The Brunch at the Ritz

If you're new to Doha or just coming for a visit, the place to be is the Ritz-Carlton Friday Brunch. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the hotels are the local expat connection and hold great events for many to "plug-in"..one that's not to miss is the Champagne Brunch on Fridays. I haven't touched upon money much but here's an introduction. For 250 QR (Qatari Riyals ...$1.00USD=3.65 QR)...roughly about $60USD, you get an amazing champagne brunch, more food than you'd ever want to consume in a day including a raw bar, sushi, a carving station, a pasta station, crudite, breads, cheeses, salads, and of course, the most decadent desserts you'd ever want. Oh, and unlimited champagne (mimosas are my drink of choice).

So, my parents came to visit and we decided to hit up the Ritz. We were almost unable to get reservations but after persistent calling, a table on the terrace opened up for us for a Good Friday Brunch.

Driving out to the Ritz....Zig Zag towers are in the distance

One of the zig-zag towers up close

Arriving at our table on the terrace.

View of The Pearl from the Ritz

Where the chamagne was stashed :)

Check out that plate of food!

My mom and I waiting at the table while Eric and my dad were getting some food.

Easter Eggs in honor of the upcoming Easter Sunday. I don't know about you, but my dyed eggs have never come out as beautiful as these look!

Desserts galore...check out this spread!

Each looked better than the next. Before France, I wasn't much of a dessert person, but something about seeing all of these desserts made me homesick for France.

A nice shot of my parents by the desserts.

After we were thoroughly stuffed and could eat nor drink anymore, we decided to take a walk around the grounds to show my parents the hotel grounds.

Very peaceful, except for the cranes in the background working 'round the clock on The Pearl.

Waterfalls and fountains and swim up bars, oh my!

Just your typical...... yacht :)

Posing in front of the marina.

Arrival of our Sea Shipment and some lazy nights at home

Eric and I had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our sea shipment but a little unsure if he would be able to take a day off to help me put everything in it's place. So, we were really happy to hear that the arrival of the shipment would arrive while my parents were in town. We learned the hard way in France that the movers are actually supposed to take everything out of the boxes for you and bring the boxes with them. In our much smaller (1,000 sq. ft) apartment, in Paris, we had a total of 28 boxes that we had to carry down to be collected a week later by the moving company.

Here in Qatar, we were relieved when our shipment arrived promptly and not smelly! Our sea-shipment that arrived in Paris had the most awful stench it was unbearable. Part of the reason I didn't have them unpack anything was because I thought it was the men who smelled, not our stuff! Needless to say, we ended up complaining to the moving company and they paid for 400 euros worth of dry cleaning and a new air mattress.

So, the movers arrived at our villa in the afternoon on a Thursday. They brought in all 64 (!) boxes, and unpacked it all. It was a relief to have them bring it in and take it all out of the boxes and get rid of the loads of paper they use to pack it and the boxes... however, then you have just a bunch of stuff everywhere! It was really nice to have some extra hands to help us out.

The sea shipment contains all of our belongings that the movers packed up in France. We received our airshipment about 3 weeks after we moved. The airshipment is supposed to contain the items we just can't live without. The rest of the shipment-our sea shipment contains the rest of our belongings.

It's really too bad you can't get a real feel for how many boxes we actually had as they separated them throughout the villa. We were a little worried about the amount of boxes but the movers reassurred us that it was not a lot especially compared to a lot of others...but I'm not convinced. We still have a full room that needs to be sorted through. We definitely have a lot of things that we no longer use (all our winter clothes) but we can't throw out, and also things we defintiely do no need.

I think the kitchen was the most difficult room to organize.

More organizing

Relaxing in the new setup

We bought a teak table about a month and a half ago but it didn't have a finish on it. It gets so dusty here that my dad suggested putting a coat or two of varnish on it...as if he doesn't have enough to do at home! But, here he is, happily at work.

Eric sweeping the deck, getting it ready for our updated table :)

The final result! It looks great!

My dad was so excited he was able to find these jumbo shrimp here.

Enjoying the fruits of his labor....pre-varnish

Eric is so impressed by the size of these shrimp!

My mom being silly.

If you know my dad, you know that these photos show his personality to a T.

My dad, being silly, and playing the violin for us :)

Brazillian Churrasco

Doha does not have many public beaches and to be quite honest, for us, it was painful to know we'd be near such gorgeous water and not be able to go in it! So, we decided to join a beach club. Basically, you pay a yearly membership to have access to the local area hotel gym, beach, pools, tennis courts, etc. There are a lot of perks by joining such as being in the "know" about what is going on at the local hotels. The hotels make up a good portion of some expat's life here. Reason being, at hotels you are exempt from the "rules" of the local culture. They serve alcohol, you don't have to cover your shoulders and knees, and in general, it's a more "free" environement. They also have lots of activities planned such as brunches, theme dinners, movie nights, etc. so it's a fun way to meet people and have some fun things to do.

So, we ended up finding a beach club we liked so while my parents were here, we went often, soaking up the sun on the beach and hanging out in the pools. One day when we were on the beach, we noticed they were setting up for a dinner on the beach. We inquired and we were informed it would be a Brazillian Churrasco on the beach. It sounded pretty good so we decided to head out for the night.

Before dinner we first took my parents to the Corniche which is an area in the center of Doha. Basically it is a boardwalk that runs all along the water. The Corniche is always filled with locals and expats alike walking, jogging and picnicing. It is a beautiful place to get photos and view the city's ever changing skyline.

Not the best photo...took this in a hurry but this is a view of the Corniche to the South.

This is a view of the Corniche to the North...the building in the middle is The Shearton Hotel. It was one the first hotels here in Doha.

Quick photo before dinner.

This one is for Donna and Bill :)

Now to the hotel....

Stopping in the lobby before we walked out to the beach. I love the flowers they have in the entrance way.

The boys picking out their favorite Rolex watches.

My mom waiting for them.

On the way down to the beach.

Check out this chandelier

Seated at our table. Bonfire in the background.

The water is just beyond the beach.

If you've never gone to a Brazillian Churrasco or Brazillian steakhouse, this explanation is for you. Each person has a smal disk at their place setting. One side is green, one is red. The servers come around and serve the 25+ types of meat. If you are wanting them to serve you, your disk has the green side face up. If you are needing a break, your disk is red side face up. They'll keep the meat coming as long as your green disk is showing. You can flip many times throughout the meal.

My dad is saying "boo" to red

Eric being served.

My dad is very serious about his meat selection.

A captured moment

Group shot