Visa Restrictions During the UN Conference in Doha, Qatar

Discalimer: I got this e-mail from my husband, which was forwarded by their HR Department. Information may change so please conduct your own due diligence before using the information below.


ENTRY & EXIT VISAS DURING UN CONFERENCE
By tallg on Mon, 03/11/2008 - 8:24am

There has been some speculation recently that people will not be allowed to enter or exit Qatar between 28th November and 3rd December (while the UN conference is taking place). Travel agencies are passing on what seems to be false information about this, saying that only residents with multiple exit visas will be allowed in and out of Doha during this time. The following information comes from Doha Airport Immigration (visa section), so there is no issue for residents and if you are expecting visitors (tourist or business) just make sure you purchase their visas in advance;

• Employees with residence permit can travel and come back any time (multiple exit visa is not a mandatory) and exit visas will be issued regularly.

• Business visa and tourist visa will be issued till 28th November. Visitors can enter Qatar between 29th November and 3rd December, if they have already obtained their visa (business/tourist).

• Immigration authority will neither accept visa application nor issue visas (business /tourist) between 29th November and 3rd December. (Also tourist visa will not be issued upon arrival from Doha airport during this period).

Doha Players Annual Pantomime 2008: The Wishing Well

The Doha Players is again set to stage their Annual Pantomime on November 27, 28 and 29, 2008. This year's performance will be the "The Wishing Well" written by Arnold Ashbrook and adapted by Sarah Jenkins.

Performance dates:

Thursday 27th November, 7pm
Friday 28th - 2.30pm and 6.30pm
Saturday 29th - 2.30pm and 6.30pm

Tickets Available from:

SAQR Entertainment Store (Opposite The Body Shop), Landmark Mall
QR. 50 - Adults & Children

I got tickets already. Get yours soon as tickets sell out quickly especially the 2:30 performances.

Scroll down for the synopsis.

Synopsis

The witch Grizelda has been banished from Fairytale land because she keeps messing up spells. Her punishment is to guard the wishing well. It comes to her notice that some baddies are going to steal Old King Cole’s medallion and she needs some small people to go down the well into Fairytale Land . Cue Peter, Lucy and Rachel, 3 children who have got lost in the woods and stumble upon the well. Grizelda sends them down the well. In Fairytale Land they meet, Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Ugly Sisters and lots of other well known children’s characters. Needless to say good triumphs over evil and all ends well.

(Google “Pantomime History” to find out more about the background of this type of play)

Performances at Porto Arabia Board Walk at The Pearl Qatar

E-mails are circulating about the upcoming performances on the newly opened boardwalk at The Pearl Qatar from November 1, 2008 all the way through January 31, 2009. However, there's no info whether these activities are free and open to the public. We really would like to go if it is open to the public or the fee is reasonable. If you are interested to find out what is to expect at the boardwalk for the next three months, find below the list of performances and the schedules.

November 1 – November 10 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Les Excentriques – As all the rest of the performers, Les Excentriques come from the city of arts and culture Paris. Their colorful costumes and diverse acts will entertain you in many different ways with musical instruments, acrobats, and dancers.


November 11 – November 20 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Les Cybres – With their luminous appearance Les Cybres inspire the universe of science fiction. Their costumes also feature electronic music and colorful lights.


November 21 – November 22 (Friday: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm) (Saturday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm)
Super Car Show - A 30 + luxury automotive brands like Ducati, Ferrari, Grand Turismo, X6, McLaren, Bentley, Lamborghini and others will be showcased on the boardwalk. There will also be a golf simulator for the golf enthusiasts, live music and Lavish VIP lounge.


November 23 – November December 5 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Bazartuka - Iridescent colors and lights are the main features of this fun ensemble. They play samba and urban rhythms with hand held percussions.


December 6 – December 17 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Les Bataola – They represent the spirit of the real Brazilian carnival by playing Cuban and Caribbean inspired rhythms.


December 18 – December 31 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Christmas program - Christmas inspired ice fairies, elves and living statues will entertain you amongst nicely decorated Christmas markets selling your favorite treats for the seasons.


January 1 – January 11 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Les Lutins – With winter inspired costumes and many different instruments these performers appear as magical creatures from the forest playing festive music and alluring celebration mood amongst young and old.


January 11 – January 21 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Les Elegants - Venetian inspired costumes with patterns of a playing deck of cards, this group is one of the most elegant and original. They will simply entertain you by their gracious appearance.


January 21 – January 31 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
La brigade des Jouets - This group includes puppets, little soldiers, and ladies on stilts as well as an orchestra that creates an atmosphere by playing music and impresses audience with unique costumes.

Awesome Qatar Sunset

SUNSET...one of the few great things that can be enjoyed in Qatar. Taken by my husband during DPSC outdoor photoshoot activity at Fort Zubara in June 2008.

Isn't it awesome? Do you also love sunset?

Eid Mubarak!!!

Eid Mubarak to all!!!

I'm posting my greetings now because we're flying to Europe tonight for a short vacation. This blog will be quiet in the next two weeks. I hope that you'll have a wonderful Eid too!

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2008 Eid Holidays in Qatar

As published in Gulf Times and The Peninsula today, The Official Eid Holidays for the government and ministries will start from September 28, 2008 to October 6, 2008. Eid holidays for banks, financial institutions and the Doha Securities Market will be for three days. The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) will announce the start of the three days’ holiday. Read the article here and here.

Walter's Photo in Gulf Times

Let me do a little bit of bragging in this post. I'm just proud that my husband's photo was chosen by Gulf Times (Qatar English Daily) for today's article about Philippine Basketball League Qatar (PBLQ). Not his best shot though. You can visit his photo gallery for more of his shots. Me and my husband are active member of Doha Pinoy Shooters Club and if you are a Filipino currently in Qatar and is interested to join, read here.


You can read the full article here.

Benefits of Online Auto Loans

I was so thrilled when I finally bought my dream car and personally took out the loan to pay for it. However, my excitement was tempered because the processing of my Car Loan took days before it was finally approved. I wish I had known about online auto loan, a faster and simpler way of obtaining auto financing. Their extensive nationwide network of auto financing specialist can help you get loan approval even with not so perfect credit. In addition, online auto loan also provides the following advantages:

• Application is done by click of the mouse
• Approval within minutes
• Loan facility available for any car model and for both old and new car purchases

So what you waiting for? Apply for a Car Loan now and drive your dream car!

Filipino Expo in Qatar

For the first time, Filipino expo will be held in Qatar on October 9-11, 2008. Here is the article from The Peninsula:

The first-ever Filipino expo in Qatar, scheduled to be held in October, will provide a platform for companies to tap the growing Filipino market and bring together Filipinos in Qatar. The '1st Filexpo Qatar '08' is being brought to the country by ABS-CBN Middle East's TFC World Tours.

The expo, to be held from October 9 to 11, is aimed at helping Philippine and Qatar-based companies utilise opportunities in the Filipino market and offering Overseas Filipino Workers products, services and opportunities in the Philippines and the Gulf. Continue reading here...


I have high hopes for this Expo will be a lot better than the International Expo held in January of this year because I know that Filipinos/Filipino companies are capable of producing high quality products/services. I also hope that this event will give Filipinos the oppurtunity to show the best about Philippines.

I feel bad that Walter and I will out of the country during this event and will be arriving in the morning of October 11th only. But I'll try my best to attend this event on October 11th to support the Filipino companies joining the expo. I am also looking forward to watch Kamikazee's concert on the night of October 11th. I enjoyed their concert last February - Jay rocks!

See yah all!

It's Freakin' Hot and Humid!

Today, I went out in the middle of the day to get a bank statement. The bank is just a short walk from my Office building but man, it's freakin' hot and humid! It's already middle of September and the peak of summer season is over but the heat is still terrible - so terrible I can't even find the appropriate to describe it.

How's the weather today in your place/city?

Pinoy Photography: Doha Pinoy Shooters Club (DPSC)

Photo by: Marky

Early this year, Walter and I joined the Pinoy Photography Club in Doha, Qatar. The club is officially called Doha Pinoy Shooters Club or DPSC and is recognized by the Philippine Embassy in Qatar. The Club members are composed of professional and amateur (also wanna-be like me) photographers. The club is accepting membership all year round. Basic requirements are:

- Must be a Filipino currently based in Doha, Qatar.
- Has a camera with manual controls (SLR is not a requirement).
- Membership fee.

For information and other inquiries: please e-mail pictolero[at]yahoo.com (replace [at] with @ sign) or leave a message at DPSC Multiply site.

Back to Blogging...

Okay, I am back after a long hiatus. I thought I'd finally give up blogging. One day, I just felt I don't want to blog anymore. I guess, sometimes, a person needs to a take a break to unwind and re-charge. I also took a two-week vacation in the Philippines last July and spent time with my family. Now that I'm all charged-up, I hope to be able to write interesting entries for my readers. So watch out and come back soon!

Ramadan Kareem!

Today is start of Ramadan Season. Remember not to eat, drink and smoke in public so as not to offend our Muslim brothers.

Check my related posts: Ramadan Starts Today and Ramadan Kareem.

Checklist for Residents/ Visitors Departing at Doha, Qatar International Airport

Here are some things I'd like to share to travellers/ residents/ visitors departing at Doha, Qatar International Airport.

1. If you are holding a Qatar work visa or if you came in business visa and you stayed in Qatar for at least one month, make sure you have valid exit permit. Your employer/ sponsor will secure the exit permit for you. An exit permit is valid for 7 seven days upon issue. Residents holding a family visa and those who came on visit/tourist visa do not need an exit permit.
2. Check from the MOI website if you have any traffic violation. According to the papers, residents with unsettled fines are not allowed to leave the country. If you have a traffic violation, you can pay the traffic fines in the Traffic Department or online through a credit card [check here].
3. Qatar airways (economy) passengers are allowed to check-in multiple luggage as long as the total weight do not exceed 50 kgs; however, each check-in luggage must be less than 32 kgs. Those travelling to US are allowed to check-in 2 bags per person up to 23 kgs each. The weight limit for carry-on is 7 kg but from experience, Qatar Airways allows up to 10 kgs. Qatar Airways Privilege Card holders are given additional weight-allowance depending on the membership status. For other airlines, check the baggage weight limit from your travel agents or directly from the airlines. Note that flying back to Qatar, only 20 kgs of check-in luggage is allowed. If you are coming from the US, you can check-in 2 bags per person up to 23 kgs each.
4. Check the current restrictions for carrying liquids and creams.
5. It is common that passengers are asked to remove shoes, shoes, belt, watch etc. during security screening. Consider wearing shoes that can be taken off easily and less accossories. Electronic gadgets like laptop and mobile phones are usually taken out of the bag so prepare them for security check.
6. If you are transiting in London, check the current restrictions in London Airport. Last time we had layover in London (June 2007), passengers are allowed to carry only one bag during the security check. If you have a carry-on and a laptop, you have to combine them in one bag.
7. Check the restrictions in your layover/destination country.
8. Check Qatarairways response to some FAQs.

Dunestock 2008

Dunestock 2008 (D0ha, Qatar) will be happening on April 18th! Checkout the details at http://www.dunestock.net/ and the list of performers.

Dunestock (in association with Doha Players) is an open air Music Festival held annually at the singing dunes of Qatar, featuring local expatriate bands and musicians. Everyone involved in organising Dunestock does it for free (including the performers) and all proceeds go to the Doha Players theatre rebuilding fund.

It's a family event providing the following facilities:- Large stage, professional lighting/sound, food stalls, bouncy castles, A/C WC facilities, over night camping area, first aid/merchandise tent, organised parking and 24 hour security. The stage faces a crescent shaped sand dune creating an amphitheatre effect. Psychedelic lighting projected onto the dunes after dark, and much much more.

Join Doha Pinoy Shooters Group!

Walter and I just joined Doha Pinoy Shooters group. It is a group formed by Pinoy residents in Doha who are interested in photography (newbie and experienced). The group has 73 members (current as of today) and still growing. There are also other nationalities who joined but majority of the members are Pinoys. By joining Doha Pinoy Shooters, we hope to learn from other members and be inspired by them. Actually, I'm just a wannabe. My husband is the one really interested in photography. If you are also interested to become a member, visit the Doha Pinoy Shooters Flickr page.

Photo Hunt - Twist(ed)

Come and join the hunt here.

A roundabout is a type of road junction at which traffic enters a one-way stream around a central island. In the United States it is technically called a modern roundabout, to emphasize the
distinction from the older, larger type of traffic circle.

This is called the Oryx Roundabout because of the Oryx on top of a TWISTED stand. There are many roundabouts here even on the main road and most of them are named based on what is built in the center of the roundabout or nearby building, office and shops. Some of the popular roundabouts here are named Sports, TV, Museum and Dhow Boat. Accordingly, these names were coined by the expats because there are really no official road and street names ten years ago.

Roundabouts work well in the past when the roads are less busy. Currently, many of the roundabouts along major thoroughfare have already been converted to traffic signals and in some, traffic signals were installed. It's crazy to drive around busy roundabouts during peak hours so even if it's a bit weird, traffic signal in the roundabouts are helpful to keep the traffic flow in order.

Renewing Car Registration in Qatar

It's renewal time for my car registration again. The steps are quite staright forward. If the car is less than three years old like mine, technical inspection is not required. Renewal may be done at the nearest Traffic Police Department in your area. The best time to go is always early in the morning.

Requirements for Renewal:
-Insurance
-Technical inspection certificate (for cars three years and older)
-Expired registration card (Istimara)
-QR 100 fee by NAPS or credit card

Steps:
1. Renew the insurance.
2. Bring the car to the technical inspection center. Read the step by step Procedure for Technical Inspection and the locations of inspection centers.
3. When the requirements are complete, go to the Traffic Police Department. Don't forget to get a number at the entrance.
4. When the number is called, processing takes less than 15-minutes if the requirements are complete.
5. Pay the QR 100 fee by NAPS or credit card. Cash are not accepted.
5. Make sure that you will be given a registration sticker for your car plates. I read from the newspapers in the past that cars without registration stickers will be penalized.

Delay in registration is sometimes experienced due to delay in technical inspection (i.e., when a problem is identified and repair is required). So be prepared and allocate ample time for technical inspection.

Hope this helps!


Related Blog:

The Long and Winding Road

Photo Hunt - Glass

Come and join the hunt here.

As much as possible, I would like to feature photos from Qatar. But since I do not have a Qatar photo for the GLASS theme, I am posting a photo from Oman, which is a neighbor country and additional two related photos from Paris, France.

1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman, 2. St. Chapelle, Paris, 3. Rose Window of Notre Dame de Paris

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

The first photo is a stained GLASS found in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman, which is the only mosque (in the world, I believe) open for non-muslims and tourists. The Grand Mosque can accomodate up to 20,000 worshipper at one time. Its main prayer room has the largest hand-woven single piece Persian Carpet in the world measuring 60 meters x 70 meters. In addition, this mosque has the biggest chandelier in the world, weighing 8.5 tons.

The second photo is the stained GLASS at the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris while the third photo is the stained GLASS Rose Window of Notre Dame de Paris.

More Photos:

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Muscat

Paris, France