December, 2023.

Doha, Qatar (pronounced Cutter) is located on the Gulf of Oman on the Arabian Peninsula. It is the fastest growing city in Qatar and it has over 80% of the nation’s population. It is the financial capital of the country and is considered one of the safest cities in the world.

Arriving in Qatar, located on the Arabian peninsula, the weather and everything else is a dramatic change – culture, food, clothing, and religion. This region is predominantly Muslim and has a HUGH infusion of cash from gas and oil. Life is good for the Qatari.

We arrived in December and it is described as the best month of the year. The weather was a constant 80° and there was always a nice wind. We did lots of walking through the old souks and alongside their fabulous corniche along the waterfront. We also did a couple excursions.

National Museum of Qatar

This should be your first stop in Doha. The museum showcases Qatar’s rich heritage and culture. The museum offers a range of archaeological and heritage objects displayed in this never-ending masterpiece. The centerpiece of the museum’s collection is the pearl carpet.

Doha was once known for their pearl industry before the discovery of oil. It was one of the leading centers for pearl fishing in the Gulf region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sadly, the industry declined drastically with the introduction of the cultured pearl.

Souq Waqif

Souq Waquif is where you go to find anything that you could possibly need or want. Food, clothing, Falcon day care, sweets and hookah pipes. It’s where men spend hours a day smoking their hookahs, drinking tea or coffee and watching the world go by.

Falcons

One of the highlights for our visit to Doha was a visit to the Falcon Hospital and souk through Murex Tours.

Falconery is big money in Qatar and this hospital is the place to bring your bird for health and healing. Loose a feather – no problem. The hospital has a full assortment to fit every type of falcon.

In this souk, they also have stores where you can buy a Falcon or a kestrel for your child to learn how to handle the birds.

The souk also has a “Falcon daycare” where you can drop off your bird during the day and pick it up after work. (A work day runs from about 7-noon). Remember, it gets blazing hot here most of the year so work is done early in the day.

Camel Racing

Camel racing in Qatar is another big business and a major form of entertainment. Our friend who lived here said it is a “must see”. Next to having falcons, this is another (expensive) hobby.

Our guide from Murex Tours picked us up bright and early and drove us to the track. Once you arrive, you have to get into position. Then, you wait in your Range Rover for the race to start. Trainers are on the immediate right side of the track, owners on the immediate left side and spectators on the far outside.

The camels run an 8k race with mechanical jockies on their backs. The trainers can talk to the camels through this mechanical device. They can maintain a speed of about 40 mph during these races.

In case you are wondering, it’s a wild ride in the car with the windows down, cars trying to get in front of you and the sand and heat blowing into the car, horns honking and people yelling.

After we chased several races we headed to the winners area. Here the winning camel is coated in a neck wash of saffron and water. This paste shows who was king of the race.

While the camel is being bathed in saffron, the mechanical jockey is being x-rayed and weighed. This verifies no cheating.

It is certainly an interesting part of their culture. Because this is a Muslim country, there is no betting as it’s all about the honor of winning.

After a quick five day visit, we are off on another adventure as we continue to head east. Next up: Sri Lanka.