Qatar

Doha doesn't really have a real city center, instead the long promenade along the waterfront, Al Corniche, makes up the city's focal point. It is seven kilometres long with amazing views of the highrises across the harbour, where the south end is filled with wooden dhows, traditional Arabic sailing boats. In the evening Al Corniche is "the place" to take a stroll, but don't try to walk here during the day when it can be blistering hot.

Pearl Qatar is an artificial island build as residential estate for those with a bit extra on the bank account. We are talking manicured green lawns, water fountains and a swanky marina right at the lucky owner's doorstep. The area is Disneyfied to the extend that muzak is playing along the groomed promenade. The fancy shopping arcade contains of course all the luxury brands you can imagine, including a showroom for Rolls-Royce and Maserati. However, ordinary things, like a bottle of water, seem impossible to buy anywhere - but we guess that a housekeeper would normally be in charge of that.

Inside the reconstruction of Old Doha, across a parking lot from souq Waqif, lies an enclosure which is filled with camels. Whether this is suppose to be a camel market, or just a camel parking, and whether these camels were just here temporary or are a permanent part of the new "traditional" souq setup along with the patrolling horsemen, we don't know. But if the camels are still there, check them out, for camels are cool.

In contrary to other oil state metropols like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Doha is still in the developing phase, and probably will be for many years to come. The center is a mix of brand new exotic looking skyscrapers and dusty construction sites, sprinkled with equal dusty empty lots. Since 2000 more than 30 skyscraper taller than 100 m have been erected, though some are not yet completed. The tallest will be Qatar National Bank Tower with 510 m (114 stories) when it completes in 2013. It seems that any concept can be realized, leaving the skyline of Doha, even as today, as a quirky mismatch of wonderful architecture among glass monsters, which can only have been created by people with too much business on their minds.

Souq Waqif is Doha old market place. The souq and the area around it are in the final phase of a makeover to make it all look like an iconic old Arabian souq. At first it can feel a bit disappointing when a closer look reveals that the adobe buildings are made of cement and home to chain coffee shops, among others. But when you start exploring the souq, you will happily realise that it is a real souq - not just a tarted up tourist market. Locals do come to buy tools, nuts, spices, perfumes and the latest fashion in abayas (the black cloak for women), and old porters will push their way through the narrow lanes with their wheelbarrow full of cargo. The pet and bird corner is surprisingly well-stocked, where you might catch a glimpse of some falcon chicks. The main street is lined with coffee shops, restaurants and tea houses where you can take it all in while puffing a shisha (waterpipe).