Paratha

Doha Metro Red Line from Downtown to Hamad International Airport

18 March 202218 March 2022travelingpersecond

My flight was still in the afternoon. 7 pm to be exact. So I was going to relax first until my staying time at Casper Hotel ended at noon. Since the Shubuh prayer, I rolled up again with dormitory blanket, it was very comfortable to close my eyes in a warm blanket in the midst of freezing morning. Until the alarm was jealous and shouted at me….It was nine o’clock. I have to get up, have breakfast and got ready.

After taking a shower I folded my clothesline which was still damp, I would definitely place it in a separate plastic bag in my backpack later. I properly separated every piece of equipment which had been dismantled five days ago. Toiletries, t-shirts, camera, tripod, snacks and trousers were packed in each plastic bag.

Followed by chewing parathas made by GRANDMA Bakery and Sweets along with two pieces of my own hand-made beef eye eggs.

Exactly 12:30 hours, I was ready to go…..

I hugged and shook hands with three of my new Pakistani friends and family who worked at hotel. After saying hello, I went back to hometown.

As usual I was standing at the bus shelter just to the left of hotel gate.

“It’s time to try Free Doha Metrolink Shuttle Services, coincidentally, my Karwa Smart Card has already run out of balance,” I thought to myself. But the Metrolink bus never stopped when I tried to stop it. When stopping the third bus, the Metrolink driver pointed to a sign pole at the end of block. He pointed to himself then pointed to me then pointed to sign pole. I quickly interpreted the signal: “Run there, I’m waiting for you!”. I spontaneously ran, when the bus overtook me and stopped at the pole.

“Good morning, friends. You must stop this Metrolink in its shelter, Okay!. Tommorow if you want to use it, you must wait at this pole”, he said as he quickly stepped on Metrolink pedal.

“Oh okay, Sir”, I said understanding, he didn’t seem to know that I was going to my hometown and the next day I was no longer in Doha.

“Where will this metrolink stop?” I asked the Nigerian driver.

“It will stop in Oqba Ibn Nafie Station, It’s free, if you want back to hotel just wait this bus in Oqba Ibn Nafie Station again, okay!”, he answered in detail, apparently he knew I was a free seeker traveler….Hahaha.

Ten minutes later, I arrived at Oqba Ibn Nafie Station…..

I no longer have change and I also knew that the ticketing vending machine didn’t accept large denominations. I went straight to customer service which was occupied by Filipino staff. I meant to exchange money, lucky they provide small denominations. I was willing to convert the Riyal into small denominations which would certainly affect its exchange rate to US Dollars at the airport, more smaller the denomination, more cheaper the price. But that was okay, there wasn’t other option.

I started taking the Doha Metro Red Line to Hamad International Airport T1 Station. Traveling in a distance of 10 km, not passing by a single station, I arrived in twenty minutes.

Arriving at Hamad International Airport T1 Station platform.

Hamad International Airport T1 Station is a transportation shelter which is connected to Hamad International Airport by a luxurious pedestrian bridge. This refrigerated and roof-covered pedestrian bridge has glass walls and features with travelator. Straddling the main routes of vehicles around Hamad International Airport. Also passing by iconic venues such as the HIA Mosque with its fantastic minaret.

Vehicle lanes traversed by pedestrian bridges.

Had time to leave the connector for a moment, I was passed on to the airport parking lot which was quite large, then I was going back into a connector to the main terminal building.

Walking for ten minutes I finally arrived at Departure Gate. It was still 14:05 hours, I still needed to wait about two and a half hours for the check-in counter to open. I went straight to the check-in area to find a comfortable waiting area and at the same time to rest.

You know Philippine Airlines?……

Cooking a Backpacker-style Menu in Qatar

2 March 20226 March 2022travelingpersecond

<—-Previous Story

Apart from visiting free tourist spots, cooking is a common thing that backpackers do to reduce spending on their travel days. Because they must also be good in creating reserve funds to anticipate unexpected costs. Likewise with my days in Qatar, cooking has become a routine every morning and night considering the living cost in Qatar isn’t cheap.

That afternoon, it started on the return journey from Katara Cultural Village using Doha Metro. I headed for Souq Waqif Station and departed from Katara Station via Red Line and connected with Gold Line at Msheireb Station. This was my second trip using Doha Metro.

This is a sign for toilets, prayer rooms and child care rooms…That’s funny..

From Souq Waqif Station I continued journey by Karwa Bus No. 12 from Al Ghanim Bus Station to go to Casper Hotel where I stayed while in Qatar. This was my 9th trip using Karwa Bus. The return journey that afternoon took two hours to arrive at the hotel. Before arriving, I had time to shop first at Abdulla Ali Bumatar minimarket which is located near the hotel to buy logistical needs until my last day in Qatar.

After finishing in bathing, I immediately performed maghrib prayer in congregation at the musholla near the inn. Entering relaxing time, I rushed to pantry to do routine night activities….Yes, cooking.

The main food ingredient which I ate every day was Kerala Paratha bread made by GRANDMA Bakery and Sweets, quite cheap, I bought three parata sheets for 2 Rial. Three pieces of parata were more than enough to make me feel full.

As for the side dish, I chose to buy the cheapest packaged sardines on display at minimarket. I give 3 Rial to get a can with three medium pieces of sardines in it. Because this was the cheapest sardines, of course it would affect the taste, the taste was plain. It looked like sardines poured into palm oil only.

When traveling, luxury food isn’ t my concern so far. The most important thing is how to keep trying to eat three times a day at an affordable price but nutritionally feasible. So I can be sure that I will rarely eat at a restaurant, except if I am going in a business trip….. Yes, because a business trip is paid by my office.

Then, how about my menu on next day, before starting my fourth day exploration in Qatar. Do you want to know?…..

Here is it:

It’s a noodle from my country. I found in Qatar.

So that’s one of my many ways to save money while exploring Qatar. Don’t be imitated….It’s so torturous….Hahaha.

Come on, let’s go for exploration…

Next Story—->

Doha Metro Red Line dari Doha ke Hamad International Airport

6 October 202012 October 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Penerbanganku masih sore nanti. Jam 19:00 tepatnya. Jadi aku akan bersantai dahulu hingga masa inapku di Casper Hotel habis tepat di tengah hari. Sedari Shalat Subuh, aku kembali menggulung badan dengan selimut dormitory, nyaman sekali memejamkan mata dalam hangat selimut di tengah bekunya pagi. Hingga alarm iri dan meneriakiku….Sudah pukul sembilan. Aku harus bangun, sarapan dan bersiap diri.

Selepas mandi kulipat jemuran yang masih lembab, sudah pasti akan kutempatkan di kantong plastik tersendiri di backpackku nanti. Kupisahkan dengan baik setiap peralatan yang sudah terbongkar sejak lima hari lalu. Toiletries, t-shirt, kamera, tripod, snack dan celana panjang kupacking pada kantong plastik masing-masing.

Berlanjut kemudian dengan mengunyah paratha buatan GRANDMA Bakery and Sweets beserta dua lembar telur mata sapi karya tanganku sendiri.

Tepat 12:30, aku undur diri…..

Aku berpelukan dan berjabat tangan dengan tiga sahabat sekaligus keluarga baruku asal Pakistan yang bekerja mengurusi penginapan itu. Seusai mengucap salam, aku pulang.

Seperti biasa aku berdiri di shelter bus tepat di sebelah kiri gerbang penginapan.

“Saatnya mencoba Free Doha Metrolink Shuttle Services, kebetulan Karwa Smart Cardku memang sudah menipis saldonya”, batinku beride. Tapi bus Metrolink itu tak pernah berhenti ketika aku stop. Saat menyetop bus ketiga, sopir Metrolink itu menunjuk sebuah tiang di ujung sana. Dia menunjuk dirinya lalu menunjukku lalu menunjuk tiang itu. Aku cepat memaknai isyarat itu: “Larilah kesana, aku menunggumu!”. Aku spontan berlari, ketika bus mendahuliku dan berhenti di tiang itu.

“Good morning, friend. You must stop this Metrolink in its shelter, Okay!. Tommorow if you want to use it, you must wait at this pole”, ucapnya sembari menginjak Metrolink itu cepat-cepat.

“Oh Okay, Sir”, ucapku memahami, dia tak tahu rupanya bahwa aku akan pulang dan esok hari sudah tak berada lagi di Doha.

“Where will this metrolink stop?”, tanyaku pada pengemudi berkebangsaan Nigeria itu.

“It will stop in Oqba Ibn Nafie Station, It’s free, if you want back to home just wait this bus in Oqba Ibn Nafie Station again, okay!”, jawabnya detail, rupanya dia tahu aku pengelana pencari gratisan….Hahaha.

Sepuluh menit kemudian, aku tiba di Stasiun Oqba Ibn Nafie…..

Aku sudah tak punya receh dan aku juga tahu bahwa ticketing vending machine itu tak menerima pecahan besar. Aku langsung menuju customer service yang diduduki oleh para staf berkebangsaan Philippines. Aku bermaksud menukarkan uang, beruntung mereka menyediakan uang pecahan kecil. Aku rela menukarkan Riyal menjadi pecahan kecil yang tentu akan berpengaruh terhadap nilai tukarnya ke Dolar Amerika di bandara nanti, semakin kecil pecahan tentu harganya akan semakin murah. Tapi tak apalah, tak ada opsi lain.

Aku mulai menaiki Doha Metro Red Line menuju Stasiun Hamad International Airport T1. Menempuh jarak 10 Km, tak berselang dengan satu stasiun pun, aku tiba dalam dua puluh menit.

Tiba di *platform* Stasiun Hamad International Airport T1.

Stasiun Hamad International Aiport T1 adalah sebuah shelter transportasi yang terhubung dengan Hamad International Airport oleh sebuah jembatan penyeberangan mewah. Jembatan penyeberangan bernaung atap dan berpendingin ini berdindingkan kaca dan berfasilitaskan travelator. Mengangkangi jalur-jalur utama kendaraan di sekitaran Hamad International Airport. Juga melewati venue ikonik sepeti HIA Mosque dengan minaretnya yang aduhai.

Jalur kendaraan yang dilewati oleh jembatan penyeberangan.

Sempat keluar sejenak dari connector itu, aku dilewatkan pada lahan parkir bandara yang cukup luas, kemudian aku dimasukkan lagi ke dalam sebuah connector menuju bangunan utama terminal.

Berjalan selama sepuluh menit akhirnya aku tiba di Departure Gate. Masih jam 14:05, aku masih perlu menunggu sekitar dua setengah jam hingga konter check-in dibuka. Aku langsung menuju check-in area untuk mencari tempat tunggu yang nyaman dan sekaligus beristirahat.

Tau kan Philippine Airlines?……

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Memasak Menu ala Backpacker di Qatar

31 August 202013 January 2023travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Selain mengunjungi tempat-tempat wisata gratisan, memasak adalah hal lazim yang dilakukan para backpacker untuk mengerem pengeluaran di hari-hari perjalanannya. Karena mereka juga harus pandai menciptakan dana cadangan untuk mengantisipasi jika terjadi biaya tak terduga. Begitu pula dengan hari-hariku di Qatar, memasak sudah menjadi rutinitas setiap pagi dan malam mengingat biaya hidup di Qatar tidaklah murah.

Sore itu, bermula pada perjalanan pulang dari Katara Cultural Village menggunakan Doha Metro. Aku menuju Stasiun Souq Waqif dan bertolak dari Stasiun Katara melalui kombinasi Red Line dan bersambung dengan Gold Line di Stasiun Msheireb. Ini adalah perjalanan keduaku menggunakan Doha Metro.

Ini tanda toilet, musholla dan *child care room*…Lucu ya.

Dari Stasiun Souq Waqif aku menyambung perjalanan dengan Karwa Bus No. 12 dari Al Ghanim Bus Station untuk menuju Casper Hotel, tempatku menginap selama di Qatar. Ini adalah perjalananku ke-9 menggunakan Karwa Bus. Perjalanan pulang sore itu membutuhkan waktu dua jam hingga tiba di penginapan. Sebelum tiba, aku sempat berbelanja terlebih dahulu di Abdulla Ali Bumatar minimarket yang terletak di dekat hotel untuk membeli kebutuhan logistik hingga hari terakhirku di Qatar nanti.

Bukan hotel, lebih tepatnya ini adalah penginapan.

Setelah selesai membersihkan diri, aku segera menunaikan shalat maghrib berjama’ah di musholla dekat penginapan. Memasuki waktu bersantai, aku bergegas menuju pantry untuk melakukan kegiatan rutin malam hari….Yes, memasak.

Bahan pangan utama yang mejadi santapanku setiap hari adalah roti Paratha khas Kerala buatan GRANDMA Bakery and Sweets, cukup murah, tiga lembar parata kubeli dengan harga Rp. 8.000. Tiga lembar parata sudah lebih dari cukup untuk membuatku merasa kenyang.

Sedangkan untuk lauknya aku memilih membeli sarden kemasan termurah yang dipajang di minimarket. Kuberikan Rp. 12.000 untuk mendapatkan satu kaleng kemasan berisi tiga potongan sedang ikan sarden. Karena ini sarden termurah, tentu akan berpengaruh pada rasa, rasanya plain, kawan….Hmmhh. Itu tampak seperti ikan sarden yang dituang ke dalam minyak sawit saja…..Hahahaha.

Ketika berpergian, kemewahan makanan bukanlah menjadi concernku sejauh ini. Yang terpenting adalah bagaimana tetap mengupayakan makan tiga kali sehari dengan harga terjangkau tetapi layak nutrisi. Jadi bisa dipastikan aku akan jarang sekali bersantap di restoran kecuali jika yang kujalani adalah business trip…..Ya, iya lah, business trip kan dibayarin kantor. Hahahaha.

Lalu, bagaimana dengan menuku di keesokan harinya, sebelum memulai eksplorasi hari keempat di Qatar. Mau tahu?…..

Ini dia:

Nah itulah satu dari sekian banyak caraku untuk berhemat selama menjelajah Qatar. Jangan ditiru….Itu sangat menyiksa….Hahaha.

Yuk lah, kita jalan lageee…..

Kisah Selanjutnya—->