Boat Racing on the Corniche

Today we went down to the Corniche to watch the Hydroplane Boat Racing.

All of the boats are from the USA with one local entrant...

They go as fast as 240mph - but here they only reach speeds of about 140mph due to the corners being a bit choppy (as told to me by one of the team members)

My favourite building in Doha - it looks like a big????

Would love to drive one of these trucks - awesome.

And of course as at any Middle Eastern event there has to be a camel.

He is having a stratch on the tree..

The Qatari entrant about to be knocked out of the race by turbulance

Being towed in to shore

The damaged boat being lifted out of the water.

Daily Sightings .....

These photos were taken by friend of mine who has lived in Doha for a few years.

These accidents are seen on a daily basis.

As traffic here is so bad - we do alot of residential off-roading to try and take shortcuts and this is what happens!!!

And this!!!

Lucky there was a sunroof...

This was at a busy roundabout - they are hotspots for accidents - no rules apply here - its just a free for all.....

This was a jeep that ran into the front window of a local hotel.

This is What Happens When It Rains

These photos were taken by my gorgeous friend Angela - thanks for letting me "steal" them.

This man had sped through the local drive thru onto a busy slip road. Skidded and ended up on his roof !

All passengers escaped with little injury.....

This was during peak hour traffic - well the traffic is always peak hour!!!!

Leaking petrol and missing tyre - this car will probably be here for weeks (not an uncommon sight here in Doha)

Happy Halloween

Friday Brunch

Decided to go the Grand Hyatt Hotel for Thai Brunch on Friday - its all you can eat and all the alcohol you can drink, and I think I got my money's worth for sure (in alcohol) . They make the best Thai Whiskey Cocktails...

The Doha Tribeca Film Festival is on at the moment and these cars were outside the hotel - they were transporting people to and from the festival, so I was hoping I might see a celebrity or two - but alas no!!!!

A selection of the food that we had to eat - it really is the best Thai food.

One of the lounge areas in the Hotel.

One big football in the middle of a roundabout - Qatar is one of the bidding nations in the 2022 world cup.

A very odd looking house being built

These camels were in the middle of the city - they had obviously been gathered here for a tourist attraction for the people attending the Doha Tribeca Film Festival

Smile for the camera

The Sheraton Hotel

A mosque with a twist

The sun setting in the pit..

Tennis

The WTA Ladies Tennis Tournament is here in Doha for the last time this year - it is being held in Istanbul for the next three years , so we bought tickets to go - and then we were given tickets to every night of the tournament. But we did not end up going as we decided to have a nice leisurely Thai Brunch at one of the hotels here, we made sure we got our moneys worth in alcohol before we left!!!!!

Unfortunately the Williams sister's were not playing in the tournament due to injury - they are quite incredible to watch in person. So that was a bit disappointing. Some of the other players were Kim Clijsters, Australian Samantha Stosur, World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonereva..

Look forward to the mens tennis which usually comes here around January.