Qatar - Lusail & Signs

Sunday 29th December - Finally we were going to visit the famous Crescent building aka Katara Towers in Lusail!

Lusail, the second large city in Qatar after Doha, is located about 23km north of Doha, just north of West Bay Lagoon, where Karina lives, built on 38 sqkm and will eventually be home to 450,000 people (250,000 residents, 190,000 office workers and 60,000 retail workers).

                                 

Another modern building

Crescent building/Katara towers

                       

Katara Towers - the US$600 million building next to the Lusail marina, is a symbol of Qatar's ambition and vision and was inspired by the crossed swords of Qatar. It's 211 metres (692 ft) high with 40 floors, and each side houses a 5 star hotel - the Raffles Doha Hotel with 132 suites and the Fairmont Hotel with 362 rooms and suites.

We wanted to go up to the top floor where they have restaurants/bars, but those only opened from 5pm, so instead we went to the garden area of the Raffles Hotel for coffee. 

The sumptuous reception area of the Raffles hotel

One of the lounges of the Raffles Hotel

We sat in the outdoor area with water views, leather couches, the ceiling covered in fake grass with tiny flowers, the exterior walls covered in real greenery.

A staff member dressed in a light pink dress (the uniform), brought us the menu and we ordered 2 coffees and and iced chocolate for me. The eye watering price of QAR126 =Aud55 (or 18$each) was worth it for the visit, the view, the experience, the photos...

Coffee was good I was told, but my iced chocolate was strange, it looked like they mixed chocolate powder with water and put some ice on it.

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Before we walked out to the promenade through the garden area, Karina and I went to the toilet and of course I knew it would look amazing. Copper basin in the middle, a copper toned mirror from floor to ceiling on one wall, marble water basin in the toilet, marble floors....

Walking out to the promenade

This sculpture called "Egal" represents the piece of headwear worn by Qatari men as part of the traditional attire, over the top of the ghitra (square scarf). It was done by Qatari artist Shouq Almana.

Then we walked along the marina until we reached the Lusail tram underground station. 

Jose and I at the "Lusail " sign

"Amazing" sign

Jose and I at the "Enjoy" sign

Marina Food Arena - an area where there were lots of food vans

Marina Twin Towers, not far from Katara Towers

And the white building (in the middle) that can be seen in the distance is where we were going to - Place Vendome Mall.

The underground station entrances looked like trains - the empty station and plush train carriage

Place Vendôme is a Parisian inspired luxurious mall. It was opened in April 2022, has 560 retail outlets with a wing dedicated to designer labels, an entertainment area, food court, as well as an hotel and residences operated by Marriott International.

Dress code in one of the entrances to the mall

The shopping was decorated with Christmas baubles

In the centre of the complex the are the "dancing fountains" which only operate at night. They also had small gondolas going around the large pool.

We had lunch in the food court - chicken nuggets and chips (I think it was). Nothing special but it was cheaper than a similar meal here.

Xiaomi SU7 - new electric car anyone?

A gigantic shopping centre, but it was strangely quite empty. Too many shopping centres? too expensive? too out of the way?

After lunch we left the shopping to catch the underground to the next stop at Lusail Plaza.

Another pearl sculpture

La'eeb - the 2022 World Cup mascot

A heart sculpture

And what we came here to see were these 4 towers (still under construction) and the massive 30mt long whale shark "Al Nehem",  designed by Marco Balich, which is suspended 20mt above Lusail Place between the 4 towers. It's a tribute to Qatar endangered marine species and the country's efforts to conserve and protect its natural environment.

At night the whale shark comes alive with lights and music. Sadly we didn't go there at night. In fact the whole area is even prettier at night from the photos I saw.

Karina and Jose with the sun setting behind the buildings

La'eeb (super skilled player) - the 2022 world cup mascot with the brass coffee pot

The area is still under construction, but the Lusail stadium was already finished and was one of the venues for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, where the final was hosted (seats almost 89,000 people), and is also the site of a Formula One race track where the first Qatar Grand Prix was held in 2021. (It was due to be held in Melbourne, Australia, but cancelled due to the Covid epidemic). 

The Lusail Stadium where the World Cup 2022 final was held

It was another amazing day spent walking around amazing architecture and new experiences.

For other signs from around the world check Tom's blog: (click on the link).

Qatar - National Museum of Qatar

Saturday 28th Dec - Thomas' family had departed early this morning back to France.

Karina and I went out after lunch to visit the National Museum of Qatar, which is across the road from the south end of the Corniche, not far from Old Doha Port.

It opened to the public in March 2019 replacing the former museum which opened in 1975. It was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel who was inspired by the desert rose crystal found in Qatar's desert regions. 

One of Doha's truly magnificent buildings, my photos just don't do it justice!!!

Entry price for a non-resident adult was QAR50 ($21,80), but as a resident Karina gets free entry.

The courtyard surrounding the buildings

In the centre of the courtyard is "Flag of glory" a sculpture by Iraqi artist Ahmed Albahrani. where various hands raise the Qatari flag with unstoppable force.

Me at the Flag of Glory sculpture

The museum is made up of interlocking discs that act as a shading system and ensure energy efficiency and creates cavities to protect visitors from the Summer heat. The building also incorporates environmental friendly features such as efficient insulation, solar panels and a water recycling system.

The museum is connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges and a road bridge. The building occupies 40,000m2 (430,000 sqft) of land, including a landscaped park with an artificial lagoon, parking for 400 cars, an auditorium, a research centre, two restaurants, a cafe and two museum shops (one which is for children).

View to the entrance from the flag sculpture

At the entrance to the permanent galleries, a huge sculpture "Motherland" by  Qatari artist Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani references the traditional sailing dhow and also acts as a tribute to the region's last generation of women who wore the battoola (metallic face mask), 

Across 11 galeries, you learn the history of Qatar from its formation with models of extinct animals, archeology, the people and culture - life in the desert, life on the coast - the pearling industry, the new era when Qatar started engaging with foreign powers and the emergence of the modern nation, and the turning point in Qatari history with the collapse of the pearling industry and the discovery of oil and finally the last gallery explores Qatar in the reign of the current emir - Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, who continues his father's work by diversifying the country's economy and invest in the younger generation. 

The formation of Qatar

The oryx - an animal from the Middle East

Patterns of carpets and jewellery of the Gulf

                                               

     

Various types of pearls

The Pearl carpet of Baroda, one of the most remarkable objects ever created is embroidered with around 1,5 million Basra pearls (so named because they were traded in Basra, Iraq). It was commissioned by India's Maharaja of Baroda, Gaekwar Khande Rao around 1865. Originally intended as a cover for the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed at Medina.

Apart from the pearls the 2,64mt x 1,74mt is woven from silk threads with a background of natural deer skin, and is also covered with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. 

In a Sotheby's auction in 2009 it was bought by an anonymous buyer for $5,5 million USD, and is now a part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of Qatar.

In the history of Qatar's gallery, we learn about the turbulence in the Gulf region when the Portuguese arrived in mid 1500's and their control over the maritime trade and pearling industry.

Then came the Ottomans, the Dutch, British and French trading companies in the early 1600's brought more uncertainty to the Gulf region with intense competition over trade routes. 

As trade flourished the strength of the Arab tribes increased, and Sheikh Jassim brought together the tribes under his leadership to create an unified country and 

were then eventually able to overthrow the Portuguese and the Ottomans.

                            

                              

 

After the collapse of the pearl trade due to the introduction of cultured pearls, Qatar experience an economic crisis and the people really struggled.

Soon after, following years of exploration and testing, by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, the first company to receive a concession in 1935, oil was discovered in Dukhan (about 1 h east of Doha) in 1939 with 1 well producing 5000 barrels a day.

Later the concession was transferred to a company now named Qatar Petroleum Co., and this changed the future of Qatar, which is now in the top 5 richest countries in the world.

Nowadays there are 605 wells in Dukhan, that produce over 616,000 barrels per day. Qatar also possesses the world's third largest gas reserves.

The petrol and gas discoveries in Qatar

More recently in June 2017, the country suffered a blockade involving the deterioration of ties between Qatar and the Arab League countries, who banned Qatar aircraft and ships from utilizing their territory by air, land or sea.

This was brought about by those countries demanding that Qatar reduce diplomatic relations with Iran, military co-ordination with Turkey and closing Al Jazeera (a 24h English language news channel funded by Qatar).

Qatar refused the colation's demands and eventually with negotiations the blockade ended in January 2021.  In this gallery there is a striking and immersive digital installation that narrates these events.

The country subsequently emerged economically and militarily stronger and more autonomous, by diversifying the economy and investing in the education of the younger generation.

All over Doha you can see the poster like image of the current Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (like the yellow one above) with messages of support during the blockade.

On the outside of the Museum you find the Old Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim, which was built in 1906 and was the seat of government and residence of the Sheikh during 25 years. It was then renovated in 1975 when the first Qatar National Museum was established and once again renovated to be part of the new museum.

The abandoned old Palace 

The Old Palace going through renovations

Karina at the gate from the Museum to the courtyard where the Old Palace is located

In the courtyard's dry garden before crossing to the Old Palace stood a couple of bronze statues of 2 camels plus two calves called "On their way", by Roch Vandromme.

Camels are extraordinary animals closely bound to the people of Qatar and desert life. The artist visited Qatar to study and experience this bond.

The historic palace was carefully restored by a German architecture firm (ZRS Architekten Ingenieure) preserving the Qatar's past within the new museum.

And our visit came to an end with a walk through one of the two museum shops, which was also beautiful with curved walls and slatted wooden ceiling.

Various desert rose crystals

Night time photo from the courtyard

Me in front of the Museum entrance

National Museum of Qatar sign

And from the net you can see this amazing aerial view of the Museum, where you can see the scale of the building, with the Old Palace to the right, the Corniche next to the Gulf waters and Old Doha Port at the far end.

(photo from the net)

More signs for Tom's meme, which you can read here: (click the link please)