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DISCOVERING QATAR
Yes, I can see the smirk on some faces around the world. "Here
she goes again, the Mad French Woman", trying to explain to us
how wonderful Qatar is...
Well, it's not my fault if this is one of the most welcoming
countries I had the chance to come to!!! I spend my life making
sure I don't look negative even when I want to shout MURDER when
I'm not happy, so I'll be dammed if I'm not going to praise what
is to be praised...
It's quite amazing how travelling business changes everything.
There is nothing wrong with travelling economy of course, it
allows us to sit in a chair, and fly miles and miles within
hours, but you arrive tired and looking your age. Fly business,
and they keep asking your passport checking if you are old
enough to travel on your own!!!
Ha ha ha. Yes, I know I'm a funny girl.
 Anyway,
thanks every so much to Qatar Airways, the Qatari Federation
and his President, Mr Ali Bin Ali, Hisham Algosaibi and Alaaeldeen
Alouba for allowing us to fly in those amazing conditions.
And this year was a bit special for me, as I arrived 2 days
before the tournament qualifying rounds, allowing me to spend a
few hours with my old friend Perfume/Transport Man, Mohamed
Ali, who has been working with Alaa for 15 years, organising
the Car Fleet for the Qatar Classic/World Champs.
Mohamed Ali is a very special friend. He is originally from
Palestine, but has been living - and loving it - in Qatar for 52
years. I had the chance to meet with his wife and one of his
daughter (he has 5 daughters and 3 boys), and he made a point of
welcoming me at 2am on Tuesday verrrry early morning. You have
no idea how amazing you feel when you see friendly faces upon
arrival at the airport...
The best way to describe Mohamed Ali is that little anecdote. A
few years back, we were at the Grand Recency, and out of there
comes a Russian Lady who well, how can I put it mildly, if she
was buying her clothes by the weight, she was not spending that
much money. Basically, she was naked bless her. The outfit would
be been totally out of order even in Birmingham to be honest, so
imagine in a muslim country. But Mohamed Ali's reaction was "that's
ok, she can wear anything she likes. In Qatar, women are free,
and can dress anyway they like."
And that was the end of it.... That describe both him, and the
way Qatar's way of life really. As long as you respect people,
you can do pretty much whatever you wish!
Arranged with Hisham and Alaa, Mohamed Ali picked me up on
Tuesday around 4pm and off we drove to Katara, where we took a
little golf cart that drove us around the place! |
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WHAT DOES KATARA MEANS?
Since the year 150 AD, “Catara” was the first and
most ancient name designated for Qatar Peninsula in
geographic and historical maps.
On the map drawn by the geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus in
150 AD, published in 882 AD -1477 AD and later in the
Historical Atlas of Islam, the peoples of the Arabian
Peninsula in the middle of the second century AD were
identified.
The name “Katara” appeared in the geographical and
historical maps in early eighteenth century AD. In a French
map of the Arabian Peninsula coast line, sea and gulf, the
name was written “Katara” instead of “Catara,” which was the
designation used by geographers from the map of Ptolemaeus
in 150 AD until 1738 AD ("Katar" is actually today's French
spelling)
It was decided to revive Qatar’s olden name to uphold their
Cultural Village's connection to ancient heritage. |
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WHAT IS KATARA
Katara was born out of an inspired vision of HH Sheikh
Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and I'm told
his son travelled the world to inspire himself as they
design the architecture of the grandiose area.
The aim is to position Qatar as a cultural beacon a
lighthouse of art through theatre, literature, music,
visual art, conventions and exhibitions. It's also an open
place where everybody comes to relax, enjoy their time with
their families.
A lovely little beach with plenty of Kids' activities, one
of the most beautiful natural beaches of Qatar, Katara’s
private beach spans over 1.5km. You can choose between
relaxing or a great variety of adrenaline-boosting beach
activities, for kids too: water skiing, wakeboarding, knee
boarding, parasailing, sailing, boat rides, sea pedal boats,
canoe/kayak, fishing trips.
Yop. You can even have a gondola ride! I kid you
not...
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 There
are
plenty of restaurants of all price ranges, ice creams
everywhere, immense open plans where kids can play, where you
can walk, look at the sea, enjoy life basically.
Probably the most intriguing I saw was the
Sukar Pasha
Ottoman Lounge – a Turkish orientated cuisine - but with
the most lavishing of decor.
 There
is the restaurant itself, with very comfortable furniture and a
bit start of the Paris Belle Epoque style, with little salons
giving onto the garden where you can smoke different tobaccos
and enjoy lovely food.
There are a few salons as well inside, a bit more private. The
garden esplanade is really spacious and welcoming, stunning view
upon the sea and boats.
But what really made me feel like on a film set - if you've ever
seen the film 'Gigi', you'll know what I mean - was the
bungalows on the beach itself, where you have a privacy of your
own salon, but right on the sand! I loved it!!!
Apparently, you have the luxury of the restaurant, but with the
privacy of the old style Lavishing Belle Epoque! So kitch. So
ravishingly beautiful....
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SO MUCH TO SEE
The gem of the cultural village, the Katara Amphitheatre
is a crafted balance between the classical Greek theatre
concept and the everlasting Islamic features, with a seating
capacity of 5,000 persons
Completed in the year 2008, this 3,275 m2 landmark was
officially opened on 11 December 2011 with a spectacular
concert especially created by legendary Vangelis and
featuring world-renowned stars like Angela Gheorghiou,
Roberto Alagna and Jeremy Irons.
 Of
COURSE, there is a Opera House is home to the Qatar
Philharmonic Orchestra, with a blend of ultramodern
architecture and traditional Islamic design, which counts
550 seats.
Add to that an indoor Drama Theatre, Art Studios
with one workshop room where educational programs in the
visual arts are delivered and developed, a lounge library,
and three artist studios hosting a local, regional and
international Artist in Residency Program.
One of my Artist friends, Anne-Mina, came a few months ago
and had the most wonderful experience as part of the
program.
Not to mention numerous halls and galleries that host
various conferences, seminars, symposiums and exhibitions!
This place is truly amazing, you can walk and just browse
around the place. It's worth your while!
Well, we were there for more than 2 hours, and I only
scratched the surface. Can't wait to come back and try that
Turkish restaurant... Or the ice cream shop... or the beach...
or.. or... or... Next year isA...
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