Handsome horse in the stables at Souq Waqif
Along the Corniche, close to the center
Doha Airport is large, modern, gleaming and very clean. As you exit the International terminals of many airports around the world you are immediately greeted with crowds, taxi drivers and lots of shops. Here there was none of that. I found one money exchange shop located some distance away from where you exit, a few statues of animals, a Limousine reservation counter and that was about it. Other than the cue for the taxi’s which also was completely empty. I wish all airports were this empty.
My stay was at the K108 Hotel which was recommended to me by my cousin who has been living in Doha for the past four years. This new boutique hotel is 10 stories with fantastic views from the roof as well as a bar and rooftop pool. And they donate 100% of their profit to various charities.
Although *really* wanting to jump in this pool and do nothing for the rest of the afternoon, I wanted to scratch the itch of the travelers addiction to explore even more.
So I headed out to the Corniche – a pretty walkway overlooking the Museum of Islamic Art as well as a backdrop of the center of Doha including plenty of very creatively designed buildings. How come we don’t have buildings that look like this at home?!
Then it was a quick stop to Souq Waqif, although I was there when all the shops were closed, my visit ultimately proved productive as I found a delicious Greek salad, “wine leaves” and Lemon Lime Mint Lemonade. Much of this souq appears to have been restored – with hundreds of shops selling everything from birds and assorted pets, to rugs, spices – you name it, it is here. There is also an excellent art centre.
There are plenty of cafes here and on a warm early winter day, is a perfect place to sit, smoke the water pipe and watch people walk by – of all nationalities and dress. Things do not get much better than this 🙂
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- Entrance to the Souq Waquif
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- View of Doha from rooftop at the K108 Hotel
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- Lots of boats are located next to the Corniche
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- Along the Corniche, close to the center
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- Some of Doha’s tall buildings
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- View of the water from the Corniche
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- Greek Salad, Greek Leaves and Limeade
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- Rooftop pool at the K108 Hotel
We enjoyed our stay in Doha as well. I think you must have landed at the new airport, because the airport we’ve been in was not very nice.
Corinne – Yes, it must be. It was one of the nicest airports I’ve flown into – also helped by the fact there wasn’t really many people around both times I flew in and out!