By Alanna Alexander
Plan to be in Qatar over New Year’s? There are a host of things to do for everyone. Here are four ways to ring in 2013:
1) Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2013, Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex : Tennis greats David Ferrer, Gael Monfils and a host of other top players will be playing in this popular men’s tournament from Dec. 31 through Jan. 5.
Rafael Nadal, who was injured six months ago, canceled his comeback in Abu Dhabi this week due to a stomach infection, but is still slated to play here. Tickets are available at Lagoona, City Center, Landmark, and the Khalifa tennis complex. Live matches can be seen on Al Jazeera Sports Channels. More information at Qatar Tennis Federation here.
UPDATE: Shortly after this post went live, Nadal announced that he was also withdrawing from the Qatar tournament and the Australian open that will be held next month.
“I always said that my return to competition will be when I am in the right conditions to play and after all this time away from the courts I rather not accelerate the comeback and prefer to do things well,” Nadal said in the statement, according to Bloomberg. Sorry all!
Hotel buffet + live entertainment: Eat and party the night away at one of Qatar’s many five-star hotels. The W is offering Jazz at the Spice Market; Radisson Blu has a back to the future themed party where guests should dress in ’60s and ’70s gear; the Grand Hyatt Doha has an outdoor New Year’s under the stars event; and the Movenpik Hotel Doha has a countdown at Seasons restaurant. Find more details on hotel events here and here.
Nature trip to Purple Island:
If your resolution for 2013 is to be more adventurous, consider taking a short trip just outside of West Bay to an island consisting of uncommon vegetation and mangrove forests harboring fish, shellfish and a wide variety of birds. The Wahyu family has all the details and beautiful photos on their blog.
Shop till you drop at the Doha Technological Trade Fair, Doha Exhibition Centre: Once 2013 begins, Qatar will open its biggest shopping event of the year. The annual fair, which is technology-themed this year, will include 570 exhibitors from 29 countries from Jan. 1 to Jan. 10 and offer the usual wide range of products from housewares to clothing.
In addition to entertainment shows, organizers say they will provide GPS navigation charts to locate stalls and service porters to make shopping easier. Doors will open from 10 am to 10 pm every day. More information here.
What are your plans/suggestions for New Year’s?
Credit: Top photo by xymonau; Second photo courtesy of Wahyu family blog
