JANUARY 30, FIRST FULL DAY IN DOHA

We slept in late and headed out, after our homemade oatmeal, raisins, walnut breakfast (thanks Cathy, for that travel idea!!) at around 11 a.m. It will take a couple of days to adjust to the time change. It was LOVELY to walk under a sunny clear sky down to the Corniche - a 6 km walkway along the Persian Gulf. We headed to the Museum of Islamic Art designed by I. M. Pei. Gorgeous!!

 Unusual new building we think might be a modern art museum under construction.

Exercise bike along the Corniche on the way to the Museum! 

 Beautiful entrances! 

 Shaded walkway leading up to museum.

Looks like a mosque!

In the distance, amazing buildings! They looked like toys!

Another view out the museum window.

The oculus looking up in the interior of the museum. 

Had a whole display about the 1971 visit and fight of Muhammed Ali to Qatar.

The museum was filled with 3 floors of beautiful Islamic art work with lots of gold, jewels and calligraphy from Turkey, Iran, Egypt, etc. It was beautifully displayed in fairly dark rooms.

We headed down the Corniche to where the dhows were taking people out into the Gulf for 1 hr or 1/2 hr. cruises. We joined another couple - for 50 Riyal (about $15) for both of us. Enjoyed NOT walking for awhile!

Dhows cruising across the harbor.. 

A dhow we passed. Looked like ours.

In the distance more of the peninsula.

Varied architecture! This is all new!!

We then headed for the Souk - enclosed shopping area that was renovated in 2006. Cleanest souk I've ever walked through! We found a street side restaurant to eat lunch (it was now 3 pm). It was a great people watching spot! We had another delicious fruit smoothie - mine kiwi; Betty's papaya. As we sat, every kid who walked by had to stop and buy pink cotton candy on the stand! Very cute! And there is a Spring Festival going on so several groups making music walked by!

Call to prayer! Men leaving their shoes outside the mosque. Happens 5 times a day. Haven't used the prayer rugs in our room yet! 

Ended the day at the top of the Hilton Doubletree. It was so chilly they provide blankets and warming heaters! Finally had our beer! Served by a handsome Ukrainian waiter! 

From the Museum - full dress armor! Impressive!

Now the music groups that passed while we were eating! SORRY, couldn't upload the videos!! I'll try later!
Tomorrow off for a 4 hour private tour of Doha!