
awaqatarvp@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com


Sunday, February 15
American Women's Association Textile Souq Tour
Start at 9:30 AM.
Ladies only please.

info at :
awaqatarvp@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com

Monday, February 16
American Women's Association Monthly Coffee Morning
@ the home of AWA's member.
9:30 AM until 12 PM noon.
Ladies only please.

More info at :
awaqatarmember@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com

Wednesday, February 18
American Women's Association Abaya Shop.
Purchase an abayaah with us and then shop around and have lunch afterwards in your new abayaah.

start at : 9:30 AM.
50 QR deposit.
Ladies only please.

More info at :
awaqatarhost@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com

Sunday, February 22
American Women's Association Cooking Class.
Learn to cook 3 recipe which can be make into at least 9 Indonesian Dishes or more.
@ the Indonesian Ambassador's residence.
9:00 AM until 12:00 PM noon.
Deposit 50 QR/person upon sign up. ( We only offer limited spots )
Payment can be made
@ General Meeting or Monthly Coffee.
Ladies only please.

More info at :
awaqatarhost@yahoo.com
or check AWA website :
www.awaqatar.com
Also see:

Qatar Clubs | Things to Do in Qatar | Things to See in Qatar

Charming Foul Food

This brand of beans always gives me a laugh...

Also see: Pregnant Chicken | Private Palace | Sealine Sign | Moving Stationary | Construction Sign

Doha Hotels



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Qatar Doha

Qatar Photo Comp - More Prizes

In addition to the three great prizes already on offer on our Qatar Photo Competition, E Cigarette Direct have kindly offered an Electronic Cigarette pack as an additional prize.

The Electronic Cigarette is an alternative smoking device, which allows smokers to indulge their habit with many of the harmful substances in the E-Cigarette stripped out of it.

E-cigarette Direct have told us this is not recomended for non-smokers, and if you are a non-smoker winning the e-cigarette you should give it to a smoker, or to someone trying to stop smoking tobacco. In addition, any minors (under 18 years of age) will be found an alternative prize!