Isabelle in Doha
A French expatriate in Qatar from March 2008 to February 2009Archive for January, 2009
The Doha museum of islamic arts
The entrance of the Doha museum of islamic arts
The Doha museum of islamic arts, unveiled on last December 1st, was designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, the architect who previously designed, among other things, the Louvre pyramid. I.M. Pei says he has been inspired by Ahmad Ibn Tulun mosque in Cairo (Egypt).
My husband and i went there several times, as much for the exterior as for the interiors. The entrance is free, we can go with young children.
There are two floors for the permanent collections, a large room for temporary exhibitions, a cafeteria corner for people to drink or eat and a gift shop. An aisle shelters the research library.
Cafeteria corner, the big window and the view on West Bay
The work of art come mostly from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Egypt and India. I particularly liked the pieces from Iran and India. Below, are some of my favourites ones.
- -
Coordinates: 25°17’43.81″N 51°32’20.87″E.
See the museum’s official website.
A new green space in Doha, the Aspire park
Open since December 18th, this park is located between Al Waab and Huwar streets, behind the Villaggio mall and Hyatt Plaza. It has a large lake with bridges and fountains, trees and benches for picnics, geese and impressive australian bottle trees (Brachychiton rupestris). Two wooden houses shelter a restaurant and a coffee place.
It is a large green space for a walk or to spend time with family, but, i do not find in it the attraction the Rumeilah park has, near the Corniche, with its pools and its view on the bay.
- -
Coordinates: 25°15’38.41″N 51°26’8.95″E.
Images of the park on Flickr.
Comments off
