Off to Doha

We'd set a 5.30 alarm but were both awake before that so got up and were able to catch an earlier Tube to Heathrow. Just as well, as the queue at the Qatar desks for bag drop-off were long and slow - many people were overloaded with luggage and to add to the queuing time, they (surprisingly) had at least three flights taking off between 8.00 and 9.00, all to Doha!

In contrast security was very quick and easy, as the requirement to take liquids and electronics out of bags has been dropped with the installation of new scanners. So we had time for a coffee and pastry before boarding.

We settled into our seats. Mine was by the window but over a wing so the view was limited. We took off on time just as the early morning mist was just lifting. We were pleased to find good free WiFi on board!

Breakfast was served about an hour into the flight – a rather overcooked omelette but a refreshing fruit salad, lovely yoghurt with mango and a croissant.

I was pleased to find a film I'd missed at the cinema, Stephen King's Life of Chuck, and was glad to find it lived up to expectations. I also made use of the WiFi to message a couple of people and keep up with emails.

Later there was a snack, consisting of a rather tasty chicken pastry thing, and another drinks service.

It was dark by the time we landed, because of the time difference, although the flight had been only a little over six hours. We were glad we'd opted for a few days in Doha rather than having to transfer straightaway to another flight on to Colombo.

The queue for immigration was frustratingly long, almost an hour, and before we reached the desk the driver we had booked to take us to the hotel was messaging to say the 45 minutes allowed for waiting were about to expire. Luckily he was persuaded to wait longer though he had to move his car so in the end it was us waiting for him.

The drive into the city wasn't too long and he pointed out a few sights of interest on the way, though it was hard to take them in properly in the dark. By the time we reached the hotel (the C - Hotel and Suites) it was 8.15 pm local time. We had a good-sized room on the 8th floor though with two separate beds rather than the king size in the booking. But we were too weary to ask for a change and besides, it was only for three nights.

We freshened up and went out to eat almost immediately. It was quite late so we just went across the road to a restaurant that, although quite simple, got good reviews online, Zaitoon. We had to wait for a table as it was busy, and service, though friendly, was quite slow. But the lamb koftas were juicy and flavourful, and the mango juice (no alcohol here!) refreshing. It was also very reasonable at around £20 for the two main courses and two large juices.

Zaitoon

After that we went back to the hotel to relax for a while before what was an early night by UK time but a slightly late one by Qatari time.