National Day

Today is Qatar National Day, a public holiday that marks the historic date in 1878 when the tribes of the peninsula were unified and creating the concept of the Qatari people.

The parade along the Corniche started at 8am, with the 'audience' to be in place by 7am. So despite it being my day off it meant another very early rise.

Despite some initial troubles getting to the Corniche (security was adamant that it was an event for 'families' only - basically no expats or foreign workers), we eventually found a decent spot and waited an hour for it to kick off.

A true demonstration of Qatar's pride and power as a host of traditional and modern militiary and public services were paraded along the Corniche. Finishing off with some aerial arobatics from the Air Force and a fly over by a couple of bombers.

Now back to the apartment for an afternoon nap before heading back out for fireworks tonight and then to the airport to fly home for Christmas! :)