Muhammad: Sorry to be so difficult.....it's just that because I want to live there as opposed to just visit for a holiday I figured that the best way to approach this was to not just do the normal tourist activities. Big thanks for your suggestions....I've just Google'd souq Waqif & Katara and have found some new websites to read through. So again thanks.

Zafirah: Thanks for your hotel recommendation but to be honest it's a little upmarket for what I'm after. Found one that according to tripadvisor is clean and welcoming and that works out roughly 300QAR per night. Like I say, not after 5* treatment on this trip. Everyone falls in love with holiday destinations when treated like a prince :) I'm needing to get a realistic view on the place.