The Pearl Qatar Fire, Fire Safety and Other Thoughts

Several days after the Villagio fire incident, there's another fire in Qatar, this time a construction site at The Pearl. It turned out that the emergency response is very good this time there are no people casualty. I'm just not sure about the property damage.

Here's the news from Gulf Times: 39 Workers Rescued From Blaze At The Pearl 

Photo from Doha News

That's two fire incidents in a week or so. It's more than a sign to be conscious of fire safety. It's really really scary for the kids.


My 6-year old is now conscious of the fire, fire exits and fire evacuations, thanks to her school who practiced evacuation drill right after the Villagio fire incident. Her teacher also did a very good job of explaining to her what happened in the Villagio. I couldn't have explained to her the incident. I was trying to avoid the discussion with her but she's always smarter than I think she is.

But there's more to things to teach the kids about fire safety, fire prevention and emergency preparedness and response!

It's a big shame from my side as I used to be an HSE Engineer in my previous life. I used to conduct courses in fire safety in buildings and manufacturing sites ages ago. Right now,  being in Doha for more than five years, made me so rusty with basic health and safety concept. I have visited Gympanzee several times to inquire about birthday party for my kids; even attended a birthday party with our eldest's classmates. Not once did I think that the place is high risk for fire! Thank God for my husband who never liked the zigzag/ maze path going to Gympanzee. He thinks it's too scary for kids to be contained in such place. With the recent event, I would always listen to my husband's opinions. He does make sense most of the time. Most of the time, my mind is clouded with exaggerated thoughts that "kids would love this", "kids would learn from this" and so on. I tend not to be logical.

What we have to do now is to learn  from these incidents and I have to use my previous knowledge to teach the kids about fire safety. And we have to do it ASAP.

First things first, since I am better with kids as we are such book worms, we are hoping to get hold of any of these books about teaching fire safety for kids.






More to come on fire safety especially for kids.

Stay safe!
 

Art Fun at The Pearl (3D Painting)

Our luck would have it, we saw some 3D Painting going on at the Pearl during one of our strolls in the area. The kids had a blast watching the 3D Painter at work. It's just amazing what kids would like when we brave ourselves to get out of the house.


Now if only we could paint some 3D Painting at home.

3d Painting!

Our little boy can't stop watching the 3D Painter! 

Just one of those great moments in Doha where things are great and priceless! Awesome!






Keep exploring!
 

Qatar Marine Festival 2011: Water Taxi

We were pretty hesitant to go to the Qatar Marine Festival on a Friday predicting lots of people and difficulty in finding a parking space.

What we did is to go straight to The Pearl and rode the Water Taxi from there. It's quite a posh experience! Love love the boat ride, or water taxi ride. The water taxi makes a trip every 15 minutes. And the staff are so accommodating and friendly. The Turknoys definitely loved the adventure and wanting to try boat rides again. We tried the boat ride after the sun set and enjoyed the skylights and the dancing fountain view from the water taxi. We will try it again during day time.

You don't flag a water taxi, you wait posh-ly ;)

classy white water taxi!

up the ramp! ;)

fun!

so happy with the experience!

Did I mention that the water taxi ride is free? Awesome, right?

Other related posts for Qatar Marine Festival 2011:
Dancing Fountain
Seals Show 
Day 2: Qatar Marine Festival 2011
Qatar Marine Festival 2010
Set Sail for Qatar Marine Festival 2011 (Promo)
Sea Change for Marine Festival Promo


Keep exploring!

Exploring Doha: The Pearl (Billboards!)

We were (still - are!) fascinated with The Pearl's billboard and/ or wall designs! Had a lot of fun taking pictures with the huge, gigantic, enormous, colossal and massive posters! Not to mention having lots of fun using fancy words for BIG! Oh enormous joy!

fancy a dance, big girls?

I guess not!!

small girls. big girls.

big girls. uncle and aunt.

turknoys turn

when i grow up! ;)

Uncle gets that big girl

Auntie gets the big hot guy! -- fair enough!

I am linking it here:

Exploring Doha: The Pearl

Finally! We were able to visit The Pearl, Qatar.! The Pearl, Qatar is an artificial land, reclaimed from one of Qatar's previous major pearl diving site - hence, the name "The Pearl." It lives up to its name of being the pearl as the place is so luxurious and classy.

The Pearl Qatar is slated to become the region's top dining destination. It already hosts a number of international renowned restaurants with many more expected. Note to self: Must try to look for sponsors so we can dine in these restaurants.The Pearl also hosts a bank  (Commercial Bank - I think), chemist, accessories shops, and a number of other specialties outlets.

The luxurious yachts are simply spectacular view. Oh how much it would take to have one - as I told my sister is this much: "Imagine the highest amount of money you ever had and then multiplied it to 1000; she got the picture and corrected me to multiply it to million and not just 1000.  Who knows, someday, somehow - throwing our dream to the Universe!

i wanna be a billionaire so freakin' bad - to buy this!

and this too!

AND ALL THISSSSS!

As a first timer in the place, we took a stroll in the Boardwalk and then enjoyed coffee and cake for Ayish's birthday celebration. Although, the family is not complete as last year, it was still a celebration of life's blessings. We had  fun chasing the kids off the boardwalk and watching them bump their heads while they fall on the stairs - it did happen and yes, we did watch only. Bad bad sitters!

Ayish and her celebrators in red!

At the SECOND CUP cafe

Ayish and her cakes!

three for 2-3! hope she wished for the yachts!

Keep on celebrating life!