Tuesday 19th June 2012

West Bay, Doha, Qatar

Back in Pervolia after a week being away in Doha, Qatar.

A good trip with four days work and two days of the weekend with a little time to swim in the Arabian Gulf and sit on the beach.  For the former it was lovely and warm but for the latter HOT.  Temperatures each day were around 47C (117F) although on one day it went over 50C (122F) That is hot and it happened to be the day I needed to drive in the hire car to Al Khor about an hours drive across the desert to the north of Doha.  This was particularly taxing as one window of the hire car would not shut properly and therefore remained open by about 10cms.  Consequently the air conditioning  of the car was fairly ineffective and I arrived with my shirt soaking in sweat!

The attached picture today was taken from my bedroom window at the Inter Continental Hotel.  We used to live on the top floor of the first tower from the right with cream vertical stripe.  I used to watch each morning the two larger towers to the right being built from the bedroom window.  I’m glad we are not there now with them blocking the views.

Departure from Doha meant the alarm going off at 0100 for an 0145 depart from the hotel to the airport.  The only thing cheering me on the way was the lovely reminder of petrol prices in Doha.  34QAR to fill the tank (about 3/4) which is equivalent to £6.

Flight to Dubai and then a two hour wait for the transfer flight to Larnaca.  A call to Lillian whilst waiting for my bag meant she was at the airport by the time I got through immigration etc.  Once again the cursory glance at the passport.  Back home it was good to see the growing garden and a swim in the pool which really has warmed up and now is about 30C.

After an afternoon nap due to not very much sleep traveling and some catching up on emails it was an evening at home watching England v Ukraine in the Euro 2012 football.