Notiţe de Jurnal: Qatar - The Pearl of the Desert.

My article is about the trip to Qatar. After Bahrain, I went to Al Khobar customs. We entered Saudi Arabia and took it to Dhahran, with many tourist attractions. The road to Qatar 437 km, in which I did almost 7 hours with stops.

We made small stops to refuel cars and stops. The weather was beautiful, long and adventurous.

On this trip, I enjoyed traveling by car. I had lunch in the town of Al Hofuf at a Yemeni restaurant, after which I slept for a while.

This stop was very good, where I ate delicious and warm food. We wanted to see other beautiful places but we didn't have time.

Saudi Arabia has many tourist attractions. Al Hofuf has two tourist attractions: the first is in Al Qara Hill and the second is Al Hasa Oasis. We both decided to see them, so we used GPS to track the distance of 28 km between them.

For 33 minutes, I saw many beautiful places that I had never seen before. Al Hofuf is just a 25-minute drive from Al Ahsa National Park, and Al Qarah Village and its mountain are nearby. The top of the mountain rises 75 meters above street level and 205 meters above sea level, but it does not require much effort to reach the top for unparalleled 360-degree views of Al Ahsa.

In order not to get lost among those places and to climb the mountain carefully, we took a guide to help us on the road and find other isolated places.

The road to the top of the mountain allowed us to explore the caves. Its network of curves and caves is the result of a phenomenon known as the subaerial weathering mountain, in which limestone was made by rain and rivers rather than groundwater. This has led to the remarkable mushroom shapes of the mountain, the narrow canyons and the high interior passages.

Another peculiarity of the caves is the way the high walls, the cold limestone and the gentle breeze combine to regulate the temperature, making these caves cool in summer but warm in winter.

The most interesting thing is that this tourist attraction has a museum with ornaments and souvenirs. Recent renovations to make the caves more accessible include lighting and paving, while the "Land of Civilizations" museum provides an excellent account of the area's ancient history.

We reached the top of the mountain and had a splendid view of the Al-Ahsa Oasis. From above we saw this emerald oasis through the sand, with over 160 km that hosts most of the three million palm trees. The true miracle of the land can be fully appreciated, giving an appearance to the branched mountain villages as fronds that have supported life for millennia.

These palm trees, their fruits and the reservoirs of crystal clear fresh water flowing under the oasis are the reasons why Al Ahsa has managed to host civilizations that preceded Islam.

Archaeological evidence of some of the oldest settlements in the Arabian Peninsula dating back to 5,000 BC has been found.

The key to survival over the millennia has been the way people here have interacted with the environment, working with the earth. In addition to producing five tons of the best Khalas dates in the world every day, these much-loved palm trees also act as guardianships as a barrier that protects homes and farms from the usual sandstorms.

From the top of the mountain you can see an amazing view of the largest oasis in the world, a source of life that has proven to be an integral part of the city over the centuries.

After visiting Mount Al Qarah, we set off for Al Oasis Al Ahsa. But we did not stop because we saw this oasis from above from above. We just passed her so we could get on our way.

This oasis is an evolving cultural landscape, which is one of the largest natural oases of agricultural palm trees in the world.

Al-Ahsa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, due to its abundance of water in an arid region. This is a 12-site site that includes palm groves, castles, town centers, archeological sites, villages, Jawatha Mosque and Al Asfar Lake.

It was once one of the richest areas of groundwater resources in the region and behind it was the greenery. The oasis is one of the largest in the world and one of the greenest places in the country with over 3 million palm trees and lots of hot and cold springs, all in a sea of sand.

This place has preserved the richness of its rich historical past and traditions. It has become a popular tourist spot in the country due to its archeological remains of past civilizations, with its greenery and its distinct culture that has passed for centuries.

After visiting these wonderful places, we set off for Qatar, where our husband's family was waiting for us.

From Al Hasa Oasis to Doha, we also covered 247 km with customs, in four hours with all the stops, refueling cars, we rested and prayed. It took me an hour from customs to Doha. Relatives were waiting for us.

Entering the city, I noticed that this country is one of the richest in the world. Qatar has recently spent no less than $ 30 billion on new infrastructure.

The Salwa Road, which leads to the Saudi border, on a four-lane highway with intersections, is planned to develop air and underground passages.

Various projects have been completed or are in full swing, such as Alshghal’s Expressway or New Port. A little later, on the way to Al Shahaniya, the place where the camel races take place, I saw an impressive subway line, which crosses areas where there is practically nothing at the moment.

Now I would like to talk about Qatar, it has a population of 2.2 million inhabitants but only 15% of them are Qataris get-beget, the rest being nationalists and expats.

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a beautiful city, where the authorities are trying to keep the quality of life to a high standard. In Doha it is clean everywhere and the police are doing their job, traffic in public order.

Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low crime rate. The city provides security but there are rules that must be followed.

I saw a few places in Qatar because I had a balanced schedule in those seven days. Doha being the tourist center of the country is important to organize your time because in Qatar life has a slower pace.

However, the services are always impeccable and the locals have never left the feeling that things are at random. I came by car, and the cost of fuel is embarrassingly low, but don't think that the traffic is light. The traffic is quite strange and light accidents are quite frequent. I was careful about speed restrictions, because there are radars everywhere and the fines are high.

When I entered the city at night, there was a lot of noise and light on all the streets of the city. We were happy and tired that we reached our destination safely. To get to our destination we used GPS, which took us directly to the tall blocks of flats in the residential area.

The block in which I live is the residential neighborhoods close to the ocean and the embassies of European countries.

Very quickly we reached the block where my husband's brother-in-law and nephew were already waiting for us. All around were hundreds of storeys high towers. They were lit in different colors. It was unusual for me to sleep on the 36th floor.

We took the things out of the car and climbed upstairs, where he was waiting for us with the table set.

We were hungry and tired. We took a shower and went to bed.

I had breakfast and drank coffee in the morning. We didn't go to town because we were waiting for the others to come and have lunch. I left the city a little later, where I saw the museums in Doha: the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the National Museum of Qatar.

The city does not differ much from the old one in colorful details. The Museum of Islamic Art did not work, instead I saw the National Museum of Qatar.

We went to the National Museum of Qatar which was open. The museum dedicates some of its rooms to the country's geological history, fauna and flora, nomadic tribes and Qatari architecture.

The National Museum also exhibits a collection of pieces and relics of Islamic art, a collection of medals donated to Qatar by foreign leaders when the country was under their control, military medals from the Qatari army. A section of the museum is dedicated to gas and oil and a wing to the sea, including a lagoon where a traditional dhow (boat) is anchored.

Life in the desert is not completely foreign to the people of Qatar, because not many years have passed since they gave it up, some of them have not even given it up, where on weekends they sleep in tents.

We have noticed the need for simplicity, from time to time, it is something we all face, wherever we are, being the reverse of the currency in terms of the speed of technology evolution.

After the museum we visited a beautiful location called the Waqif Souq.

Souq Waqif is the place that best expresses the Arabian specificity, people come out of houses late, meet at a hookah and a ceau (Karak) or an Arabian style coffee with cardamom, along with those who come to buy spices and colorful spices and spices, jewelry, traditional clothing and just about anything else you can imagine that exists in a bazaar. The bazaar was full of locals and tourists, you had no place to sit for a drink or dinner at a local restaurant.

Here tourists can admire the brilliance of the chandeliers and statuettes, the colors of the shawls and the aromas of the fragrant oils.

The market has so far been a multi-lane maze due to the wet banks of a river connected to the sea and traders have to get up while selling their products.

Tourists will have a look at Qatar culture and enjoy shopping and dining in a comfortable setting.

Souq Waqif is more than 100 years old in the history of the bazaar and was once a trading post for Bedouins and locals who exchanged products and socialized.

In the past, it had direct access to the front waters where the boats lined up. The square is still facing water, despite major changes and blocked road access. It is one of the best places to visit in Qatar, as it is said to be the only traditional market left standing.

One of the many things to do in Doha is to visit the site full of restaurants and shops. Tourists can spend an entire day at the market exploring every nook and cranny.

For the lively hiker, Souq Waqif can be a destination that can offer countless unique experiences that you would definitely like to repeat.

Visiting the Souq is not complete without visiting restaurants. They have a kitchen for each gourmet. One of the most popular restaurants to visit is Damascus One, famous for its authentic Arabic delicacies from Syria and the Levant.

On the other hand, for those who crave Iranian delicacies, Paris is the restaurant where they can eat. In short, if you are looking for delicious delicacies and authentic restaurants, Souq Waqif is a proven hub to satisfy your taste buds.

We walked through the narrow alleys of the garbage, looking for a restaurant to eat.

We chose an Egyptian restaurant with delicious food.

We wanted something sweet and delicious and on our way we went to Al Aker confectionery and another Paris location to try something tasty.

Al Aker Confectionery makes the best Kunefe.

After this wonderful outing, we arrived home tired and satisfied with our walk. Qatar is preparing for the Fifa Cup World Cup 2022, paving the roads in the city and preparing Corniche for tourists when they come this year.

We got lost in the city until we found our way home. I got home late, tired but happy. Everyone was sleeping.

We woke up in the morning for breakfast and coffee and made a plan for that day to go. After lunch we visited Mall Villagio where we drank juice and coffee.

The shopping center is Italian-themed, both as an Italian hill town but also with a 150-meter-long inland canal with gondolas.

We rode the gondola on the canal built inside the mall. After having some fun, we started walking around the city.

We passed the Qatar National Library, then continued on to the Pearl of Qatar, a luxurious artificial island inhabited by over 40,000 people.

The Pearl of Qatar in Doha is a luxury residential complex set on an artificial island. The island covers an area of 32 square kilometers and is full of luxurious villas and dozens of apartment blocks, hotels, malls or restaurants.

In the past, pearl fishing was practiced in this bay, but those days are long gone, and the place itself has turned into a pearl. However, today Qatar remains one of the most important pearl traders in Asia, before the Japanese introduced cheap, more affordable pearls.

We saw the most beautiful places in the Pearl of Qatar, we arrived in this neighborhood in the evening, we stopped to have a coffee and take pictures to remember. We were glad to see the largest neighborhood in the Pearl of Qatar, it is Porto Arabia. We have seen no less than 31 skyscrapers being built with luxurious apartments set around a circular lagoon, with an island in the middle and a harbor with space for 750 boats.

There are more than 400 houses in the area, 6,000 parking spaces and spaces for shops of international brands. There is also a Venice-like area, a wide system of canals, squares and friendly pedestrian squares, and seaside houses. There is even a replica of the Rialto Bridge in Venice.

We got home and ate, we were tired and went to bed. Our adventure continues through Doha, we had many places to see.

We visited together, Msheireb Downtown Doha, a developing area with contemporary architecture, bright white mosques and a group of history museums, in elegant Arabic-style mansions. Qatari family life is on display at Radwani House, and Bin Jaimood House has exhibits on world slum. Dining options include international restaurants in luxury hotels, and souvenir stands and arcades in nearby Waqif Square.

Another location is Katara, a children's playground, restaurants and cafes. Tourists and locals were in full swing. Before we sat down at the Katara restaurant, we entered the Planitarium Al Thuraya for a few wonders. Admission was free, there were many visitors. We could be close to the universe and the planets. I saw small and large telescopes that saw through them the moon, the sun and other planets.

We stayed in the park for a few minutes, walked and went home. Where they were waiting for us with dinner ready.

The next day, we went by subway. We left the car at home, walked to the subway station. I passed through the skyscrapers, and passed the City Mall and there I found the Subway. I bought tickets for one direction. We transited from one line to another to reach the Mall of Qatar. We walked through the mall, stopped for coffee, and headed back in the direction we had come.

When we got home we had dinner and then we went for a walk in the Corniche, to enjoy the view from the outside. The place where locals and tourists walk in the evening. Right next to the Islamic Art Museum is the port of dhows, wooden boats where you can have dinner.

It was a great pleasure for us to walk along the bay. The panorama of the sea in which the skyscrapers seem to be confused is unique and has been imprinted in my mind for a long time.

The next day, we had the last locations of our trip. In the morning, after breakfast, we set off for Wakra, which is about a 20-minute drive from Doha or the subway.

In the charming ancient city of Al Wakra is a charming and flourishing souq that is well worth a visit for anyone interested in Qatar's heritage and culture. This Old Souq is full of popular restaurants and cafes and stretches for about 3 km along the city coast, with a cornice for people to walk on. The souq is divided into 10 market areas, restaurants, shops, stables and has a children’s playground, parking and Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar.

The souq is in its original place, which has been authentically restored, lots of other restaurants. This is a great place for lunch or dinner or a place to relax, shop, walk and enjoy the cool atmosphere of Wakra. It is good for couples and families. You can also take a short walk around Wakra Harbor. We deserved to spend some time in these places.

We had lunch at a Yemeni restaurant, the market had lunch and prayer. They opened again in the afternoon. We sat and walked along the deserted and beautiful beach.

We went to a mall to drink coffee and walk around the store.

We went to the last location we wanted to visit, Promenade Lusail Marina. Last place tonight, because the next day, we were going home. Our awakening was early in the morning. To be home in Muscat in the evening.

We had a great walk on the Lusail Marina Promenade, it was our last day in Qatar. It was evening and the air was cool. My husband and I thought about taking a walk on the Marine Promenade. Promenade was inaugurated in 2018 in the heart of the city of Luisal and instantly became a place famous for its beautiful architecture. It is a very popular tourist attraction in Qatar, which comes to life in the evening. It offers greatness with its wide range of facilities that combine luxury and comfort. The highlight of the marina's promontory is its 4.2-meter-long façade, creating a picturesque view for visitors.

The wide range of features of the Marina promenade is not limited to visiting tourist attractions, but also has much to offer to satisfy the urge to taste delicious recipes.

There are restaurants, cafes and lounges on Luisal Promenade that offer a wide range of delicacies for everyone, depending on taste preferences.

I also noticed swings for children, swings, jumpsuits, swings with horse jumps. A large number of palm trees are planted along the path. Rightly called the hypermodern city, Lusail is a blend of technology and nature.

We returned home to have dinner ready. We had to pack up and go to bed early because early in the morning we set off for Muscat, Oman. We had a long, beautiful and tiring journey. I went through the customs I went through a week earlier.

It was a journey of honor and beautiful memories, with adventure, adventures and dear friends. I will never forget this journey.