DAY 1

Entered the room after check-in the hotel


Le Méridien City Center, Doha

Room view


Room view

Video: Le Méridien City Center, Doha


I had shower and then went for breakfast, which was included in the booking.


Breakfast


Breakfast

Breakfast

After breakfast, I went to Doha Metro DCCC station, which was a short walk from the hotel.


DCCC Station

I bought a Day pass.


Doha metro ticket machine


Doha metro ticket machine

Day Pass allows full day travel on Doha metro. Was cheap and convenient to travel to places of interest.



Video: Doha metro:

DCCC station



Train service was quick.


Metro route

Disembarked at Corniche Station


Corniche station

After spending sometime in the garden, I took another ride to Doha City Center.

I walked towards Souq Al-Assery, which was a popular shopping center in 1990's.


Souq Al-Assery


Souq

Entered Souq to check how it was inside.Not much has changed. Revived my memories.

Video: Doha Center Souq


I had to exchange money as I didn't have enough. I crossed the road and got money exchanged. I received rate close to the official rate.


Souq

Next is the Souq Fateh, this shopping center exists since 1980's when I first went to Doha. Used to have Vegetable and fruit market next to it.


Souq Fateh

Crossed the road towards Souq Waqif.

Below photo, right side is Qatar Central Bank, A building for 1970's.



Qatar Central Bank

Qatar Riyal 100 had this building on the back of the note.


Qatar Central Bank

Souq Waqif - used to be called Irani market during the 1980-90's



People used to buy dry fruits, and other stuff from the market.


It was getting hot.

Police car in old colours






Souq Waqif


Gold Souq on the left side of the road. I had walked enough and it was getting hot. I decided to return to hotel.


Gold Souq

Returning to DCCC using the Doha metro


Driverless metro train

Exited the DCCC station and entered the Doha City Center mall


DCCC

View of Doha City Center Mall


Doha City Center mall

There is an internal passage from mall to the hotel but I walked towards the hotel from outside, wanting to see the exterior.

Outside DCCC mall

After reaching room, I slept till 5p.m. I was picked in the evening for buffet dinner.


Al Saad

Appetizer



Dessert


Dessert

Driven to the Corniche and below is the view.

Video: Night in Doha, Qatar



West Bay view of Doha corniche


West Bay from Doha Corniche

Doha Corniche


Doha Corniche view

I went to sleep early to overcome the jetlag.