We timed our trip’s arrival to coincide with Corey and Jen’s weekend, but when Sunday arrived our luck ran out and we were on our own for the first time in Doha. We took the opportunity to 1) sleep in a bit and 2) take a test ride with Uber, because we would need it for our airport trip the following morning (our usual car service solution Lyft isn’t a thing there). No worries, a 30 minute ride downtown cost us under $10. Not bad for door to door service.
We went straight to the Museum of Islamic Art, a free museum in a beautiful building right on the waterfront near the dhow boat docks. See our previous blog post for pictures of it on the outside. It was designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei and more information is ready-at-hand if you like.
Inside, we took a leisurely pace through the entire museum’s collection spanning the entire history of Islam. Day-to-day artifacts, artwork and a special exhibit on swords and early days of firearms.
I particularly enjoyed the presentation of this mask, not so much for the mask itself but for the obvious delight in which the lighting designer took in preparing it.
This was an interesting intersection of science and religion. The qibla is the direction a muslim will face during prayer, towards Mecca. It was through trigonometry and geography that one could determine this at any point on earth and these tools made by scientists of the era to allow this.
After enjoying the museum, we had a bit of time before we would meet up with Corey and Jen, so we wandered around the waterfront, found a cafe and relaxed. More pics of Liz.
… and more pics of Liz.
Next we’d meet up with Jen & Corey for a visit to the Sooq Waqif.
