Gorgeous Georgia an ideal holiday destination for South Africans
Georgia is visa-friendly. It is also affordable; scenically beautiful, safe, and offers visitors a wonderful mix of cultures, thanks to its location in the mountainous crossroads of Europe and Asia. The food is fabulous and the wine, too. Oh, and did I mention rugby? In short, Georgia is an ideal holiday destination for South Africans. […]
Endless enriching exhibitions in Qatar
You name it and Qatar has probably hosted it. Exhibitions, that is. Be it a hands-on plunge into agriculture or an online Zoom opportunity to explore AI in the Arabic world, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to exhibitions in Qatar. Thankfully, all such exhibitions are free to the public. Many are held […]
Showtime in Qatar – theatre thrills aplenty
There’s no business, like show business … Oh, how apt these lyrics in a country where the arts literally does take centre stage as part of Qatar’s vision to deepen understanding and bring nations closer together. The performing arts are part of the country’s arsenal to this end. Yes, it is always showtime in Qatar. […]
Inspiring art in the desert in Qatar
The sweeping roll of the dunes and unending swathes of sand in Qatar are alluring enough but throw in some striking sculptures and you really do create a stir. Art in the desert in Qatar is the real deal. Public art is impressive throughout the city of Doha and its surrounds (there are more than […]
50 tips about Qatar
If you are coming to Qatar, here’s an A to Z of things that might make your visit or future temporary home a little easier to navigate. They are my 50 tips about Qatar. I share these tips, insights, titbits or things about Qatar as I near my two-year Qatarversary and for what is my […]
How art builds bridges in Qatar
The woman lies sleeping on her bed. The child, presumably a daughter, is transfixed by her mother’s face as she tugs at the string holding her mask in place. Visually and historically striking, this painting gets us talking … Why the mask? Who wears such a mask? When was this painted? Is this the norm? […]
10 weird and wonderful things about Qatar – part 2
If you are coming to Qatar, expect a country of contrasts, all of which make it a weird and wonderful place to visit. Did you know, for example, that Qatar does not have any forests, but intends to have planted 10 million trees by 2030? (They planted a quick million in the run-up to the […]
Katara – a cultural treat and retreat
The Katara Cultural Village is a favourite for visitors and locals alike – a destination in the heart of Doha, Qatar, that celebrates its art, culture, and heritage with a full calendar of events. This replica Arabic village set alongside a sheltered bay with striking views of the Doha skyline is home to an ever-changing […]
Eclectic Arabic heritage museum treat
A thousand Arabian oryx, 700 handwoven carpets, 600 classic cars, hundreds of pieces of furniture, a dozen or so dhows, dinosaur teeth and toes … etcetera, all amassed over five decades by one wealthy, passionate collector. And, it’s all available for us to view at the Sheik Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, about 30km […]
Doha takes art to the people
The giant yellow teddy at Doha’s Hamad International Airport is an apt introduction to the importance Qatar places on public art. Lumpy, old Lamp Bear sits there, larger than life, a photographic magnet for locals and visitors alike, offering just a hint of the many surprising art treats that await in Doha. From illuminated streetlights […]