Ten pin Bowling in Qatar

We are now, without doubt, officially well into the heat of summer, and for those of us who haven’t already shipped off to a coastline in Europe somewhere in an attempt to escape Qatar’s soaring temperatures, we may find ourselves tucked up in Arctic air conditioning, working our way through one box set after another. But for those who are looking for a little more of an active lifestyle without succumbing to heat stroke, there are plenty of things to do indoors once you climb out of your comfort zone, and ten pin bowling is one of them.

You have probably driven past the somewhat unassuming Qatar Bowling Center building time and time again, and have asked yourself, “I wonder what it’s like inside?”

From the outset, the building doesn’t initially attract an astounding amount of interest, but as the time old saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover,” which is precisely the case for the Qatar Bowling Center.
The Qatar Bowling Center is more than just a couple of lanes for the occasional bowling enthusiast; it’s an institution. 

Get bowling
Once you have navigated your way to the building from either the Guest Palace Roundabout or Mannai Roundabout, (Google Maps will get you there no bother), you will see there is ample parking and no need to trek miles in the heat. Once in the building you will be amazed at how much there is on offer. Before you even get to the bowling lanes you pass through a massive hall with billiard, snooker and foosball tables. To the right there is an additional hall with an abundance of table tennis tables as well as a fully serviced restaurant with a widely varied menu. There is also a PlayStation area for the tech-fans.

To the left of the entrance and down the stairs is where the real action can be found, in a rather sizeable bowling arena. There are 32 bowling lanes equipped with bumpers and kitted out with top-notch technology. The bright colours and flashing screens are reminiscent of the “golden age of bowling” in the 1940s, 50s and 60s in the USA, where friends and family would gather for good old-fashioned fun.

Overlooking the bowling lanes is an exclusive, glassed off VIP seating section for those who prefer to enjoy the game in style, with a front row view of all the action.

Play in a league
The walls are bedecked with trophies from all over the gulf from the various competing leagues and the Qatar Bowling Federation which calls the Qatar Bowling Center its home. There are numerous leagues, particularly a massive following from the Philippines, but the Qatar Bowling Centre is not exclusively for those belonging to any league. Anyone is welcome to gather a group of friends and head on down to the Qatar Bowling Center for a night of action and fun.

Times to play
During Ramadan, the Qatar Bowling Center will be open from 6pm-2am, while normal operating hours are from Saturday-Wednesday 9am-12am, with the exception of Sunday and Tuesday where from 9am-5pm it is ladies only. Thursdays continue later into the night from 9am-2am, and Fridays from 8am-6pm are for leagues only and from 6pm onwards open to all.

Another benefit is that it is affordable, with non-members paying only QR8 per game during happy hour from 9am-4pm and QR15 a game thereafter. Shoe hire is QR2 and there is an optional sock hire of QR2. There is also an hourly rate of QR75 per lane, with a maximum of 5 people on each lane, if you prefer.
Now that you have all you need to know, there is no excuse not to try out something new in Doha, which could soon become a habit. 

Source-http://www.timeoutdoha.com/mobile/sportandoutdoor/features/64443-ten-pin-bowling-in-doha

Desert Safari Adventure for Families

Going on a family vacation takes a lot of careful planning. Adventures are just not the same once the growing numbers begin to create different needs. Having kids on a trip can entail a very different kind of preparation from embarking on an excursion with adults of the same age.

A few years ago, an overnight desert safari tour meant that a V8 four-wheeler was enough for a road trip with a couple of friends, hitting the sand for some frolic and fun in the dunes. A nomadic tent was set up, and the open sky played host to a night of barbecue and Arabian entertainment.

A few years older, times have become different. The free-spirited adventurers becoming new parents now require the assistance and expertise of a tour provider to ensure the travel itinerary and safety of the children. They are picked up by an appointed driver along with other guests, and the group becomes a friendly mix of elderly and young adventurers.

The Sealine Beach Resort is a traveler’s point, marking the end of the road and the beginning of the desert. An exciting camel ride awaits the eager travelers, and the dune beckons.

The exhilarating ride through the dunes need not have worried the young mothers. The children are secured tightly with seatbelts, even while the truck rolls and rotates over the sandy waves. The adrenaline rush is invigorating, even as the driver expertly traverses the shifting terrain.

Beaches are a combined attraction to the tour. The Khor Al Udeid, popularly known as the Inland Sea, boasts of a striking view of azure skies and the dune desert landscape. Tourists can take a freefall off the water’s edge, landing on a gentle slope into the warm waters.

The best truck to take on these desert expeditions is the Nissan Patrol Super Safari, according to a professional driver at the Qatar International Adventures tour provider.

Tea at a campsite caps the three-hour trip. On the way back, the dunes stretched out into the horizon once more, inviting one more round of outdoor excitement and a breath-taking desert experience.

If you're interested in a desert safari in Qatar with your family (or friends!), There are many companies with some offers for groups of up to 5 people.

Tell us about your desert safari experiences below!