Two days in Doha

My suitcase set off a beeper as we passed through customs at Hamam International airport Doha. We were pulled aside and asked whether we had alcohol. Confessed that we had limoncello and almond wine, souvenirs of our stay in Sicily. They asked us more questions and decided to let us through.

We had a driver for our transfer to the Intercontinental City hotel, our home for the next two nights. But again we had an issue with my suitcase. You have to go through hotel security to enter the hotel. They have strict policies about alcohol and my suitcase was pulled aside and we were told that we couldn’t take it into the hotel as it contained alcohol. The day manager who checked us in was very friendly and understood about limoncello from Sicily. He sorted the issue for us and gave us his card in case we needed his help again.

The hotel has been great. We had a huge room on the 35th floor with a three-room bathroom and views of other high rise buildings.

We had dinner at the hotel on our first night – seafood buffet – but we didn’t realise the buffet extended over two rooms!

We had time to do some sightseeing in Doha. The first afternoon we took a taxi to the Museum of Islamic Art as it was too far to walk and most people seem to get around by car. Beautiful building on the corniche and beautifully displayed exhibits.

They had a special exhibition on Qatari women which highlighted changing perceptions of beauty and roles.

We then walked across to the Souk Waqif which is on the site of an original Bedouin market. The area has been renovated and now houses a market and many many restaurants. It comes alive after dark.