Trip to the Museum

Today we ended up at the Museum of Islamic Arts as  our mission to find a piece of grass to sit on in the sun proved impossible (due to the fact that Leaders of Arab countries are here  for a meeting that all the possible parking spaces along the whole of the waterfront were cordoned off - one thing for sure they take security of VIP's important) so this is where we ended up. And it was well worth the visit.

Little did we know that there was grass here.

The museum from a distance

Some strange ship shaped building

The palm tree lined driveway to the entrance of the museum (which Joe Blogs is not allowed to drive up) but it looks good.

Catching some rays

The building is quite amazing

Enjoying some rays and some wind!!

The main foyer 

This window overlooks the water

Nice ceiling 

Vase known as the "Cavoun Vase from Syria - late 13th century

Necklace from India - 1807-1813, gold, diamonds and pearls

"The Nightmare of Zahhak" opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper (1525-1535)

Plaques Syria or Iraq - late 8th - early 9th century - Ivory

Dagger and Scabbard - India, c.1800

Steel, nephrite (jade), rubies, emeralds, diamonds, gold and velvet

Dagger and Scabbard - India, c.1800

Steel, nephrite (jade) emeralds, diamonds, spinels, gold and cloth

Dagger - 18th century

Scissors - Turkey

19th century, Steel and Brass

Pen Box - 18th - 19th century

Box - 18th century

Gold, diamonds and rubies

Robe from Central Asia

13th century

Silk and gold thread

Doors from Egypt

14th century

Wood (pine) with ebony, cedar, walnut and ivory or bone inlay

War Mask

13th century

Steel with gold inlay

Helmets

Late 13th-14th century

Steel

Portrait of a European Gentleman in Turkish Dress

Iran 1800

A really huge carpet - 18th century

Jewelled Falcon

1600

Gold, emeralds, rubies, diamonds and sapphires

Necklace

17th century, 20th century setting by Cartier

Gold, emeralds, pearls and rubies

Dagger and Scabbard - 18th century

Steel, Jade, gold, rubies, diamonds, emeralds, wood, velvet, silk, metal threads

Huqqa Set - c.1750

Silver, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, gold lined

Dagger - 17th century

Steel, jade, emeralds, rubies, diamonds and gold

Armour for horse and rider

Early 16th century

Steel

Tennis and Camels

We went to watch the Qatar Open on Friday night- the semi finals.

There were some camels around as they were offering rides - and this camel was so beautiful (yes a beautiful camel) he was so fluffy.

Is he not beautiful!!!!

This one looked evil'

See how fluffy he is.

The view we had from our seats

Andy Roddick vs Gael Monfils

 (Roddick got through to the finals)

Rafael Nadel was wiped out of the tournament by Gael Monfils - here he was hitting a few balls around - I managed to get this close to snap him - there were girls swooning at the sidelines!!!

Gael Monfils (french player)

We also watched a little of the Andy Murray vs Roger Federer - it was getting so cold that we left.

Andy Murray

Gael Monfils

The final game is Andy Roddick vs Andy Murray

Out for A Stroll

Friday mornings is when we go down to the Corniche for a walk (now that the weather is cool enough)  it is so lovely to walk along the water front.  We walk for about 5km.

The Emirs Palace sits along the water front

National Day Dec 18th

December 18th every year here in Qatar is the National Day - it marks the independence of Qatar from British colonialism.

Unfortunately we missed this spectacular light show that was happening down at the Corniche for two nights running (as we were flying back from Oz) but I did find these pictures that I thought you might enjoy. 

They really make the place look lovely (until sunrise...)

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!!!!