Doha Event: 2nd Dhow Festival at Katara

After ages of hibernating at home - comes the more tolerable temperature and off we went to see another Doha Event - the 2nd Dhow Festival at Katara. We have attended the first one and we definitely prefer that one. Although, this second exhibition is not that bad - there's free water everyone! Plus there are lots of lifeguard everywhere, however, the dhows are left unmanned. It is also very difficult to climb to the big dhows as it entails jumping off the stairs to the dhows, which has a high risk of falling off to the see - but hey, as I've said, there are lots of lifeguards everywhere, just no one to assist you to actually PREVENT you from falling off the see.

Well, sorry to be such a whiner but it was a real challenge with two kids and one baby in tow - not a really friendly place for family unless we are equipped with lots of nanny, which of course, we are not.

There are also more decorations and activities last year compared to that year, whatever happened to the preparation. I feel that the exhibition was conducted last in minute and they invite whoever is in the harbor that day. (A lot mean, but we really loved it last year!)

There is a taxi ride this year which we didn't see last year but we were not able to ride as well. As ranted, it was not really family friendly.

Was it worth a visit this weekend? Yes, of course, just take a little precaution and enjoy!

And off we go! 

we came around 4PM so there we not lots of people yet  

one of the dhows in the exhibition

Inside one of the boats!

posing by one of the big boats 

see the very unsafe gap from the stairs to dhow!

this is the best attraction in the dhow- very friendly staff as well!

Keep exploring!
 

Exploring Dubai from Doha!

We pretty much got too preoccupied with some minor and huge changes in our lifestyle in Doha and had less of  Exploring Doha for a while.

The Turknoy family decided to re-strategize our priorities. Actually, it was not about changing the strategy but taking our "Keep exploring" mantra to the next level... as it should be.


Finally, we went outside Doha as a family and enjoyed an affordable travel to Dubai. As it was offseason, right after Eid Al Fitr and end of summer season (almost!), we got a really affordable deal at Atlantis The Palm Hotel & Resort. We stayed in the magnificent hotel for 2 nights and it was such a glorious family experience! We enjoyed the Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers for free as we were staying at the hotel.

Just watch for the promotions from the hotel; to stay in such a luxurious place with superb customer service is a great treat. And to think that we stayed at the 'cheapest' possible room, the hotel add ons for all guests is just so amazing and affordable.

The kids definitely enjoyed exploring Atlantis. Our Kylie even signed in excitement several times while shouting - "this is really happening! this is not a dream."

Welcome! 

We can see the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa from our hotel.

our room for our comfort! 

kids could spend hours in this aquaventure - water slides for kids, such great fun!

but then mom and dad needs to enjoy also - the rapids really made our day! kids were so brave holding on to their own! 

LOBBY OF ATLANTIS HOTEL

We had such a full day right after leaving Doha and yet we ended up staying late just for exploring the hotel.

For our second day, we even woke up early for some breakfast treat in our room, headed for an early swim and went to Mall of Emirates and Dubai Mall for some great unexpected fun!

look who's ready for breakfast!

and look who's ready to dip in the pool! 

someone is really happy! 

gotta love the robe after the swim - cozy! 

exploring The Lost Chambers for the curious minds

We went to the Mall of Emirates for one specific reason - SKI DUBAI! We haven't see and experience snow and we were dying to get that experience, albeit fake. 

kids all set!

oh just look at them so cute - someday! haha

and explore we did!

DUBAI MALL Waterfalls - explored the supposedly biggest mall in the Middle East - it was HUGE alright!

a little bit of window shopping of things we want but can't afford! 

We were so lucky to have a local (er, localized?) tour guide in Dubai. She is my  high school classmate - we didn't meet for the past fifteen years and it was exploring and mommy-talking all the way. 

Ochay with our Turknoy family, posing outside Burj Khalifa  - thanks again classmate! 

our photo by Burj Al Arab - someday (again!) HAHAHA - we dream, we dream!

Our third and last day, we went for another swim around the hotel, checked out and head back again to Dubai Mall and waited for our scheduled viewing of Burj Khalifa - after all, it is the tallest tower in the world. So OFF WE WENT TO GO HIGH! Literally.. 

Oh the things we can see from top of the world!

WE'RE ON THE... TOP OF THE WORLD.. POSING.. 

EVERYTHING SEEMS SO SMALL..

Of course, we had to check out the books in Dubai and they had such an enormous selection we didn't want to go! How we wish they have such great selection of books in Doha like what we saw in Dubai. 

BOOKS!

It was so short and sweet, a visit long overdue. We have been staying for more than five years in Doha and it was just right that we explore and travel outside the country. We need it and we deserve it. 

Here's to more happy travels with Turknoys! 

Keep exploring!

 

Religion vs. Spirituality

This eloquently stated how Turknoy feel about religion. I always say to most of the people I know who will understand me that religion is the most profitable business there is. It caters to people who are really afraid of suffering after life. The routines, the guilt feeling, the idea of doing less than what is required and fair.

Everyone has a belief system. Faith is intangible. Religion is the most popular attempt to make faith tangible. Human beings,  most of the times, exaggerate.

Anyhow, here goes what says it all:

Needless to say, I am a very spiritual person.


Keep believing!

Dining Out in Doha: The Noodle House

We had a blast eating out during the Garangao 2012! Since we are teaching the kids how to appreciate other culture, why not indulge in the Chinese culture by enjoying their dishes and learning how to use chopsticks? It was another awesome experience. Just check out the photos of the Turknoys enjoying the dinner. Fabulous!

he loved the spiral pen; enjoyed the kids pack in the restaurant!

dressed as an Arab boy enjoying his dumpling selection!

using chopsticks for the first time with rice!

he's getting really pro at using chopsticks!

giving a go at my lamb curry! 

NOW A REAL CHOPSTICKS PRO! 

Now dressed as an Arab lady enjoying the Udon noodles!

love the use of chopsticks!

chopsticks - YEEHHHAAA!

We had a better dining experience this time than the last one. And the kids definitely enjoyed experiencing Chinese lifestyle - awesome! 

Keep exploring!

 

Garangao 2012: The Festival of Children

This year, the Turnoys participated in the Garangao celebration. Garangao, also known as The Festival of Children,  is special to the Gulf Region  and is celebrated on the 14th day of Ramadan (half way through the Ramadan season.) Over the years, the festival has gained more popularity with several expatriates joining the celebrations.

The other night, the Turnoys paraded in the mall and in school with Qatari traditional clothes and received lots of sweets and nuts. It felt like Halloween trick and treats. Sugar high galore plus goin' nuts (literally!) It feels so good to experience a local Qatari tradition for kids.

Preparing for Garangao - candies and nuts overload! 

K1 in her traditional Qatari dress 

so happy she got her goodie bag! 

K2 in his traditional Arab Toube  

Sheikh Kerim 

shy Arab-wannabe boy!

so am I suppose to get the candies in this toube? 

The candies!! 

It's always an educational experience to participate in the tradition of the country where we currently live in. The lessons, the fun in experience. It's awesome to be part of someone else's culture. It makes the kids appreciate diversity and uniqueness at the same time.

We simply love cultures all over! It's a blessing to have a taste of lots of worlds!



Keep exploring!