Banana Island - An experience for keeps~
1:05 PM
In just half-an-hour-or-less away from the coasts of the mainland city of Doha, lies a hidden paradise in the middle of the Arabian Gulf that was only visited before by sea-dwelling birds and marine animals. The name “Banana Island” was derived from the fruit that is similar to the shape of island. Even though it’s just a neophyte to the business, opened its doors to the public a year ago, it is now one of the benchmarks of hospitality service not just in Qatar but in the whole Gulf.
Me and my friends were only brainstorming last Thursday morning about how to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, just wanna breathe some fresh air and enjoy the weekend in an unusual way. We searched some travel blogs and sites and voila, we decided to have brunch at Azraq Restaurant, one of the high-end restaurant in Banana Island. So we grab this opportunity to treat ourselves once in a while at this ravishing island and for us to explore the things that the island has to offer. Best time for me to do a photowalk, just some of the stuffs that caught my eyes. So let’s cut this crap and allow the photos do the talking, shall we?
How to get there:
● You have to contact them first for the confirmation of availability and about reservation formalities before jumping on a boat ferry heading to the island. In our case, we contacted Azraq Restaurant for a table reservation. (Thankfully, a compatriot of mine answered it and explained the procedures well)
● Head to the Al Shuyoukh Terminal in the Doha Corniche (opposite Souq Waqif), approach the receptionist and tell that you have a confirmed reservation. She/He will print and hand over your boarding passes. Last time I checked, the boat ferries leaves the terminal every hour, so make sure to arrive in the vicinity few minutes earlier to the departure time. The travel time will take like 20 minutes to half an hour, depends on the roughness of the sea.
● Proceed to the reception of the Banana Island (the edifice in the uppermost photo) and ask the receptionists for the directions. The receptionists gave us a warm welcome as they greeted us ‘As-salamu alaykum’ (Peace be upon you) and led us to where the restaurant is located.
Just my two cents:
Banana Island deserves its stature right now as one of the topnotch getaway destination in the region. The architecture of the place is indeed ravishing, reminds me of Maldives and the upscale escapades in the Pacific Islands. Even though the island is maybe not as striking as we have in the Philippines, what matters most is the quality of service they’ve offered during our stay. Azraq Restaurant raised my standards in hunting a deluxe food sanctuary. They gave us a wonderful gourmet experience, as well as delighting us in their ravishing interior design, as well as the magnificent Doha skyline backdrop in their al fresco dining that is indeed memorable. I am looking forward to visit the island again in due time, and when I came back, I expect to see a myriad of positive progress and growth.
Shukran, Banana Island! ♥
*Not a sponsored post
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