My coming to Qatar was not planned. It arrived almost like a gift, wrapped in surprise, wisdom, and the dependable hands of 247 Travels.
I had been on my way to China when the ticket price appeared before me like a mountain. I did not even know when I shouted, “Why would I pay so much for a ticket?” That was when Tunji Adeyemi, the boss of 247 Travels, my brother of many decades, from our Idi-Oro neighbourhood days, calmly said, “Egbon, why don’t you go through Doha, Qatar, on your way back?”
I laughed. “My ticket is already too expensive, and you are adding more to it?”
He simply told me to calm down.
That was how he came back with a package that changed everything.
Through Discover Qatar, the true architects behind the experience, I was offered four days in Qatar, a five-star hotel, chauffeur-driven airport transfers, and a stopover that saved nearly 40 percent of the original ticket cost. It was one of those rare moments where value meets excellence so perfectly that you simply say, this is worth everything.
Discover Qatar did not just package a trip, they sold Qatar to me. And now, I am hooked.
On my return from China, I landed in Doha, and from the airport itself, Qatar began to speak a language of dignity. For business-class passengers, the arrival experience is elevated, a calm, lounge-like environment where one may relax, refresh, and ease through immigration.
I have travelled for nearly forty years, economy, business, first class, even private jets, but I had never seen an arrival welcome quite like this.
After immigration and customs, I saw my name being held by my driver. He was from Pakistan, and within minutes we were talking as though we had known each other for years. By the time I arrived at Hilton Doha, facing the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf, the welcome was warm, smooth, and deeply reassuring by a South African, Siphelele. The hotel itself, with its 309 rooms and suites, stood like a quiet sentinel by the sea, elegant, comfortable, and perfectly positioned.
Qatar surprised me.
Doha is clean, organised, and quietly sophisticated. The people are warm, and the city carries an interesting rhythm, one where you meet the world before you meet the locals. A global village in every sense, yet firmly rooted in its own identity. With a population of nearly 3.3 million people, only about 10 percent are Qataris, a fascinating demographic balance that gives the country its distinctly international character.
Moving around the city was a delight. The Uber drivers were exceptionally pleasant, courteous, conversational, and professional, and, quite refreshing, far more affordable than what one would typically experience in Europe or America. It made exploring the city easy, comfortable, and stress-free.
There is a Yoruba adage: “Irohin ko to afojuba, eni debe lole so”, no story compares to personal experience; only the one who has been there can truly speak of it. That saying came alive for me in Qatar.
Have you ever seen a road with air-conditioning?
While the temperature outside can rise into the 40s, certain parts of Doha offer cooled walkways where the air feels like 26 degrees or less. As you walk, there are crystal-like finishes beneath your feet, and an attention to detail that speaks of a nation determined to redefine comfort. There is something about Qatar, if you do not come here, you may not fully understand what I am trying to say.
I toured Doha, entered the desert, and witnessed one of nature’s rarest wonders, where the desert meets the ocean. Qatar is one of only three places in the world where this happens so dramatically, alongside Namibia and parts of Australia. In Qatar, sand dunes, some rising as high as 300 metres, roll endlessly until they meet the sea. It is breathtaking to behold, a meeting of elements so powerful and serene at the same time.
The dune ride was exhilarating, though I had to plead with my driver: “Please, take it easy, I am too old for this kind of enjoyment!”
Before heading into the dunes, the tyre pressure was reduced, and on returning to the road, it was restored, a small but fascinating ritual of desert travel.
My final tour guide, Haitem from Tunisia, was exceptional. A man who should easily be standing in a classroom teaching history, he carried within him a deep and rich knowledge of the Middle East and a specialist understanding of Qatar. Working with Qatar International Tours, he brought history to life with clarity and passion. I am certain that when I return, and I will, I will seek him out again and again.
The Doha Metro impressed me deeply, modern, spotless, beautifully designed, and fully air-conditioned. It reminded me, in comfort and ambition, of the Blue Line in Lagos.
For those who love shopping, Doha leaves nothing to chance. From luxury brands to familiar high-street names, everything is within reach. I could not help but notice the strong presence of British brands, Marks & Spencer and many others, giving parts of the city a familiar, almost London-like feel.
But Qatar is not just about comfort and commerce. It is also about culture, architecture, and vision.
The National Museum of Qatar is a masterpiece, bold, imaginative, and deeply rooted in the natural form of the desert rose.
The Museum of Islamic Art stands in quiet majesty by the waterfront, a timeless blend of history and modern design.
And then comes the night.
I have seen Paris at night. I have seen Dubai shimmer under artificial brilliance. But Doha at night is something else entirely, something magical. As the city settles, the lights rise. The glass towers glitter, the streets glow, and the entire skyline becomes a quiet symphony of illumination. It is not just beauty, it is presence.
When I took photographs of Dubai in 2002 for Ovation International Magazine, for what became one of its largest print runs, See Dubai and Die, I thought I had seen the peak of ambition. But standing in Doha today, I realise I had not seen anything yet.
According to Haitem, Qatar accelerated its development at a remarkable pace, achieving in 2022 what was originally envisioned for 2030. That level of focus, discipline, and execution is not accidental; it is intentional, and it shows in every corner of the country.
I am already planning to return, perhaps with the publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Basorun Dele Momodu, for another visual and narrative exploration of this remarkable nation.
Qatar is a beautiful and peaceful place, perfect for a honeymoon, a holiday, or simply a quiet escape to breathe, reflect, and rediscover inspiration after the intensity of work back home in Nigeria.
I will surely return, with my family, and with friends, not just to visit, but to truly experience it again.
Because truly, travelling is like reading a book.
The more you travel, the more pages you turn.
And the more pages you turn, the richer your understanding of the world becomes.
‘𝘿𝘼𝙔𝙊 𝘼𝘿𝙀𝘿𝘼𝙔𝙊 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩, 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧