23December2008
Posted by huaqin under: Business; Uncategorized.
Tags: al zubara, fort, map, photo, qatar
Last Friday, I took/organised a short road trip to Al Zubarah Fort for some photography session. I made some last minute calls and some people came along. Here’s a shot of the Fort itself.
Al Zubara Fort, slightly inland from the city, was built in 1938 during the reign of Shiekh Abdullah Bin Qaassim al Thani and was used by the military until the mid-1980s.
-Marhaba 2008
See the map below for an idea where the Fort is located.
View Larger Map
14September2008
Posted by huaqin under: Photos.
13September2008
Posted by huaqin under: Photos.
National Day 08 Celebrations
12September2008
Posted by huaqin under: Photos.
6August2008
Posted by huaqin under: Photos.
which is I haven’t blog for a long time, I’ll go straight to the point.
This blog appears to document more of my miserable moments than the happier times. Unfortunately, as this has become a habit, it is hard to change.
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Life after work is more or less becoming mundane over here. We come home, we cook, we eat, we talk cock, we watch movie(s), we check our emails, then we go back to our villa to sleep.
Once in a while, we will venture out to find new places to eat, depending on our whims and whines. Our latest adventure is the steakhouse named Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern. I’ll let the photos tell the story.
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If we’re not outside in the very humid summer heat, we’re hiding inside our villa, sleeping, watching movies, tv dramas or chatting about everything.
6July2008
Posted by huaqin under: Uncategorized.
Sales business here is very different from Singapore.
In Singapore, if you buy things direct from the authorized distributor (e.g. Canon), the cost is usually higher than buying from 3rd party shops (like Cathay Photos or Song Brothers). Here in Qatar, the reverse is true: all 3rd party shops prices are at least 10% more than the authorized distributor. I don’t really understand why this happens, could it be:
1) Higher overheads of 3rd party companies,
2) The distributor selling to companies at the same price as to consumers,
3) 3rd party companies are giving themselves large profit margins?
Somehow, the last option seems to be the most viable: It is not surprising to find sub-contractors here marking up 200% of the cost price. Strange.
25June2008
Posted by huaqin under: Uncategorized.
Tags: home bound
NOT
Despite planning for a return in early August, my plans have been scrapped due to certain changes in home air ticket policy. Because of this, it is extremely not economical for me to fly home in July or August. I will most probably fly home in October on the 5 or 6th.
31May2008
Posted by huaqin under: Uncategorized.
Tags: doha, qatar, summer, weather
It’s been a while since my last post, between the last post and this, the temperature has risen from the noon high of 40 degrees C to 48 degrees C; the lowest temperature in the night now is a COOL 38 degrees but with a much higher humidity.
From the absence of condensate on my window 3 weeks back, the same A/C settings now produces a steady stream of condensate which dries out in the morning around 7am. There is a reversal of water heater and cool water from the tap. We used to keep the heater on to allow to have a nice warm shower in the morning and afternoon, now, we have to keep the heater OFF to have a nice cool shower. The heater has become a water cooler. The cold water tap now produces water that is hot to the touch.
Some say the worst has yet to come. In Aug/September, it is actually possible to have 50 degrees C and close to 100% humidity. When that time comes, I might actually die… 
11May2008
Posted by huaqin under: al souq.
Tags: friend
Currently an acquaintance from ICCS 2007 is staying with me in Doha for these 2 nights. Danny Tregidgo helped out with Lim Chu Kang cleanup
We just returned from a trip to Souq where we had a apple-flavored sheesha and ice tea (Danny’s British) and Turkish coffee (that’s me).
We went to Al Khariss Lebanese restaurant after bumbling around looking for a sheesha place. We actually went inside a traditional sheesha joint where only the locals go for pure tobacco sheesha and escaped hastily after realising there are no flavored sheesha.
We didn’t take many photos, but Danny had taken a photo of me billowing smoke. I’ll post it once I get hold of the photo.
13April2008
Posted by huaqin under: Uncategorized.
Tags: al corniche, doha, panorama, photo, qatar
Last Saturday was my first off alternate Saturday off and I took the chance to go sightseeing around Doha city by myself. Rather than drive there in my company sponsored car+diesel, I decided to go “foreigner” and take the public bus provided by the state-owned company Karwa.
Knowing for sure I will be travelling quite a bit on the bus, I chose to buy the day-pass which costs 9 QAR, good unlimited rides for the whole day and night. Single trip tickets cost 3 QAR each hence it makes more sense with the day pass.
If you know me, you will know I go crazy taking photos when I go sightseeing. This trip is no different. In total, I snapped 351 photos which are uploaded onto Flickr. These photos have yet to gone through QC hence browse only when you’re extremely free. 2 panoramas of the New Doha District taken from the Al Corniche are also uploaded. Click the photo below to see the full size.
Highlights of the photos will be provided in a later stage.
If I can find the time. 
