Better Late Than Never: Travel Day 0 (12/30-12/31)

While Greta shared some highlights of the 11-hour layover in Doha, here are some additional details of our trip across the pond, recorded here so that when I'm feeling nostalgic I can easily walk down memory lane!

We had one hiccup at check-in at Boston Logan Airport, where Qatar Airways flagged Greta's departure from Kenya as more than 90 days after her arrival. Even though she had received her electronic travel authorization/visa, they would not issue her a boarding pass until they called the consular on duty for the Kenya embassy to confirm she could stay through April! We were grateful for the rapid resolution, although Greta worried that the other 26 kids scheduled to join her were going to have a similar issue!

While waiting to depart from Boston we noticed this mile marker in the food court...made us smile:

 

  

Also, if folks ever depart overseas from Boston, note that some of the duty-free vendors will not sell to you if you are within 30 minutes of your boarding time! Turned out to our advantage, since that meant picking up cigars for Damond in Doha instead...and they actually sell Cubans!

The Qatar Airways crew was polished and professional, and we were very comfortable in our economy seats. The chair next to us was empty, so that made transit even easier. I especially appreciated the in-flight progress report available with the touch of a button on the screen before me, which shared where you were, how much travel time was remaining, and provided a chance to reflect on how remarkable air travel truly is!

We agreed to watch one movie together, and found a very predictable but amusing Australian-made shark movie. We pushed play simultaneously and 85 minutes later agreed it hit all the shark-movie-elements we've come to expect. That said, it does not need to become part of anyone else's media diet! 

Upon arrival in Doha, we quickly deplaned and navigated to the Discover Qatar Transit Desk, where you can book a tour and then receive a transit visa to depart the airport for a very well organized city tour. As explained on their website: 

Discover the unique heritage of Downtown Doha as you wander through the vibrant labyrinth of alleyways of Souq Waqif. View modern day Doha’s towering iconic architecture and discover the Corniche, Doha’s iconic waterfront where the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf provide the setting to the city’s impressive skyline.

Our first stop is at Museum of Islamic Art. This iconic building on the Doha Corniche, designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei. You will have an opportunity to see this architectural masterpiece and the panoramic views of Doha’s impressive skyline.

We then proceed to Katara Cultural Village which is the largest and the most multidimensional cultural project in Qatar. Experience the cultures of the world with beautiful theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries and cutting-edge facilities. You will also visit the Katara Mosque (the ‘Blue Mosque’) and the Golden Masjid (the ‘Gold Mosque’), before taking a stroll through the outdoor air-conditioned pathways to Galeries Lafayette, with some time for luxury brand tax-free shopping.

We end our tour with a stroll through the colourful Souq Waqif where you can experience the living heritage and traditions of the city and enjoy the colourful commerce and culinary offers abundant within its vibrant alleyways.

It was a great way to spend the layover, although Hamad Airport has many other nice features, too, from spas to an indoor orchard! We highly recommend it!

  

The lovely I. M. Pei museum with Doha skyline in the distance.

 

 

The literally and figuratively cool pigeon towers, next to the infamous blue masque, built to provide shelter for birds from the heat. They also provide food and water inside! 

Panoramic view of the Souq Waqif 

The Spiral Tower of Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (as seen from the Souq Waqif). 

We returned in time to pass easily through security and have a midnight dinner (which was technically 4pm EST) of a delicious roasted beet salad in the food court. We counted down with other travellers at midnight to celebrate the new year, and then headed to our gate for our next flight. All in all, an excellent start to our vacation!