Waking up in Geelong

A decade ago I headed overseas and spent a month exploring Europe by train, but the one part of the trip I didn’t count on was an unplanned 24 hour stopover in Doha, capital city of Qatar.

How I got there

I left out of a snow covered Moscow bound for Australia with Qatar Airways.

My connection at their Doha hub was tight, but with one flight a day to Melbourne, I didn’t have much choice.

After a few hours, we descended for our final approach to Doha.

The city skyline coming into view.

And then onto the ground.

Transferring at Doha’s old international airport was a pain – no jetbridges, only buses.

But I eventually made it into the terminal.

But rather stupidly I confused my gate number and flight number – so I ended up at the wrong end of the airport!

By the time I reached the correct gate, my onward flight to Melbourne has already closed – so I was sent to the transfer counter. There I was given a booking on the next day’s flight to Melbourne, a 1 day visa to enter Qatar, a hotel voucher, and directions to the shuttle bus.

An hour later, I eventually emerged from immigration with just my camera and the clothes on my back.

After a trip on the shuttle bus, I checked into my hotel, had a 2AM supper, then off to bed.

Trying to beat the desert heat

Given I was only in Qatar for 24 hours, I wanted to make the most of my time there – so I set an alarm for 9AM to see the sights before the desert heat hit.

Outside my hotel, construction work was happening everywhere.

Guest workers doing all of the dirty jobs.

My first stop – the Souq Waqif marketplace.

Then down to the Dhow Harbour.

I went for a walk along the waterfront.

Watched the boats on the water.

And looked over to the tall skyline behind.

Past the Museum of Islamic Art.

Planes on final approach to the nearby airport.

Then back via the Qatar Ministry of Finance and the Islamic Cultural Centre.

On the roads

A decade ago the Doha Metro didn’t exist yes, so buses were the only form of public transport.

Along with taxis, like this Toyota Camry.

I also saw quite a few Australian-built cars on the road, like this Holden Commodore, exported to the Middle East as a Chevrolet.

And a slightly older Holden Statesman, also branded as a Chevrolet.

Along with this beat up looking Australian-built Mitsubishi Magna.

Time to retreat

It was now getting hot and the shops were starting to close.

So I headed back to my hotel to take a nap.

Satellite dishes covered the rooftops all around.

But the workers were still stuck out in the heat.

Pouring concrete in the burning sun.

A final tour

After the sun went down, I went out for another walk.

Traders at the Souq having opened again.

Then I followed the back streets back to my hotel.

Where I found shops selling cheap clothes.

Hardware and electrical equipment.

Power tools.

Building supplies.

And light fittings.

And time to leave

This time I didn’t want to miss my connection, so I headed back to airport leaving plenty of time to spare.

I skipped the duty free store.

And found the correct gate.

Headed through security.

Then down to the gate lounge to wait for the bus out to my plane.

The tarmac was busy as ever.

But I made it onto my plane.

Ready for the 13 hour flight back to Australia. 😫

Quite the adventure, given the alternative mightn’t been to spend 24 hours trying to sleep at an airport.

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