Rotating through Doha soon
Discussion
Looks like I might be rotating through Doha in the near future. Whilst not an ideal rotation (8 weeks on / 4 weeks off) it still seems a better proposition than returning to the UK sector and taking a 45% pay cut. I'll be offshore mostly but undoubtedly I'll spend some time office based in Doha itself.
Any advice for someone who's not spent any time in the Middle East at all?
Any advice for someone who's not spent any time in the Middle East at all?
I was based there from 2010 to 2017, the country has changed alot in recent years, my advice would be hop around to the other arab states on your time off, maybe buy a 4x4 like a nissan patrol and join an off road club, the golf club is ok and they do decent food. If you find a social circle you'll be well occupied, but if you don't you'll be bored stiff in short order. In short, hobbies hobbies hobbies 
Thanks folks, I'm currently sat in the Intercontinental in Doha in mandatory quarantine. Hopefully get released tomorrow but I'll be heading out to the rig pretty soon. Doubt I'll be getting much R&R onshore as travel to and from UK means self isolating on the way home. Will see how things go but could be rotating through for a couple of years if all goes well.
Buttmonkey said:
Only just saw this so apologies for the delayed response
I have been Doha based since 2014 so PM me if you need any info or background
Small and quiet. That's Qatar / Doha
Should have been there 1990-93....... that's when it was small & quiet!I have been Doha based since 2014 so PM me if you need any info or background
Small and quiet. That's Qatar / Doha
QPs offices were a large villa on the corniche, the only thing in West Bay was the Sheraton & the business class lounge at the airport was the size of your lounge at home!
RichTT said:
Thanks folks, I'm currently sat in the Intercontinental in Doha in mandatory quarantine. Hopefully get released tomorrow but I'll be heading out to the rig pretty soon. Doubt I'll be getting much R&R onshore as travel to and from UK means self isolating on the way home. Will see how things go but could be rotating through for a couple of years if all goes well.
Intercon near Katara or Intercon City? The former has the Belgian Cafe which has a nice outside terrace for this time of the year. Will be there Friday afternoon for a couple. If you need any pointers for anything feel free to ask away.I live / work West Bay which is normally busy although everything is now more subdued than usual due to the ongoing pandemic.
Buttmonkey said:
Intercon near Katara or Intercon City? The former has the Belgian Cafe which has a nice outside terrace for this time of the year. Will be there Friday afternoon for a couple. If you need any pointers for anything feel free to ask away.
I live / work West Bay which is normally busy although everything is now more subdued than usual due to the ongoing pandemic.
The one in West Bay (whichever one of the two that is). I'm hoping to get out of here tomorrow, expecting a knock on the door for a PCR test sometime today. Then likely get shifted over to the Marriott which is closer to our offices here. I live / work West Bay which is normally busy although everything is now more subdued than usual due to the ongoing pandemic.
I'll see how much of a loose end I'm at before I ship out to the rig. Might just be a day or two, possibly longer.
Welcome Habibi to Doha!
We are here over 3 years now, staying in the Pearl and had our daughter here. If it were up to me I think we'd stay here for the foreseeable. The wife has itchy feet mind
You're smack bang in the middle of perhaps the prettiest areas, West bay, Katara, Corniche and the Pearl. Locals are friendly especially when you get to know them then they quickly become better mates than you've had before (IMHO)
There's nothing I can think of to warn or advise a newbie... traffic light cameras are all 80kph regardless of the road either side. Also, the older the Landcruiser, the quicker you should move out of its way :P
We are here over 3 years now, staying in the Pearl and had our daughter here. If it were up to me I think we'd stay here for the foreseeable. The wife has itchy feet mind
You're smack bang in the middle of perhaps the prettiest areas, West bay, Katara, Corniche and the Pearl. Locals are friendly especially when you get to know them then they quickly become better mates than you've had before (IMHO)
There's nothing I can think of to warn or advise a newbie... traffic light cameras are all 80kph regardless of the road either side. Also, the older the Landcruiser, the quicker you should move out of its way :P
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