More Photos Here

It was Eid and what better way to spend it than to visit the beach.  This was our third time to go to Al Wakra beach.  The first time was fun but we didn’t get to stay long because it was almost sunset when we came thus it was starting to get dark and cold too.  The second visit was rather disappointing since we came in the morning and since it was high tide, the water was murky and there was trash to steer clear of.  But as they say, the third time is a charm and indeed it was.

Tian and I agreed to leave the house as early as 2pm so that we’d still get to enjoy the warm sun.  It’s obviously starting to get cold here in Qatar as the winter is fast-approaching, so coming to the beach while the sun is still high only makes sense.  As usual our daughter was so excited about going there although she always does the same thing every time that is collecting shells.

When we came, there were only a few cars parked on the shore.  This time, the tide was really low and the cars were parked very close to the water.  At first, Tian was hesitant to park near the water as he was thinking that the tide might change during our stay.  We parked a little farther from the water but then when he noticed the others parking their vehicles much closer to the water, he decided to move closer too.

It was windy and the water was a quite chilly but the warm sun somehow neutralizes the cold and makes it more bearable.  It was a good 500-meter walk from the car to the water.  If you were walking this distance on the street, you’ll probably feel tired from walking but since we were enjoying the cool breeze and the soft and fine sand we didn’t feel tired at all.  Once you’re there you’ve got to find ways to enjoy your stay. At first, Tian and I tried to play Frisbee while Xiane gathered her shells.  However our game proved to be futile because first it was too windy, second the disc was bent and lastly, I’m not good at it.  In short, we had to do something else.  Then my husband started to play with the sand and then later on started to make something out of it.  No, it wasn’t sand castle.  He made Pokemon figures out of sand.  He made a ‘Dragonite’ head and a full figure of a ‘Mew’ whoever or whatever they were.  Of course, my husband and especially my daughter being a huge Pokemon fan know all about it.  But since I didn’t have anything else to do and didn’t have the knack for creating things out of sand, I had to help them out and make myself useful.  I sculpted the Mew in part and I fetched water in most part.  My daughter was so happy once the Mew (one of her favorite Pokemons) was finished.  I, on the other hand, only managed to make my own footprints. 

Xiane and I played hopscotch or piko in Filipino.  Well, I’ve actually forgotten how to play it but my daughter has taught me how they play it in school.  I just don’t know if she taught me right.  Then we spent most of our stay there just taking photos of Xianelle who was more than willing to pose for her dad.  It was really fun to watch her pose as she was told, like it was a real photo shoot.  Most of all it was fun once you see the actual photos, as they say, a real ‘Kodak moment’.

After spending a good 2 to 3 hours at the beach, we finally called it a day.  As the hours passed, it got too cold.  Although we wanted to have stayed much longer, we just simply had to go.  All-in-all it was our best visit at the beach here in Qatar by far.  It was simply fun!

More Photos Here

Related posts:

1. Wakra Beach
2. Wakra Beach Part 2
3. Wakra Beach

The following weekend, we decided to go back to the beach.  This time we went at 8:00 in the morning.  This time we were bringing some donuts.  We were also expecting some friends to be meeting us there too.  We were smarter this time around as we have already figured out the easiest way to go there.

When we came it was high tide and much of the water closest to the beach was a little murky.  We were a little disappointed too, to find out that during this time of the day, the murky water which obviously was very hard to see through have got some trash in it mostly plastic wraps from food.  My husband and I were quite sad to find out that some people who have been visiting the beach were not responsible enough to take care of their trash and just dumped it on the beach.  It’s a shame that we are given this opportunity to enjoy nature for free and yet we simply seem not to care.

Disappointed that we didn’t get to enjoy our visit as much as we did the first time, I am more disgusted at how people can be so irresponsible and uncaring of their environment.  Here is hoping that the Municipality of Al Wakra would see this problem and start addressing it.  But most of all here’s hoping that people who visit the beach would come to their senses and start caring for it.

Related posts:

1. Wakra Beach
2. Wakra Beach
3. Al Wakra, Eid Getaway

Both my husband and my daughter are very fond of the beach and the sea.  Every time we are in the Philippines for our holiday, we always get to visit the beach.  Whether it’s in the nearby beaches of Zambales (a province in Region 3 in Luzon) where come from, or the beaches of Batangas, they just simple love it.  The last time we went home, we were very fortunate to have visited the lovely beaches and ocean of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.  It’s probably the best we’ve ever seen by far.  My daughter had a blast playing on the sand and most of all snorkeling in the middle of the ocean.

Since we came here in Doha, three years ago, we haven’t really been to the beach until recently.  The closest we ever got to the sea is by going to Corniche where we usually had our picnics and took lovely photos.  But thanks to some friends who told us about the “Al Wakra beach” we have been visiting the beach twice already.  It is called Wakra beach because it is located at the Municipality of Al Wakra, Qatar.  Al Wakra is just 10-minutes drive from Doha, especially if you are coming from the Airport Area where it’s very near.  The beach is an open one, no entrance, no resorts to speak of.  It’s just a long strip of beach that is accessible to everyone who would like to come for a morning walk on the sand or an afternoon splash in the water.

Going to Wakra beach was a bit tricky for us at first.  There weren’t any maps to follow, only directions given by friends which involves counting roundabouts and looking for a bank.  The first time we went, it was at 4:00 in the afternoon.  It took us a good 20-30 minutes to finally reach it as we got a little confused.  We never saw the bank and we didn’t know which of the roundabouts.  We even had to ask people along the road.  Then we later found out that there are different ways going there, since it was a long strip of beach, all the roads on the left (if you’re coming from Doha) will take you there.  But of course there is always the better if not the best way.

Finally, when we got there, it was definitely worth the wait.  The tide was low as it was almost sunset.  You’d be surprised at the number of vehicles parked at the beach.  Families with children, couples and even bachelors were there, enjoying a walk in the sand. Some of them were even having their barbecues which made us really envious and made our mouths water.  The three of us just had a nice stroll which was quite a long once since the water was quite far from the beach by this time.  Xianelle enjoyed picking up shells of various shapes.  We watched as the sun set.  Although the cold breeze was freezing we surely had a great time and promise ourselves that we’ll be back for more.  We left the beach with a big smile in our tummies as we were so happy that we’ve finally found our weekend hideaway without having to go to an expensive resort.

Related posts:

1. Wakra Beach Part 2
2. Wakra Beach
3. Al Wakra, Eid Getaway