Al Zubarah Fort & Archaeological Site

Sometimes If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday! One of  Qatar's famous tourist attraction Al Zubarah is indeed a place worthy of searching for yesterday to get a glimpse of the rich culture and heritage of today's Qatar!

Read more and view exclusive gallery of Zubarah here

Qatar Turtle and Marine Watch!

Did you know that Turtles nest on various places around Qatar? Are you interested in knowing more about Turtles nesting and hatching and witnessing it? What about exploring the beautiful sea creatures of Qatar and much more! Read on to know more.......

Nudibranch in Qatar Waters

Neile Mcbride a resident of Qatar had a passion to share information regarding Turtle Nesting and Hatching in Qatar. In April 2014 he started a Facebook Group "Qatar Turtle Watch" so that people could share information about the amazing event of turtles nesting and hatching as well as get involved. Details about "Qatar Turtle Watch" can be found at www.rush360.qa

When Neil started the group the feedback he received was overwhelming and never thought it would be big as today. Qatar Tutrtle Watch Facebook group has 2400 plus members and more are joining and sharing information everyday. Neil says, "To be honest, I am happy there are so many people out there who share the same passion"

According to Neil, the type of turtles that are found in Qatar are Hawksbill Turtles. They nest on various sites around the peninsular, but the only one that public have access to is at Fuwairit beach The rest are beaches that form part of private company land.

Picture Courtesy of Entalek

 Find Fuwairit Beach Location at www.rush360.qa  pin your current location and set the radius to above 100KM (all this could be done by clicking the "Advanced Search" button just next to the Search Bar) then do an exact search for "Fuwairit Beach".

Fuwairit Beach

Directions and some tips by Neil with regard to Fuwairit Beach : " Fuwairit beach is very easy to find, simply head north on Al Shamal Road and exit at junction 79 (signposted Fuwairit). Follow the road to the end (just before a small village) and turn left. Travel for approx. 1km (its hard ground so no need for a 4x4) and you will see the car park. It is a good idea to park as far back, and on high ground, if possible as the car park does flood regularly".

So when do turtles nest and hatch at Fuwairit?

 "Turtles nest around May-July, and hatch for about a month or so at the end. The season may vary by a few weeks every year of course, but this is the general period. Luckily there are people who are kind enough to give us lots of information so we are able to pass this on and keep wasted journeys to a minimum. Its not an exact science of course, as nature never has, so we cant issue any guarantees I’m afraid" says Neil.

Qatar Turtle Watch is not limited to online only they do organize and arrange activities and field trips as well. This year they organised a beach clean up at Fuwairit, and helped people find the beach, so that many can witness the nesting and hatching. 

"Its so rewarding to see families and children on the beach and really enjoying themselves", says Neil and he continues,  "This year the wardens and marine biologists had things ready up there for the children. They had plastic trays for them to hold the newly hatched turtles in their hands….an experience I think they will remember for a long time to come. Maybe, in future years, we can expand this and include other activities? Who knows?!" 

 

We asked him what are the problems and harms that the turtles are exposed to over here, and this was his reply. "The biggest problem the turtles face, like all marine creatures, is from pollution. People can help by not leaving their litter on the beach when they use it. Plastic bags pose such a threat to turtles as they can mistake them for jellyfish and eat them. Imagine eating a plastic bag? 

Like we always say….

when you visit the beach please, take only photos and leave only footprints!

Isn't it great to have something like this in Qatar and a nice way to keep the inquisitive kids busy too during the hatching seasons.

Neil has also started a another Facebook Group "Qatar Marine Watch" as a way of expanding the activities of Qatar Turtlewatch to include all marine life. Details could be found at www.rush360.qa 

He started it with a view of replacing Turtlewatch, simply because the name limited their activities somewhat. Neil says, "Sadly, as we had already passed the 250 member mark, we could not simply change the name of Qatar Turtlewatch as the rules prevent it (although I am not a 100% sure why?), My original plan was for this to take over, but now we will run both at the same time so that we can reach a wider audience.

Neil has also started a website  so that they can reach out to people who are not on social media. If you are interested to know more and keep updated you can join the two groups too and yes, witness the next Turtle Hatching and Nesting!

The Rush360 Qatar team would like to thank Neil Mcbride for sharing all this wonderful information with us and we wish him all the best. Here are some Sea Creatures of Qatar that Northern Divers Qatar  happily shared with us! 

Mantis Shrimp

 

Singing Sand Dunes - Qatar

Have you heard of the Singing Dunes in Qatar? Have you been there?

Rush360 Team was there just for you!!! Exact Location can be found at www.rush360.qa  by searching for "Singing Sand Dunes"

Take Salwa Road, to go to Mesaieed
Take Exit 24
Turn at Khararah (follow the Rush360 Map as you get few turns marked "Kharaarah" and may get confused where to turn)
Keep going and you will see the Singing Dunes

SUV's are best to travel on, but since there are roadways non SUV's can travel too. Watch for little rocks at the foot of the dunes, so you've got to drive carefully, also at times sand is piled up across the road and you may get stuck just like us!!!

We had a bunch of fit boys (who were visiting the dunes) as saviours who pushed us through the sand. Its always better to go with a crowd as you will not find any help close by other than visitors. Keep some phone numbers handy to get help!

So  What are Singing Sand Dunes?

According to National Geographic "Scientist call it "singing sand," . As sand grains shuffle down the slopes of certain sand dunes, they produce a deep, groaning hum that reverberates for miles".

It still remains a mystery as to how they produce these hums and why different dunes sing different tunes. But the closest conclusion so far is supposed to be this

" ........ the scientists say that collisions between sand grains cause the motions of the grains to become synchronized. The outer layer of the dune vibrates like the cone of a loudspeaker. The particular note depends primarily on the size of the grains"
(New York Times)

The Singing Sand Dunes in Umm Said really sings and you experience the vibration as well. Having a skateboard makes it fun, but if you do not have one, anything would do. Even something like this....

If not just your footsteps can bring out the humming!

Be fit! You need all that strength to climb up to slide again!

What can you do at the Singing Dunes!

Imagination and Creativity is the limit! You can have a family picnic, (in summer it has to be an early morning one or a late night one) slide and slide and have fun, Read a book (a very quiet place indeed, no big noise except for the humming), watch the vast dunes and ponder the creation of the Creator, or you can simply fly a kite like this.....

And of course when you visit the Singing Dunes please do not litter!.. Littering is ugly!

A place not to be missed. Hot summer days are not ideal to visit though! Cooler months are great! Get out of the place before sunset and its pretty dark unless you are an experienced camper and you are ready to camp!

Marco Polo in the 13th Century said the singing sands  "at times fill the air with the sounds of all kinds of musical instruments, and also of drums and the clash of arms",

...... but we wonder what the Arabs had to say about the Singing Dunes and may be they would have discovered the humming many many years before Marco Polo!

Anyone knows anything???!