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Middle East » Qatar » Doha
March 8th 2006

Published: March 9th 2006

Hi again family and friends! I flew (just under an hour) from Abu Dhabi to Qatar, a tiny Arab country half the size of Wales on a peninsular of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf with a population of about 800 000 people, of which only about 200 000 are local Qataris and the rest expats. Martin met me at the airport. He is a kiwi cousin who has been working here 3 months and will be joined by his wife Mar... Read Full Entry

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Deirdre Keys (nee Fleming)

Dee_2006_OE

Hi from Dee. I’ve taken a year’s leave from my job of more than 25 year’s teaching and am preparing to set off on my “Big OE”; better late than never! This is a practise, with instructions from son Dan who is an experienced traveller/blogger, to make sure I can work the “Travel Blog” OK before I leave New Zealand on 26th Feb 2006. The photo is me with Dan and Emma yesterday at "Groove in the Park" in Auckland Domain. I hope to visit internet cafes and update weekly but will have to work that one out when I’m on the road. I’ll be travelling to Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Egypt... full info

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So soft and cute

Wish I could sneak you into my bag

As yet she is not named

Martin says hello

The horses were all very friendly and inquisitive and pleased to have visitors to talk to them.

Each stall had a number and the resident's name on the door

Deep and meaningful conversation going on here

Have you got something for me?

Action just outside these stables

This is a childrens' riding lesson in progress. More stables in the background. The horses were very well behaved for these kids who were beginners.

You can see the entrance gate in the background

The lesson group also went outside the gate for a bit of free space. One group of disabled children was being led around which was nice to see, all on lovely Arabians.

A kiss from a very handsome fellow

Brrrrrrhhhhhhhh

I'm bored, can you get me out of here?

Martin

Just kidding, this tank probably belongs to one of the kid's parents in the riding school. Martin said you can see the petrol guage go down as you drive.I saw another stretched version that was a sinister looking white monster!

This is looking at the back of the stables we were just in.

Every stall has its own air con. Sand all around.

We strolled on down to a broodmare paddock

The horses are put out in the paddocks for a time each day and this one was a treat because it had some real grass in it for the mares and foals to have a nibble.

Some curious babies came to check us out

The paddocks were fenced with steel but the new ones being built will be wood.

Another paddock

These girls don't have the luxury of grass.

On to the next stable block

These are ancient Ottoman stables and will be retained and restored in the new complex along with the sand in one special ancient paddock.

What's happening down there?

Inside an Ottoman stall

Another cutie.

Another wing

This row had some fine young stallions in it. One of them could knock the top pipe down and did it just for fun.

This guy was jet black

He was the only one this colour amongst all the greys and chestnuts. Apparently the best stallions are all in America at the moment. There were sooooo many!

The ancient stables dwarfed by construction cranes

The Emir is going to demolish most of what we saw to build a new world class equestrian centre, Al Shaqab, which will fill a space of about 1km square. It will cost....wait for it....$720 million. It is only a part of the new "Education City" being constructed here which will include several world renowned universities, research facilities, specialist teaching hospital, conference centre, golf course, sporting academy, etc, etc, plus library, accomodation and everything else needed to accomodate a city of students. Mind boggling.

9th March 2006

Susan
non-member comment

Keep them coming
Wow Dee; you're so disciplined! Your photographs and commentary are so interesting - keep them coming. It sure looks hot and dusty. Going back to your S'pore blog - so glad you enjoyed the place and by the way, the smelly fruit, the 'king' of all fruits according to the locals, is durian. Looking forward to the next instalment. Take care, Susan

9th March 2006

Betty
non-member comment

You've crammed in so much already - amazing!! Must be that wacky baccy that's keeping you going at such a pace!! But I think I prefer the gold souk to the livestock - at least I could bring something back from there :) Great to hear all going so well.

12th March 2006

Asha
non-member comment

Great stuff! Doha is where my father died in front of the Emirs palace along the water front. You have been able to see more of Qatar than I did but I now need to go again because there is so much to see! Go Dee! Awesome pictures.

19th March 2006

Margaret
non-member comment

Equine
the photo's are wonderful - wish We were there !! love M

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