How time flies, it was not long ago when I wrote about my life journey in London, then all of the sudden I'm back in Doha, to start off yet another journey here, maybe it's a second chance to something, I'm not quite sure. Berserah.. I strongly believe, everything happen for a reason, just like when we decided to leave Doha for London last time, many said we were stupid.. but we did it anyway and berserah... Then, when we came back to Doha, some people asked me why I ever left London, giving up on my career, when everything seems so right and smooth... and yet.. here I am, throwing all of that, for Doha, which some regards as the boringest place ever. Well, truth is, Doha felt more homely to us, and it is still safe to bring up a family here; as she's still in the middle; not-yet-too-developed, but not-that-under-developed either; the just right era. We always knew we'd come back, but we didn't want to come back when Doha is already in Dubai-level, so now is just the right time. Oh, well.. I don't want to elaborate more.. I guess, 'the grass will always seem greener on the other side of the road'. .. kami hanya berserah..
Anyway, I'm thankful to be back again, although it's hard to adjust from work-minded to domestic-goddess, I'm sure it'll get better, Insyaallah.
When I was in London, I always thought about my life in Doha, and regretted the fact that I didn't quite take the opportunity to explore it's neighbouring country. But last time, It was quite impossible to get a transit visa from Saudi (yes, no matter where we wanna go by road, we hafta go through the Saudi border, so it is quite an annoying process). Just because of our sponsor, we'd get rejected for any Saudi visa (I guess due to some politics issue), but thank god they've put that behind now, so now we can freely request for a transit, or umrah or hajj visa; just like others. With the so-called second chance of life here, we begin to potrays another set of travel journal, and our first pick is to go by road from Doha-Dubai-Muscat-Nizwa-Abu Dhabi-Doha. Insyaallah kalau ade rezeki, lain kali nak dikembangkan ke arah Mekah and beyond..
So here goes, our story of the journey, might not be new to some, but still, a story told by others are always worth a listen...(or in this case, a read ;)
Day 1: Doha-Abu Dhabi-Dubai (9th Dec 2009)
At 06:00am we are all ready to make our move to the Qatar-Saudi border, Bu Samra. I think it is still eid holiday to some, so, not that heavy traffic ahead. We reached Bu Samra at 07:34am, blurred and pointless. This is the most unprepared trip that I ever planned. Because, 1) I didn't quite think we'll get the transit visa ready within 3 days after the embassy open from eid's holiday and 2) Our original plan was to go on the 6th, so bile dah delay, the feel pun dah agak lari. Tapi alhamdulillah, sume berjalan lancar, on Qatar's side of border, the process is quite simple, drive through all the way from one immigration booth to the other.
On Saudi's side of border, we passed through 5 checkpoint; Before the first point, we stopped at the side, there's a small booth for ladies untuk ambik gambar and finger print, same for guys. Then off to the checkpoint, drive through all the way. On the 3rd checkpoint, they did car inspection then, on the next one, we have to buy car insurance for Saudi; 70 Riyal for a week and 100 Riyal for 2 weeks. So, if your entire trip is more than a week, it is much better to take the 2 weeks (it is counted from the day you enter Saudi and remain valid for the number of days irregardless if you exit & re-enter). Then on the last checkpoint, they'd check on all the papers, passport, then we are good to go! And time is already 8am.
At 10am, we reached the Saudi/UAE border.
At the UAE border, we fill up some form, then went for eye scan. Make sure to get your details entered to the system with a stamped paper (on the same building) coz we missed that one stamp, and asked to turn back for it. After that we just drove through for passport stamp and car inspection. Then, on the left, there are some insurance booths, where we need to buy UAE side of insurance, cost AED100 for 10 days (the bare minimum). Settled, went to the last checkpoint, then khalas... so, officially entered UAE at 11:22am.
Anyway, I'm thankful to be back again, although it's hard to adjust from work-minded to domestic-goddess, I'm sure it'll get better, Insyaallah.
When I was in London, I always thought about my life in Doha, and regretted the fact that I didn't quite take the opportunity to explore it's neighbouring country. But last time, It was quite impossible to get a transit visa from Saudi (yes, no matter where we wanna go by road, we hafta go through the Saudi border, so it is quite an annoying process). Just because of our sponsor, we'd get rejected for any Saudi visa (I guess due to some politics issue), but thank god they've put that behind now, so now we can freely request for a transit, or umrah or hajj visa; just like others. With the so-called second chance of life here, we begin to potrays another set of travel journal, and our first pick is to go by road from Doha-Dubai-Muscat-Nizwa-Abu Dhabi-Doha. Insyaallah kalau ade rezeki, lain kali nak dikembangkan ke arah Mekah and beyond..
So here goes, our story of the journey, might not be new to some, but still, a story told by others are always worth a listen...(or in this case, a read ;)
Day 1: Doha-Abu Dhabi-Dubai (9th Dec 2009)
At 06:00am we are all ready to make our move to the Qatar-Saudi border, Bu Samra. I think it is still eid holiday to some, so, not that heavy traffic ahead. We reached Bu Samra at 07:34am, blurred and pointless. This is the most unprepared trip that I ever planned. Because, 1) I didn't quite think we'll get the transit visa ready within 3 days after the embassy open from eid's holiday and 2) Our original plan was to go on the 6th, so bile dah delay, the feel pun dah agak lari. Tapi alhamdulillah, sume berjalan lancar, on Qatar's side of border, the process is quite simple, drive through all the way from one immigration booth to the other.
On Saudi's side of border, we passed through 5 checkpoint; Before the first point, we stopped at the side, there's a small booth for ladies untuk ambik gambar and finger print, same for guys. Then off to the checkpoint, drive through all the way. On the 3rd checkpoint, they did car inspection then, on the next one, we have to buy car insurance for Saudi; 70 Riyal for a week and 100 Riyal for 2 weeks. So, if your entire trip is more than a week, it is much better to take the 2 weeks (it is counted from the day you enter Saudi and remain valid for the number of days irregardless if you exit & re-enter). Then on the last checkpoint, they'd check on all the papers, passport, then we are good to go! And time is already 8am.
At 10am, we reached the Saudi/UAE border.
At the UAE border, we fill up some form, then went for eye scan. Make sure to get your details entered to the system with a stamped paper (on the same building) coz we missed that one stamp, and asked to turn back for it. After that we just drove through for passport stamp and car inspection. Then, on the left, there are some insurance booths, where we need to buy UAE side of insurance, cost AED100 for 10 days (the bare minimum). Settled, went to the last checkpoint, then khalas... so, officially entered UAE at 11:22am.The first plan is to drive straight to Dubai, but since our host is still at the office, we figured, why not go and jalan-jalan until she's home, so melenconglah kami ke Sheikh Zayed Mosque @Abu Dhabi, that we reached at 4pm! Sempat solat jamak ;)
The magnificient Grand Mosque: Although I'm all covered, still need to wear abaya for touring inside!
After 750km, and 13 & half hours later, we arrived in Dubai (at 7:30pm .. journey time includes breaks , blurred and all). Oh, before entering Dubai, you gotta buy that SALIK tag thingy, for your automatic-toll deduction. You can buy it from any of the pump station nearing Dubai; starting cost of AED100, which annoyingly need to be activated by calling their NOT-toll-free-number (so the typical big city must-charge-em-all-bla-bla-bla).
Luckily, when we arrived Dubai, the kind host; Miss ZowwoBowwo provided such an excellent room for us, a comfy knockout for the nite after the very long drive.
To be continue..
Oh yeah.. to get all the extra details on coordinates and everything, please visit http://wahyuinqatar.wordpress.com - our major guide, thank you Pak Wahyu!
2 comments:
Hi yeen!
Syoknye bley buat road trip...yeah, u shud not miss the chance while u r there...bape lame lagi ko kat sane?
just wondering, if ppl like us from msia want to join u guys for the road trip..senang ke process nak dptkan all the travelling doc?
take care!kiss myra for me:)
Hi Farah,
kalau nak travel dr qatar I dah check, utk org yang takde permenant resident kat Qatar, die boleh go through Saudi (visa transit) one way only, except kalau nak buat umrah baru die allow both way. So, meaning, another way to balik Qatar nak kne fly..
Yang leceh tu part Saudi jer, sebab kne dptkan visa transit before the trip, UAE, Qatar, Oman you can get the visa upon arrival. Senang..
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