our little venice
Villaggio Mall ,DOHA

It is the number one shopping and entertainment centre in Doha . At weekends it is so crowdy though only families are allowed to enter here .What is so attractive here ? You enter and you get the impression of being in Venice there's a canal gondoles , the faux facade of the buildings ... then it is packed with European cafes , Paul - the French cafe ,Le notre , Columbus as well , Ristoretto Italian , cafe Vergano Italian etc. ... you . Besides the usual places that you would expect from a mall( ice rink cinema complex) there is a part which looks like a palace full of exclusive boutiques where you would not want to spend your hard earned money still it is nice to take a rest at the fountain at the center - or go to a VIP restroom where you are allowed even if you forgot your VIP card at home !

Visit my online shop . You can find bright colored neckties all the year around not only in summer !

Swimsuit shopping in October


Excuse me ! Where can I find the swimsuits ? I remember two years ago you had large selection !

No madame - it is winter -we do not have swimsuit for winter !

It is 38C outside .
What could we do ?WE bought some warm caps . They had really nice selection of that at Sana store .

Doha souq is on fire

When looking out of the window in the morning I saw black smoke emerging in front of us -around 1 km far from al Khaleej street ... then it turned out that it was in the souq Dera near Rawnaq shop ... the faulty A/C is said to have caused the problem and it is still out of control ... more than four hours after it started I still see the smoke but it is smaller

Update :the fire was put out after four hours fighting . Read about the shops which were gutted here .

SWINE FLU PREVENTION HOLIDAY


Schools did not reopen as scheduled last week . The local authorities decided to keep kids at home .People arrive here from all over the world . They might bring in the virus . One week is enough to see who is sick or who is not .
It seemed to me a wise decision . Parks were full of kids and parents .We all need sunshine = vitamin D . One of the best prevention !

French breakfast in Doha

Chocolat Chaud by parisbreakfast
See other Paris Cards

Places in Doha to have French Breakfast :PAUL Restaurant 4135508
located at villaggio mall and landmark


LeNotre-PAris4552111salwa road, al Imadi building ,Villaggio Mall, high end section

Swiss-Belhotel Café Mezz 4078888 , Doha Jaber Bin Mohammed Street, Old Slata

Bread and breakfast in Doha
the continental one ...

SUSHI MINTO
Avoiding the crowds during the Eid holidays is not easy in Doha.However the Japanese restaurant was nearly empty .It is a large area . I liked the retro interior with circles and oval shaped mirrors .The waitresses were wearing tie with sushi design on it !
I am not a sushi expert so I opted for a bento .It came in a medium sized box with a selection of sushis , mizo soup , noodles , green salad .It was nice for 55 rials .If you wish to select your lunch or dinner a la carte it is rather pricey but you can chose from a large variety of sushis . If you got QR 200 or more for a single dish then the Japanese chefs will make their dishes in front of you at the counter .
It is wise that they added some non -Japanese items to their menu .This way the kids found also something to their tastes !
A liter of water QR18 ,service 12 % .
It was a nice change !

got sushi by almawad
View other Got sushi T-Shirts

Eid in Qatar 2009

Where to go ? What to do ?
Go to the desert at night

Eid Holiday expected date : 20 ,21 ,22 September

expected weather conditions :High : 38C - 39 C Low : at night 29 C- 30 C wind 14 -21 km/h


Escape the city and go on a worry-free adventure trip through the desert by Gulf Adventures. QR 550 per person. Minimum of at least 2 people. 6 people per vehicle. This includes a buffet dinner and an Arabian breakfast the following morning. For more info, call 422-1888 or visit www.gulf-adventures.com.

Pearl Island

Cultural and Art district ,exhibitions , henna tent ,cafes , shops

Al Sultan Beach Resort
Eid Al Fitr Package - Standard Room

Room rates QAR 1000 - 1100

Room rate includes Eid Lunch Buffet and breakfast.

Room facilities
Minibar, Shower, Bath, Safety Deposit Box, TV, Telephone, Air Conditioning, Bathroom Amenities, Toilet, Bathroom, Satellite TV, Cable TV
Hairdryer, Wake Up Service/Alarm Clock, Bathrobe, Seating Area
Max. persons: 2


Activities
Tennis Court, Fitness Centre, Jacuzzi, BBQ Facilities, Outdoor Swimming Pool

Beach Party at Hotel Mariott

Assi Al Hillani Live in Qatar

dinner party and a night full of music
Date: 09/23/2009
Venue: Dafna Hall, Sheraton Doha
QR 300 to QR 1,500 which include seated dinner and drinks.
For more information, call 537-5374 or 538-5384.


ABSOLUT Bollywood with DJ Aqeel & DJ NYK

Start Time:
Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:00pm
End Time:
Friday, September 25, 2009 at 2:00am
Location:
Doha Marriott Hotel Beach
Street:
Ras Abu Aboud
City/Town:
Ad Dawha, Qatar
Tickets (available from 10th September 2009):
IN ADVANCE:
VIP : Qrs. 200/-
Regular: Qrs. 150/-
Ladies: Qrs. 100/-

AT THE DOOR:
VIP : Qrs. 225/-
Regular: Qrs. 175/-
Ladies: Qrs. 125/-

Tickets available at:
Haji Ali - Family Food Center, Airport Road
Tandoor Express - City Center
Bombay Chowpatty - Airport Road
Maharaja Restaurant - Al Asmakh Street
Music Land - Family Food Center, Airport Road
Tandoor Express - Al Meera, Mansoora
Dnata Travel - Airport Road
Saqr Stores - City Center, Landmark Mall, Hyatt Plaza & Al Nasr. Street
NO AGE LIMIT ###

### SEPARATE AREA FOR UNDER 21's ###

NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED - NO ENTRY TO THE PARTY WITHOUT A VALID ID.

Dress Code: It's a beach party! What more do you want us to tell you?

For More Info call 7172731 / 5717447 / 7746007

Once upon a time there was a Hungarian woman who was living far from her country .(aka me) Living in Qatar she started to put her designs at a Californian based company's page to sell things(aka zazzle) . She got customers from remote places . The other day someone bought her necktie from New Zealand ...
Hungary in her heart , Qatar is the place where she creates , California where the idea becomes a true object and someone is enjoying it in New Zealand !

Typical Ramadan Lampard

Typical Ramadan Lampard
Photo taken on the Pearl Island

Do you take photos ?Why do not you join the Ramadan photo competition ?
Prizes seems to be very attractive ! Check out this !!

Iftar at Dunia restaurant Villaggio

Season of Iftar Dinners

Ramadan is here and everything seems to be about eating or not eating .Though harshly criticized by many - public eating during the fasting hours is still forbidden and punished by lashes .
When the sun sets the restaurants are full of hungry expats and locals .. this is the seasons of ifthar dinners .

It is a long meal .Two of us shared one meal and as we expected - it was too large for two of us .Finally the children who had had some junk food before helped us to finish it.It was an extra pleasure for me that they tried something new . We had this iftar at Dunia restaurant , Villagio .
here is what they served for 130 rials :
Hors d'oeuvre : Oven fresh home made khobz ,date (tamr) ,olives , labneh(cheese),
Entree : lentil Soup , hommos , fresh garden salad , oven fresh sambosas ,kebbe ,beef stew with pineseeds
Main course : mixed kebab with three colored rice
Dessert :Cold Rice Pudding with Date sauce

It was a fine dining out with excellent dishes , stylish ways of serving the food and very helpful waiters ...

Only the price of the water leaves some bad taste in the mouth ( water was not included )

read more review on this restaurant

SO Middle Eastern
The direction of Mekka is shown on the mirror of a hotel room in Doha .

Our Great Flat Renovation Experience

The floor of our flat had been sinking for three months when our landlady went on holiday . She ordered her Indian valet/driver to arrange all within a month . We were forced out of our flat( in a way that the rent was payed by us during the renovation) . We had to pack everything within a week and find a temporary accommodation while the floor would be done .
In vain my husband tried to persuade her about her duty to pay for us the accommodation . She was very upset about the request . " You get the flat very cheap from me " was her answer . Right. Her rent augmented only 300 % the last seven years we lived there . That is the landlord ethic in Qatar .
We were searching for a flat which is sublet for a month or two while the lodger is on holiday . We saw terrible things. Whole families living in 20 square metre "furnished appartement"= there were matresses on the ground .Laundry room , shed advertised and let as family accommodation ..

Finally we found that a cheap hotel would be better .WE found one run by Indians and were ready to move when my husband found a bit more expensive suite hotel . Everything was wonderful there - a complete furnished flat in retro style .We could not resist - my husband was offered a bargain by the boss . We payed in advance and enjoyed this temporary luxury. Everything was nice but the boss. He called my husband after two days : You must pay more because we just noticed that one of your child is over 18 years old .
After a heated debate my husband refused to pay more .. Then he threatened him " if your little kids destroy something you will have to pay for that " ... Welcome in Arabia ...
Once I read in an old book that the Arabian hospitality is the best in the whole world .The Hungarian traveler and orientalist Germanus Gyula who travelled all around the Arabian Peninsula seventy years ago wrote about that ... Everything is changing .. the old traditions are forgotten ... quick profit and money is more important nowadays ...

Finally the flat is done ... the brand new toilets are leaking in a terrible way ... the floor was changed but according to my husband description they did not put enough layers of different soils to isolate properly . We count our expenses : accommodation , transport of the furniture , decorating the walls , mending the toilets ...finally we found that more than 6000 rials we had to pay because ten years ago when the house was constructed some people did not isolate properly the floor .
We expect it to be sinking again . We hope that we will not witness it here ... but for this price or a little more we would find a much better place to live next year ...

NUMBERS

Fifteen thousand flats or houses are empty and can not be let in Doha .

Though the rents are going down - it is still very high for the salaries . Still so many families live in shared - substandard accommodation !

A woman finds that she is in for a surprise after being hassled by a cheeky man at City Centre, a shopping mall in Doha. Good commercial with humor and criticism on local outdated customs .

FAREWELL FOR BEST FRIENDS

Two of my best friends are leaving Qatar for good . It is so hard . There are so few of us here Hungarian mums .Our kids were growing up together here in the past years and now it is over .Good Bye ! Good Luck for you and for your kids in your new home !

The Gang - Greeting CArd by DudaDaze
Browse Birthday Cards

Retro style digital painting radiating peace and harmony . This design is a template .Personalize it !

sailing boat by almawad
Choose a business card design at www.Zazzle.com

Some lights

Can you tell me why this campaign to cover up and plans to force people to do so (especially women)leaves a bad taste in the mouth ?

Reading the local news I noticed the view of a Qatari man on the issue :
At least some lights !

Abdullah Hussein — Qatari

“What one wears is one’s own choice. We can’t force people to wear clothes we like. It’s a matter of individual freedom and I believe in personal freedom.”

“I agree that people should respect our social and religious values and traditions, but they should do it voluntarily. We cannot force them. We can only make them aware through campaigns. We can convince them about that and we have to be extremely polite doing that.”

SUMMER WITH KIDS 2009



Doha Expat Mums & Kids: Pool + Indoor Playgroup for 18-36 month old kids (Villagio area)

Date: 06/01/2009 to 07/27/2009
Time: 3pm-5pm

Visit the website for details and to RSVP www.dohaexpatmumsandkids.com

swimming baby by almawad
Browse more Baby T-Shirts

Fun First Nursery this summer

July for 4 weeks Summer Camp, from Sunday 5th July until Thursday 30th July

children up to 6 years old
QR 1800/ per child
contact the Reception at 4110953 between 7am and 2pm

Creative Child Nursery

30/ 3/ 2009

If you are from 2 to 6 years old, join them this summer for a lot of fun! From July 5th to August 20th. Time from 7 am to 1 pm Information and Registration: 479 5916

ICC SUMMER CAMP
THE OASIS 2009

“The Indian Cultural Centre is all set to conduct its Fourth Summer Camp – “The Oasis 2009” involving a wide range of informative, innovative educational and entertaining programs for 6-weeks starting from 2nd Aug.2009 to 10.Sept.2009 at the MIS – DPS school.

The formal inauguration will be held on the 1st.Aug.2009 while the Grand finale on 11th.Sept.2009.

Registration formalities must be completed at the ICC office only. For any further details, please contact ICC reception at 4674845 / 4674891 from 10 to 12am and from 4 to 10pm.

APTECH SUMMER CAMP( COMPUTER EDUCATION)

FROM 1ST OF JULY

REGISTER :4673399




Junior Hotel Academy

Let your child enjoy the summer season and let them feel being a young professional hotelier.

It's open for children ages 6 to 12 years old. Schedules will be every Thursday from July 2 to August 20, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more inquires please call Catherine Vidonia on 496-6511, 496-6600 or email her at catherine.vidonia@movenpick.com

Entertainment Village

Doha Exhibitions Center

children’s rides, ‘extreme rides’ and organised sporting activities in the outdoor area, with entertainment, games, restaurants and shopping areas indoors. Artistes from Europe and Asia will perform live shows, including plays, acrobatics, puppet shows and magic tricks to entertain the young and old alike. An appetising collection of restaurants and cafes will satisfy visitors of all tastes. The Entertainment Village will welcome fun-seekers from 10am to 10pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays.

SEE COMMENTS ON IT

BEACHES IN QATAR

AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF BEACHES , LOCATION , DESCRIPTIONS



Regatta Summer School - Learn to Sail

5 afternoons, Sunday through Thursday.
Starting of the week 5th, 12th and 19th of July, 2 pm to 5pm.

QR 800 per students per week. Minimum age 6 yrs.

Qualified RYA Instructors, Buoyancy Aids Provided, Safety Boats on hand at all times.

For further details contact 442 4577 / 550 7846

email : regatta/-a-t-/qatar.net.qa

Evolution Soccer Summer Holiday Club


Evolution Soccer will be hosting summer courses.

5th to 9th of July at Doha College from 9 am to 1pm.

12th to 16th of July at Doha College from 9am to 1pm.

Each weeks will cost QR 700.

Children can attend a minimum of one day at the cost QR 150 per day.

For futher info pls call 506 4794 or email evolution_soccer/-a-t-/hotmail.com

CHILDREN COURSES - Dar Al Founoun Art School, Waqif Art Center
Drawing


MONDAYS: 4:00pm ! 5:30pm
Beginning: June 8th, 2009 ! 4 sessions once per week
Ending: June 29th, 2009
QR 650 (all materials included)
Children: age 7 -10 (grades 3-5)
Children will learn to look and reproduce on paper what they see by using
the 5 basic elements of drawing: dots, ovals, straight lines, curves lines,
and angle line. Through a variety of exercises they will learn to draw
abstract designs, animals, faces and objects.

info@waqifartcenter.com
434 09 21

Opera for kids

Hansel and Gretel
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

Date: 07/13/2009 to 07/23/2009
Venue: Aspire Hall Shows are at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m

QR 25 per child, QR 75 per adult
available at the door or reserved by phone
call 520-6319

MY GYM

498 0099

SUMMER CAMP - 3 TIMES A WEEK
QR 2750 PER MONTH


Café Céramique Summer Camp
on Thursdays , Fridays , Saturdays
QR 95 per day
cooking ,craft , snacks included
tel :4671100