Country 51: Qatar for 10 minutes 🇶🇦

Getting a stamp in your passport means you’ve visited a country right? Even if it was for only 10mins before you cleared immigration again and left the country? That’s me today and adding Qatar to the list of countries I’ve ‘visited’. Immigration officer “How long will you be staying in Qatar?” Me, “I fly out at 2pm”. Immigration officer looks at watch “Ok that’s under 4hrs, you don’t need a hotel voucher for that”. Stamps passport and I’m in.

In my mind, I’d assumed Doha airport would be beautiful and wow inspiring. All the videos and photos I’ve seen online gave that impression. While the giant teddy is nice and super cool (10th birthday FYI), the main parts of the airport post immigration were a little architecturally underwhelming. That’s probably a bit harsh as it is quite fancy with all its fancy shops (Harrods and numerous other London stores) and cool playgrounds but I dunno. There was something missing from it for me. The lounge however was a peaceful luxury sanctuary.

The bad romance between Qantas and Qatar means that despite having Oneworld emerald status I can only use the business lounge instead of the first. #firstworldproblems (and to be fair it’s not just Qantas but most of Oneworld). The business lounge is fancy pants tho. From a large pond with rippling water to the spiral staircase with chandelier it’s got some wizz bang style to it.

For the first time on this trip I’ve felt tired today. Maybe it was the 1:30am wake up for the day of flying. I had an early lunch in the al la cart dining room while a window washer washed the outside of the window while everyone watched as if they’d never seen someone wash a window before. “Excuse me sir, is the window washing disturbing you? I can move you to the other side of the lounge if it is bothering you” says one of the waiters. “No I’m right thanks. Watching all of you watching him is quite entertaining” I reply. I finish my steak and try 2 of the mocktails then head to the business centre where, weirdly there are sleeping lounges arrange in semi dorm style.

I set an alarm and am briefly disturbed b a staff member who takes my flight details and promises to monitor my flight and wake me before boarding. She returns with a blanket to allow me to get more comfortable. It’s been a while since someone has tucked me in for a nap. I doze pretty well for 1.5 hours listening to some music and wake up feeling a tad more refreshed, 30 mins before boarding.

A quick toilet stop before leaving the lounge and heading for my gate. Toilet attendants might at first seem a luxury but knowing they are just outside the door listening while you deposit all the airline food (and curries) in the last few days is a bit off putting. #overshare

So on that note I end my brief visit to country 51. Thoughts on it: quiet, efficient and a cute teddy bear. Wonder where country 52 will be.Read more