Managing water intake in Hot Climes

HOW DO YOU GET DEHYDRATED?

Through activities of daily living, the average person loses about 3- 4 liters (about 10-15 cups) of fluid a day in sweat, urine, exhaled air and bowel movement. What is lost must be replaced by the water/ fluid we drink and the food we eat.

We lose approximately 1-2 liters of water just from breathing. The evaporation of sweat from the skin accounts for 90% of our cooling ability.

Exercise, sweating, diarrhea, temperature, or altitude can significantly increase the amount of water we lose each day. The most common cause of increased water loss is exercise and sweating. Even though we are all at risk of dehydration the people most vulnerable are infants, elderly adults, and athletes. They are either not able to adequately express their thirst sensation or able to detect it and do something in time.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE DEHYDRATED?

If you are thirsty, it means your cells are already dehydrated. A dry mouth should be regarded as the last outward sign of dehydration. That’s because thirst does not develop until body fluids are depleted well bellow levels required for optimal functioning.

Monitor your urine to make sure you are not dehydrated:
A hydrated body produces clear, colorless urine.
A somewhat dehydrated body produces yellow urine.
A severely dehydrated body produces orange or dark-colored urine.

The effects of even mild dehydration include decreased coordination, fatigue, dry skin, decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes in the mouth and nose, blood pressure changes and impairment of judgment. Stress, headache, back pain, allergies, asthma, high blood pressure and many degenerative health problems are the result of UCD (Unintentional Chronic Dehydration).

HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED TO DRINK? WHEN TO DRINK?

To better determine how much water you need each day, divide your body weight in half. The answer is the approximate number of water ounces you should drink daily. You should drink half of your body weight in ounces. If you weight 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces water (3.13 quarts, 2.98 liters or about 10-12 cups of water a day). If you weigh closer to 100 pounds you will need only about 50 ounces of water or about four 12-ounce glasses daily.

Individuals who are physically active or live in hot climates may needs to drink more.

WHAT SHOULD WE DRINK? WHAT SHOULDN’T WE DRINK?

We are designed to drink pure, natural water.
Avoiding sodas/soft drinks to provide your fluid needs. The high sugar content and artificial flavors in soft drinks are harmful to your health.
Tea, coffee, soft drinks contain water, but the diuretics contained in these caffineated beverages flush water out of your body. Don’t count on them to replenish fluid loss.
It is OK to drink them occasionally, but if you drink them constantly and don’t drink enough pure natural water, then you are severely compromising your long-term health.
Natural pure water is the best choice. If you are committed to a healthy lifestyle and long-term health, make water a habit and a priority in your life.

CAN WE DRINK TOO MUCH WATER?

During intense exercise the kidneys cannot excrete excess water. The extra water moves into the cells, including brain cells. The result can be fatal. For that reason, athletes should estimate how much they should drink by weighing themselves before and after long training runs to see how much they lose, and thus how much water and salt they should replace.

The studies that found 13% of the runners tested drank too much water, resulting in abnormally low blood sodium levels. The low sodium levels made many of these people very sick, and close to the point of death. The importance lesson here is to balance your water intake with your sodium intake.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR TAP WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK?

Almost all-municipal water in is of high quality and very drinkable. The best source of specific information about the water quality in your area is your local water supplier. Water suppliers are required to send their customer an annual water quality report. Contact your water supplier to get a copy, or see if your report is posted on line.

It is important you know your local sources of water quality, and the quality of your local drinking water. To get facts and information about your tap water, drinking water standards and contaminants, contact your local water supplier. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Water Works Association (AWWA) are the two credible institutions that provide information you need regarding quality of your water.

EPA website www.epa.gov/safewater AWWA website: www.awwa.org.

WHAT ABOUT BOTTLED WATER?

Bottled water’s biggest advantage is convenience. The Americans now drink more water from bottles than any other nation. Bottled water in is a $16 billion-a-year industry.

EPA sets standards for tap water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets bottled water standards based on EPA’s tap water standards. Most bottled water is simply tap water put through conditioning filters to make it taste better. Pepsi’s Aquafina and Coco-Cola Co’s Dasani are both made from purified tap water. This doesn’t make it bad, but is something to consider when adding up cost and benefits.

Bottled water is safe to drink if it meets the standards. Contrary to popular belief the FDA does not carefully regulate the bottled water industry; therefore even bottled water can be impure unless it is the right kind of water. There are indeed many right kinds of high-quality bottled water that come from great natural water sources, such as spring, glacier, mineral water. High-quality bottled water may be a desirable option for people with special health needs and those who can afford the price.

Just make sure your choice of water does not become a limiting factor to drinking it. If you are drinking less water because of the cost of bottled water, supplement your bottles with reusable bottles or just fill up a previously used bottle with H20 from the tap.

WHAT ABOUT FILTER AND FILTERED WATER?

It is always wise to get a filter if you are not sure how safe your tap water is.

There are many water filter products on the market at many different prices. To shop for a good filter, you need to know what a filter factually reduces, or removes, and what it costs. Ideally, you want water that has been filtered via a reverse osmosis process that removes chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, bacteria, and viruses.

How do you choose a good filter? It is important you do your own research – ask your local health food store, do on-line research and check the Consumers’ Report for products and prices evaluations. We are not in the business of selling water or any water products; however, here are a couple of recommended sources:

The water shop: “The Alkalizer” pure reverse osmosis water filter:www.watershop.com

Multipure water filter: www.multipureusa.com

DRINKING TIPS FOR HEALTHY HYDRATION:

Start your morning’s right: Morning is when you are most full of toxin and dehydrated. Reach for a big glass of water first thing in the morning – even before coffee. This water in the morning really gets the blood flowing.

-Drink a glass of water when you get up and another when you go to bed.

-Take regular water break breaks.

-Avoid relying on sodas to provide your fluid need.

-Drink water before and after food; ideally drink a glass of water half an hour before you eat your meal and half an hour after the meal. You can drink water with meals, and drink water anytime your body feels like it.



*It is very important you balance your sodium intake with your water consumption. Take 1/4 teaspoon of salt per quart of water - every 4-5 glasses of water. Be sure to get sea salt. The best is Celtic sea salt or Himalayan sea salt, both of which are readily available at any health food store.



You should always drink water prior to eating, and after eating, to support the digestive process. The stomach depends on water to help digest food, and lack of water makes it harder for nutrients to be broken down and used as energy. The liver, which dictates where all nutrients go, also needs water to help convert stored fat into usable energy. If you are dehydrated, the kidneys turn to the liver for backup, diminishing the liver’s ability to metabolize stored fat. The resulting reduced blood volume will interfere with your body’s ability to remove toxins and supply your cells with adequate nutrients.

Keep a water bottle by your side at all the times. Use either bottled water or tap water, and carry it with you everywhere, to the gym, in your car, to your office. Start by adding water to your daily regiment, during the first week, and then incorporate more as needed. The point is not to wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

Keep water flowing before, during and after workout. Don’t forget to balance your water intake with sodium intake. Drink at least 1 liter of water for every 60 minutes of exercise. Drink more if it’s hot. During exercise, such as playing sport on a hot summer day, you can lose up to 2 liters per hour of fluid per hour. Water and a balance salt is your best bet to keep healthy and hydrated. During exercise, it is recommended to replenish fluid at least every 20 minutes.

Source-http://www.watercure.com/faq.html

TOP SPORTS in QATAR

Qatar attracts the biggest sporting events in the world, not least the World Cup 2022, Asian (football) Cup and Asian Games, to name but three. Visitors have the opportunity to stay and watch some of the world’s most exciting sports events in football, tennis, golf, sailing, power-boating, cycling, motor racing, and desert trekking and many more. In Qatar there are also opportunities for nearly every sport that visitors can experience and enjoy during their stay. Qatar offers it all - from bowling to cycling, dune-bashing to sand skiing, football and rugby to falconry, golf to ice-skating, horse racing to camel racing, horse riding to jetski, motor sports to water sports, tennis to swimming, snooker to boating on anything from sailboats to traditional dhows to luxury yachts. Then you can kayak, dive or water-ski in the beautifully clear and clean blue waters off Qatar’s shores.

Finally, Qatar offers superb world-class health and leisure facilities in 5 star luxury spas, gyms, fitness centres and athletic stadiums – so visit Qatar to feel great.

HOME TO SPORTS

Sport has always played an important role in the lives of Qatar’s residents and most of Qatar’s sporting venues are open to the public in an effort to encourage residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise. Fast becoming one of the world’s leading places to enjoy sports, Qatar has invested US$2.8 billion in infrastructure over the last several years to support athletic competition.

Qatar is also home to the Qatar Sports City - ASPIRE Zone, a world-class complex for athletics, entertainment, recreation and wellness, where even the English football team has trained. Qatar has a well-deserved reputation in horse and camel racing. Known globally for the high quality of its stunning Arabian thoroughbreds, the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club carries on this long and distinguished tradition with a commitment to the pure breeding of Arabian horses and the enjoyment and challenge of horse racing. Camel racing, historically known as the ‘sport of sheikhs’, continues today in the small town of Al Shahaniya, where Qatar’s main camel racetrack is located. Here, visitors are enticed with a rare opportunity to witness one of the more novel competitive events in the region.

Qataris are tremendous sports enthusiasts: the Qatari National League (football) is one of the best in the Middle East, and Qataris enjoy many spectator sports—from the PGA European Tour Qatar Masters to the ATP Qatar Open (tennis) to racing of all kinds, including motorcycle, auto, powerboat, horse and camel. With numerous state-of-the-art facilities plus varied and striking topography, Qatar is a perfect place to engage in physical activity. Kilometres of beautiful coastline make watersports such as sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, diving and water-skiing a pleasure. For those looking for a different kind of adventure, the desert offers the opportunity to get out in the dunes to sand ski or sand board. Golfers can challenge their game on the championship courses at the Doha Golf Club or the Mesaieed Golf Club. Those interested in racquet sports and other forms of exercise can find what they seek at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex, which boasts 17 courts, a swimming pool and a gymnasium. Although no longer a primary source of employment, pearl diving is still practiced by amateurs, as pearl oysters remain available in abundance off Qatar’s shores.

MAIN ANNUAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS

Football

(Season: October-May)

Qatar has a number of football leagues of which the Qatar Stars League is the highest professional league with 12 teams, and Qatar 2nd division being second tier with 6 teams. The teams play other regional teams as well as each other in local and regional matches.


Tennis

(Season: October – March)

Tennis is the next most popular sport in Qatar with the Qatar Tennis Federation organizing a number of tennis tournaments throughout the year with popular top ranking players competing each other.






Racing & Equestrian Club

(Season: October-May)

Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club carries on this long and distinguished tradition with a commitment to the pure breeding of Arabian horses and the enjoyment and challenge of horse racing.

- See more at: http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/en-us/thingstodo/Activities/Sport.aspx#sthash.HNLNUNup.dpuf

Qatar Weather, climate and geography

Weather & climate

Best time to visit: 

Qatar has a dry, subtropical desert climate, with low annual rainfall and intensely hot and humid summers. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Qatar, when temperatures are warm but not hot and the evenings can be pleasantly cool. June to September is oven-temperature hot and best avoided. - the average temperature for June, July and August is around 42ºC (108ºF), buts it’s not unusual for the mercury to reach an eye-wateringly high 50ºC (122ºF). In the winter months, temperatures are cooler but still warm, with the average around 23ºC from December to February. Almost all rainfall occurs during the winter months, mostly in heavy cloudbursts and thunderstorms. Because Qatar is such a small country, there is little regional variation in the weather, although coastal areas may be slightly cooler than inland.

Required clothing: 

Lightweight cottons and linens are recommended during summer months but avoid wearing silk, which sticks to the skin with the humidity. A cardigan is useful for over-cooled malls in the summer and a jacket is a must for cooler evenings during the winter. If you intend to take a camping trip in spring or autumn, you'll be glad of an extra layer of clothing at night.

Geography

Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, with just one border, at the south of the country, with Saudi Arabia. The peninsula is just 160km (100 miles) north-south, and apart from the capital, Doha, most of the towns are oil-company compounds. The coastline stretches for 563km (350 miles), with a scattering of sandy beaches – the best of which are in the north and west.

Much of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats across a low, barren plain, although towards the north of the peninsula there is scattered vegetation. There is also a small range of hills in the north-west, the highest of which is Qurayn Abu al Bawl, which reaches just over 100m (328ft) and is part of the Jebel Dukhan range. The country's most distinctive geographical feature is in the south of the country close to the border with Saudi Arabia; a wide area of rippling dunes surrounding an inlet of water from the Persian Gulf, Known as Khor al-Adaid, it is a favourite spot for jeep safaris and day trips from Doha.

Source-http://www.worldtravelguide.net/qatar/weather-climate-geography

Learn to swim in Doha

It’s getting hotter by the day and where better to do your workout than in a nice cool pool.

Teaching Adults

Learning to swim is a great achievement and with determination can be achieved quite quickly.

Booking swimming lessons in Doha can be incredibly daunting if you are an adult non-swimmer, however I guarantee that making that decision is that hardest part. I have taught many adults that say they wish they hadn’t waited so long. The lessons are on a one-to-one basis and the trainer is in the water with you for support and guidance so you can learn at your own pace.

Fear can be addressed and cured, so long as you actually want to do it. There are a few people in Doha who have expressed interest in learning to swim only because there is either a pool in their compound, or they have extra time while in Doha and feel they “ought” to. And I say to these people, give it a go but you have to actually want to learn not just feel like you should. But please don’t let fear put you off. With patience you will be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Teaching Children

As for children, well no better time to learn. Learning to swim should be a natural step in a child’s development and the key is for youngsters to have fun in the pool.Establishing a good relationship with water early on in the lessons is important. Water should be fun and comfortable for children and learning this skill early on will remain with them for life.

Safety around water is taught to children as a priority.

Learning to swim can open your world to a host of aquatic activities. If you have the confidence while in the water you can try any water sport that comes your way. You never know you might just find the sport you never knew you could love.

Source-http://www.personaltrainerdoha.com/topshelf/fitness/lets-get-swimming/

Qatar Beaches, Fishing and Boats

Qatar by nature is a sea loving country and offers a lot for fishing, boating and diving activities to enjoy the wonders of oceans. There is a lot to discover at sea that includes fishing reefs, holes, channels and even deep diving. The open sea offers a lot of attractions along the coasts and deep into the calm seas. In case you choose to explore open sea, you must have navigational expertise and sea worthy boat and equipment to help you through the venture. You should also be able to read maps as there are many neighboring countries having different laws, sea codes and marine regulations. Qatar government is quite sensitive about sea water pollution and does not allow oil, greases and the like to spread on waters. Similarly other items like general waste, plastic items, waste of fishing tackles, hooks, nets and other items need to be taken out of sea and sea shores for proper disposal. The government also protects sea life by taking care of turtles during egg season on sandy beaches. That is why vehicles on beaches during certain period may not be allowed for environmental safety purposes.

In case of boating, the boat should be in good condition for open seas and equipped with navigation and safety tools like GPS and fire extinguishers, mooring ropes, depth finder, anchor, life vests, navigation lights etc. Complete list is available with coastal safety people who also check boat registration and identification card at times.

Health & Safety

Summer in Qatar is really hot and there are typical deserts where summer is simply too hot for those who are in Qatar for a visit. This way dehydration and getting sun burns is a common mistake by the careless people. Recommended water storage with traveller should be close to 1.5-2.0 liters per hour per person. People should also wear sunhats and use high factor sun-screen wearing long sleeve shirts. Aged travellers and kids need special attention as they have less resistance to heat. Rule is to drink lot of water even if you need to urinate too soon. You need to watch color or your urine, dark color means you are dehydrated. You must start drinking more water as soon as possible.

Do not drink carbonated drinks; plain water is the best choice even on rare cloudy days. Plain water is easiest for your body to absorb and keeps you fit. Even when you are in a boat, try remaining in shade and avoid direct sun. Better use Polaroid glasses and keep applying high factor sun-screen for skin safety avoiding sun-burns.

Friendly Sharks

Qatar oceans have small but friendly sharks. These sharks swim fast and are a blessing for life in these oceans. Try catching them applying a new lure each time. Rather one should try new ways to catch fish but keep a log for collecting information like time, place, method used, result together with how deep you tried (surface or sub-surface or even deeper) Hamour is quite a tasty and popular among people who love fishing and people use many types of lures for this fish. Sometimes an alternate lure works better in similar fishing conditions too. Try using skirted Muppets, teasers, flashers together with live baits till you get good results. Try being versatile, do it differently each time for better fishing results at seas. Keep visiting your fishing log and you may feel better each time looking at the results. You will soon know which the best place to fish is and what is the best way to fill your bags.

Qatri Coast Guards are there to help you in case of need, when you are in trouble and want them to tow you to shores. They need to be addresses with respect and dignity if you expect a similar response. Coast Guards have instructions to cover up to 12 miles or 20 kilometers offshore. They might also ask you for booking in/out as you start and end your venture into sea. This is done to help you so they know your location when you are away. The website of Ministry of Interior has more details.

A Qatri Coast Guard vessel is permanently on high seas looking after boat movements. Coast Guard boats too, keep patrolling the area and usually they do not disturb the holiday makers but they carry out random checking for boat documents, travellers’ identity etc for law implementation purposes or for their own satisfaction. Once you are in a boat, you need to proceed with all responsibilities to restrain yourself from going into prohibited areas along the coast and onwards. Maritime offences are considered very serious and may result into boat confiscation, imprisonment or a detailed scrutiny. Therefore, one must see ocean charts and maps and mark all reefs, shallow waters together with “No Go” areas around oil installations and security points.

Where to fish?
You need to be confident and should study the area through charts, maps and your own observation to be familiar with boating lanes, your boat, deep holes in seas even in shallow waters. Watch shallow waters where the boat can be grounded and the event turns out to be very expensive at times. There are several but interesting islands around the mainland but each island has its own detailed geography too. Keep a track of your journey watching the map and identifying where exactly you reached to avoid any mishap inadvertently. There are low tides as well as high tides around the place. Data shows that these tides only range from 1.2 meters to 1.6 meters maximum.

AS you go around Qatar, there are various islands and channels making it a perfect place for fish growth and those places are worth visiting for fishing and to explore quality fish. Two of the islands are Al Aaliya and Al Safliya located towards east of main Doha. These both are good places for fishing and going around the place. The Government has reclaimed some of the islands developing man-made structures. By all means these are interesting places to be explored. Check out some Best deals of doha

Rubble Rocks or Rubble Tower

This is a light house among shallow waters called RUQQ QURAYNAYN  locally called Halat Umm al Khayfan. The light house has beautiful drop off areas around it inviting good sport fish having lot many visitors. Do watch for Hawar islands towards West of Qatar. This is the island having a dispute with Bahrain. So better avoid going there or you might invite trouble ruining your holidays.

The underdevelopment Banana Island is near the airport coast. The island used to be a good place for fishing but now with increased traffic and construction disturbance, the environment might be different. During the season and off-season fishing might be different for the main channel fishing depending on weather and the season. In all cases a seasoned fishing person will reap good results. Do watch for the large sea birds looking for fish baits but must watch reefs and deep holes or underwater structure that can hinder your activity or lure you to trouble. Studying ocean charts in detail will be really helpful and useful to plan the trip

There are marked channels that link various bays, islands and marinas. These channels are usually few meters deep and a good place to fish. You can choose to anchor up in a calm area having no or low traffic to enjoy the time. In case you choose to fish in the main channel between Doha SSE and Doha Buoy, water is over 12 meters deep which is good for sport fish. Then as you head towards Al-Wakra, sea deepens up to 30 meters while going to the SE the sea.

Some wrecks under sea are good fishing places as and when wrecks are located. Ocean charts have marked wrecks too and many divers keep attempting the place. The divers leave a divers’ flag on surface. Avoid the place in case of divers’ flag to avoid possible accident.

As you go away to the sea, spend time in tranquility and later returning back to shore feels awesome. There are important rules that make life easy:

1. As you reach back to marina, slow down your speed to DEAD SLOW. This enhances control and safety together creating minimum wake.

2. Prepare for docking by throwing out your fenders

3. Larger vessels have priority, give them way as you should observe the traffic in general.

4. Put fuel in your boat

5. While entering the berth, keep at low speed for lesser bumps avoiding damage to boat.

6. Make sure that your boat is kept all secure

7. Washing boat, flushing engines and refilling water tanks is important

8. Clean fish wells and pack up loose fish tackles

9. Where needed, have the boat repaired

10. Keep a log for your engine hours for servicing and oil change if needed.

11. Checking of bilge pump is critical, weather protection covers to be removed, rods and stow cushions

12. All trash needs be removed from the jetty

13. Take your catch along with you with your fishing log etc

14. Before leaving the area, do call Coast Guard reporting your arrival back and make a note for your own record for future reference if needed be.

Doha’s Main Navigation Channel is used by heavy sea traffic including naval activities. Large vessels have their effects on small boats. Keep yourself away as early as possible avoiding possible time miscalculation. Water turbulence behind these big vessels can toss the small boats. Sail boats get priority over engine boats as a general rule so need to behave accordingly.

Beach or Shore Fishing in Qatar

Qatar is known for its sea based activities and fishing on beach or shores is one of many attractions. There is a wide choice to choose from the spectacular Qatri beaches enjoying days and nights both for leisure. This is equally good in all seasons but each season has its demands. The fishing people try getting common breeds like Hamour, Barracuda, Queen Fish, Sheris or Silver Bream. There are several popular fishing spots along Qatri coasts. Some locals and expats enjoy catching fish with 3.5m beach-casters.

Experienced fish catchers use 4-5 oz of chicken as bait slinging it fairly far away in waters and they usually bring results. Use of snoods, squid rings and clams is also quite common too. The only time to be more careful is turtle breeding season on sandy shores.

Alternate way is a flowing trace then main line to swivel and then a trace of 1.5m length with 2 to 3 baited hooks placed with a 3oz lead. There is really no need of grappling weights, it does not get rough enough dislodging your gear when it is cast out. You need to set your clutches and keep watching the rods. As a result the bigger fish will be taking off with a rod in case the clutch could not be set properly. If this happens, it brings embarrassment.

Qatar's Inland Sea has all biodiversity

Qatar by default is love for sea even with friends and family. Preferred items to take along are fishing rods and some light camp carrying plenty of drinking water. You need to reach for drop offs and use simple strips of fish even on small hooks will get you good quantity of fish. Keep your feet safe from occasional jellyfish, sharp rocks or coral that might hurt the bare feet. Qatar has fresh air to enjoy on beaches and there are plenty of places to reach and enjoy along the sea and even into the sea. Have fun while seeing Qatar places all around.

Source: watersportsqatar.blogspot.com/

Slugging it out in the sand

During a desert safari in Doha, you will be picked up by a four by four vehicle at the hotel where you are staying or an organized location if you are a resident, this may be a hotel or mall close to your place of residence. The vehicle usually has enough space for six passengers, so you may be sharing with people that you do not know, this is a great way to meet new people and make friends.

You will be driven to an area where the air in the tires of the four by four will be deflated. This just makes it easier for driving in the sand. Then you will drive into the desert where you will stop at a few breathtaking locations so that you can take photos and mingle. There will be many other people and loads of cars doing the same.

After that you will be taken on an exhilarating dune bash, this is not for the feint hearted. The car will drive around like crazy for making your heart race. It may seem like you will roll over at times but the drivers of these vehicles know what they are doing and their cars are reinforced for maximum protection. Having said that, ensure that you always use a reputable company when dune bashing as the private individuals who, illegally at most times, take you on desert safari adventures do not have the proper vehicles for this.

After the driving you will be taken to a simulated Bedouin camp in the desert where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. Usually there is a bon fire and a bbq, the desert night can get quite cold so the fire gives visitors a nice reprieve from the coldness of the sand. When all the food is eaten, a belly dancer will come out to entice the crowd. Furthermore there will be a shisha area for all those that wish to try this traditional water pipe. At the camp there will also be some fun activities such as camel rides, sand boarding and volleyball.

There are three kinds of desert safari trips, the half day desert safari which is a morning or evening trip and is nice to experience a quick desert safari. The second option is the full day trip where there will be more time for leisure activities such as swimming and volleyball. The overnight safari will showcase the galaxy from the desert and you will be treated to sunrise on the dunes.

The camps have full facilities and are very clean. They will teach you a bit about Bedouin culture and how the people of the Middle East used to live, and how some live to this day. This is a great activity for all expats and their visitors and is highly enjoyable indeed.


Source-http://entertainqatar.blogspot.com/

Adventure sports in Qatar!

There are several activities keep you wondered outdoors in Qatar. These activities include windsurfing, sand boarding, kitesurfing, blokarting, diving, desert-driving and fishing. These activities continue throughout the year because of the warm and subtropical climate. Details are given covering Water Sports, Sand Sports and Nature Reserves as below:

Qatar has spectacular beaches and therefore, water sports are part of Qatri life because of the warmth of the water and long coastline. Qatar has good water sports infrastructure and pertinent lessons are usually available.

Sailing, Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing are both quite popular in Qatar besides the country does not have many windy days. As and when shamal wind blows, which is basically northwesterly wind that blows over Iraq and the Arabian Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. This wind is often strong all the day but intensity decreases at night because summer conditions may be supportive for windsurfing. This way Kitesurfing is usually a better option as it can be enjoyed in lighter winds and that is quite easy to learn, especially for experienced windsurfers. The warm waters of Qatar make water sports a great fun. Fuwairit Beach is situated towards 80 Km north of Doha and the beautiful lagoon at Zeekret is especially good for starters. Both spots are good for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Sailing is quite popular in the Arabian Gulf whereas Qatar International Regatta is an event held annually attracting sailing lovers worldwide. The Doha Sailing Club encourages the sport in the Gulf for coaching at all levels holding contests and a social gathering for rowing and sailing throughout the area. Qatar offers facilities for various grades of boats including Lasers and Optimists. Doha Sailing Club also offers learning facilities for windsurfing. Doha Sailing Club website has information on weather and the upcoming tides in the area too. The Association also holds monthly and weekly competitions for laser class boats.

Diving

The inviting warm and clear Gulf waters are great for diving and a breeding place for marine wildlife. Expert divers can see various kinds of fish, sea snakes dolphins, turtles and rays as they dive in sea.

Usually the diving activity is confined near the shores while there are various wrecks to be explored away from shores too. Popular diving spots are the Old Club Reef situated in Messaid, close to Sealine Beach Resort. The place has an artificial reef and a good spot to watch blue angel fish followed by grouper and barracuda. New Club Reef is close to the place is also good for diving though the divers do not see much of fish at this place. Abundant fish is available at The Inland Sea situated at Udaid as the place is all sheltered with reefs. Some people who could be interested in exploring wrecks in sea should visit Al-Sharqi close to Halool Island. One can see clown fish and other species around the metal wreck found submerged there.

Diving starters can use expertise provided by many training centers along Qatar coasts where equipment is available on hire too. Sea in general is calm and that makes Qatar a special spot for diving. A number of diving clubs in the vicinity encourage like-minded people to get together and provide regularly organize diving events.

Fishing

Fishing in Qatar is a very popular sport. The waters in open seas have several hundred fish species like Anglefish, Dorado, Puffers, Mackerel and Hammour in deep waters. Many hotels in Doha book charter boats for fishing too.

Sand Sports

Qatar being a desert country, there are number of desert sports few of them are very popular among folks.

Blokarting

The blokart is a go-kart which is wind powered and invented in New Zealand in year 2000. This is now a rapidly growing sailing sport. People experience sailing on land as they do at sea and enjoy racing as the karts go very fast. This was introduced in Qatar in year 2006 in its deserts and on Qatri beaches. Doha Sailing Club is the place for various options and information about the events.

Sand skiing and sand boarding

Sand skiing is popular for skidding and running over sand dunes as people do skiing in general. Khor Al Adaid or The Inland Sea has several large sand dunes which are good for sand skiing and boarding. The area is far away in desert and reachable using a 4x4 vehicle preferable with a guide or a tour operator. Sand boarding is like doing snowboarding except it is done on sand dunes instead of mountains. Qatri beaches and deserts offer endless sports opportunities. Its Sealine Beach resort is one of the popular places for enjoying sand boarding. Doha has number of desert touring agents who organize trips deep into deserts.

QatarDesert safari camping and off-roading

Exploring deserts using a four-wheel drive auto vehicle or a quad bike or even a dune buggy and then camping deep in deserts has been popular since long. Several tour operators offer guided tours to watch an evening passing or even spending a night there. Some operators offer desert driving lessons for the starter off-roaders, and also there are a few of off-road driving clubs using 4x4 vehicles. Some enthusiast expats also connect through online forums for teaming up with other desert goers as going alone can be highly dangerous at times. There has to be at least another vehicle to rescue if needed be.

Nature Reserves

More than 25% of Qatari land is declared to be a natural reserve. These reserves have a unique view of landscape, Qatri history and the wildlife. Some of the major reserves are:

Al Thakhira is a strip along the coast at the northern end of famous Al Khor Corniche. Most of the coastline has salt flats locally called “sabkha”. This is like quicksand, and becomes very treacherous as it gets wet. Bird watchers love this area and there is a large part covered with mangroves.


Umm Tais is an area which is protected islets having mangrove forests with beaches and sand bars. This area attracts lot of birds and the marine life and where several turtles breed and do nesting. Close to this part is famous village Al Mafjar with its historical remains.

Khor Al Adaid or The Inland Sea is 80 Km towards south of Doha. It is unique to have a shore in Saudi Arabia and other in Qatar. This is Qatar’s major tourist attractions and is famous for its beauty having large sized crescent-shaped sand dunes. This is a shallow tidal lake that connects with the sea through a narrow outlet. This is a unique lagoon system having several archaeological sites portraying history.

Al Reem covers most of the north-west of Qatar. This is the place where wild life has an impact and travellers enjoy seeing Arabian gazelle too.

Ras Abrouq is also locally known as Bir Zekreet situated at the tip of a peninsula towards northeast of Dukhan. The place is reachable using 4 x 4 vehicle and several campers love to be there. This place has several bays, rocky outcrops and coves.

Qatar - Five must do activities

The beautiful city of Doha is not short of activities to do and sights to see. If you are visiting Doha under a strict time constraint, you can only do so much in that short period of time.

So to make things easier for you, we will be sharing with you our Top 5 Must Do Activities in Doha.

1. Visit the Museum of Islamic Arts

Discover the beauty of the largest collection of Islamic arts in the world, collected from three continents over the span of 1400 years, all in the Museum of Islamic Arts. In there, you will be able to find the finest collection of Persian rugs, Turkish mosaics, artworks and woodcarvings. It contains artifacts, manuscripts and precious materials that showcase the Islamic historical culture of Qatar.

Designed by world-renowned architect, I.M. Pei (architect of Louvre pyramid), the Museum of Islamic Art stands out as an architectural gem in the MIA Park of the Doha waterfront. The interior is no less spectacular as geometric patterns of the Islamic world adorns the whole interior of the museum. If you are in Doha, then visiting the Museum of Islamic Arts should definitely be a must do on your list.

2. Walk or take a Dhow cruise at Doha Corniche

The Corniche is a waterfront promenade that reshaped Doha's coastline in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and is easily one of the most popular locations among walkers, bikers and joggers.

One thing that you would not like to miss while you're there is to take a cruise in a traditional boat called the "Dhow", or an exclusive yacht cruise. In the evening, you can enjoy an amazing view of a beautiful sunset; and at night, you will be able to see the magnificent colours of the city's lights reflected off the calm water.

3. Go for desert adventures

One of the top places to visit while you're in Qatar is naturally the desert. You can find a few desert adventure activities while you're in Doha. One of them can be found at the Sealine Beach Resort.

While you're there, you can rent a dune buggy on the beach near the resort as well as going for dune bashing, which is a popular sport with both Qataris and expatriates. You can also find tours called the "Inland Sea" tours or the Doha Desert Safari tours where you get to experience an exhilarating ride in a 4x4 vehicle through the sand dunes and smooth sandy mountains.

If you wish, you may also choose to go for the camel rides offered in some of the tours. You'd be surprised to know that there aren't too many opportunities to ride a camel in Qatar. So if you want to have a good photograph of yourself on a camel to show to your friends and family back at home, here's your chance.

4. Go shopping or explore the streets of Souq Waqif

If you are a shopaholic, Doha may have just the thing to satisfy your shopping needs while you're here. Explore the streets and alleyways of Souq Waqif, Falcon Souq and Gold Souq, and you'll definitely find something that you like along the way.

The Souqs (Arabic for "marketplace") have everything from beautiful traditional textiles, spices, jewelry, perfume and plenty of other souvenirs for your folks back at home.

Souq Waqif is probably one of the few places where you can enjoy street food. Your options vary from traditional Qatari cusines to snacks from the Indian subcontinent. You can also enjoy some sheesha if you're into it.

If shopping is not your thing, then exploring and admiring the beauty of the architectural buildings around the Souqs alone is an experience worth having while you're in Doha. Whatever your preference is, you'll likely find something that is to your taste in the Souqs.

5. Discover the culture and heritage of Qatar

To visit a place so rich in history and culture, it is only right to discover the true heritage of Doha while you are here. One of the places that you should visit is the Al Zubarah Fort located outside the capital city. Zubarah is a deserted town located on the north western coast of the Qatar. The forts and towers here showcase the architectural history and wealth of the ancient civilizations that once lived in Qatar.

You may also visit Katara Cultural Village. Katara was born out of a vision to position the State of Qatar as a cultural beacon of art, radiating in the Middle East through theatre, music, literature, conventions and exhibitions. Katara regularly hosts activities so that tourists and residents can indulge in cultural activities.

Source-http://www.qatarliving.com/forum/welcome-qatar/posts/qatar-five-must-do-activities

Speedboat fishing in Doha

From spending quality time with friends and family to enjoying the health benefits of outdoor exercise, speedboat fishing offers a myriad of rewards for recreational boaters. The in-depth boating information available at Discover Boating can help you find a fishing boat in Doha that works best for you, no matter what your budget or needs. If you’re a beginner, read our saltwater fishing tips. Whether you prefer calm coastal waterways or deep sea fishing adventures,saltwater fishing boats present a wide variety of options for family boating,sport fishing and more.

Best Boats for Saltwater Fishing

All-Purpose Fishing Boats - Capable of pursuing many different types of species, all-purpose fishing boats can just as easily be used for saltwater fishing as they can for watersports and spending time with family and friends.

Center Console - Center console boats are called such because of the central console that’s surrounded by a large, open deck. This open space also makes them convenient saltwater fishing boats.

Closed Bow Runabout - These sporty boats are similar to a bowrider, except their bow is closed instead of open. While most often used for watersports, they’re also versatile enough to be used for a bit of recreational saltwater fishing.

Cuddy Cabin - Cuddy cabin boats offer a small “cuddy”, or cabin space that can also contain a sleeping birth. They’re most often used for watersports, offshore boating, and cruising but can also be used for saltwater fishing.

Deck Boats - Just like their name suggests, one of the main features of a deck boat is a large deck that makes it ideal for entertaining large groups of people. Deck boats are also frequently used for watersports and saltwater fishing.

Fish and Ski Boats - These versatile bowriders are made for enjoying it all, from boat tubing and wakeboarding to serious saltwater fishing.

Flat Boats - Most commonly used in coastal areas, flats boats are specialized saltwater fishing boats. Low-cost and economical, they can easily reach places with less than two feet of water.

Inboard Cruisers - Inboard cruisers feature generous cabin areas and tend to be at least 30 feet in length. These boats can be used for offshore boating and saltwater fishing, and have a drive mechanism that is considered easier to maintain in salt water.

Multi-Hull Cruisers - Multi-hull cruisers (also known as catamarans) have two hulls, which can provide a softer ride than other v-bottom hulls. These fuel-efficient boats feature large main cabins and can be used for offshore boating and saltwater fishing. 

Sportfishing Boats - Designed for serious saltwater fishing, sport fishing boats come equipped with all the bells and whistles needed for finding, hooking and landing fresh fish. 

Source-http://www.discoverboating.com/resources/article.aspx?id=245

Outdoor adventure activities in UAE

Do you love adventure? Do you like enjoy sudden burst of energy? If yes, here are three outdoor activities that will make your blood rushing through veins and you want more of it.

The Adventure in Desert

UAE is like 90% desert and going to UAE would mean that you must be experiencing rolling around UAE desert sand. The adventure in desert means enjoying Desert Safari or you may call it Dune Bashing and then going for Sand Boarding or Sand Skiing and having Quad bike rides.

Desert Safari is one of thrilling activity by pushing vehicle accelerator going up and down the sand dunes exploring the amazing desert beauty on a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep.

Sand Boarding is again an exciting activity that is full of thrills and among the top of desert sports. The activity is all furious like skiing in snow. The player needs to maintain balance on the sand as people do on snow.

Riding on quad bike means being the master of four powerful big tires and can be done with children too. Riding a quad bike is altogether thrill and extreme of joyful excitement. This is like a ‘must sport’ and part of UAE.

Up in Hot Air Balloon: That is what one can dream of rising quietly over a desert that is altogether exhilarating and exciting having stunning view of islands and keep rising along the gale and watching famous UAE land marks like Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah. The sunset and sunrise moments are worth watching and mesmerizing from a balloon too.

In a small plane: What if you opt to go up in the air throttling through the clouds with your friends and foes. There are planes that safely land and take-off from the blue UAE waters and that is like capturing the whole of skyline of the city and then gliding over the favorite spots too.

Scuba Diving: UAE waters are clear and fascinating where there are thrilling species of aquatic life. There is a wholesome world down the calm waters and watching various underwater wonders full of awesome colors and stunning natural beauty of fish and turtles. Scuba diving is all full of adventure and brings in long and cherishing memories to be shared with families and friends. Carrying a splash proof camera is an asset while diving as you can bring all memories to surface.

Funtours are the people who help you with guided tours and fun around the place. They are the best tour operators in UAE offering very high quality services to visit almost all areas in UAE and the places in vicinity. This is a UK based setup for luxury tours since 2004. People at Funtours have exceptional experience and wide spectrum approach for client service with varied nature of tour options. They simply make a holiday a time worth remembering and cherishing.

If you are looking for similar activities in Qatar. Try outdoor activities in Doha !