Photography Blog
Photography Blog
QATAR 2026, A TIMELY EXIT
17/02/2026
My closets encounter with a “feathered friend”
Our 4th trip to Qatar. Not a photography trip, no cameras involved, only phones! Summary of things done and places visited:-
3rd February. Early arrival at Birmingham Airport, ‘Spoons breakfast. 7 hour flight, smooth passage through Doha Airport (although a tram was required to get to customs).
4th February. Metro to Souk, return to the pool. Massive internet data issues, the link to the EE site from their text is blocked by the Qatari authorities as “it contains prohibited materials”. 2 phone calls to EE, HOPELESS. Need the data to summon Ubers so purchase “Saily” app” - works perfectly but purchased far too much ($30, £22 but didn’t use half of it).
5th February. Uber to The Pearl and back. Taxi (Salman) to the Rixos Hotel. Poolside and room service dinner (my first and most likely my last!).
6th February. Hotel breakfast from massive buffet. Poolside. Dinner in the steak restaurant.
7th February. Hotel breakfast, checked out.
8th February. Uber to The Pearl. Crepe in The Artists Cafe (an old haunt). Uber return then Metro to the Souk.
9th February. Swimming with “the boys”. Souk for lunch and coffee.
10th February. National Sports Day (ie BankHoliday). Dune bashing (ie being driven around the desert in a 4x4). Photos with falcons and camels. No camel ride, been there, done that, too uncomfortable. Taste checked Karnak Tea; pretty impressed.
11th February. Swimming, Souk and Katara Cultural Village.
12th February. Breakfast in a shopping mall where gondolas run through “canals”. Returned to the National Museum but “boys behaving badly” so returned home and took a Uber to the Pearl. Coffee in the Batteel Cafe and first visit on this trip to Fabio’s (note to self; don’t order extra chips!).
13th February. Brunch at The 4 Seasons.
14th February. Lazy morning. Uber to Pearl, return to Fabio’s.
15th February. Pool and Souk
16th February. Uber to The Pearl. Artists Cafe and Outback Restaurant (Australian themed). Note wine c£60 a bottle!
17th February. Souk. Late taxi to Airport (Salman) for overnight flight. Found bar (Heineken £15 a pint!) but time passed quickly.
18th February. Arrived Birmingham, a bit of a wait for suitcases. Home.
28th February. America bombs Iran, Iran bombs Qatar, all flights from Qatar cancelled, hence A TIMELY EXIT.
There are some images in the Qatar Gallery.
3rd February. Early arrival at Birmingham Airport, ‘Spoons breakfast. 7 hour flight, smooth passage through Doha Airport (although a tram was required to get to customs).
4th February. Metro to Souk, return to the pool. Massive internet data issues, the link to the EE site from their text is blocked by the Qatari authorities as “it contains prohibited materials”. 2 phone calls to EE, HOPELESS. Need the data to summon Ubers so purchase “Saily” app” - works perfectly but purchased far too much ($30, £22 but didn’t use half of it).
5th February. Uber to The Pearl and back. Taxi (Salman) to the Rixos Hotel. Poolside and room service dinner (my first and most likely my last!).
6th February. Hotel breakfast from massive buffet. Poolside. Dinner in the steak restaurant.
7th February. Hotel breakfast, checked out.
8th February. Uber to The Pearl. Crepe in The Artists Cafe (an old haunt). Uber return then Metro to the Souk.
9th February. Swimming with “the boys”. Souk for lunch and coffee.
10th February. National Sports Day (ie BankHoliday). Dune bashing (ie being driven around the desert in a 4x4). Photos with falcons and camels. No camel ride, been there, done that, too uncomfortable. Taste checked Karnak Tea; pretty impressed.
11th February. Swimming, Souk and Katara Cultural Village.
12th February. Breakfast in a shopping mall where gondolas run through “canals”. Returned to the National Museum but “boys behaving badly” so returned home and took a Uber to the Pearl. Coffee in the Batteel Cafe and first visit on this trip to Fabio’s (note to self; don’t order extra chips!).
13th February. Brunch at The 4 Seasons.
14th February. Lazy morning. Uber to Pearl, return to Fabio’s.
15th February. Pool and Souk
16th February. Uber to The Pearl. Artists Cafe and Outback Restaurant (Australian themed). Note wine c£60 a bottle!
17th February. Souk. Late taxi to Airport (Salman) for overnight flight. Found bar (Heineken £15 a pint!) but time passed quickly.
18th February. Arrived Birmingham, a bit of a wait for suitcases. Home.
28th February. America bombs Iran, Iran bombs Qatar, all flights from Qatar cancelled, hence A TIMELY EXIT.
There are some images in the Qatar Gallery.
