Attended a wedding, from the brother of a colleague: to my surprise only with men (the other female half of the wedding was going on somewhere else) - and traditional drums and boys chasing each other with swords. An interesting experience indeed. ]]>
Tip: Doha Museum of Islamic Arttag:www.chavannes.nl,2011://4.28322011-09-24T11:07:27Z2011-09-24T11:48:51Z A door from 1270, made for the rulers of Anatolia. The detail is incredible. This style of geometrical woodwork dates back to pre-Islamic times (630 CE). The architect M.I. Pei also designed the Louvre pyramid in Paris. A molar...Ole Chavanneschavannes.nl
A door from 1270, made for the rulers of Anatolia. The detail is incredible. This style of geometrical woodwork dates back to pre-Islamic times (630 CE).
The architect M.I. Pei also designed the Louvre pyramid in Paris.
A molar flask from Egypt, from the 9th or 10th century. It is named like this because it reminds of the root of a molar tooth. The purpose was probably to contain perfume or essence.
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Ever happen to visit Qatar? This is a great museum, only opened in December 2008. It is how it should be: great displays, free of charge and free to take pictures anywhere. More info.
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A day in Dohatag:www.chavannes.nl,2011://4.28202011-09-19T21:43:12Z2011-09-19T21:44:28Z The new State Mosque at Al-Khuwair, big enough for 12.000 people. The sign in front of my new office. In the evening DCMF director Jan Keulen first has a presentation at a discussion program for TV about the Arab...Ole Chavanneschavannes.nl
The new State Mosque at Al-Khuwair, big enough for 12.000 people.
The sign in front of my new office.
In the evening DCMF director Jan Keulen first has a presentation at a discussion program for TV about the Arab spring.
...and after that a discussion at Al Jazeera Arab about the protest today in Gaza against that detention of Al Jazeera journalist Samer Allawi by Israel. The show is watched by about 20 million people. ]]>
Impressions of Doha, the capital of Qatar. This is the Islamic Cultural Center.
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Chavannes.nl reactivated tag:www.chavannes.nl,2011://4.28212011-09-16T21:43:58Z2011-09-19T21:18:06ZAfter a long, long blog block, I'm starting it up again. Tomorrow I'll fly to Qatar to start working and prepare the emigration of my family in a month from now. I'll be working for the Doha Centre for Media...Ole Chavanneschavannes.nl
Doha Centre for Media Freedom. We'll be living and blogging in Doha for at least 6 months.]]>
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First snowtag:www.chavannes.nl,2010://4.23072010-11-27T08:01:25Z2010-11-27T08:09:17Z Will we get out today, or stay warm inside?...Ole Chavanneschavannes.nl
Will we get out today, or stay warm inside? ]]>
First snow of this winter - and below 0 C all day. The autumn forest suddenly becomes light.
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Bangkok impressions IItag:www.chavannes.nl,2010://4.22972010-11-19T03:33:20Z2011-09-16T21:37:30Z Fish2 in the supermarket. A goofy Akha woman we bumped into (Akha is a tribe from the North of Thailand). Every house and business has a spirit house here, even devilish Shell. There's lots of fish under the bridge...Ole Chavanneschavannes.nl
Fish2 in the supermarket.
A goofy Akha woman we bumped into (Akha is a tribe from the North of Thailand).
Every house and business has a spirit house here, even devilish Shell.
There's lots of fish under the bridge ...
Fried pork on sticky rice in a palm leave basket: delicious2!
A rainbow across this incredible ugly building: the robot building (our view from the apartment).
Religions hollow core...
Fly eating orchids.
Construction goes on day and night here.
Putih and me in a tuk tuk at night in Bangkok: thanks for the great holiday!]]>
Will this monk finally wake up as soon as you open the plastic?
Two weeks of holiday in Bangkok, with our friends Alyosha, Sarah and Kepler. Loulou's first far away trip. We love it. Some impressions to share.
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La Cité, the first metro station in Paris.
Olaf in front of the Notre Dame.
Louvre. Merci Olaf & Emma, merci Paris!]]>
In the middle of the gigantic 'Dubai Mall' is an incredible aquarium with huge sharks (2 years ago it started cracking 
Dubai is no. 4 of cities with at least 100 completed skyscrapers (150 meter / 40 floors and up), after Hong Kong, Tokyo and 
Personal peak of Dubai was meeting Victor: an old friend from the school days, who works in Shanghai now, but just 
Quicksand?]]>
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A traditional tower in Al Kohr in the January sun. It is around 30C now.
The Persian Gulf, although on this side of it, people prefer to call it Arabian Gulf.
The desert can be more colorful than one might expect. ]]>
The Doha Centre for Media Freedom launches its new Media Literacy program here, with the Junior Reporters, a team of
There are not only several heads of nations present, also lots of fun people.
This is were the event is taking place: the Qatar National Convention Centre. The construction was only finished two weeks ago
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser kicks off the 4th UN Alliance of Civilizations forum, held in Doha December 11-13. 
Lightscraper.
Abaya sunset.]]>
The Serdal Tower; we are about to take an option for a 2 bedroom appartment here, in the heart of 'Dohattan'.
Tomorrow I'll fly back to Holland, to pack stuff for two weeks - after that we'll come here with the whole family :-)]]>
Flooding in the desert: apparently a water pipe just broke.
Hello, anybody here to shop? ]]>
The soukh is the market area with lots of carpets, cafes and souvenirs.
We go 'house hunting': looking for a place to stay when we'll all move here next month. This is the zigzag building. 
This view is from the Pearl, a brand new island with beautiful, but pretty tacky apartments - and too expensive for our budget.
This beach is also artificial - but pretty busy, while it is at least 40C in the sun. The skyline is the business district of Doha, 
The architect M.I. Pei also designed the Louvre pyramid in Paris.
A molar flask from Egypt, from the 9th or 10th century. It is named like this because it reminds of the root of a molar tooth.
The sign in front of my new office.
In the evening DCMF director Jan Keulen first has a presentation at a discussion program for TV about the Arab spring.
...and after that a discussion at Al Jazeera Arab about the protest today in Gaza against that detention of 
Will we get out today, or stay warm inside? ]]>
A goofy Akha woman we bumped into (Akha is a tribe from the North of Thailand).
Every house and business has a spirit house here, even devilish Shell.
There's lots of fish under the bridge ...
Fried pork on sticky rice in a palm leave basket: delicious2!
A rainbow across this incredible ugly building: the robot building (our view from the apartment).
Religions hollow core...
Fly eating orchids.
Construction goes on day and night here.
Putih and me in a tuk tuk at night in Bangkok: thanks for the great holiday!]]>
