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  • Souq Faleh….One of the oldest in Qatar

    <—-Previous Story

    The sun was actively climbing its peak, the air was starting to warm, slowly eroding the cold feeling from hand palms and face strokes.

    I left Al Ghanim Bus Station…..

    “Hello, Filippino”, three Qataris Mowasalat officers greeted me at terminal gate .

    “Hi, Sir”, I briefly answered while thinking “Thank God I was blessed with a magical face which fits faces of various Asian nations”. Made me like an adaptable chameleon.

    Al Ashat Street wasn’t longer spitting dust, now dust was be a collection of fine particles which shroud every corner of street. The dusty streets of Qatar, cann’t be justified as “dirty”, that is precisely what is an identity of gulf countries which tourists can enjoy.

    Every high-rise building on either side of road was uniformly brown in color, just like Kuwait, which I had seen from the air a few days earlier.

    By now I was at an edge of Banks Street, a three-lane main street on each side and separated by a stainless wire fence with colorful hydroponic flowers at base of fence. This main road smoothly flowed without traffic jams.

    I was a little wary when crossing on Ali Bin Abdullah Street because vehicles flow was so fast and certainly not coming from the right, like road flows in Indonesia. Even I haven’t crossed yet, I must look to both sides of street, traumatized by stories in the past that only inches would be struck by a car in Phnom Penh and Bandar Seri Begawan.

    At the end of second block, at small lane of Al Tarbiya Street, I turned right to find Al Fanar Mosque, a worship building integrated with Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmood Islamic Cultural Center.

    Al Fanar Mosque….An iconic building with a spiral minaret and sky blue windows.

    That isn’t the topic of discussion this time. But on a two-story square building filled with signboards on its ground floor. This is one of the oldest shopping malls in Qatar. Famous in 1970s era, Souq Faleh is still a special choice for Qatari citizens to shopping. Maybe Souq Faleh had a heyday that coincided with Sarinah Thamrin Plaza in Jakarta.

    Souq Faleh from a distance.

    This is a mix of traditional market and modern mall. Its small shape and the existence of bargaining activities are traditional market characteristics, while the large mall building is its modern side.

    In general, this shopping center provides stalls selling Abaya (Middle Eastern women’s clothing), good quality perfumes, cell phones, watches, golds and silver jewelry, office stationery and children’s toys.

    Let’s took a peek at some spots at Souq Faleh:

    Stall of bed linen and kaftans from Pakistan.
    Stall which selling children’s toys and bags.
    A stall which selling traditional Middle Eastern patterned fabrics.

    In connectivity side, Souq Faleh can be easily reached by anyone, because it’s located near Al Ghanim Bus Station and Souq Waqif MRT Station. There is nothing wrong to stopping here because of its strategic location which is flanked by Souq Waqif and Doha Corniche.

    This short visit to Souq Faleh was closed by the sound of adzan which coming from Domes Mosque. An old mosque which located about 100 meters at the east of Souq Faleh.

    Let’s pray Dzuhur first!

    Doha Old Mosque….People call it Domes Mosque.

    Next Story—->

  • Taksi dari Pontianak ke Singkawang

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Karena bukan bagian dari rencana awal maka dengan cepat aku menolak tawaran menggunakan taksi menuju pusat kota. Fokus melangkah keluar arrival hall, beberapa waktu kemudian aku sudah berada di teras bandara. Usai mengabadikan beberapa gambar, aku bertanya kepada seorang petugas aviation security yang berjaga di sebelah pintu keluar.

    “Semenjak PPKM Level 4, DAMRI hanya berangkat sekali saja pak dari bandara, jam tujuh pagi tadi dan dari Singkawang akan berangkat pukul lima sore”, begitulah informasi penting yang disampaikan olehnya.

    Menguping percakapan itu maka beberapa sopir taksi datang menghampiri untuk menawarkan jasanya. Tiadanya pilihan yang lebih baik maka kuputuskan menerima salah satu tawaran, toh tak mungkin juga mencari bus umum dari pusat kota demi menuju Singkawang, pasti akan lebih lama dan ribet.

    Adalah bang Udin yang membawaku ke sebuah kantor taksi Galaxy Travel yang berjarak tiga kilometer dari bandara.

    Di dalam kantor aku ditemukan dengan Kak Nova yang bertugas sebagai staff. Dia menjelaskan bahwa untuk menuju ke Singkawang dengan biaya terjangkau, aku disarankan untuk menunggu dua penumpang lagi yang mengalami delay penerbangan, tentu keduanya adalah penumpang sudah memesan kursi jauh hari.

    Usai menggenapi ongkos taksi sebedar Rp. 140.000 maka aku diserahkan kepada seorang pengemudi yang akan membawa taksi ke Singkawang, namanya Bang Bagus.

    “Bang, lebih baik kita ngopi saja yuk ke pangkalan, biar nanti kedua penumpang terakhir diantar ke pangkalan oleh sopir lain”, Bang Bagus menawarkan opsi menarik.

    “Ide bagus, Bang “, aku menyetujuinya.

    Pangkalan yang dimaksud berada di daerah Arang Limbung, sekitar dua kilometer dari kantor. Setibanya di pangkalan aku baru tahu bahwa pangkalan tersebut berwujud sebuah warung kopi, Warung Kopi Rafsya namanya.

    “Duduk aja bang, aku pesanin kopi, biar aku yang traktir”, begitu ucap Bang Bagus.

    Aku segera mengambil tempat duduk dan beberapa waktu kemudian kopi itu di hidangkan oleh si empunya warung. Karena kebetulan waktu sudah melewati tengah hari maka kuputuskan untuk sekalian makan siang di warung kopi itu. Aku memilih menebus seporsi Nasi Kuning seharga Rp. 10.000

    Kantor Galaxy Travel
    Pangkalan para sopir taksi.

    Tak berselang lama, para pengemudi taksi yang lain datang dan bergabung dalam obrolan ringan. Aku hanya berusaha menjadi pendengar yang baik. Beberapa dari mereka tampak kesal karena menunggu pesawat yang mengalami delay sehingga penumpang mereka terlambat mendarat, sedangkan beberapa yang lain tampak muram karena tidak mendapat penumpang hingga lewat tengah hari.

    Hampir dua jam aku larut dalam perbincangan mereka, hingga akhirnya telepon Bang Bagus berdering.

    “Siap pak….Siap”, begitu jawaban singkatnya. Tebakanku benar, calon penumpang setaksi denganku telah mendarat dan sedang diantarkan sopir yang lain ke sebuah kedai teh di daerah Sungai Jawi.

    Oleh karenanya, aku diajak Bang Bagus menuju ke kedai itu, “Menanti Sui Jawi” nama tea house itu. Usai kedua calon penumpang itu menyeruput tegukan terakhir tehnya maka taksi bersiap memulai perjalanan menuju Singkawang.

    Baru saja hendak berangkat, Bang Bagus diminta bertukar penumpang oleh kantornya, dia diminta menunggu satu calon penumpang lain yang baru akan datang sejam lagi.

    Merasa tidak enak denganku, dia berusaha membujuk kantornya untuk mendahulukanku bertolak menuju Singkawang dan hanya ada satu peluang bagiku untuk berangkat lebih cepat, yaitu ikut di sebuah armada Kijang Innova tetapi harus duduk di bangku belakang bersama barang-barang muatan.

    Mengingat waktu yang terus bergulir, aku tak menolak tawaran itu. Selang beberapa waktu Kijang Innova yang dimaksud tiba dan tanpa pikir panjang aku menaikinya.

    Akhirnya Kijang Innova itu pun berangkat menuju Singkawang….

    Mengingat hari itu adalah hari kerja maka kemacetan tak bisa dihindari. Di beberapa titik, taksi tersendat cukup parah walau pada akhirnya dalam waktu tak lebih dari empat puluh lima menit, taksi itu benar-benar sudah berada batas utara Kota Pontianak.

    Perjalanan darat Pontianak ke Singkawang akan menempuh perjalanan sepanjang 155 kilometer dan ditempuh dalam waktu empat jam.

    Keluar dari Kota Pontianak, taksi ini melaju dengan cepat menuju ke Singkawang dengan melintasi dua kabupaten yaitu Mempawah sepanjang 80 km dan Bengkayang sepanjang 40 km.

    Perjalanan ini sendiri memiliki satu kali waktu break dan momen ini dilakukan di Rumah Makan Pondok Mutiara yang berlokasi di daerah Sungai Kunyit, Kabupaten Mempawah.

    Ini dia taksiku menuju Singkawang.
    Sungai Mempawah di daerah Parit Banjar.
    Pantai di desa Sengkubang.
    Rumah Makan Pondok Mutiara.
    Suasana di dalam rumah makan.
    Pemandangan di belakang rumah makan.
    Salah satu ruas Jalan Jend. Ahmad Yani yang merupakan jalan utama menuju ke Singkawang.

    Laju taksi yang terlalu kencang membuatku tak bisa menangkap gambar selama perjalanan dengan sempurna, oleh karenanya, aku memutuskan untuk menikmati saja perjalanan sembari memandangi suasana perkampungan di provinsi paling barat Pulau Borneo tersebut.

    Taksi ini sendiri akan melakukan perjalanan jauh hingga titik terakhir yang terletak di Kabupaten Sambas yang berbatasan langsung dengan Negara Bagian Serawak, Malaysia.

    Begitu penasarannya diriku ketika taksi mulai merapat di Singkawang beberapa saat usai waktu Maghrib. Atmosfer masyarakat Tionghoa terasa kental di sepanjang jalan. Aku cukup memahaminya karena Singkawang sendiri adalah China Town terbesar di Indonesia.

    Aku diturunkan di depan lobby Hotel Sahabat Baru di daerah Pasiran, Singkawang Barat.

    Terimakasih Galaxy Travel….Saatnya melakukan eksplorasi malam itu juga.

    Hmmhhh….Ada apa ya di Singkawang?….

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • Mendesign Teaser di Stadion Manahan

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Patung Ir. Soekarno di depan gerbang Stadion Manahan.

    Jika Jakarta memilihi Gelora Bung Karno sebagai kawasan olahraga kebanggaan warga ibukota, maka Solo memiliki area olahraga kenamaan, yaitu Stadion Manahan. Dan kali ini, aku berkesempatan secara langsung untuk mensurveynya untuk keperluan acara Marketing Conference yang akan beralangsung dua bulan setelah survey ini.

    Kedatanganku di Stadion Manahan dimulai dari usainya diriku menikmati santap malam di wisata kuliner GALABO (Gladag Langen Bogan), yang berada di daerah Kedung Lumbu. Setelah memastikan perut kenyang dengan seporsi Soto Kwali bersambung dengan menghangatkan tubuh dengan seporsi Wedang Ronde, aku beranjak meninggalkan GALABO yang sedang menuju puncak keramaian. Aku menikmati lagu terakhirku di tempat itu sembari menunggu kedatangan taksi online yang telah kupesan.

    Entah kenapa, musik yang tadinya ngebeat, tetapi menjelang usai mengunjungi GALABO berubah menjadi melankolis. Lagu “Sewu Kutho” milik almarhum Didi Kempot itu mengiringi langkahku meninggalkan GALABO hingga iramanya menjadi senyap ketika aku memasuki taksi online.

    “Stadion Manahan, Pak”.

    “Jalan utama menuju ke sana sedang direnovasi, Mas. Ada pembangunan jalan layang. Saya boleh ambil rute lain ya, Mas. Sedikit lebih lama untuk sampai di tujuan”

    “Baik, tidak apa-apa. Saya juga tidak sedang buru-buru. Santai saja, Pak”.

    “Siap, Mas”.

    Aku tak memahami rute mana yang diambil oleh pengemudi setengah baya itu Aku hanya menikmati saja setiap injakan pedal gas menelusuri jalanan malam Kota Solo. Suasana kota masih tampak ramai walaupun waktu sudah lewat pukul delapan malam.

    Aku tiba di tujuan lebih lama 10 menit dari waktu yang terjadwal. Aku diturunkan  di sisi selatan stadion, tepat di depan Patung Ir. Soekarno. Patung perunggu Presiden pertama RI itu terlihat duduk membaca buku. Sementara di bagian dasar patung, lampu-lampu LED memainkan perannya dalam menghasilkan gradasi warna yang memikat para pengunjung. Dan dalam siraman cahaya lampu aneka warna itu, air mancur pun bergantian meluncur memperindah area kolam oval.

    Air Mancur Menari Manahan.

    “Tidak bisa masuk ke dalam ya, Pak”, tanyaku kepada seorang security penjaga gerbang stadion.

    “Maaf, Mas. Sudah tutup dari jam empat sore. Jadi kami sudah tidak bisa menerima pengunjung masuk ke dalam”.

    “Oh baik pak. Buka jam berapa ya pak setiap harinya?”.

    “Jam delapan pagi sudah buka, Mas. Jadi saya sarankan besok saja mas datang kesini lagi”.

    “Oh baik, Pak”.

    Aku balik badan lalu mendudukkan diri di tepian Air Mancur Menari Manahan.

    Kriiingggg….. Kriiingggg. Gawai pintarku berdering.

    “Halo Donny. Gimana Solo? OK kan?. Oh ya Donny, kamu harus publish teaser pertama Marketing Conference malam mini ya, karena hari ini tepat dua bulan sebelum waktu penyelenggaraan!”, CEO perusahaan memberiku perintah.

    “Baik, Ibu”.

    Jadilah malam itu, aku sibuk mendesain teaser pertama Marketing Conference. Aku segera menghubungi staff Divisi Design perusahaan di Jakarta, Tommi namanya. Lalu menceritakan konsep yang kuinginkan kepadanya. Aku terus memandu detail konsep dan dia cepat sekali mengeksekusi  beberapa revisi hingga design teaser bisa selesai dalam satu jam pengerjaan. Karena kesibukan itu, praktis aku tak bisa menilik beberapa sudut lain di luar Stadion Manahan.

    Setelah selesai mengirimkan informasi kepada setiap calon peserta Marketing Conference, aku segera bergegas meninggalkan Stadion Manahan. Waktu sudah semakin larut dan aku harus terus bergerak…..

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • Al Ghanim Bus Station, Qatar’s Pride Central Terminal

    <—-Previous Story

    As I told you at the beginning, if you dissect the whole of Qatar using Karwa Bus, you will automatically go back and forth in a central terminal in Doha, namely Al Ghanim Bus Station.

    I am a backpacker who loves city buses and while at Qatar in five days exploration, for seven times, I visited this bus terminal which was the headquarters of Mowasalat (Qatar’s state transportation company).

    Not big enough, in terms of size, Al Ghanim Bus Station is still less spacious than Tirtonadi Terminal in Solo (my hometown) or Kampung Rambutan Terminal in East Jakarta (the town which I am living now). This terminal is like a bus terminal in small towns on Java island….Tidar Terminal in Magelang for example….Yes, that’s my guess.

    I instantly understood that there was no need for a large terminal to serve the territory of the state of Qatar, which is only twice the size of Bali island.

    Riding Karwa Bus No. 12, first trip to Al Ghanim Bus Station.

    That afternoon, heat of the sun collided with low temperature of the air blowing over the Qatar Peninsula. Smooth and scorching sand took advantage of wind current to mercilessly beat my face. But now I was wearing a rayban glasses which made me boldly and stylishly walking on Doha streets.

    Starting from Casper Hotel, I cutted through the city in a bus which running for about five kilometers and arrived in half an hour at Al Ghanim Bus Station. Not expensive, only 2.5 Riyal to be paid to the Karwa Bus tap machine.

    Al Ashat Street is right in front of the terminal.
    Small, neat and minimal pollution.
    No one shouted for passengers….Very silent.

    Facility

    Arriving at the terminal, I was in no rush to just leave it. I let my time wasted a little just by sitting on a waiting chair which made from white painted wood. Observing Qataris faces whose majority are government employees, Filipino faces who work in formal sector or South Asian faces who were either from Nepal, India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka who appeared to work in informal sector. All of them passed me with their respective activities, moving in rhythm in driving Qatar’s economy.

    Terminal waiting chair…. For those who can withstand the cold, please linger here.
    Those who can’t stand the cold, can buy Karak (pull tea) at the corner canteen.

    This terminal serves almost all bus routes, leaving or going to Doha. Each route takes 20-30 minutes to depart. The terminal operates from 4am to midnight.

    The toilet is at the west end of the front, with a container box structure and you have to step through some stairs. The terminal also provides a closed space that is effective enough to warm the body while waiting for bus to depart.

    Terminal’s closed waiting area.

    Meanwhile, several Ticketing Vending Machines are provided next to the closed waiting room, so that every Karwa Bus service user can freely refill their Karwa Smartcard here.

    On several terminal poles, each Karwa Bus route map is clearly listed, so it’s very helpful for passengers who don’t understand yet the entire Qatar region in finding a right bus route to each of their targeted destinations.

    Karwa Bus Route No. 11.

    That’s a brief profile of Al Ghanim Bus Station which is located in the Municipality of Ad Dawhah. Interested in visiting?

    Routine route to return to Casper Hotel.

    Next Story—->

  • Saving Budget in Casper Hotel, Qatar

    <—-Previous Story

    The further west, the reality is more higher cost in backpacking. The price of hotels and airline tickets cannot be denied. Need foresight in hunting cheap tickets and hotels.

    This is what then made me succumb to staying in an inn far from downtown, in order to get a price which fits the budget. Of course, even if I stay in a suburban inn, connectivity matters must still be considered.

    Well, for my exploration in Qatar this time, I chose Casper Hotel to be my basecamp for four nights. I ordered it two months before departure through a famous lodging provider e-commerce at a price of 50 Riyal. I could say, this was the cheapest hotel with good transportation access from many lodgings which I have explored in various lodging provider e-commerce.

    Front gate of Casper Hotel which is a residential area.

    The similarity of houses in this cluster made me strayed to Q Hotel. Its receptionist was a bit bitchy when he showed me Casper Hotel location which is next to this inn. Maybe, because I prefered to choose their competitor.

    Hotel without signage.

    I was received by a tall receptionist from Islamabad and asked to wait about half an hour for the room to be ready.

    Simple front desk.
    Lobby.
    The dorm which I stayed in (center).

    I was put in a room with Pakistani professional who working in ship wrecking companies, Indian tourist and Pakistani youth who was eager to find work in South America.

    I deliberately chose this hotel because they provide a shared pantry. The cost of living in Qatar is notoriously expensive, my best option was to buy groceries and cooked it myself.

    My place to cooking.
    Hotel management staff (two standing) and roommate (sitting).

    Connectivity

    Although far from downtown, this hotel had good transportation access. This certainly helped me to save my budget. Casper Hotel had access to Free Doha Metrolink Shuttle Service to Oqba Ibn Nafie station. In addition, Karwa Bus No. 12 had a shelter near hotel gate to Al Ghanim Bus Station.

    The bus shelter on Al Nadi Street, I always used when I went back to hotel.
    Karwa Bus No. 12, an afternoon headed to hotel from Al Ghanim Bus Station.

    Shopping Area.

    Three hundred meters at south of hotel, there was Nuija Al Hilal Zone Center, a shopping complex which provided minimarket (i.e Abdulla Ali Bumatar minimarket), coffee shop and shopping center. This was the place where I shopped for basic necessities during my staying in Qatar.

    A Tea Center where I drink Karak (pull tea).

    Worship Place

    One hundred meters east of Nuija AL Hilal Zone Center there was a small prayer room which was a worship place for residents around the complex. This prayer room became my worship place while in Doha.

    Maghrib prayer.

    Sports Center

    For those of you who want to regularly exercise during your trip in Doha, this hotel is very close to Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium which can be visited to watch Al Ahli SC in the Qatar Stars League or just mingle with resident activities who exercise in it.

    Shares the coop with Al Sailiya SC.

    Come on, let’s head to downtown Doha!.

    Next Story—->

  • Soto Kwali dan Wedang Ronde GALABO

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Gerbang depan GALABO.

    Gladag Langen Bogan atau lebih dikenal dengan sebutan GALABO adalah kompleks pasar kuliner yang diselenggarakan di Jalan Kapten Mulyadi di area Kedung Lumbu. Konsep pasar jalanan ini menjadi daya tarik tersendiri bagi pemimpin perusahaan tempatku bekerja sebagai kandidat utama untuk dikunjungi saat acara Marketing Conference nanti.

    Oleh karenanya, aku perlu melihat kondisi sesungguhnya dari GALABO. Aku harus membedah perihal konten kuliner di dalamnya, konsep aktivitasnya dan tentu waktu operasionalnya. Dan untuk bisa melakukannya, tentu aku harus mensurveynya saat malam karena ini adalah pasar malam kuliner.

    —-****—-

    Aku meluncur bersama taksi online yang kupesan menuju barat daya, meninggalkan Taman Pelangi yang berada di area Jurug. Waktu yang tepat menuju GALABO, karena aku akan tiba disana sekitar pukul 19:00 dan berfikir dengan yakin bahwa tenda-tenda kuliner sudah didirikan di sepanjang jalan.

    Aku berpindah dari Taman Pelangi melalui Jalan Ir. Juanda, lalu berlanjut ke Jalan Jend. Urip Sumoharjo, hingga akhirnya aku tiba di sebuah pelataran luas dengan deretan kios-kios di salah satu sisinya.

    “GALABO sebelah mana, Pak?”.

    “Ini GALABO, Mas. Kita sudah sampai”.

    “GALABO bukannya tenda-tenda kuliner di sepanjang jalan ya, Pak”

    “Oh itu dulu, Mas. Sekarang sudah di relokasi dan dipindahkan ke sini. Ini tepat di selatan Benteng Vredeburg”.

    “Oh sejak kapan, Pak dipindahin?”

    “Pertengahan 2018, Mas”.

    Aku membuka pintu taksi online dengan berusaha meyembunyikan raut kekecewaan. Aku masih saja berfikir bahwa GALABO adalah kuliner jalanan. Karena kuliner jalanan akan lebih menarik antusiasme para peserta Marketing Conference nantinya.

    28 kedai kuliner pilihan.
    Kedai yang hanya menjual kuliner legendaris Kota Solo.
    Buka dari pukul 17:00 hingga pukul 05:00

    “Tak apa, Donny. Kita cicipi dulu saja makanannya!”, batinku meneguhkan diri.

    Taksi online dengan cepat meninggalkanku di area baru GALABO. Aku segera menyusuri sepanjang deretan kedai untuk mencari makan malam yang cocok. Kali ini makan malamku sedikit telat sehingga kuputuskan mencari hidangan yang masih panas. Aku tak ragu memesan Soto Kwali Mbok Yem. Kemudian kupadukan dengan memesan Wedang Ronde sebagai minumannya.

    Aku mengambil duduk di sebuah umbrella shading-bench. Tak lama setelah aku duduk, lagu yang dibawakan oleh seorang biduan dengan iringan organ tunggal mulai mengalun. Aku baru saja menikmati suasana indah GALABO malam itu. GALABO belum ramai tetapi para pengunjung secara konsisten mulai berdatangan. Perlahan deretan umbrella shading-bench mulai penuh.

    Sepuluh menit kemudian, makanan yang kupesan tiba dan mulai kusantap Soto Kwali yang masih mengepul itu dengan lahap. Biasanya kalau telat makan maka secara otomatis aku akan kehilangan nafsu makan. Tapi kali ini aroma harum Soto Kwali membuatku terlupa akan kondisi perutku yang sudah mulai masuk angin. Sementara ritme lagu yang dibawakan semakin cepat dan ngebeat.

    Malam yang indah di Solo.

    Di akhir waktu makan malamku, aku mulai berfiikir, membayangkan membawa peserta Marketing Conference yang berjumlah 76 orang ke GALABO untuk makan malam. Di fikiran lain, aku membandingkan jika makan malam itu diselenggarakan di De’ Tjolomadoe.

    Sepertinya aku sudah memiliki kecenderungan untuk memilih destinasi yang mana. GALABO atau De’ Tjolomadoe?

    Kini aku harus bergegas untuk mengunjungi destinasi lain. Destinasi yang akan dikunjungi di sore hari saat Marketing Conference, tetapi aku akan mensurveynya di malam hari.

    Mari kita lanjutkan perjalanan kita ke pusat olahraga terbesar di Kota Bengawan itu.

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • SriLankan Airlines UL 225 dari Colombo (CMB) ke Dubai (DBX)

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Rute SriLankan Airlines UL 225 (sumber: flightaware).

    Hatiku sumringah usai memergoki nomor penerbanganku pada salah satu tampilan Flight Information Display Siystem (FIDS) di sudur transfer hall Bandaranaike International Airport.

    “Yiaayyy, sebentar lagi berangkat ke Dubai”, hatiku bersorak girang.

    Dengan sigap aku menyudahi aktivitas mengisi daya baterai smartphone dan Canon EOS M10 yang sudah kulakukan sedari beberapa waktu lalu.

    Tau gak sih?, kalau aku harus lama berdiri menunggui “alat bantu perjalanan” itu selama dicharge. Hal ini dikarenakan charging station itu berada di sebuah tiang nan ramai dengan lalu-lalang pengunjung bandara. Sedangkan apron view tempatku duduk sebelumnya berada sepuluh meter dari tiang tersebut.

    Hmmhhh…..

    Sembari menahan betis yang pegal karena terlalu lama berdiri, aku segera melangkah menuju gate 14 seperti yang diperintahkan dalam FIDS. Kali kedua mengunjungi bandara ini, membuatku dengan mudah menemukan gate itu.

    Terduduklah aku di kursi tunggu di luar waiting room, gate belum sepenuhnya siap mengantarkan penumpang menuju penerbangan.

    Aku tersenyam-senyum sendiri, memperhatikan seorang perempuan muda asal Eropa yang tampak bermain dengan kedua anak perempuannya yang sepertinya masih bersekolah dasar. Mereka memanfaatkan pojok koridor untuk melakukan permainan melompat, berlari dan menari. Sungguh lucu dan menggemaskan. Sementara sang suami tampak sibuk menelpon ke sana kemari.

    Selang beberapa waktu, tetiba bangku sebelah kananku yang kosong telah diduduki oleh seorang wanita. Selepas duduk, dia tampak gelisah, tatapnya terus berpindah-pindah titik pandang. Hal itu membuatku penasaran, kuliriknya apa yang dia pegang. Tak salah lagi, itu paspor hijau Republik Indonesia.

    “Ada apa gerangan wanita ini sendirian sampai di Sri Lanka?”, aku membatin.

    Mencoba menenangkan suasana aku pun berinisiatif untuk membantu,

    “Ibu mau terbang kemana?“, aku memulai pertanyaan.

    “Loh, masnya orang Indonesia toh?, Alhamdulillah ada teman. Saya mau terbang ke Dubai, bingung cari gate, mas”

    “Gate berapa, bu?”

    “14, mas. Tapi ini kok nomor penerbanganku kok ga sama seperti yang tertera di gate ya, mas?”

    “Sebentar, bu”, aku bangkit dari tempat duduk dan berinisiatif bertanya kepada seorang petugas aviation security yang sedang berdiri di depan gate. Dia menjelaskan singkat bahwa gate 14 akan digunakan untuk dua penerbangan.

    Aku menjelaskan perihal ini ke si ibu bahwa penerbangannya akan mendahului penerbanganku dan dia menganguk faham setelah kujelaskan. Masalah selesai, kini si ibu bisa menunggu pernerbangannya dengan tenang.

    Sebelum si ibu terbang, beliau bercerita bahwa dirinya sedang menuju Dubai untuk berkerja sebagai seorang asisten rumah tangga pada sebuah keluarga Arab di sana. Dia menemukan majikan yang baik hati dan baru kali ini dia pertama kalinya terbang sendirian tanpa teman-temannya sehabis mudik ke kampung halaman.

    Beberapa menit kemudian, si ibu berpamitan dan mendahuluiku terbang ke Dubai.

    Beburu gate….
    Menunggu terbang…
    Kenapa kalau masuk kabin, pramugari selalu menjadi pusat perhatian….Selain cantik, apalagi ya alasan lainnya?

    Usai waiting room kosong kembali dari penumpang, maka giliranku untuk memasukinya dan bersiap diri untuk terbang. Setelah menunggu beberapa saat di waiting room, akhirnya gate pun dibuka untuk mengalirkan penumpang ke kabin pesawat.

    Memasuki aerobridge, aku mengantri di sepanjangnya demi memasuki kabin pesawat.

    “Dari Indonesia, Mas?”, seseorang di belakangku menyapa.

    “Eh, iya mas. Lho mas dari mana? Saya dari Jakarta”.

    “Saya dari Sidoarjo, Mas”

    “Aku tadi juga barusan ketemu sama seorang ibu dari Wonogiri lho, Mas. Wah di Sri Lanka malah banyak saudara sendiri ya, mas….Hahaha. Kerja di Dubai, Mas? “

    “Iya, Mas, aku kerja di kapal pesiar”.

    “Wah mantab, gajine gede pasti”.

    “Alhamdulillah, biasa aja, Mas. Masnya juga kerja di sana ta?”

    “Ndak mas, aku cuma ingin liat-liat Dubai bentar. Aku kerja di Jakarta”.

    Tak terasa percakapan itu terbawa hingga ke dalam kabin pesawat dan terhenti ketika aku menemukan tempat duduk.

    “Ati-ati ya mas di jalan, takut nanti di bandara Dubai ndak ketemu lagi”, dia mendahului ucapan perpisahan

    “Iya mas, hati-hati juga kerja di sana”

    Aku pun duduk dan dia mulai mencari bangkunya di kabin belakang.

    —-****—-

    Terduduk di bangku bernomor 56G di kolom tengah, aku mulai mengeksplorasi beberapa majalah dan brosur di kursi, membaca Serendib Treasure yang menjadi shopping cataloque milik SriLankan Airlines dan selembar “Taste Our World” yang menyajikan menu penerbangan dari Colombo menuju kawasan Timur Tengah.

    Tak lama kemudian, pesawat bersiap lepas landas

    Aku memperhatikan sejenak demo keselamatan penerbangan yang dilakukan oleh para awak kabin, untuk kemudian usai pesawar telah airborne maka aku mulai berselancar di LCD TV untuk menonton sebuah film. Kuputuskan untuk mengulang kembali menonton film “Green Lantern” yang diperankan oleh Ryan Reynolds.

    Memotong sejenak waktuku setelah beberapa saat menonton….

    Awak kabin mulai mendorong food trolley dari arah kabin belakang, aku kembali melihat menu dan kemudian memutuskan untuk memilih Chicken Red Curry sebagai hidangan utama dan untuk dessert kujatuhkan pilihanku pada Rice Phirni (hidangan manis khas Asia Selatan yang dibuat dari nasi putih bubuk, susu, dan gula) serta orange juice sebagai minumannya.

    Apapun itu….Flag carrier pasti selalu nyaman walau di kelas ekonomi.
    Duh kemampuan english listeningku pas-pasan….
    Alhamdulillah, setelah 26 jam ga ketemu nasi.

    SriLankan Airlines UL 225 sendiri merupakan penerbangan selama empat setengah jam melintasi Laut Arab. Menempuh jarak udara sejauh kurang lebih 3.300 kilometer.

    Penerbangan kali ini menjadi penerbangan ketigaku bersama flag carrier milik Negeri “Permata Samudera Hindia”.

    Ketika aku sudah di pertengahan perjalanan, film pun usai menonton film, maka kusempatkan diri untuk tidur sejenak sebelum tiba di Dubai.

    ZZZzzzzzz……….

    —-****—-

    Aku terbangun dari lelap ketika lampu kabin dinyalakan. Para awak kabin tampak sigap dan serius mengecek satu persatu sabuk keselamatan dan sandaran kursi setiap penumpang. Aku yang tak pernah melepaskan sabuk keselamatan pun dilaluinya begitu saja.

    Sebentar lagi pesawat akan mendarat di Dubai International Airport.

    Jantungku mulai berdebar, menunggu kejutan-kejutan lain di tempat yang baru pertama kali aku datangi.

    Dubai International Airport Terminal 1.

    Welcome Dubai.

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • 7 Jam Transit di Bandaranaike International Airport

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Tiba di Colombo.
    Koridor menuju transfer hall.

    Hampir pukul setengah dua siang ketika roda-roda raksasa SriLankan Airlines UL 166 menyentuh landas pacu. Sedangkan di dalam kabin, aku terduduk sangat tenang di kursi bernomor 50G tepat di sisi kanan kolom tengah yang merupakan exit row sisi tengah kabin.

    “Tak ada yang perlu dikhawatirkan, Donny. Bukankah dirimu telah menaklukkan bandar udara ini tahun lalu?”, begitulah tutur hati menenangkan debar dada.

    —-****—-

    Setahun sebelumnya….

    Tepatnya awal Januari 2019, sekitar pukul setengah lima pagi, aku tiba usai melakukan penerbangan dini hari selama dua setengah jam dari Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport di Mumbai dengan menumpang Jet Airways dengan nomor penerbangan 9W 256.

    Disusul empat hari setelahnya, aku menyambangi kembali bandara ini ketika hendak melanjutkan perjalanan menuju Maldives. Kala itu aku dihantarkan oleh SriLankan Airlines UL 0109.

    Masih tentang Sri Lanka,

    “Buat apa sih kamu ke Sri Lanka, Donny?”, begitulah pertanyaan tertrending di telinga bahkan enam bulan sebelum hari keberangkatan.

    Pertanyaan yang hanya kujawab dengan senyum….Wkwkwkwk. Aku fikir pertanyaan ini tak perlu dijawab dengan serius karena setiap orang memiliki persepsi yang berbeda-beda terhadap opsi bertraveling. Lebih baik berbagi rencana daripada berdebat….Iya, kan….Hahaha.

    —-****—

    Menuruni Airbus A330-300 melalui aerobridge aku diarahkan menuju koridor kedatangan. Tatapku jeli mencari koridor lain menuju transfer hall. Tentu aku enggan meninggalkan bandara walaupun sebetulnya bisa-bisa saja. Masuk kota Colombo untuk pejalan Indonesia tak gratis ya kala itu? Harus menyisihkan uang sebesar 25 Dollar Amerika untuk menebus eVisa negara “Permata Samudera Hindia” itu.

    Tapi dengar-dengar, sekarang pejalan Indonesia bisa mendapatkan free visa untuk berlibur ke sana selama 30 hari. Wah….Hal yang menarik nih.

    Kembali ke pencarian transfer hall….

    Masih fokus mencari markah menuju transfer hall. Bahkan sebelum menemukan markah tersebut, aku telah memutuskan untuk tinggal di bandara dan menikmati suasanya selama kurang lebih tujuh jam ke depan.

    Setelah sepuluh menit melangkah, akhirnya aku berhasil memasuki transfer hall. Tentu untuk memasukinya aku harus melewati pemeriksaan tiket connecting flight dan dilanjutkan dengan pemeriksaan melalui screening gate yang dijaga ketat petugas.

    Nah untuk bandara ini, transfer hall secara umum akan berfungsi juga sebagai departure hall bagi penumpang yang akan melakukan direct flight.

    Pertama kali memasuki ruangan, interior yang paling mencolok dan mudah terekam dalam ingatan dari transfer hall bandara ini adalah sculpture Buddha yang berada di ruang utama hall. Tahun sebelumnya aku tak berani mengambil foto patung tersebut karena takut berbuat kesalahan dengan melanggar beberapa larangan penting dalam hal adab berfoto di patung Buddha itu.

    Tetapi setelah membaca dan memperhatikan aturan dengan detail, terutama aturan tidak boleh berfoto membelakangi Buddha, maka aku berhasil menangkap gambar Buddha itu.

    Satu hal lagi yang kuingat adalah berasa kurang nyamannya diriku ketika berada di bandara ini karena kebiasaan beberapa petugas cleaning service yang sering meminta uang kepada pengunjung seusai menggunakan toilet. Aku sendiri mengindahkan sikap mereka di pintu toilet. Walaupun mereka tidak memaksa tetapi tetap saja menjadikan sebuah ketidaknyamanan tersendiri.

    Nah, pengen tahu ndak apa yang kudapatkan….

    Yuk kita intip, ada apa saja di transfer hall Bandaranaike International Airport:

    Patung Buddha di ruang utama.
    Duty free zone.
    Serendib Lounge, lounge eksekutif milik SriLankan Airlines. Tau kan makna “serendib”? ….Yups, “tempat tinggal pulau singa”.
    Departure hall terlihat dari lantai atas.
    Ruang tunggu dengan pemandangan apron. Spot terbaik versiku nih.

    Usai mengeksplor seisi transfer hall, kuputuskan untuk menghabiskan waktu dalam menikmati aktivitas loading-unloading SriLankan Airlines dari ruang tunggu sembari mengisi ulang daya baterai segenap peralatan elektronik yang kubawa demi bersiap-siap mengeksplore Dubai esok paginya.

    Beruntung aku masih memiliki bekal beberapa potong jajanan khas India yang kuperoleh dari menukarkan semua uang koin tersisaku di sebuah kedai makanan di Kochi sebelum aku menuju Colombo.

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • Karwa Bus No. 727….To Nuaija District from Hamad International Airport

    <—-Previous Story

    That morning, my desire to went to downtown was so rushed. I couldn’t wait to get a closer look at Doha. But my rush was stopped for a moment, I continued to calculate in detail fo transportation budget which I needed for five days in Qatar. So that I didn’t leave too much of remaining balance in Karwa Smartcard later.

    Short breakfast with bread at airport bus terminal.

    My calculation decided to top up the balance for about 30 Riyal for entire trip, majority of trip would use city bus. This amount didn’t include Karwa Smartcard price for about 10 Riyal.

    Ticketing Vending Machine.
    Karwa Smartcard is the only access to enjoy Karwa Bus services.

    Avsec: “Hi, No No No….Sir, Sorry, you can’t capture the building”, the South Asian looking officer approached and stopped me when pointing my camera at a side of Hamad International Airport from the airport bus platform.

    Me: “Oh, I’m sorry sir….I don’t capture the photo yet, I’m sorry”, I immediately put my Canon EOS M10 into a folding bag.

    Avsec: “Nice….Nice”, smiling while shaking his head. “Where will you go?“

    Me: “I’m waiting for bus no. 727 to Nuaija. Do you know, When it will come?”

    Avsec: “Oh, you better ask to Karwa Officer….Him (he pointed to a fat officer who was busy with his clipboard)”.

    I went to him and asked the status of Karwa Bus No. 727, then he asked me to wait about ten minutes.

    Just in time, the bus arrived.

    Nervous, my first time in using Qatar city bus. If Dubai, Bahrain and Oman prefer red color for their city buses, Qatar had decided to use green color for it.

    I was the first passenger on bus which had just been parked. A few minutes later, one by one, Hamad International Airport workers entered the same bus.

    Preparing fo heading to Nuaija District.
    A side of Hamad International Airport.

    During trip, Karwa Bus slowly and leisurely ran while crossing city’s streets. Like other modes of public transportation in civilized cities, it ensured that every passenger felt safe.

    Payment was made by tapping Karwa Smartcard on tap machine which located next to driver. You need to know that steering wheel in Qatar is placed in left side. While there, I entered and got off a bus always from front door. Of course, before getting off from bus, I had to check remaining Karwa Smartcard balance on the same tap machine.

    Riding bus for thirty minutes, my eyes continued to stare at all the prints of city’s architecture which was passed, as well as various activities of local people who were observed.

    Dropped off at Nuaija intersection.

    As soon as I got off from bus, the wind hardly blew against me, carrying soft particles of sand with it. “Is this the taste of desert wind? “, my heart mumbled for a moment. My naked eyes had to be sacrificed to repeatedly hit by soft sand. I couldn’t longer look for my rayban glasses which I didn’t know where I put it in my backpack. The temperature of twelve degrees Celsius forced me to immediately reach Casper Hotel, where I would stay.

    Al Emadi Hospital which I passed on the outskirts of D Ring Road.
    Fresh flowers grown with hydroponic techniques.

    After walking for a kilometer and a half and in twenty minutes, I finally arrived at a hotel Which appeared to be the result of turning a residential complex into a simple inn.

    Casper Hotel.

    Later I would tell to you how comfortable that simple dormitory is….?

    Next Story—->

  • 26 Tourist Attractions in Doha, Qatar

    <—-Previous Story

    Maybe, a person who was influencing me to go to Qatar was Valentino Rossi. Yes….The living legend of premium iron horse racing had indirectly influenced me to visit Losail International Circuit through television screen for a long time. During the years of watching MotoGP that too, the intention to visiting Qatar began to disturb my sleep at night.

    That dream had became a beautiful reality when for five days I was able to explore Qatar in early 2020. Now is the time for me to tell you about its beauty. Here are a few of the memories which I got in the country which rich in “black gold”:

    1. Hamad International Airport

    It can be said that Hamad International Airport (HIA) is a perfector to Qatar’s tourism gateway. Since seven years ago, HIA had succeeded in replacing the role of Doha International Airport. You need to know that naming of this airport is taken from the name of Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

    That sunny morning, I agreed with the splendor of this airport which was located on the shores of Persian Gulf. This is the airport which holds an asset of “Yellow Bear” worth 6.7 million US Dollar…Wowww.

    2. Karwa Bus

    As a person who adhered to backpacker ethic codes, I was only faced with two choices to get to downtown…..Train or bus?. That time, bus was my first choice.

    Haven’t seen and boarded it yet, I already imagined that I would ride a modern-looking city bus when I left the airport.

    Doha city buses are known as Karwa Buses and require a KARWA Smart Card to ride them. All Doha city buses are operated by the state transport company “Mowasalat”. The average one-way fare is also very affordable, which is around 2.5 Qatari Riyal.

    3. Al Ghanim Bus Station

    After checking in at Casper Hotel and putting all my equipments down, I started exploring Doha. The first place which I traced was Al Ghanim Bus Station as final destination for Karwa Bus number 12 which picked me up from hotel.

    Located in Municipality Ad Dawhah, Al Ghanim Bus Station is an important landmark. This bus terminal certainly covers most of Karwa Bus routes in Qatar. Al Ghanim Bus Station takes on the role of a central terminal in Qatar as well as being the headquarters of Mowasalat. If you intend to explore Qatar tourism by bus, surely you will often visit this terminal.

    4. Abdul Aziz Nasser Theater

    This is a performance space for multidisciplinary arts which supports local and international artists. Located in Doha downtown with a capacity of almost a thousand seats. Even to facilitate the implementation of large events, this theater is directly connected to Al Mirqab Hotel which is located right on its west side.

    5. Al Fanar Mosque

    I visited this mosque after exploring Al Ghanim Bus Station. The location is only a kilometer in north of terminal. Al Fanar is a Qatar Islamic Cultural Center better known as Al Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zaid Al-Mahmood Islamic Cultural Center. Apart from introducing Qatari culture through Islam, the Fanar Cultural Center also organizes social and educational activities.

    6. Souq Faleh

    Souq Faleh and Al Fanar Masque are only separated by Al Tarbiya Street. It’s one of many old markets in Doha. If you are an Abaya lover, then this market is right place to hunt it, because the price which is offered is relatively cheaper than other markets.

    7. Domes Mosque

    While I was busy in visiting Souq Faleh, suddenly I heared the call to Dzuhur prayer. It seemed that I should end my exploration for a moment and heading to an old mosque in southeast. This mosque with many domes and pillars still proudly stands in the middle of modern city. The Dzuhur prayer was filled with worshipers who came from all over. And it was my first congregational prayer in Doha.

    8. City Souq

    Adjacent to Al Fanar Mosque in east, right at a corner of the intersection of Al Tarbiya Street and Al Bareed Street, is a modern shopping mall with a seven-story which then looks to dwarf the Central Municipal Center building in opposite. I entered it just to hunt for a fridge magnet and then took some photos of situation inside.

    Known as City Souq, this mall provides clothes, garments, shoes, perfumes, children’s toys, stationery, blankets and abayas. Practice haggling before shopping at this place !.

    9. Souq Waqif

    More than two centuries old, doesn’t make Souq Waqif change its architectural form. Being the only ancient traditional market in all of Qatar.

    Waqif means standing. Because during pioneering period, not a single stall was built. This was due to overflow of sea water from Doha coast which inundated market. Even at the beginning, buyers would come by boat or ride camels to get around inundation and sellers would stand around all day offering their goods.

    10. The Pearl Monument

    Leaving Souq Waqif for a moment for me to revisit on next day, I targeted The Pearl Monument at across of Al Corniche Street which provided underground crossing facility under it. I think, not only travelers, even all Qatari citizens should be obliged to visit this monument which in the form of gaping pearl shells. Through this monument, all visitors should know that prior to 1939, era before oil discovery in their earth belly, Qatar was a poor country whose income which was depended on catching pearl shells in Persian Gulf.

    11. Corniche Promenade

    Visiting The Pearl Monument made me happy beyond measure, in addition to exploring Qatar history, my eyes were spoiled by beautiful view of Doha Corniche. The seven-kilometer long promenade reveals the arch of Doha Bay which was crammed with skyscrapers at the end. Meanwhile, distribution of traditional dhow boats which are quietly anchored along the bay becomes a natural interior which makes situation more charming.

    12. Museum of Islamic Art

    Right at the eastern end of Doha Corniche, there is building which is erected like floating on the shores of sea. It’s the Museum of Islamic Art which exhibits the richness of Islamic culture from three continents which is more than 1,400 years old. This is Qatar’s flagship museum which is founded by the sister of their Emir, H. E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The existence of this museum has ordained Qatar as the cultural capital of Middle East region.

    13. MIA Park

    MIA in this park name stands for Museum of Islamic Art. As name implies, before visiting it, everyone can be sure to understand that this park is located right in front of Museum of Islamic Art. The park is often be the official state venue for national holiday celebrations, besides that, this park is often used as a venue for musical performances, bazaar activities or other regular concerts. Meanwhile, specifically on Tuesdays and starting at 17:00 hours, this park becomes a special public area for women who are usually led by personal trainers in cardio and fitness training.

    14. Doha Hop On Hop Off Bus

    For those of you who don’t want to bother exploring Doha. Qatar Tourism provides Hop On-Hop Off Sightseeing Tour. So you just sit down from the top of this bus and will be delivered to several tourist destinations in Doha. This bus spans thirty minutes in operation. Passing through Qatar’s main tourist destinations, namely Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art. To pamper travelers, this bus also stops at Marriott Hotel, Sharq Village and Spa, Sheraton and Hilton Hotel.

    15. West Bay

    Day Two….The air was very windy and cold of course. Boarding Karwa Bus number 12 and continuing with number 64, I headed for West Bay. The skyscraper complex seemed to be waving at me when I looked at it from the other side of Doha Corniche yesterday afternoon.

    Now I was right in the middle of this business area on east coast of Doha. An area that covers three districts at once, namely Al Qassar, Al Dafna and West Bay Lagoon. Finally up close, I could enjoy the Burj Doha, the most iconic building in Qatar.

    16. City Center Doha

    Tracing every inch in Wes Bay streets, I came to one of the oldest shopping malls in Qatar. City Center Doha which is located in the business center but is targeted to serve customers from the middle economy class. Located right in the middle of West Bay area, this shopping mall is directly connected to three luxury hotels, namely Shangri La Hotel, Rotana Hotel and Merweb Hotel.

    17. Doha Metro

    For the first time I ride Doha Metro. Qatar’s newest mass transportation system which has been in operation since last year. The three-line MRT (Red Line, Green Line and Gold Line) owned by Hamad Group is ordained as the fastest driverless train in the world with a cruising speed of 100 km/hour.

    This time, I enjoyed its luxurious facilities from DECC Station (Doha Exhibition & Convention Center) in Wet Bay to Katara Station which is the access to visit Katara Cultural Village.

    18. Katara Cultural Village

    Doha Metro dropped me off at Katara station. It only took a half kilometer walk to reach Katara Cultural Village, a cultural center in Qatar. Located on east coast between West Bay and The Pearl, this cultural village dates back ten years.

    Katara itself was the name for Qatar before 18th century. The word “Catara” in the first century AD was pinned to naming Qatar Peninsula which is located in south of Persian Gulf.

    19. Aspire Park

    My third day of exploration in Qatar I started a little bit late. Waiting for the sun to rise, because I would play in an open area, namely Aspire Park. The name of this park is taken from the name of an area, namely Aspire Zone which is the well-known name of Doha Sports City in Baaya District.

    Karwa Bus number 301 dropped me off at Villaggio Shelter Bus at exactly 11:44 am. I walked to the park which is located in the west of Qatar. Aspire Park is a beautiful and spacious park which is equipped with a playground, fountains, several coffee shops and even the only artificial lake in Qatar.

    20. The Torch Doha

    Still in Aspire Zone Complex, stepping a little to east, I was right under a 300 meter high hotel. Often referred to as Aspire Tower, although its official name is The Torch Doha.

    The work of an architectural consultant from France, this building is currently the tallest building in Doha. This 36-floors hotel has contributed to Qatar as a focal point for the 15th Asian Games.

    21. Khalifa International Stadium

    Khalifa International Stadium is right next to The Torch Doha. Often called by the name National Stadium. Like their magnificent airport, this football arena also bears name of the Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. This is the official home of Qatar national football team with forty thousand seating capacity.

    Owned by Qatar Football Association, this stadium was the witness where Australia was overthrown by “the blue samurai squad” with Tadanari Lee’s only goal in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final.

    22. Villaggio Mall

    My visit to Doha Sports City, ended by entering Villaggio Mall. This mall in the outskirts of Al Waab Street was developed by Gondolania Entertainment, therefore the concept of gondola tourism in Venice was adopted in this one-story shopping center.

    Designed in it’s 150 meter long indoor canal complete with gondola boat, reminds me when I visited The Venetian in Macau 4 years ago.

    The main retailer at Villaggio Mall is Carrefour, but this shopping center also accommodates 200 stores selling well-known brands from America, England, Italy and Germany. Come on, those who like shopping, please stop by here!

    23. Al Koot Fort

    The fourth day, I intend to explore the MDD (Mshreib Downtown Doha) area, which is a replacement city for Mushayrib District whose its development is planned in detail.

    But before entering MDD area, I took time to stop at the 93-year-old Al Koot Fort. It was the services of fourth Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani who built this fort with the aim of protecting Souq Waqif from notorious band of thieves at that time.

    After stopping at Al Koot Fort or Doha Fort, then I stepped into the MDD area. Let’s see what’s in MDD?

    24. Msheireb Museum

    The main tourist spot which I visited in Mshreib Downtown Doha was Msheireb Museum which was developed by Msheireb Properties (Qatar National Real Estate Developer). I diligently traced four historic heritage homes which make up the main part of Msheireb Museum. Namely Bin Jelmood House which reveals the history of slave trade in that country, Company House which reveals the story of pioneers of Qatar’s oil industry workers, Mohammed Bin Jassim House which is a house built by son of the founder of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani and Radwani House which is a duplication of original Qatari house model.

    If you go to Qatar, you have to come here…. Free ticket anyway.

    25. Msheireb Tram

    Riding the Msheireb Tram is an easy way to experience the beauty of MDD. This mass transportation was launched by Msheireb Properties with a two kilometer long loop track and is able to connect every spot on MDD in just eighteen minutes.

    You have to feel the comfort of an American-made electric tram that uses a filtering glass panel which is said to be able to prevent sunlight from entering the tram cabin by up to 90%.

    26. Doha Free Metrolink

    Before leaving Qatar, on the last day I tried to try out Doha Metrolink which is a feeder bus network to connect anyone with Doha Metro Station within a radius of two to five kilometers.

    There is no charge for using this feeder bus service. The Qatari government provides forty-two Doha Free Metrolink lines that operate from six in the morning to eleven at night.

    If you want to travel cheaply in Qatar, look for a hotel which is passed by this bus route. Especially if the hotel is a bit far from the downtown, it will definitely save your pocket more…. Hihihi.

    Hopefully this COVID-19 pandemic will end soon and you can immediately travel to Qatar….Amen.

    Next Story—->