Qatar

An independent, peninsular Emirate on the Persian Gulf to the north of the UAE. Much of the country is low lying desert: some sandy, some stony. The vast majority of the population lives in the capital, Doha.
Even today, much of Qatari culture can be traced to the desert and Bedouin ancestors. The national sport is camel racing, and the 1st 2 pictures are at a camel race track: there's a short section of track and some young camels in training. They not only have races; they also have camel beauty contests (really!).
They are equally passionate about their national bird, the falcon. The 3rd picture is the winner of the most beautiful hawk contest. There are races, too. This is the only place I've seen a falcon souq. That's the 4th picture, and pictures 5&6 up the level of hawk passion: the hospital across the street from the souq with their list of services.
Picture 7 is Al Zubara fort that replaced an 18th century fort that is currently a museum related to the nearby archaeological site.
Qatar is big on public art. Pictures 8&9 are an installation in the middle of the desert called Shadows Traveling on the Sea of Day. The underside of each horizontal piece is a mirror.
Pictures 10-12 are at the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum. This private museum is the Sheikh's personal collection. He has a farm with a field of ibex, the national animal; a traditional Bedouin tent set up as a wealthy family tent; and much more, too much to show. However, the 12th picture is significant. The large structure in Mecca called the Kaaba is covered with an embroidered black fabric called the Kiswah that is replaced every year during the hajj. The old Kiswah is usually cut into pieces and given away. On rare occasions a large piece is set aside. This is one of those and is extremely rare.
Now we get back to Doha where the rest of the pictures were taken. Pictures 13&14 are different skyline views. The 15th picture is the Museum of Islamic Art. The 16th is the camel market, and the 17th is the oldest hotel in Doha (only 2 rooms) booked up for several years.
The last picture is at the Msheireb Museum that is part of the revitalization of the old downtown to reflect the traditional sense of community.
There is far more to see in Qatar. One day isn't enough.Read more