silverfox41's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member silverfox41 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/silverfox41 en-us Copyright ©2012 TravelPod.com Sat, 21 Jul 2007 03:29:18 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com Qatar Tour — Doha, Qatar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1178284620/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1178284620/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1178284620/tpod.html Sat, 21 Jul 2007 07:29:18 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Doha, Qatar

One of my freinds from the US and I decided to do a tour around Qatar.
]]> Doha Zoo — Doha, Qatar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169908860/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169908860/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169908860/tpod.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:00:22 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Doha, Qatar

Sue and I went to Doha zoo for a visit. Entry fee was 5 riyals each or about $2. It was a pleasant place to visit for us humans - waterways, ponds, etc. Good variety of animals including cheetahs, lions, tigers, ... Mainly African and Asian. They did have some emus - not sure why. Zoos have their place for education, research etc but when you see a fully grown cheetah in a gage about 3m x 5m just staring aimlessly at the sky - you can't help but feel for some of the animals. We went in winter - not sure how the animals survive in the heat of summer. Anyway here are some photos...
]]> Trip back to Doha — Doha, Qatar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1173483660/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1173483660/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1173483660/tpod.html Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:51:07 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Doha, Qatar

I have added some photos of snow in Washington. My trousers are not meant to withstand snow and wind as I walk to work, shops, eateries etc. I like DC. It was very easy to get around as all street were numbers - North to South and letters - east to West. Diagonal Streets were named after states and were called avenues e.g. White House was on Pennsylvania Avenue. So it was easy to go from K12 to M14. Went to an NBA game on the Tuesday night - Wizards versus Raptors. Nice cheer squad. Any way back home to the heat. Week went very well - got a lot done...
]]> Trip To George's Home — Washington DC, DistrictofColumbia http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1173000120/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1173000120/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1173000120/tpod.html Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:49:26 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Washington DC, DistrictofColumbia

On Sunday, one of my friends from IBM took me for a drive to George Washington's home at Mt Vernon. It was a cold windy day and snow was coming. Saturday was brilliant about 77F and blue skies. Trip to his house is worthwhile. They give you a guided tour and tell you about the man and how he lived. His house overlooks the river. I froze because of the wind that came straight off the river and through my jacket. Had a lunch on the way home. Time for work on Monday. This site gives a lot more information. http://www.mountvernon.org/
]]> Washington DC — Washington DC, DistrictofColumbia http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1172921580/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1172921580/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1172921580/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:29:54 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Washington DC, DistrictofColumbia

Went to Washington to define requirements for the data warehouse. Spent Saturday walking the National Mall etc. I did all this in one day. Do not try this as I did at least 3 kms too much. Very interesting seeing all the sites that have been in numerous movies, etc.. Place was full of American tourists... Couldn't help but think that the whole city was a memorial to war or to the people who sacrificed in war - depends on your point-of view. Unfortunately, they will add to the memorials... Also visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. You should spend at least two days doing this precinct. It was a nice way to spend a fine spring day. I don't walk this much in Qatar due to the heat... Enjoy the photos....
]]> Qatar's Inland Sea — Doha, Qatar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1170448440/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1170448440/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1170448440/tpod.html Sat, 03 Feb 2007 13:02:33 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Doha, Qatar

Booked a night out under the stars at Qatar's Inland Sea which ia about an hours drive south of Doha. The inland sea is more like an ocean inlet. Many Qataris camp overnight in canvas tents on or near it. They then abuse their fourbies by racing along sand flats and climbing up 20-30 metre steep sand dunes. It was a good change from the hard rocky desert of Doha. The dunes go riht up to the ocean's edge. Many people are also straking across the flats and dunes in 4 wheel mopeds. You can hire these from many vendors along the way. Riding a camel is also an option. I will do these on subsequent visits. I thought of many fourbie drivers I know back in Oz and how they would love trying to roll their vehicles on these dunes. Appear to be only one rule - "don't hit any one!" We stayed in a bedouin style tent and drank Brown Brothers Temparillo wine. The carpet they had on the floor was the same as what I bought for my villa. The other side of the inland sea was Saudi Arabia. You can just stand and watch the guards on the other side on the border.
]]> Australia Day and Qatar Masters Golf — Doha, Qatar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169971200/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169971200/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169971200/tpod.html Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:57:17 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Doha, Qatar

Australia Day Australia Day in Doha was pretty busy. Went to the Qatar Masters Golf in the morning/afternoon and then went to Rydges for a pizza dinner and a dance and rink at the Legends Bar. The bar area at the golf was decked out in Australian flags, umbrellas, etc. Fosters, VB and Crownies were on tap and in bottles and cans. Reasonaly prices for Doha - $5-$7 AUD for a can or a pint. Also Jacob's Creek wines. Aussie music playing - Paul Kelly was on. Rydges Had Hardy's Notting Hill shiraz with our pizzas. Danced to Barnsey - Khe San, Men at Work, Powderfinger, Blisters on the Sun etc. at Legends on the 11th floor. Chauffeur home!! Heard that Rydges only has about 6 week s left. The big boss (Emir) doesn't like it because it overlooks the Palace. Might be modified or pulled down!! Let\s hope we can do the same somewhere else. Golf Magic. There were about 2-300 of use walking around on Sunday the final day. Less on the Friday when we went. Great field, many Aussies. You stood right next to them on the tee. Maximum 2-3000 people ther on the Sunday - most were drinking in the entertainment areas and watching it on TV. We followed Appleby for a while and then I perched myself on a rock on the 16th green. Could see the tee shots, approaches etc, plus the 17th green (par 3). The names just kept coming. Goosen, Els, Campbell, O'Hern, Appleby, Green, O'Malley.... Goosen won with an eagle three on the 18th hole. O'Hern had led most of the day. Great trophy - Pearl and gold shell. I am sure I was on TV as I was in a direct line with the camera and the flag. I drapped my Aussie flag over the rock. I was also wearing my Plainsman hat - only one like it in Doha. Also wore mt Ashes t-shirt just to remind the poms. Very few Qataris - only there for the photos. It was like a biyt of Eurpoe, AusNZ, Nth America in the middle of Doha. I haven't played the course yet but I will have one game - too hard for me. I would also wreck my clubs - get off the green grass and you are on rock.. I would need to take many drops. Enjoy the photos. More detail here. http://www.qatar-masters.com/home.php
]]> Anniversary in Bahrain — Manama, Bahrain http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169098500/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169098500/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1169098500/tpod.html Tue, 23 Jan 2007 09:38:37 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Manama, Bahrain

Where I stayed
Elite Suites Manama
(Manama hotels)


Bahrain Decided to take the wife to Bahrain for our anniversary. It is only a 140 km flight that takes about 4 hours when you have to be at the airport two hours before the flight leaves and then go through customs and immigration at the other end. Went on the British Airways flight that has a stopover in Bahrain on its way to London. Interesting that the plane only reached 13,000 feet and traveled at 625 kph. Just after we were served the orange juice (they feel obliged to serve something) the captain said "20 minutes to landing - cabin crew please prepare for landing". We were in the air for 25 minutes maximum. Very few passengers on the plane as most Qatari would fly Qatar Airways direct to London. Airport was easy - not many people. I paid for our visas in advance on the eVisa site. I thought this was a good idea - one less hassle at the airport. Cost 7 BD(Bahraini Dinar) (25AUD) each. Immigration officer said not to buy them online as they are cheaper at the airport - only 4BD each. He just wrote it out. Live and learn. [BTW 1 BD is equivalent to 9.5 Qatari Riyals - I was busy doing conversions in my head] Hired a car from National - easy - open 24 hours. Easy drive to most hotels. We stayed at the Elite Suites and were upgraded to a one bedroom suite. It is an Arabic hotel and has a non-alcohol policy. Breakfast was included and was okay except no bacon (I don't count beef bacon). Driving is different to Doha. People wait at roundabouts and give way to others. I found myself impatient as I am so used to slotting in to any available space and just flooring it. They also have some pretty roundabouts. Most streets are good except when you go in to the older part of town - just drive and keep your wits about you. Don't worry about cars coming straight at you on the wrong side of the road just go around them on the wrong side of the road - makes sense??! Day 1 was National Museum (great - best place to visit), Al Fateh Grand Mosque (impressive - see photos), Dolphin Park (closed) and then shopping. Malls are great. Our hotel was very close to Dana Mall (has a large theatre complex), Al Seef Mall (biggest and best), Al A'ali Mall (exclusive expensive shops) and Geant Mall (Bahrain Mall). The National Museum on the Corniche was well worth the 1 BD (500 fils each). Had a good history of Bahrain and some very good displays. The recreation of the burial mounds was interesting - real bones and skulls etc. Al Seef Mall reminded me of the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai without the ski field. Many shops had 50 % off. We saved a lot of money. My wife kept saying that "we couldn't buy this in Australia". Probably why it is cheaper to live in Australia. There was an impressive antique shop in the Bahrain Mall. We ended up buying a rather large lamp in the shape of a teapot. Saved 40% - only 30BD (100AUD). They had some great stuff - I wish it was easier to ship it back to Oz. Day 2 was the adventure day. I drove down to the tree of life - a mature mesquite tree standing in the desert by itself. This was two-thirds of the way to the southern end of the island. Took about twenty minutes. Not worth seeing the tree but drive was okay as we passed some good roundabouts ( I have a fetish for roundabouts now), saw the first oil well, saw the Jebel Al Dhukhan (mountain range?? 137 metres tall). Also took a drive down to the Bahrain International Circuit where they have the Formula One - also have the Aussie V8 Supercars in December. Unfortunately we were not allowed in as it was closed. Any way I have been there. We did get lost at one stage. I took a wrong turn and ended up on the King Fahad Causeway that links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Luckily I was able to find a way back. We did go to Gold City but it is not as good as Dubai or Doha. Would be okay if this is your first one. I was more interested in watching the Indians playing cricket in the vacant blocks. Went to swee the burial mounds at A'ali. Intersting - they are just beside the road - no fences, gates... Walk over them, dig them, whatever. We didn't - too much respect for the dead. Made the trip to the museum come to life. Day 3 - last day in Bahrain. Really had trouble filling in this day. Asked for and got a late check-out - 2:00 pm. Decided to go to the Water Garden - sounded impressive. Not really. It was a run down amusement park with a kids roller coaster, some ducks in a pond(one was dead - phew), rabbits and peacocks in cages and a small race car track for kids. No photos - don't bother. Went back to the hotel room and watched some TV. Had a good pizza and fruit cocktail drink for dinner at the Al Seef Mall. Bought some more stuff at Toys R'Us - saved 50%. Drove to the airport. Good duty free section. Had a bar where I bought some red wine and chatted to some South Africans who were working in Kuwait. Kuwait is a dry country they were envious that I had a liquor licence for Qatar. Flight back was good - half empty plane that left early and arrived early. Overall impression: Bahrain was the first of the Gulf States to "westernize". Now left behind by Dubai and Qatar. It needs another injection of funds. Might get some more tourists when they build the causeway between Bahrain and Qatar. Good for young people who wish to go out for the nightlife. 5 star resorts would be good for a relaxing break but costly. If you have a choice, do Dubai or Doha. Not for tourist sigtht seeing like Jordan.
]]> Alrmailah Family Park Only — Doha, Qatar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1168069380/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1168069380/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1168069380/tpod.html Sun, 14 Jan 2007 08:38:37 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Doha, Qatar

Arrived back from Jordan late Thursday night. Had a two hour delay on the tarmac while they sorted out seats. Two passengers were evicted. I cannot believe how they can put whole plane load of passengers through this. We arrived two hours before departure - 4 hours just to get into the air... Airport food is ****. Left all of the food and drinks we bought from StarBucks on the tray. I couldn't even force myself to eat it or go to the trouble of taking it back... Anyway went to a park along the Cornciche on the Saturday. It is alled Alrmairlah Family Only Park - which means that it is only open to families - single (solitary is perhaps more correct) people like me are not allowed to be there. I can now go since Sue has arrived. Just think I have driven past this place for 8 months (- yes 8!) and hadn't been in to see it. It is very well laid out. BTW temperatures at the moment are about 12 min to 20 degrees max. Bit like winter in Brisbane. Photos speak for themselves. (reminded me of Southbank - just the concept not the look and feel) Magic..... It was good to get back 'home'. Funny I feel like this given the first month or so... Parts of Doha are so clean and fresh compared to Amman - but then Amman is a very old city...
]]> Flight to Jordan — Amman, Jordan http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1167504600/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1167504600/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/silverfox41/qatar-1/1167504600/tpod.html Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:13:45 +0000 My first big adventure into the Middle East - watch out Doha here I come.
Amman, Jordan

Where I stayed
Dana Plaza Hotel Amman
(Amman hotels)


Arrived in Amman about thirty minutes late. You need to get a visa to enter Jordan. You can pick up one for 10 JD(Jordanian Dinahs) at the airport or at an embassy before you travel. You are photographed and thumb-printed when entering the country. Pretty straight forward stuff. Our driver, Mohamad was there to meet us. Easy name to remember... He continued to call Sue (my wife) "lady" for most of the trip. I sat in the front to keep the conversation going. I was "Mr Jeffrey" Stayed at the Dana Plaza Hotel on the 6th circle. A "circle" is a roundabout in Amman. On Zahran Street they are all numbered to make them easy to find - bit easier than the method used in Doha. Tooting of horns and driving is much the same though. We had fun crossing the roads. We didn't try any of the hotel facilities as we did not have time. It caters mainly for Arabs so breakfast did not include such things as bacon and fried eggs. Humus, cheese, olives, boiled eggs, flat bread, tomatoes, were general fare. Toast, croissants and cereals were available. Our view was of a construction site across the road. I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a bit of class.
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