Going back to 1982 the place is now nothing like what it was.
The only large shop was The Centre. The site of the Sterling group (caravan corner) was desert. Anyone living outside the "C" ring road was considered to be living "in the sticks".
The last part of the road to Dukhan was black bitumen single carriageway and still exists to the north of the new road.
There was no road from the Sheraton to what is now the lagoon area. The only access was by 4 wheel drive.
Too many other changes to mention.