Trip to the Pearl

We decided to go check out The Pearl during the day (as we have only seen it at night time)

Firstly we had a drive by the Zig Zag Towers - they really are quite amazing structures, at certain angles they look like they just might fall over.  

Driving over the bridge to The Pearl

The entrance - its like you are driving into another world (which is clean) its like an escape from the city life of Doha

Tuk Tuk's to take you from your car to the shops if you desire  - the walk is not that far. But you wouldn't want to walk in the summer.

Inside one of the shopping areas - there is only one shop open at the moment.  But all the windows are labelled with the names of shops that are going in there - and I would say that these shops would be window shopping only!!!

Some of the apartments available

Nicholas

More apartments and I can't wait to see the sorts of boats that will live here.

More shops and apartments

A touch of christmas

Self Portrait

A Little Bit of Luxury

To take the boredom out of being unemployed I decided to go browse around the shops - and window shop around the shops that when I win lotto I will be able to purchase from!!!

These photos are not very good as I took them in a hurry and there is an awfully bright skylight.  This is the end of the mall where you find the likes of Burberry, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chopard, Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Dior, D&G just to name a few. (excuse the spelling - these are labels that don't appear in my wardrobe)  The last time I was here there was only a few stores open.

The floors are speckled with gold - I should check out the loo as I am sure they are pretty nice too (weird you are thinking - she is going to check out the loo!!)

As you can see there is not many people shopping down this end.  There is even valet parking.  I ventured into Burberry and decided to be brave and check out the price tag on a very ordinary looking jacket - $2000.00 AUD - mmmm not today maybe tomorrow I said!!!!

Quick Trip Home

We went home to Brisbane for a two week holiday (not much of a holiday - we spent most of the first week doing banking and all sorts of stuff) but did get to spend lots of time with mum and a little time with Josh (he was busy working).

The flight to Brisbane  was awful - 21hrs including transit - next time we will stop somewhere on the way .

This is the Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal - its weird - basically one big dome and thats it.  It really is just a transit airport.

Our first meal back in OZ - Ham -devine - oh it was so good.!!!

Nick with his favorite Hot English Mustard (of which we bought four jars back)

Joshy's beautiful cat JJ

Nick and I

The beautiful Bee and I - it was so nice to see some of my friends.

Lynley and Trish - somehow Jo got out of having her photo taken!!!

Visiting at CDH.

Alison and I 

Nick relaxing  

Welcome back to sunny Brisbane

A storm rolling in

Went to visit Llew and Trish in Noosaville.  (Trish and Mum)

One of the "kids" Molly

These are mum and Noels Kids!!!!

Jake and Molly

Jake

Now firstly let me say that I did not eat this on my own - we ate it between 5 of us!!!! I have never seen an icecream quite like it - 8 scoops of icecream - it was divine.

So thats it - we are now back playing in the Sand Pit - along with our Aussie food which came back with us - Mustard, Marmite (not aussie I know), porridge, cranberry sauce for the turkey, christmas puds, loads of new clothes and shoes, toiletries - we spent soooo much money - but it was all on stuff that is cheaper to get in Oz.  

We had to repack our luggage at the airport as they were being really strict on the weight and we left with almost double the amount we came with.  So our hand luggage was so heavy. 

So see you all in another 6-7 months time.

Opening of the Museum

Last night was the official opening of the Museum of Islamic Arts.  The opening ceremony was for VIP'S only.  There was an amazing fireworks display.  We were at home and wondered what the noise was and then saw the fireworks, so at least we did get to see it.  For some reason they are not very good at advertising these things - you happen to come across them by pure luck!!!

The building is on its own island and is an incredible piece of architecture.  It will open to the public on December 1st - so am looking forward to going to have a look.

Car Show at "The Pearl"

Last night we went to "the Pearl" which is the equivalent of Dubai's Palm Island.  It is not formally opened (the first residents are to move in by the end of the year) and it will be completely finished by 2012.  But they opened it up to the public over the last two days to hold a car show there.

On display were the  worlds most expensive, exclusive and powerful cars .  The men who own the cars belong to an exclusive invitation only club called "Privatdrive" - its a club for wealthy businessmen to meet with each other outside of the office and behind the wheel of their cars.

The cars were amazing and "The Pearl" is going to be an amazing place when it is open.

These were a couple of the boats that were on show.

ASTON MARTIN DBS.

ASTON MARTIN DBS FROM THE FRONT .

MERCEDES BENZ MCLAREN SLR CONVERTIBLE.

KOENIGSEGG CCXR CARBON FIBER EDITION

AND BELOW IS THE PRICE TAG FOR THIS SPECIAL LITTLE BABY.

THE PRICE IN QATAR RIYALS  WAS 4.625 MILLION  equivalent to $2,021,000 AUD.

THIS IS A SPYKER ABOVE .

OKAY MY (NICK.) FAV CAR , GOING ON SANTA'S LIST OF PRESENTS FOR ME A BUGATTI VEYRON.

LAMBORGHINI LP560 IN A GREAT SHADE OF BLUE .

MY SECOND CAR ON SANTA'S WISH TO DELIVERED LIST A PAGANI ZONDA.

JUST AN AVERAGE ASTON MARTIN DB9.

The boardwalk at the Pearl

The apartments start at about $2M AUD

More apartments 

Still lots of construction going on

ROLLS ROYCE DROP HEAD COUPE THIS IS A TRUELY BEAUTIFUL CAR.

ROLLS ROYCE PHAMTOM MIRAGE .

ROLLS ROYCE DROP HEAD CONVERTIBLE , NICE CAR FOR THE WEEKEND .

GRATE SIDE VIEW OF THE DROP HEAD CONVERTIBLE , I SEE THESE CARS NEARLY EVERY DAY OF WEEK ...

 

PHAMTOM MIRAGE .... KELLIE SAYS NICE !!!!!

Here is the newspaper article about the show - you can see better pictures of the buildings.

Dream cars go on show at Pearl-Qatar

By Bonnie James HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani declares the Supercar Show open as Alexis Lallement-Steiner, Khalil Sholy, Omar Alfardan and Sheikh Nawaf look on THE Privatdrive Supercar Show, Qatar’s first event of its kind, got off to a roaring start yesterday at The Pearl-Qatar, being promoted as the most glamorous address in the Middle East. HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani formally opened the two-day exhibition of the world’s most exclusive vehicles in the evening. The Pearl-Qatar is the host sponsor and Commercialbank the presenting sponsor of the event that also features luxury lifestyle essentials, including jewellery, yachts and fashion brands. A group of visitors walk past BMW cars on display at the boardwalk of The Pearl-Qatar yesterday morning Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Lebanese singer Ragheb Alameh, Alfardan Group president Omar Alfardan, Commercialbank CEO Michael Azmi-Loe, Pearl-Qatar promoter and developer United Development Company managing director and president Khalil Sholy, Privatdrive founder and owner Alexis Lallement-Steiner, and Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Group president Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled al-Thani were present at the opening. A Bugatti on show The show, open to the public today from 11am to 11pm, features top-of-the-range cars, including 10 which are being officially launched in the country at the exhibition. Thrown open to the public from 11am yesterday, the exhibition attracted thousands of visitors throughout the day. Alfardan Automobiles has displayed Alpina, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Rolls Royce and MINI,  Alfardan Marine has put on show luxury yachts from Riva, Dominator and Dalla Pieta, and Alfardan Jewellery is presenting high-end products. Some of the models from Audi on show PICTURES: Jayan Orma NBK Automobiles has presented AMG, Koenigsegg, Maybach, McLaren, Mercedes, Brabus, and Spyker cars in addition to participation by NBK Prime Ride, NBK Fashion, and NBK Art Marine. Dana Motors is showcasing Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Pagani Zonda vehicles, apart from Bugatti and Lamborghini collecting items. Jaidah Group has presented Chevrolet’s Corvette and Camaro, and Sur La Terre magazine, and Ligne Roset. Audi has been put on show by Saad Buzwair and Aston Martin by Horizon Automobiles at the event being held at The Pearl-Qatar’s recently opened Boardwalk at the Porto Arabia, one of the 10 precincts in the QR50bn plus offshore, Riviera-style man-made island. “The Lamborghini LP 560, Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed, Koenigsegg CCXR carbon fibre edition, and the latest models of Pagani Zonda, Bugatti Veyron, and Spyker C 8, are among the cars that are being officially launched in Qatar at the show,” Alexis said. He also said that without the support of The Pearl-Qatar and Commercialbank, the event would not have been possible. Azmi-Loe stated that to be the presenting sponsor for the Supercar Show was both an honour and privilege for Commercialbank, while offering congratulations and thanks to Privatdrive and The Pearl-Qatar for their support in bringing the prestigious event to Doha for the first time. “Commercialbank’s support to this event comes as a continuation of the bank’s commitment to the Qatari society by helping to develop Qatar’s local and international profile,” the CEO said. Commercialbank has a special lounge at the venue, apart from a distinctive golf simulator, supported by Commercialbank Qatar Masters. The name and location of Pearl-Qatar, the first in the country to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors, which is coming up on a former pearl diving site, highlights the country’s traditions and strong historical and cultural ties to the sea. Located 350m offshore from Doha’s prestigious West Bay district and 25km away from Doha International Airport, the island offers an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital’s thriving community. Spanning approximately 4mn sq m of land, and 32km of new coastline, the island will eventually be home to an upscale multicultural community of over 41,000 residents, and comprising 15,000 dwellings within 10 precincts when completed in 2012.  The Pearl-Qatar will also include five-star hotels, marinas, a yacht club, schools, restaurants and lifestyle amenities, and 2mn sq ft of upscale retail space proffering some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands.