TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD
20th Apr 2012 Our 2nd week here staying on The Pearl, Doha, Qatar. Well after a lovely refreshing rest from all our travelling around Australia I have now managed to get back onto the blog again as we have now reached our final destination ( as Doris would say ) remember her, our trusty little sat nav, !!! we have thoroughly enjoyed yet another week here on The Pearl, the most sought after area which is voted as being the jewel in the crown of the middle- east. On my walks around the marina with our little grandson Freddie-Ray I have met many Qatar ladies who will always pass the time of day with you, many of them wearing their full national dress, and some being related to the ' Harrods' family, in one form or another, I don't like to ask too many questions when we speak, but they are very open as to who they are, and where they belong, I didn't realize that the 'Harrods' store had been sold to Qatar, and the wealth around the Marina is another world, but as in this life we just take everything in our stride, respecting this very affluent country and their culture, but not forgetting where we come from ' good old England' amongst all our faithful friends and family, something you never forget when travelling, and the fact that because our own little family live here, they remain just the same not one change to their lovely personalities, which we are so very proud of, and say good luck to them.Today we visited or should I say treked again, as we are still in the treking mode of things to Katara which is a lovely 4km walk from where we are staying to one of the new areas of Qatar, this is frequented by many locals on the weekend, but you have to pay a price to go onto the beach there, which to us ordinary people this makes it a very expensive day, but Ray and I just strolled along the prom to admire the facilities that were available to the many children playing on the golden sands where there were giant inflatables,pedal boats/cars and a magnificent play area on the beach, we were just two simple backpackers walking and admiring just how the other half live out here lucky for us we can take Freddie to another little beach which is only 2km around the marina from where they live which is just as nice, but without all the facilites and all the pomp that surrounds it , but they too have lovely arm chairs and settees to relax on, this is a private beach only for the residents who live here on The Pearl, so we were not missing out on anything lavish, and not having to pay for the privilage as this is all included within their rent for the appartment. Katari like I said is a new area, situated by one of the many palaces here in Qatar, so there were quite a lot of security around, just like most of the places here ,but even so they were still very polite and friendly towards us, again it is down to respect for different cultures. We visited the new amphitheatre made entirely of marble stone, this was very impressive and when it is in use it would be very comfortable to sit and watch the many displays, and plays there. Surrounding the amphitheatre there are many similar buildings again lavish in design which is used for the drama schools and performing arts society, we then found some little nooks and crannies and saw little restaurants where the local Arab men all sat in their brilliant white national dress and red checked headress, or just plain white with a black ring on the top of their heads. ( the white robe is called the dishdasha and the headdress is called the keffiyeh ) while the Arab females wear the hijab ( veil ) or a burka. I must say we have just got so used to seeing all this now, we find it very smart and not at all intimidating, at the end of the day they are just human people living within their cultural needs and country. When walking along The Pearl in the evening it is just as magical, the lovely warm air and the strong smell of their eastern oriental perfumes waft past you while the couples and their children, many equiped with their live in nannies, au pair, or maid, call it what you like , just strolling around the marina or sitting having coffee socializing with their friends, looking at the spectacular view of highly polished white boats just sitting there in the moonlight just a different world out here to ours, but so lovely to have the opportunity.to experience this for ourselves while here, Ray and I are so very lucky to have this opportunity all thanks to Chris and Katie thankyou so much for everything you have done to make our stay here so enjoyable... While we are here Ray is helping Chris with some work that needs building where he works this gives him a chance to get his hand back in again for working after such a long pause, so off he goes with Chris early every morning to prepare his task for the day, making a toilet block, as if we hadn't had enough of the things on route eh! but it is something that has to be done, and Ray just loves helping out, while I stay with little Freddie, my space time !!! which every couple needs from time to time, this makes us to be normal don't you agree you lovely blog readers, so all is good here in Qatar helping where we are needed and so enjoying the lovely time here with them.
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