It was early morning, and I was aching to explore Doha fully. I had made a deal with a Bangladeshi Taxi Driver named Zahiruddin, who promised to take me around Doha. I had to pay him 200 rials a day, and he would fizz me around in his taxi for five hours every day wherever I wanted to go in Doha.
Our first spot today was the sandy beaches of Salem Beach in Doha. It was an hour’s drive to the beach as we navigated the plush highways of the city, meandering through markets and passing through large mosques. The town’s roads are broad, and Doha is an immaculate city. There is a fine if you split and litter in the town.
Giant camels are on display just before the beach, and the tourists can take camel rides. But I was more tested in taking a Jeep ride into the shady desserts, which I duly did.
The Jeep ride cost a hundred rials, and my driver, a Pakistani guy named Imam, took me for a roller coaster ride up and down the shady hills of Salem Beach. It was like sitting on the merry-go-round as I bowed up and down the dunes. It was fun but scary, too, as I felt we might overturn at any point.
Just in front of Salem Beach is a vast LPG gas and oil refinery, one of the largest in the country; one can see poisonous gas being burnt and large flames appearing from its chimney.
“We burn the poisonous gas as it is not good for the people’s lungs .” My Pakistani driver lamented.
After touching the salty waters off the beach with my hands, I took a short dip before climbing back on the dusty beach.
But the highlight of the evening was flying the desert falcon. I wire a leather glove and let the sizeable majestic bird climb on my glove. The Falcon stared at me in wonder for a while and then flew a few distance before it came back to me and sat on my leather glove again. I took more pictures, which I want you to sit back and enjoy. It’s been two days in the city, and I am getting a real taste of Doha and the city of Qatar.
