Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

DOH-CGK (8h 50m) Boeing 787-8 ETD: 1.55am (GMT + 3)  ETA:  2.45pm (GMT + 7) Qatar Airways has been named the World's Best Airline for the fifth time at this year's Paris Air Show that took place from 17 to 24 June 2019. On top of that, it also clinched the top spot in the World’s Best Business Class category. BTW, have you ever flown on the National Day of the country of the airline?

Level 3, Transit Area, Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar Daily: 24 hours Al Mourjan Business Lounge is Qatar Airways' flagship Business Class lounge, which takes pride in its "resort-like ambience, tantalising a la carte and buffet dining, and unparalleled hospitality". My BFF and I spent most of our layover time of 8 hours at the lounge that's spread over 10,000 square metres.

End of F Ring Road, Doha, Qatar Initially known as New Doha International Airport, Hamad International Airport is the sole international airport of Qatar that has replaced the former Doha International Airport. It was originally slated to open in 2009, but after a series of delays, it was finally opened to the public in the second quarter of 2014.

IST-DOH (4h 5m) Boeing 787-8 ETD: 1.35pm (GMT + 3)  ETA:  5.40pm (GMT + 3) As a recap, my journey to the Middle East and Africa last year began with Qatar Airways QR957 in the Economy Class that brought me to Qatar, Doha from Jakarta, Indonesia. Thanks to quite a good deal that I managed to get, I had the chance to fly in the Business Class for the return trip.

[ET433] DOH-ADD (4h 40m) Boeing 737 MAX 8 ETD: 3.10am (GMT + 3)  ETA:  7.50am (GMT + 3) I'd like to express my deepest condolences to families of passengers of ET302 that crashed soon after departing from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 11 March 2019 as empty coffins were buried yesterday for the funeral. Last December, my BFF and I flew with one of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Doha, Qatar to Addis Ababa.

Desert, South of Doha, Qatar My BFF and I didn't want to miss the chance to experience dune bashing in Qatar. Prior to arriving at the country, we'd booked an afternoon session of private desert safari with Arabian Adventures Qatar via e-mail correspondence, paying a sum of QAR 600.00 (~S$222.55) .

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.

Al Souq Street, Doha, Qatar Dating back a few hundred years, Souq Waqif (lit. standing market) is one of the main attractions in the capital city of Qatar with its plethora of traditional garments, handicrafts and spices. In addition, there are multi-cuisine restaurants and cafés to satiate your palate, as well as shisha lounges for those who prefer to relax that way.

Doha, Qatar Doha Corniche is a scenic waterfront promenade in the capital city of Qatar with a total length of 7 km. Having evolved from an empty stretch of walkway with Sheraton Hotel as the only interesting view, the promenade now offers the panorama of the city skyline, thanks to the rapid development in the 21st century.

Along Shakespeare Street and Al Moasses Street, Doha, Qatar Daily: 24 hours The name of the comprehensive cultural village located south of The Pearl-Qatar is inspired by the historical name of the country, Catara, prior to the 18th century. Said to be "born out of a long-held vision to position the State of Qatar as a cultural beacon and lighthouse of art, it first opened its doors in the last quarter of 2010.

Northern Doha, Qatar The Pearl-Qatar is an artificial island offering luxurious residential properties, creating some 32 km of new coastline. It's the first land in the country to be made available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals. The whole project costs at least  US$15 billion (~S$20.3 billion) .

Near Doha Port, Doha, Qatar MIA stands for Museum of Islamic Art. MIA Park is a crescent-shaped park adjacent to the museum, which covers a total area of 290,000 square metres. Open all year long, it's said that the park offers the best vantage point for the skyline of Doha. A bazaar is held at the park every Friday and Saturday from afternoon till 8.00pm.

Near Doha Port, Doha, Qatar Sat-Thu: 9.00am - 7.00pm Fri: 1.30pm - 7.00pm Let's continue exploring the magnificient Museum of Islamic Art, which is the first of its kind to feature centuries over centuries of in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. In Part 1 , I wrote about the temporary exhibition on Syria. Part 2 shall focus on the permanent exhibition.

Near Doha Port, Doha, Qatar Sat-Thu: 9.00am - 7.00pm Fri: 1.30pm - 7.00pm Located on the southern end of Doha Corniche is Museum of Islamic Art, which is built on an island off an artificial projecting peninsula near the traditional harbour. Established in late 2008, the five-storied museum houses permanent and temporary exhibitions, and it has got its own park.

Al Safliya Street, Doha, Qatar Offering a total of 154 guest rooms, The Royal Riviera Hotel (4*) is 15 minutes away from Hamad International Airport by car. Overlooking Doha Corniche, a waterfront promenade along Doha Bay, it's located less than 1 km away from Museum of Islamic Art in the capital city of Qatar.

CGK-DOH (9h 10m) Boeing 787-8 ETD: 6.20pm (GMT + 7)  ETA:  11.30pm (GMT + 3) Welcome to the first post on my December 2018 trip, which saw my virgin experience with Qatar Airways, the flag carrier of the country my BFF and I were heading to. A 5 Star Airline as rated by Skytrax, it has been a member of the Oneworld alliance since late 2013.