Owner: Qatar Visitor URL:http://www.qatarvisitor.blogspot.com Join Date: Wed, 02 May 2007 03:07:52 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Provides tourist and resident information about Qatar, as well as photos, podcasts, YouTube videos, major events listings and news commentary. Site statistics:Click here
Possible water shortage this summer 2007-05-04 21:50:48 Kharama, Qatar's monopoly utility provider, is warning of a possible water
shortage this summer. The company has asked its customers to be restrained in their use of water, and advised them to make sure they have adequate back up facilities, according to the Peninsula newspaper. Read the full story here.Qatar Visitor e-store (U.S.)Qatar Visitor E-store (U.K.)TagsQatar Doha Middle East news
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Possible water shortage this summer 2007-05-04 14:45:19 Kharama, Qatar monopoly utility provider, is warning of a possible water
shortage this summer. The company has asked its customers to be restrained in their use of the water, and advised to make sure they have adequate back up facilities, according to the Peninsula newspaper. Read the full story here.Qatar Visitor e-store (U.S.)Qatar Visitor E-store (U.K.)TagsQatar Doha Middle East news
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Qatar A-Z 2007-05-04 10:34:20 A Accommodation, Airport, Al Bida (Doha), Adhan, Alcohol, Al Ghalafa, Al Jazeera, Al Khor, Al Koot fort, Al Sadd, Al Samariya, Al Thakira, Al Thani, Al Thughb Fort, Al Wajbah, Al Zubara fort, Arab, Arabic, Asian Games, Aspire TowerB Badghir, Barzan Towers, Bicycles, Bird Souq, Birth, Boat, Bookshop, BookstoresC Camels, Camel racing, Cars, Censorship, Cinema, Climate, Clock Tower, Clubs and societies, Coffee, Cormorant Corniche, Cultural Village, Cheap hotels, Cost of livingD Desert, Dhow Workshop, Diving, Doha, Driving, DunestockE Eating, Eid Al-Adha, Eid Il-Fitri, Embassies, EtiquetteF Facts, Falcons, Falconry, Fishing, Flights, Food, Football, Further Education, FuwairitG Gas, Glossary, Golf, Grand Hamad Street, Guidebook, GulfH Health, History, Horse-racing, Hospitals, Hotels, Huwailah, Hyatt plaza,I Inland Sea, Internet Cafes, Iran, Iranian food in Qatar
, IslamJ Jebel Jassiya, JettyK Khor Al Udaid, KoranL Landmark Mall, Language, Leaving Qatar, Losail racing trackM Malls, Map, Ma
Qatar postal services 2007-05-04 10:24:29 Q-post's main post office is located on Corniche Road, and there’s little chance of missing it – it’s huge! You have to drive up several levels of the stepped car park to get to the entrance. and you’ll also get a good view of the city here. Inside, the building is pleasant enough, and there’s a cafe where you can relax as well as internet access.Efficiency Alas, post is notoriously unreliable even within Qatar
. According to the Gulf Times, a post card can take 6 weeks to cross the city – unforgivable when it only has to be transferred from one box to another.Addresses There is no organized system of street postal addresses in Qatar. To receive letters, customers must rent out a post office box.Renting a Post Office BoxYou’ll need to fill a form available either at the post office or on this link. The form must be submitted along with a copy of your ID and the fee. (At the time of writing it costs QR300 annually to rent a box in the main Post Office along with an initial
Qatar Asian Olympic Games and the Sport City 2007-05-03 21:08:52 Once again it was a grey Qatar
day. If you haven't been here before, you might get the wrong impression about Qatar - even confuse it with an English autumn. In fact I've been told that this is the worst weather Qatar has ever had (although that is a European viewpoint - Qataris normally greet rain with delight,) and I'm sure we've had the average yearly fall of seven centimetres in the last two weeks.Along with many other Qatari residents, we braved the rain and went along to Sport City today. To do so we had to first park the car - the one draw back of the day. This muddy mess of a car-park was obviously one designed with land cruisers in mind - if there had ever been such a thing as a design. At least we had a car - there didn't appear to be any buses, and there is a chronic lack of taxis in the cities. Most of my car-less friends rely on illegal private drivers to get around.It was my first time within the huge complex, and parking aside, I was Read more:Asian
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Camera men 2007-05-03 21:05:49 Also see: SpicesBook flights,hotels or cars with Expedia.Qatar Visitor BookstoreTagsQatar Doha Middle East images Asian Games
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Holidays, festivals and important dates in Qatar 2007-05-03 20:59:13 Qatar holidays are, mostly, Islamic holidays. Islamic holidays do not have a set date as they follow a lunar calendar. Often, the exact day of a holiday like Eid Al Fitri will not be announced until the night before.National dayOne exception to the above is National day. September 3rd is the day Qatar ceased to be a protectorate of the British and became fully independent. There is normally a one day holiday.FridayFriday is a religious holiday for Qatar, but not to the extent that shops are closed all day! Big supermarkets like Mega-mart and Carrefour will be open for most of the day, shutting only for an hour around midday. Most shops will be shut for the morning, including those in the malls, although the major malls themselves will be open. Restaurants open at 12.00 for people coming out of mosques, while most shops will open towards evening time. Friday morning is the quietest time of the week, and great for driving – conversely, Friday evening is extremely busy. For many people, Read more:Qatar
, Holidays
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Record rain in Doha 2007-05-03 20:53:57 Navigating flooded roads on Saturday, I had to drive carefully around broken down saloon cars with flooded engines. On a trip round the industrial area this morning things were even worse - large floods hid the potholes which plague this huge complex, and there were more broken down cars littering the roads.It's not normal. According to this Gulf Times article, it was last this rainy in 1964, when the highest rainfall ever was recorded with 155 mm, but it looks like this will be surpassed this year. Certainly, this December is already well above average, having recorded 30 mm in the first half of the month compared to an average annual rainfall of 13 mm - and that is for a whole month.It's cold, too, at least for those of accustomed to Middle East sunshine. "I've never known it this cold. Wet, yes, but not this cold," said one Qatari I know. It's not going to get warmer soon, either, the forecast is for 10 degrees celcius. Still, in Saudi, a colleague informs me, it is 6 degrees - Read more:Record
Qatar traffic accidents 2007-05-03 20:49:18 How many accidents should a country like Qatar
expect in a year?There's a population, according to the Cia Factbook, of around 900,000, with almost 25% under the age of fifteen. A large percentage of the population are imported workers on a low income with no chance of getting enough money to buy a car (the majority of Qatar's population is not Qatari). As many Qatari women are still not allowed to drive (they require permission from the male members of their family before being allowed to obtain a licence), we can assume non-drivers outnumber drivers.Just for comparison, the U.K. with a population of around 60,000,000 had 229,000 accidents in 2001, equating to a little over 3000 accidents per million. Given that the standard of driving is worse but car ownership is lower, could we expect a similar number in Qatar?Actually no. According to this article in the Peninsula, there were seventy thousand accidents in the first 11 months of 2006. Even assuming there are 300,000 vehicles, if Read more:traffic
The Laughter Factory 2007-05-03 16:38:08 The Laughter Factory
will take place on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May at the Ramada Hotel. Shows start at eight O' clock, and tickets cost Qr85. This month comedians Gordon Southern, Carey Marx and Stewart Francis will be featured. Telephone the Ramada on 4417417 for more details.Also see: Finding out what's on in QatarQatar Visitor e-store (U.S.)TagsQatar Doha Middle East what's on
Clubs and Societies in Qatar 2007-05-03 13:45:58 There's a huge number of clubs, societies and associations in Qatar
, and this is not an all inclusive list. If you would like another club included here, or if any details here are incorrect, please contact us or leave a comment. (Where email addresses have not already been listed on the net we've written them out using at instead of the @ sign to prevent spamming.)Alcoholics Anonymous24 hour help line: 560 5901 Further information: Steve +974 5283678 Paul +974 5197719 Email: aainqatar@hotmail.comAl Khor ToastmastersContact details can be found here: www.alkhortoastmasters.com/executives/executives.htmAl Shaqab Riding ClubProvides riding lessons for members.Tel: + 974 4812061 Address: PO Box 90055American Women's SocietyTel: +974 483 6527Australians and New Zealanders in QatarEmail: auziq@yahoo.comBrowniesTel: +974 487 0170/431 8776Location: Al Bhustan ClubhouseCanadians in QatarEmail: canadiansinqatar@fastmail.fmDoha ClubTel. +974 4418822 Address: PO Box 3666Doha darts league http: Read more:Clubs
Newspaper editors and Al Jazeera 2007-05-03 12:39:50 In a recent article in an Arabic (translated here on Memri) a Qatari newspaper editor focused on a major world injustice. No, not street children starving in India, or the raping and murdering of his Muslim brothers and sisters in Darfur, but the harsh treatment of Qatari newspaper editors who are being deprived of their rightful dues and swimming pools. Another newspaper editor explains why.It’s very unfair that Al Jazeera employs non-Qataris and gives them more money than me. Why should they have a luxurious apartment, swimming pools and money when they are not Qatari? We have Qatarisation kicking out talented people in every other industry to make room for Qataris, why not in Al Jazeera too?I mean look at it. What have these fancy foreign journalists got? Okay, so they are talented, determined, well-educated people who fought their way to the top in a competitive industry and have experience of working in world-renowned news networks. They are the best in the world at what they do Read more:Newspaper
Studying languages in Qatar 2007-05-03 10:14:04 Also see: Qatar
schools Further education in QatarIt is often easier for an English speaking expatriate to function in Qatar than for a native Qatari. Only the other day I watched an elderly Arabic man struggle to make himself understood in broken English to a Philippine nurse. With the importance of English, it is not surprising that English courses are widely available. However, language courses do not stop there, and you can study a large variety of languages.Below we’ve included just a few of the language schools in Doha.Language Schools in DohaGovernment Schools (open to all)The Language Teaching Institute (evening courses)Languages taught: Japanese, Arabic, English, French taught by native speakers.Telephone: +974 4657690Address: PO Box 3224, Doha, QatarLocation: New Slata, opposite the Indonesian Embassy.Course length and frequency: Works on a term system, with placement tests for new students being held three times a year. Terms last three months, lessons are held three times
Riding camels on the sand 2007-05-03 10:07:04 Drive through the desert towards Saudi Arabia and past a load of oil and gas installations and you'll eventually get to Sealine Hotel and Beach Resort. (Don't give up when you think you are in the middle of nowhere!)Although this is also a hotel, Sealine resort is open to guests for a fee of 25 riyals ($7) in the week, 50 ($14) on the weekend (Friday + Saturday). In addition to swimming pools, there is horse riding, camel riding, jet ski-ing, windsurfing and quads for hire. There are also two bouncy castles for the kids. The buffet is a little on the pricy side at 150 riyals ($40), the poolside food is cheaper but limited in range. On Friday afternoons Qataris descend in droves to speed up and down the dunes - be careful driving home on this day as the (surviving) locals return all fired up. Overall, well worth a trip - it kept my two year old entertained for the day!Address: PO Box 50255, Mesaieed, QatarTel: +974 476 5299 Fax: +974 476 5298 Getting there: Drive past Al Wakra and Mes Read more:Riding
Living in Qatar: Myths and realities 2007-05-03 10:02:51 ClothingIf you see yourself dressed in mysterious black, face covered, as you glide across the floor, that’s fine. However, Qatar
is a tolerant country, and you can wear pretty much what you want.There are limits of course. Bathers who were completely uncovered would be arrested pretty quickly. Covering arms and legs would probably be appropriate in the work place, but otherwise unnecessary. Bikinis and skimpy bathing costumes are fine in the right place – i.e. in a hotel swimming pool. You don’t need to cover your head if you don’t want to, and nor do many (non-Qatari) Muslims.Many travel guides advise long sleeves, and some still state that shorts are forbidden (this was changed years ago, and, frankly, trousers are just too hot half of the year). In reality you see many people wearing summery clothes with skin showing, and I have yet to hear of anyone getting into trouble for it. (HSBC’s female investment advisors wear skin tight jeans, presumably to soften us before their Read more:Living
, Myths
Qatar: First World or Third World? 2007-05-03 09:55:52 Qatar is very proud of its modern architecture and beautiful buildings.But not every corner of Qatar is as advanced... It was my housekeeper, after seeing my pictures of Qatar, who advised me to photograph this area where many Indian and Pakistani workers live. Builders in QatarBuy books on Qatar and the Middle East Book Hotels in QatarTagsQatar Doha poverty buildings
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List of hospitals in Qatar 2007-05-03 08:24:28 Includes some of the major hospitals in Qatar
with their location and contact details.Also see:Healthcare in QatarGiving birth in Qatar Experiences in Doha HospitalsHamad Medical CityAfter the Asian Olympic Games, the Olympic village will be integrated into Hamad Medical City, containing within its grounds Hamad Hospital, Al Amal Oncology Hospital, Rumailah Hospital and the Woman’s Hospital.Emergency Telephone Number: 999Government HospitalsAl Khor General HospitalLocation: on the main road out of Al Khor (towards Al Thakira).Tel: +974 474 5555Hamad General Hospital (includes Accident and Emergency)Also offers private medical service + “five star” patient rooms.Tel: +974 4394444Location: Off Al Rayyan Road opposite Lulu Centre.Al Amal Oncology Hospital (cancer treatment)Aims to provide total cancer care. Includes early detection unit, therapy, counselling and rehabilitation.Tel: +974 4745555Location: Off Mohammad Bin Thani Street next to the women’s hospital.Rumailah hospitalSe
Qatar's national anthem 2007-05-07 09:45:33 Listen to Qatar
's national anthem. (Reproduced with the kind permission of the National Anthem Info website.)Like so much in Qatar, the National Anthem is new. The current emir was so unimpressed by the previous national anthem (then the shortest national anthem in the world) that he replaced it with this more stirring version. (The original version can be listened to here).The meaning of the Anthem is as follows:Swearing by God who upraised the sky,Swearing by God who spread the light,Qatar will always be free,Elevated by the spirits of the loyal,Follow the path of the ancestors,And the prophets guidance.In my heart, Qatar is an epic of dignity and glory,Qatar is the land of the forefathers,Our protectors at the time of war,Doves at the time of peace,And hawks at the time of sacrifice.(Source: Amiri Diwan website.)Also see: Listen to the sounds of the Prayer CallQatar Visitor e-store (U.S.)Qatar Visitor E-store (U.K.)Find the best deal, compare prices and read what other travellers h
The Heritage Village 2007-05-07 08:20:51 Walk through the gates at one end of Rumeila park and you'll find yourself in a mock-up of a traditional Qatari village. Not a desert camp, but a seaside settlement, complete with well, nets and even a Dhow permanently under repair.During festivals and special occasions, this heritage village becomes a hive of activity. During the afternoon the almost forgotten crafts of weaving and and wickerwork are taken up, and in the evening music and dancing take place.One of many attractions is the Tawash, or pearl trader. In the village two men demonstrate the weighing and selling of the pearls. One of these, an elderly gentlemen, is unusually chatty, and will relate how he accompanied one of the last pearl diving trips as a young lad. He’ll then pull out his body building pictures from when he was a young man, and offer to teach your children scuba-diving. He also likes to relate how he bangs stones upon his chest to keep him strong, and sleeps on a bed of nails – although he advised my d Read more:Heritage
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Lethal crash outside Hyatt Plaza 2007-05-06 13:17:23 Long term residents of Qatar know just how dangerous driving in Qatar is. Fortunately, most accidents in the city do not result in deaths. This was not the case yesterday with this horrific accident outside Hyatt
Plaza. A speeding land cruiser shot the lights and slammed into this Mitsubishi Lancer. According to the story in the Peninsula today, the car then burst into flames, although the wreck looks so awful it appears that the driver and two passengers would have been killed instantly.Qatar traffic accidentsTagsQatar Doha Middle East Lethalcrash
Qatar Athletics Super Grand Prix 2007-05-05 12:11:32 The QatarAthleticsSuperGrand
Prix will be held at Qatar Sports Club in Doha on May 11th. Twenty events will be featured with total prize money of $600,000. Tickets will be free, and a shuttle bus service will be organized for residents. For more information contact the Qatar Athletic Federation: Tel +974-5502699, Fax: 4944506 or email athletic@qatarathletic.com .Also see; Qatar FootballQatar Visitor e-store (U.S.)TagsQatar Doha Middle East what's on athletics
Useful Telephone Numbers in Doha 2007-05-05 11:32:39 If you are dialling from abroad add +974 before all numbers. To dial abroad from Qatar add 0 or + before the country code and telephone number.villagio 4135444Airport: 465 6666Airlines: Air France 432 0802, BA 432 1434, Emirates 438 4477, KLM 432 1208, Qatar Airways 449 6666Bookshops: Family bookshop 442 4148, Jarir bookshop 444 0212Car Hire: Avis 462 2180, Budget 462 2678, Hertz 462 2563Cinemas: Mall: 4678666, Landmark 4881674, City Centre 4934934, Gulf 4671085Directory Enquiries: 180Driving Licence: 489 0666Embassies: Australia UAE 971 2 634 6100 UK 442 7511, USA 488 4101Emergencies: Fire/Ambulance/Police 999 Electricity/Water 991Hospitals: Hamad General Hospital 439 4444International Telephone Enquiries: 111Malls: City Centre: 439 3355, Hyatt Plaza:469 4848Landmark: 487 5222, Villagio: 413 5444, The Mall: 467 8383Qatar Airways (airport): 4496688Supermarkets: Carrefour 484 6265Taxi: 4588888Telephone: Qatar Telecom 440 0400Tourism Authority 441 1555www.qatartourism.gov.qaTourist Vi Read more:Useful
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