A blur of pinks, blues, reds and yellows speeds around a dirt track as squealing tires release dust clouds into the night sky. Radio-control buggies angle around a tight corner, then launch up a ramp for a few seconds of airtime before landing back down on to the dusty track. Not all the cars make the jump—track volunteers scramble to rescue overturned buggies.“Enough? One more round?” shouts one participant as the cars cross the finish line. “Oh … it just died…” he murmurs, as his buggy comes to a sudden halt.This is the Doha R/C Club, a mixed group of…
Author: Lisa Gay
Take one recent college graduate with a day job and one college student balancing the demands of schoolwork, and you’ve got the fresh-faced youths behind Infinite Madaa, the first Qatari video game development company to publish on a major console. Salem Ghanim Al-Ghanim is the founder of the company, while Mohammed Ahmed Al-Emadi is the director of product. The two have a long history. They first met in high school, bonding over a shared passion for video games. “It was my life,” jokes Mohammed. “One console was not enough!”The team made a splash at the recent Ajyal Youth Film Festival,…
New malls might be popping up fast in Doha—but that doesn’t necessarily make shopping in the city any easier. While you can always get what you need, you can’t always get exactly what you want. Luckily, there are many companies and websites that are willing to ship internationally, so we rounded up some of the best online retailers that will ship for a low rate (or even free). The websites listed tend to sell a wide variety of items in multiple categories, although they have their own pros and cons as outlined below:Everything but the kitchen sinkAliExpressThis Chinese e-commerce website…
You likely have private insurance, but it’s hard to compete with the sheer amount of health services on offer through Hamad’s network of public hospitals. Many of Hamad’s medical departments have expert staff that have worked in world-class facilities abroad—and medical treatment is typically available either free or at a heavily subsidised rate. That is, once you have a health card in hand. All legal residents can take advantage of the medical services offered by the Hamad network of hospitals, and even visitors can receive treatment at Hamad for less than it would cost at a private clinic. The only…
There’s nothing like coming home to tiny creatures who look up at you adoringly and greet you with happy faces—and by this, we mean your pets. There are so many lovely animals in Qatar in need of a good home, so if you are thinking of getting a pet, here’s what you should know. Consider thisThe benefits of pet ownership are numerous. Children who care for pets often learn (with parental encouragement, of course) to take responsibility for chores like walking, brushing or feeding. They often develop compassion and empathy for their pets, realising that animals can feel emotions too.…
The e-gates at Hamad International Airport were originally a paid-for convenience for frequent travellers. Since 2016, however, all legal residents of Qatar can use them with their passport or Qatar ID. There’s no need for a separate application. STEP 1The e-gates operate based on the information stored in your Qatar ID. This includes your fingerprint and retinal scan. If your fingerprints or eye scans have not yet been stored, you can use a manned kiosk next to the e-gates to record that information. It only takes a few minutes, and then you can use e-gates for the duration of your…
Wahab’s Solution to Conquering Food Waste in QatarHotel brunches are a modern tradition in Doha—and while it’s great to celebrate the end of yet another working week, food waste is an inevitable byproduct of these lavish buffets. Some of us may feel slightly guilty as we tuck into yet another plate, but one expat couple actually did something about it.Rather than let perfectly edible food fester in landfills, Wardah Mamukoya and her husband Shahid Abdusalam established Wahab, a charity that safely collects leftovers and gives them to vulnerable populations. “The idea that we can buy—and later chuck out—large quantities of…
Regular massage is an excellent way to relax and recharge—and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. We’ve put together a list of venues that offer first-rate massages packages—without the five-star price tag. Here are our top picks for a great massage, all QR 400 or under. Royal Thai Lady SpaBest dealAs the name suggests, this Al Waab-based spa specialises in Thai-style massage, which can be intense. Think of it as an assisted yoga class. A Thai massage is typically performed over loose clothing, but Royal Thai Lady Spa also offers oil massages for a more relaxed…
Going without a car in Qatar isn’t easy. Neither my husband nor myself have a local driving licence, so we must rely on a patchy network of public transport and taxis, which limits our access to Doha’s beautiful beaches and deserts. Still, we feel quite lucky that Doha is in the midst of a building boom that has generally improved urban facilities.If you know that you won’t be driving in Doha, or won’t be getting a local licence anytime soon, rest assured. You can still navigate the city with children in tow. Some districts are more walkable than others, although, you’ll…
Buy a RailcardQueuing up for single-use tickets is a hassle, especially with kids in tow. Instead, get everyone travel cards for QR 10 each. You will have to add credit to the cards before use. Register cards on the Qatar Rail app, so that even if you or another family member lose one, you can still transfer the remaining balance. You can also top up your travel card via the app with a credit card. Fares are staggeringly cheap at the time of writing, with a flat rate of QR 2 per trip, for both children and adults (kids four…