the airport in Doha

for years our preferred route for travel from europe to asia has involved a transit stop to change flights in Doha. typically a transit is something that must be endured, hopefully with as short a stop as possible. however the recent expansion and renovation at Hamad International Airport has made changing planes such a pleasant experience that we eagerly look forward to it. and the time there flies because we are having fun. the centerpiece of the spacious expansion is the impressive indoor garden.

while the garden is on the ground floor, the winding footbridge on the second floor level passes through the huge garden offers splendid views.

the domed roof is high above the garden

so there is plenty of air and room for the trees to grow

the second floor perimeter of the garden is where many of the high end shops are located, connected with passageways above the garden

the latest in exclusive fashion is displayed

but i am more interested in the gold jewelry shops, featuring fabulous handicrafts of top rated goldsmiths but also the famous Swiss PAMPs with up to 1kg bars

typical busy and noisy areas are nowhere to be seen while scenes like these are not something normally associated with airports

though the recorded bird song can seem a bit over the top

eventually we had to think about making our way to the gate and needed to go to the top floor to catch the train. on the way there there's a nice overlook to garden with its curved footbridge

disembarking the train in the older section near our gate

we overlook the ground floor gate level as well as the second floor and third floor shopping and lounge perimeters but still with the airy open feeling

and the huge ever-present often playful works of art but by now, we are more concerned that we have a flight to catch. it is afterall all an airport though a very unique one