Bur Zakreet

We had another fun weekend here in Doha!  On Friday, we headed out to Bur Zakreet.  It is in the opposite direction of the Inland Sea and was equally, if not more, beautiful.  Once again we turned off the road into the desert, but this time it wasn't full of sand dunes, but more of a rocky, scrub bushy, flat, sandy landscape.  No need to empty out half the air from the tires since the sand wasn't deep.

Off road we go!

These are more like hard rock formations that are for some reason flat across the top.

Switching drivers

The kids got another opportunity to drive the cars and then we came upon a beautiful oasis.  Right in the middle of the desert is a patch of green plants, palm trees, water, and a dwelling (not sure if someone actually lives here or not).

There is an area off to the left that I missed in the pictures that was green and full of grass, bushes and more palm trees with a little water in it.  

We then went to what Tony, our neighbor who we were following, said was a film set.  It looked like a place that people could camp in individual coves with little fire pyres around.  Very interesting.

After a little more driving around the desert, we stopped at our own private beach on the Arabian Gulf. The land opposite us is an island that belongs to Bahrain.  We had a fantastic time lounging in the water and grilling hamburgers.  The kids loved exploring along the shoreline on all the rock formations.

Queen of the mountain!

Isn't she beautiful!

Fun in the super salty water

George and Chase

Lilly and Avery

Dancing to the music from the car

Our neighbor Esther (George's mom) and me.  I actually look tall in the picture don't I?  No worries, I haven't grown, just Esther is only 5 ft. tall.  

Bobby doing what he loves!

Sweet boys!

Fun at the beach is exhausting for little girls.  (they were totally faking!)

Annie and Natalie (they spent part of the day listening to music in the A/C in the truck because Annie forgot her "swimming costume"  (that is what they call bathing suit in the UK.  Hee Hee!))

Avery having some cool off time in the truck as well.

Time to drive out of the desert before dark.  It was a super fun and relaxing day!

On the way home, Bobby hit a huge pothole and popped his back tire.  We were able to put on the spare at the petrol station (gas station), but he spent all day yesterday trying to find someone who sells off road tires for his truck.  What a pain!  He finally found someone who had some in stock after calling or visiting about 19 places.  You would think off road tires would be everywhere in the desert when half the population drives Toyota Land Cruisers!

Some funny differences in things we say in America compared to what they say in the UK that we came across today and had a laugh about:
  AMERICAN                                          UK
Bathing suit                                            Swimming Costume
Dinner                                                    Tea - even though they don't necessarily drink tea then
Trash/Garbage                                        Rubbish
Trash can                                                Bin

I am sure there are so many more but this all that is coming to mind right now.  I will to continue to add them as I think of them because it is so fun to see how different even the english language can be.


Bobby and I were really missing tailgating for the LSU/Gator game and didn't even get to watch the game since it came on in the middle of the night here.  Big bummer!  We hope everyone there is cheering extra for us!