DAY 2
Next day, when I woke up, I was feeling jetlagged. I was awake early had a long bath.

I went to restaurant to have breakfast. Provided my room number and checked the food offering.


Breakfast


Breakfast

After breakfast, I returned to the room and slept again. I had some work to wrap. Stayed in room to complete the work.

Around mid-day, cleaning staff came to organise the room. Chatted to her and found she was from South Africa. After completing work, I rested again and got a call from friend for pickup at 5.30pm.

Got picked from the hotel and drove to Katara.

Video: Qatara : Katara Cultural Village - Doha, Qatar


In the past, the area after Sheraton Doha was empty.


Katara

Katara

Katara

From Katara, drove to The Pearl. Learnt that people were setting business and buying apartments to get residency


Ferrari

Katara

From The Pearl drove to Lusail.

Lusai.

From Lusail, I went to his house in Al Khor

Video:Drive from Doha to Al Khor

Had drinks and dinner, Stayed over night.

Day 3

Next morning, We went for a drive.



We went to Al Thakeera Beach and Al Khor Corniche.


Al Khor

Video: Al Khor, Qatar



Al Thakeera Beach

Al Thakeera Beach

Returned to house for breakfast. At 10.00am left Al Khor. We would be going to Mesaieed. There is expressway to Mesaieed bypassing Doha.

I told my friend to take the old route to Mesaieed. This route would go through Doha corniche, Old Doha Airport road, AlWakra then to Mesaieed. Journey time now takes 1.30hr depending on traffic.


Route map


Video: Al Khor to Doha Crazy Signal

Doha Expressway from AlKhor


Doha Expressway

Doha Expressway

Driving through the Doha Corniche, reliving memories


Doha Corniche

Bank street had a bus stop from people used to catch company shuttle to Doha in the past. This place is completely transformed. In the past there used to be roundabouts.


Bank Street, Doha

Stopped at Crazy signal which used to be called Crazy roundabout as the roundabout had many roads converging and was difficult to navigate. Heard of many accidents on this road.


Crazy Signal [Roundabout]

Video: Doha to Mesaieed

Passed the old AlMana building then the old Doha airport road, which used to have a roundabout to drive towards Salwa. During 80's, after the Doha Food Center, my father used to park the car next to the Falafel shop and we could see the aircraft's landing as it used to be a simple fence. Falafel used to cost QAR 1.50.


Old Doha airport road towards Al Wakra

Driving towards Al Wakra, which used to be a 4 lane road, there used to be roundabout after Doha airport road. AlWakra road had no streetlights in the 1980's. There was a period of power shortage during the 1990's due to some issue with Ras Abu Fontas power plant, alternative light were switched off.


Al Wakra road



Al Wakra Road


On the left side used to be National shop, which was very popular for electronics. People from Mesaieed used to be regular from shopping on Thursday and Friday's. On the right , used to be a roast chicken place, which I liked.


Al Wakra Road

After AlWakra, Mesaieed road used to start after a round about and a small row of pre-fabs houses.. In 80's and 90's Mesaieed road used to 4 lane with no streetlight. People used to speed, during 90's, cop's used to place camera between the trees to catch the racers. The first roundabout coming from Mesaieed towards AlWakra next to the port road was famous for accidents as some drivers did not slow their 4WD's and have seen vehicles slammed in the barriers. Seen some crazy accidents on Mesaieed roads during 80~90's.

Now the road is 8 lane straight

Mesaieed Road

1st roundabout of Mesaieed. Being an industrial town, Cop's used to set barricades and check driver id and address at night in the past.

Mesaieed


Entered Mesaieed, which as transformed from a small industrial town to a city.

I went to check the Al Maha club, where employees and families used to come for sports and entertainment. The club is closed now.


Al Maha club

Video: Mesaieed, Qatar

Our family accommodation from 1980 till 1988 used to be across the road. It was demolished and replaced by Mesaieed Health Center.


Ground

Used to play on this ground in 80's


Ground

Accommodation from 1990's.

A very well built property and very spacious.Stayed in this apartment, which was 3 bedroom with central ac unit for each flat.


Accommodation

Parking for each flat.

Accommodation

After a short visit, Drove to Mesaieed shopping area.



Qasco building

In 1980, there were 5 shops - 1 grocer, 1 hair saloon and a general store. Next to that was Camp maintenance office. There used to be Doha Bank and Qatar Post.

Staff did not receive post at home, Post and Parcel was delivered at work site.


Mesaieed shopping

Qasco building, these building used to be accommodation for Qatar Steel employees during the 1970~90's.

Heard recently these building are demolished.


Qasco building

From Mesaieed, drove to Sealine beach.


Sand

Video: Mesaieed Sealine Beach

People go to Sealine beach for the resort and dune bashing related activities.


Sealine beach

I went there for few minutes to take some photos.



Sealine Resort is popular among locals and tourist during weekends, which is Friday and Saturday now.



Returning journey to Doha

Video: Al Wakra to Old Doha Airport

Alwakra Station

Alwakra Station


Alwakra Station


Ras Abu Fontas Station



Old Doha International Airport [DIA]


In 1980's, when travel to Doha for the 1st time, it used to be a single terminal. Passport were handwritten - See the trip report above. After immigration, only had to pick bag and leave, there was on security check of the bag.


Old Doha International Airport

Departure building


Old Doha International Airport

Arrival building built in 90's ahead

Old Doha International Airport

I had to told my friend, I want to eat falafel. We went to a shop near the old airport.


Menu

Table menu

Falefel tasted as good as in the past. I was disappointed with the bread as I wanted to Kuboos [Arabic Pita Bread]. I went to Abu Dhabi, had same issue. Those who have tasted the falafel with that Kuboos would know what I mean. The crunch and the sweet taste with chilli sauce and yogurt.



After food, drove to Villagio Mall

Lulu Hypermall is popular in Arabian Gulf


Video: Drive to Villaggio Mall, Doha

Driving towards Salwa Road


Villas by the road

Villas


Ramada Hotel used to stand along building this area in the past. Behind it is The Center, used to popular with European expat in the past as they used to sell winter clothes, catering to western taste.


Ramada Doha

Driving towards Khalifa stadium which is next to Villaggio Mall. There is metro to the mall. Karwa public transport in Doha


Karwa bus

Villaggio Mall



Inside



I did not plan the shopping, but my friend bought me gift. I changed some currency at the mall for some shopping.


We both purchased QAR 22 currency note, which was specially printed for the Football World Cup 22


then to Carrefour, where my friend got some gift for my parents.



Video: Drive in Doha

After shopping, drove me back to Hotel


Al Saad Intersection


Reaching the DCCC, we went to the Doha Center Mall. He asked me try another falafel. I was to full. Took to hotel for late dinner.

Said bye to him and walked through the connector towards hotel.

Reached room and slept.