QAT: Doha Downtown

Doha, Qatar

Located on the coast of Persian Gulf in the eastern side of the country, Doha  is the capital and most populous city of Qatar. In fact, more than 80% of the nation's population resides in the city and its surrounding suburbs. It was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of Al Bidda, the largest town in the region back then.

As Doha grew rapidly, Al Bidda was eventually incorporated as a district in the Doha municipality in the late 20th century. Let's start off with a series of photos taken when my BFF and I made our way to Souq Waqif by foot from The Royal Riviera Hotel.

Beware of Sharq! Just kidding! xD

Qatar National Bank (QNB) was founded in 1964 as the first domestically-owned commercial bank.

There's an air-conditioned underpass that connects Doha Corniche with Souq Waqif and the park nearby, providing a respite from the afternoon heat.

The park offers a pleasant green space for a stroll.

Here are some photos of the area near Souq Waqif.

It looks like a propaganda... I mean nationalistic poster. :P

I believe that's Souq Waqif Mosque.

Don't forget to drop by the camel pen nearby.

I counted 13 of the humpy animals inside the pen.

Many of them were relaxing and resting. :)

Not far from the camel pen is Amiri Diwan, the official workplace of the Emir of Qatar. We wanted to get closer to see the clock tower and the mosque, but thankfully a friendly local told us not to go further. We heeded to his advice, of course.

On another occasion, instead of heading west, we went eastbound from the hotel.

There's a supermarket selling lots of Filipino goods.

Qatar Red Crescent was the first philanthropic body to establish a women's branch locally in 1982.

National Museum of Qatar, showcasing a series of interlocking disks that "create cavities to protect visitors from the desert heat", is going to open its doors to the public on 28 March 2019. The area of the museum is 40,000 square metres.

After seeing the museum's exterior, we walked back to the hotel via a different route.

I suppose you can only find that sign of a crossing man in tunic in the Middle East.

We wanted to walk through the park, but it was closed for refurbishment. :/

We made it to the eastern part of Doha Corniche that we didn't cover previously.

Is that supposed to be a boat or something?

In the Diplomatic Area, we had the opportunity to visit City Centre Doha, a vast shopping mall with lots of shops spread across five floors.

I actually waited for a while until no one was riding on the escalators.

Is city life exciting to you?

Many office workers across the globe are working till late. :(

Doha won the title of the Arab Capital of Culture, an initiative by UNESCO, in 2010.

I really enjoyed the evening stroll at Sheraton Hotel Park.

Turkish ice cream, anyone? :D

Established in 1979, Doha's Sheraton Hotel has a distinctive pyramid shape.

Which is your most favourite building?

At last, here are the eateries that we patronised:

- Al Adhamiyah Iraqi Restaurant (Middle Eastern)

- Al Jasra Traditional Food (Middle Eastern)

- Bandar Aden Restaurant (Middle Eastern)

- Shatter Abbas (Middle Eastern)

- Tea Time (Middle Eastern and Western)

- Chapati & Karak (Indian)