If only all Stopovers are like this! Doha, Qatar

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Doha Gold Shop
Eight hours flight from Dallas/Forth Worth to Doha Qatar, then another eight hours stopover in Doha, plus six hours going Manila! 

What are we going to do with our golden time with having so many privilege to maximize this trip. One of our officemates has a family who is based in Qatar. He had a plan to go out to spend those few hours with his family there, but then because he do not want to leave his team behind 💗 he invited those of us who's with him on that flight. We paid almost if I'm not mistaken more or less 52 QAR so roughly round P600-700 for the exit fee in Doha. From the airport, a van that pick us up from the arrivals and the we're all surprised because the relative of our officemate even prepared a printed itinerary for us! 




Souq Waqif

We started our evening with a delightful dinner at a Persian restaurant nestled within the charming lanes of Souq Waqif—though, unfortunately, I can’t recall the name of the place! Still, the memory of the food lingers vividly. We indulged in an array of flavorful Middle Eastern dishes, but what truly stood out for me was the Basmati rice—fragrant, perfectly cooked with spices, and infused with the rich taste of chicken broth. It was incredibly satisfying and full of flavor.

Souq Waqif itself is such a captivating place to explore. Whether you’re in the mood to shop, wander aimlessly, savor delicious local cuisine, or simply pass the time in one of its many charming cafes, there’s always something to enjoy. The narrow alleys were bustling with people, each corner offering something new to discover. The traditional architecture and vibrant energy made it feel like stepping into a different world.

The souq is a treasure trove of cultural gems—from intricately embroidered fabrics and exotic spices to fragrant perfumes and handcrafted accessories. It’s the perfect spot to find unique souvenirs. I ended up buying beautiful purses, camel-shaped keychains, and colorful refrigerator magnets to bring home for my friends. They loved them!


Katara Mosque
Next stop is the Katara Mosque which is in the middle of the Katara Cultural Village site. Where some of the stunningly beautiful construction in the Middle East is just waiting to be seen distinguishing its very Islamic architecture. The design of the Katara Mosque is not like the typical mosques in Qatar. The structure is a mosaic of mainly blue tiles, with a glimpse of red and yellow. Looks very nice! You will be blown away by the tricky designs and the equally complicated interior. Associating the mosque are three spiked columns elevating for the sky. The contrast between these overcoming structures and the charm of the mosaic walls is really attractive.

Our team still has more time to go around the city proper. However, we also want to make sure that we still have an ample time to relax or to settle at the airport because we know that we still have another eight remaining hours before we reached the Philippines. Corniche is just few minutes away from Souq Waqif. 


We are still blessed to stopped and take a picture with this beloved site. We were be able to behold the wonderful colors of the city’s lights. That was so amazing!

Location: Doha, Qatar

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