Great expectations?

Only a week remains until I visit a place that, despite its significant influence on my life, has never appeared in my passport's collection of stamps.

Books have always been my strongest motivator for travel. With most of my reading list dominated by British authors, it's no surprise that Qatar never stood a chance. Thanks to M.M. Kaye and Agatha Christie, places like Zanzibar and Turkey have long been etched on my travel wish list. Qatar, however, slipped through the cracks—overshadowed, perhaps, by the literary glamour of other locales.

Considering that my father worked in Qatar for much of my childhood, it’s strange—but perhaps not surprising—that I’ve never visited. Back then, international travel for pleasure wasn’t as commonplace as it is today. We had plenty of exciting road trips across South India, creating rich, cherished memories. However, boarding a flight abroad seemed as far-fetched as the imaginary journeys I crafted while seated in the back of Geography class (apologies to Mrs. E.—though you must admit, I was taking a hands-on approach to the subject!).

When the chance to visit Qatar finally landed in my lap, it felt serendipitous. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity.

Breathtaking architecture

Now, with just a week to go, I find myself oscillating between excitement and curiosity. My itinerary promises a balance of cultural, natural, and modern marvels. Imagining how it it would be to wander through the alleyways of Souq Waqif—if it’s even half as vibrant as its reputation, it’ll be worth the trip on its own.

Then there’s the lure of Qatar’s natural wonders. An excursion to the sand dunes and the Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea) has been at the top of my list since I started planning. The thought of standing at the intersection of desert and sea feels surreal—and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.

As for the modern side of Doha, well, that’s usually not my cup of tea (unlike the karak chai, which is quite literally is). Still, the city’s rapid transformation intrigues me. From my project management background, I’ve followed Qatar’s ambitious urban development, particularly through PMI’s coverage of the construction of the World Cup stadiums. Seeing these achievements in person—monuments to impeccable planning and execution—will be fascinating.

The modern touch

And of course, no trip would be complete without my own ambitious to-do list:

• A literary treasure hunt: I’m hoping to sneak a peek at the illustrated edition of Robinson Crusoe from 1785. It might be a long shot, but a bibliophile can dream!

• Game inspiration: Given that Qatar inspired my The Globe Trot game, it feels poetic to create a dedicated expansion for the country. My dad used to bring home index cards with information about Qatar’s birds, which I’d transform into rudimentary games—assigning points based on rarity, with falcons naturally earning the highest. I can almost picture it now: cards featuring sightings of falcons (still worth the most bonus points!), oryx, and of course a Khor Al Adaid wild card.

  
  

My game!

So here I am, counting down the days until I finally set foot in the place that, though never visited, has always been a part of my story. Will Qatar live up to the expectations I’ve built for it in my mind? I guess I’ll find out soon enough.