by the associated press
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The winding cobblestone streets of Souq Waqif create a labyrinthine bazaar filled with dozens of small shops selling spices and perfumes, scented oils, silk scarves, glittering crystal chandeliers and glittering jewelry.
The oldest souk in the Qatari capital also features shisha lounges, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a stall where shoppers can have a hawk, the national bird of this small Arab country that soars into the Gulf. Persian, sitting on his arm.
Qatar was once a dust-lashed pearling port transformed into an ultra-modern hub after the natural gas boom of the 1990s, when expatriates, Western consultants and engineers, and South Asian construction workers and cleaners badly paid arrived in the country.
The 1.2 million visitors expected during the World Cup In energy-rich Qatar, you can get a taste of the daily life of the 350,000 residents through a variety of tourist attractions and everyday activities.
The beaches have golden sand and warm, shallow turquoise waters. Qatar has more than 560 kilometers (348 miles) of coastline, and Al Maroona is the most popular beach.
Do you want to get in the water? Cruise the Arabian Gulf on a dhow, an integral part of Qatari culture, and before the oil age, traditional boats were used to pan for pearls, fish, and transport goods. Dhows are a daily sight of Qatar’s centuries-old maritime heritage.
Take a casual walk along the Doha Corniche, a seven-kilometre (more than four miles) crescent-shaped walkway around Doha Bay that stretches from the pyramid-shaped Sheraton hotel at the northern end to the Museum of Art Islamic in the south. In between are restaurants, clubs, parks, and cultural attractions along the promenade overlooking the waterfront.
Don’t have tickets for the World Cup matches? Giant screens have been installed and football fans can often be found crowded around the televisions watching a game.
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