I spent a substantial amount of 2018 in Doha, Qatar working on a Leadership Development Project for one of the Nation's most prominent company.
Prior to the project, I had only little knowledge about this country, having only transited in Hamad International Airport on my way to Tokyo in 2016. I knew it was small, rich, advanced, diverse and modern – naturally I associated similarities with Singapore.
As the project progressed, I realised there were so much more to Qatar that meets the eye. I found myself describing Qatar to friends and family as a parallel universe. In some ways, completely unfathomable. The lifestyle, the mindset, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Although most of my down time was spent at Souq Waqif and Katara, immersing in the local lifestyle, enjoying the middle eastern cuisine and soaking in the heat, I was lucky to also have spent quality time with my colleagues exploring the peninsula.
We visited the inland sea off the border of Saudi Arabia, went kayaking at Al-Dakhira, dune bashing in Mesaieed, visited the Al Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site and went up to the 61st floor of the Kempinski to enjoy the sunset multiple times.
Not forgetting the culinary journey of dining in IDAM, Alain Ducasse's first restaurant in the Middle East.
Despite all the unique experiences of my time in Qatar. One experience tops them all.
I would not have had such a comfortable time staying in Qatar without the warm, lovely and ever so positive hospitality of the staff in Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel.