Dhow Harbour

MIA Park, Closing Day One in Qatar

20 February 20223 March 2022travelingpersecond

I left the busyness of Dhow Harbor to head to my next destination. At first glance, I passed a row of Catamaran ferries which leaning in a side of beach with guarding by big body security guards. What I understood at a glance was that this was part of cruise to Doha’s famous Banana Islands Resort. This was tourism activity of wealthy tourists who have to spend about 400 Riyal per night for just staying in a banana-shaped artificial island in the Persian Gulf.

I continued along corniche promenade. A forbidden path for cyclists that allowed every tourist to enjoy corniche view very freely on the wide expanse of promenade.

I arrived at the beginning of a very large city park. Being parked Doha Hop On Hop Off Bus in this park showed that this spot was one of main destinations for sightseeing tours around the city. Right next to the shelter, lied the front gate of a spot which was marked by a circular pond. The spot was the Museum of Islamic Art.

Front gate of the Museum of Islamic Art.

Simultaneously I was in a large park called MIA Park. MIA stands for Museum of Islamic Art. As the name implies, before going to it, everyone could certainly understand that this park was located right in front of the Museum of Islamic Art.

Starting to explore the park in its south side.

This park covering an area of approximately thirty hectares which orbited on a semicircular corniche. And MIA Park surrounded it on north, east and south sides. Fifty percent of the entire park was green area while the other half was used as a plaza, promenade, parking area and other public facilities.

Semicircular corniche with openings to the sea in its west.

*Free water station around the corniche.*

This park was often be the official state venue for celebration of national holidays, but it was also often used as a venue for musical performances, bazaar activities or other regular concerts. The park also provided several food & cafe trucks for visitors at several points. Meanwhile, specifically on Tuesdays and starting on 17:00 hours, this park became a special public area for women who were usually led by personal trainers in cardio and fitness training.

Dareen Sweets…..Cafe truck in the park area.

In the eastern area of park there was a fairly long plaza, bordered by shady trees on both sides and in the middle there was a pond along the plaza. Creating cool conditions when the heat stinged the city. While next to this eastern plaza, there were kids playgrounds which were very spacious for the size of a park.

Stepping in the park on north side, I was presented with a garden shape which resembled a hill, rising from the south side and descending sharply towards the sea on the north side. Sitting on a slope with a view of West Bay area that looked closer to my eyes was a satisfaction in itself. To pampering visitors in enjoying the view of a scatter of skyscrapers, a large coffee shop area was provided on the north side of this park.

Back in the original direction heading my starting point, I passed a different promenade from the direction which I came from. Now I passed the southernmost promenade which was directly adjacent to Al Corniche Street. View of street on the left side was buildings with modern architecture. I could also see the Qatar Museum Gallery and a very large MIA Parking area.

The QNB Head Office and “The Fountain” were separated by Al Corniche Street in southwest of the park

With finishing in my visittion to MIA Park, my first day of exploration in Qatar was over. I would start my second day trip tomorrow.

Where was the next destination?….

Next Story—->

Dhow Boat and Doha Corniche

18 February 20223 March 2022travelingpersecond

<—-Previous Story

Damn…. I haven’t showered since yesterday morning.

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. A seven-kilometer long promenade reveals the arch of Doha Bay which be crammed with skyscrapers at its end. Meanwhile, distribution of traditional tourist dhow boats which were quietly anchored along the bay became a natural interior which made charming situation.

The sun was starting to fade, the sea breeze added to the coolness along promenade. The pedestrian path on the shores of Doha Bay looked neat and beautiful. The shoreline was bordered by smooth and flat concrete at the height of an adult’s hip following the curve of beach. While the promenade was lined with good quality paving blocks and bordered with Al Corniche Street, there was an elongated garden with green grass and colorful flowers which brought to life by hydroponic techniques. So, if you visit the Middle East region, the view of hydroponic hoses planted on the ground to grow beautiful flowers is common.

Right in front of The Pearl Monument beach, there was an artificial land outcrop which was used to lean by hundreds of Dhow Boats. therefore this place was known as Dhow Harbor. The port, which juts out into the sea for half a kilometer, had a main port area of four hectares.

The main surface of this port was still in the form of white sandy soil, while on all four sides there were paved paths which allowed vehicles to entering port area. This sandy part was used for docking several boats for repairs.

Seen along the rocky embankment of the port, residents used it to channel their fishing hobby. Meanwhile, I just sat on embankment and stared at beautiful West Bay area from a distance.

On other hand, I was being followed by a South Asian face, in a white robe and red turban. His funny behavior and continuously imitating my activities, made me not feel scared but rather amused. I decided to approach him and talk. His name is Safwan and he had only left Dhaka for three months to work in Doha. He didn’t seem to know that I was a tourist, so he felt like he had a friend who worked in Doha….Hahaha, so what did you think? What profession did he think about my job in Doha?….Wkwkwk.

Our conversation ended with each other taking photos with background view of West Bay Area….See you later, Safwan.

On the right side of Dhow Harbor, I could see an iconic building which made as if it floated on the surface of water. This building was known as the Museum of Islamic Art. Needed to spend for about 50 Riyal to entering this beautiful building and got to know about the history of Islam in Qatar in the past.

Still on the right side precisely at the edge of harbor, I could enjoy in detail about the beauty of Dhow Boat which was neatly parked in calm waters without waves. A brown wooden boat with a terraced deck which was usually used as a tourist boat to navigating the beautiful beaches of Doha.

So make sure that you visit the Doha Corniche when in Qatar.

It’s a really cool place…

Next Story—->

The Pearl Monument Before Black Gold

16 February 20223 March 2022travelingpersecond

<—-Previous Story

The pedestrian tunnel starts from an elevator in a glazed room in north of Souq Waqif, right in front of Al Jomrok Boutique Hotel which has a black anchor logo, showing me that I was on the east coast of Qatar now. Gliding underground with a button touch, I stepped beneath the surface of two main streets namely Abdullah Bin Jassim Street and Al Corniche Street. Enjoying step by step in underground tunnel with air conditioner in it.

The hallway is like a mall corridor, decorated with artistic lighting decorations, with Digital LED along wall and luxurious brown marble floors. As I remembered, I passed a minimalist stand with the letter Q logo belonging to Qatar Charity, the leading non-governmental charity in that Gulf state.

Continued straight towards Doha Corniche.

I continued into a different room with view of huge pillars between car parking lots. This is an underground multi-storey parking area with a capacity of 2,000 vehicles. You know, now I was in the economic center of Qatar.

This was the first time in my life, seeing an underground crossing which had a multi-storey parking lot….Hmmh.

At the end of tunnel, I started up a gentle slope, circling clockwise. Now I was treading a new area. Long beachfront pedestrian path, paved with paving blocks, concrete fenced in beach side and hydroponic garden combined with low palm trees on the side of road. This was the famous Corniche Promenade in Doha.

Wait, guys….

I wasn’t going to discuss Doha Corniche with you guys first….

I would go to a monument in the shape of a giant pearl shell called “The Pearl Monument”. I have an obligation to visit this landmark.

I thought not only travelers, even all Qatari citizens should be obliged to visit The Pearl Monument. Through this monument, all audiences should know that prior to 1939, the era before the discovery of “black gold” in the bowels of their earth, Qatar was a poor country whose income depended on the catch of pearl oysters in Persian Gulf.

I thought Qatar was quite self-aware because they haven’t forgotten their economic roots in the sea. A gamble for the soul of people who must find a pearl shell from ten thousand of them. How not, the toll diving method was a simple dive method which wasn’t safe from attacks by sharks, barracudas and sea snakes. It was also just a seasonal job between June and September with a voyage of more than two months in the middle of Persian Gulf.

The monument is located right at the pearl dive site, on Corniche Road before entering Dhow Harbour. This is a form of respect from the Emir fot Qatar’s pearl history. A monument built with view background of West Bay area, decorated with a collection of country’s iconic skyscrapers.

Tha was a little story about my visitation to a beautiful monument. Let me show you how beautiful Doha Corniche is….

Next Story—->

MIA Park, Penutup Hari Pertama di Qatar

11 August 202013 January 2023travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Aku meninggalkan kesibukan Dhow Harbour untuk menuju ke destinasi berikutnya. Sepintas aku melewati deretan ferry jenis Catamaran yang bersandar di salah satu sisi dengan penjagaan ketat para security bertubuh besar. Yang kupahami sekilas adalah itulah pelayaran menuju Banana Islands Resort Doha yang terkenal itu. Mainan para wisatawan kaya raya yang harus menghambur tujuh setengah juta rupiah untuk sekedar menginap semalam saja di pulau buatan berbentuk pisang di Teluk Persia.

Aku terus menelusuri corniche promenade. Jalur terlarang untuk para pengendara sepeda yang membuat setiap turis dapat menikmati pemandangan corniche dengan sangat leluasa di lebarnya bentangan promenade.

Aku tiba di sebuah permulaan taman kota yang sangat luas. Terparkirnya Doha Hop On Hop Off Bus menunjukkan bahwa spot ini adalah salah satu tujuan utama wisata tour keliling kota itu. Tepat di sebelah shelter, terletaklah gerbang depan spot tersebut yang ditandai dengan sebuah kolam melingkar. Spot itu adalah Museum of Islamic Art.

Secara bersamaan aku berada di sebuah taman luas bernama MIA Park. MIA adalah singkatan dari Museum of Islamic Art. Sesuai nama, sebelum mendatanginya, semua orang sudah bisa dipastikan faham bahwa taman ini terletak tepat di depan Museum of Islamic Art.

Taman seluas kurang lebih tiga puluh hektar ini mengorbit pada sebuah corniche berbentuk setengah lingkaran. Dan MIA Park ini mengelilinginya di sisi utara, timur dan selatan. Lima puluh persen dari seluruh taman adalah kawasan hijau sedangkan separuhnya lagi dimanfaatkan sebagai plaza, promenade, area parkir dan fasilitas umum lainnya.

*Corniche* setengah lingkaran dengan bukaan menuju ke laut di sebelah barat.

*Free water station* di sekitar *corniche*.

Taman ini sering menjadi venue resmi negara pada perayaan hari libur nasional, selain itu juga sering dipakai sebagai tempat berlangsungnya pertunjukan musik, kegiatan bazaar ataupun konser-konser regular lainnya. Taman juga menyediakan beberapa food & cafe truck untuk para pengunjung di beberapa titik. Sedangkan khusus di hari Selasa dan dimulai pada pukul 17:00, taman ini menjadi area publik khusus kaum Hawa yang biasanya dipimpin oleh personal trainer dalam latihan kardio dan senam kebugaran.

Dareen Sweets…..Cafe truck di area taman.

Di area timur taman tersedia plaza yang cukup panjang, dibatasi dengan pepohonan rindang di kedua sisi dan di tengahnya dibuat kolam sepanjang plaza. Menciptakan kondisi yang sejuk ketika panas menyengat kota. Sementara di sebelah plaza timur ini terdapat kids playgrounds yang sangat luas untuk ukuran sebuah taman.

Menginjak taman di sisi utara, aku disuguhkan bentuk taman yang menyerupai bukit, menanjak dari sisi selatan dan menurun tajam menuju ke laut di sisi utaranya. Duduk di kemiringan dengan pemandangan area West Bay yang tampak terlihat lebih dekat di pandangan mata adalah sebuah kepuasan tersendiri. Untuk memanjakan para pengunjung dalam menikmati pemandangan sekumpulan pencakar langit itu, disediakan area coffee shop yang cukup luas di sisi utara taman ini.

Kembali ke arah semula menuju pulang, aku melewati promenade yang berbeda dari arah datang. Kini aku melewati promenade paling selatan yang berbatasan langsung dengan Al Corniche Street. Tampak pemandangan jalanan di sisi kiri dengan gedung-gedung berarsitektur modern. Tampak juga Qatar Museum Gallery dan area MIA Parking yang sangat luas.

QNB Head Office dan “The Fountain” yang terpisahkan oleh Al Corniche Street tepat di barat daya taman.

Dengan berakhirnya kunjunganku ke MIA Park ini maka eksplorasi hari pertamaku di Qatar telah usai. Aku akan memulai perjalanan hari keduaku esok hari.

Kemana ya enaknya?….Hihihi.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Dhow Boat dan Doha Corniche

7 August 202013 January 2023travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Mengunjungi The Pearl Monument membuatku bahagia tak terkira, selain mendalami sejarah Qatar, mata dimanjakan dengan indahnya pemandangan Doha Corniche. Promenade sepanjang tujuh kilometer ini menampakkan lengkungan Teluk Doha yang dijejali gedung pencakar langit di ujungnya. Sementara sebaran traditional dhow boat wisata yang diam terjangkar di sepanjang teluk menjadi interior alam yang mengelokkan suasana.

Matahari sudang mulai langsir, angin laut menambahkan sejuk di sepanjang promenade. Jalur pejalan kaki di tepian Doha Bay itu tampak rapi nan asri. Pinggiran pantai dibatasi beton halus dan rata setinggi pinggul orang dewasa mengikuti lekuk pantai. Sementara promenade dilapisi paving block berkualitas baik dan berbatasan dengan Al Corniche Street disematkan taman memanjang dengan bentangan rumput hijau dan bunga warna-warna yang dihidupkan dengan teknik hidroponik. Jadi, kalau kamu berkunjung ke kawasan Timur Tengah, pemandangan selang-selang hidroponik yang ditanam di permukaan tanah untuk menumbuhkan bunga-bunga cantik adalah hal yang biasa.

Tepat di depan arah pantai The Pearl Monument, terdapat jorokan daratan buatan yang digunakan untuk bersandar ratusan Dhow Boat. oleh karenanya tempat ini dikenal dengan nama Dhow Harbour. Pelabuhan yang menjorok ke arah laut sepanjang setengah kilometer ini memiliki area utama pelabuhan seluas empat hektar.

Permukaan utama pelabuhan ini masih berwujud tanah berpasir putih sedangkang di keempat sisinya tersedia jalur beraspal yang memungkinkan kendaraan memasuki area pelabuhan. Bagian berpasir inilah yang dimanfaatkan untuk docking beberapa perahu untuk dilakukan perbaikan.

Tampak di sepanjang tanggul berbatu pelabuhan, dimanfaatkan oleh warga untuk menyalurkan hobby memancing mereka. Sementara aku hanya duduk manis di tanggunl dan lekat memandangi area West Bay yang tampak indah dari kejauhan.

Di lain sisi, sedari tadi aku diikuti oleh seorang berwajah Asia Selatan, dengan gamis putih dan surban merah. Tingkahnya yang lucu dan terus menirukan aktivitasku, membuatku tak merasa takut tapi justru merasa geli. Kuputuskan mendekatinya dan berbincang. Namanya Safwan dan baru tiga bulan meninggalkan Dhaka untuk bekerja di Doha. Dia sepertinya tak tahu kalau aku seorang turis, sehingga dia merasa memiliki teman senasib yang bekerja di Doha….Hahaha, jadi menurutmu, dia mengiraku bekerja di bidang apa ya di Doha?….Wkwkwk.

Percakapan kami berakhir dengan saling mengambilkan foto berlatar West Bay Area….Sampai jumpa lagi Safwan.

Di sisi kanan Dhow Harbour, tampak bangunan ikonik yang dibuat seolah mengapung di permukaan air. Bangunan itulah yang dikenal dengan Museum of Islamic Art. Perlu merogoh kocek sebesar Rp. 200.000 untuk memasuki bangunan indah itu dan mengenal sejarah islam di Qatar pada masa lalu.

Masih di sisi kanan tepat di pangkal pelabuhan, aku bisa menikmati dengan detail keindahan Dhow Boat yang rapi terparkir di perairan tenang tak berombak. Perahu kayu berwarna cokelat dengan dek bertingkat yang biasa digunakan sebagai perahu wisata dalam mengarungi indahnya pantai Doha.

Jadi pastikan Anda mengunjungi Doha Corniche ketika berada di Qatar.

Tempatnya keren banget lho….

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

The Pearl Monument Sebelum Emas Hitam

3 August 202013 January 2023travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Pedestrial tunnel itu dimulai dari sebuah lift dalam ruangan berkaca di utara Souq Waqif, tepat di depan Al Jomrok Boutique Hotel yang memiliki logo jangkar hitam, maklum kini aku berada di pesisir timur Qatar. Meluncur ke bawah tanah dalam satu sentuhan tombol, aku melangkah di bawah permukaan dua jalan utama yaitu Abdullah Bin Jassim Street dan Al Corniche Street. Kunikmati langkah demi langkah di terowongan bawah tanah dalam siraman pendingin ruangan yang menyejukkan badan.

Lorong itu bak koridor mall, berhiaskan dekorasi lampu-lampu artistik, berdindingkan Digital LED Wall dan berlantaikan marmer mewah dominan cokelat. Yang kuingat, aku melewati sebuah stand minimalis dengan logo huruf Q milik Qatar Charity, badan amal non-pemerintah terkemuka di negara teluk.

Aku berlanjut ke sebuah ruangan berbeda, berpemandangan pilar-pilar besar diantara slot-slot parkir kendaraan roda empat. Inilah area parkir bertingkat bawah tanah dengan kapasitas 2.000 kendaraan. Maklum lagi, kini aku sedang berada di pusat ekonomi Qatar.

Seumur hidup baru kali ini, melihat *underground crossing* memiliki parkiran bertingkat….Hmmh.

Di ujung tunnel, aku mulai menanjak landai, berputar-putar searah jarum jam. Kini aku menapaki area baru. Pedestrian panjang di tepi pantai, beralaskan paving block, berpagar beton di sisi pantai dan bertaman hidroponik berpadu dengan pepohonan palem rendah di sisi jalan raya. Inilah Corniche Promenade yang terkenal di Doha.

Tunggu, kawan….

Aku tak akan membahas Doha Corniche dahulu pada kalian….

Aku akan menuju sebuah monumen berbentuk kerang mutiara raksasa berjuluk ”The Pearl Monument”. Aku berkewajiban mengunjungi landmark ini.

Kurasa tak hanya traveler, bahkan seluruh warga negara Qatar hendaknya wajib mengunjungi The Pearl Monument. Melalui monumen ini, semua khalayak harus tahu bahwa sebelum tahun 1939 yaitu era sebelum ditemukannya “emas hitam”di perut bumi mereka, Qatar adalah negara miskin yang pendapatannya bergantung pada hasil tangkap kerang mutiara di Teluk Persia.

Kurasa Qatar cukup tahu diri karena tak melupakan akar perekonomian mereka di laut. Sebuah pertaruhan jiwa rakyatnya yang harus menemukan sebuah kerang bermutiara dari sepuluh ribu diantaranya. Bagaimana tidak, metode toll diving adalah metode penyelaman sederhana yang tak aman dari serangan hiu, barakuda dan ular laut. Itu juga hanyalah pencaharian musiman antara Juni hingga September dengan pelayaran lebih dari dua bulan di tengah Teluk Persia.

Monumen ini terletak tepat di situs penyelaman mutiara, di Jalan Corniche sebelum memasuki Dhow Harbour. Inilah bentuk penghormatan sang Emir terhadap sejarah mutiara Qatar. Sebuah monumen yang dibangun dengan latar belakang area West Bay yang dihiasi sekumpulan gedung pencakar langit ikonik di negeri itu.

Demikianlah sedikit kisah tentang kunjunganku di monumen cantik itu. Mari kutunjukkan bagaimana indahnya Doha Corniche….

Kisah Selanjutnya—->