One of the great things about living in Qatar and life as an expat is that you are able to try many different activities, some that you may never have been able to do in your own country for a variety of different reasons. For me one of my dreams has always been to take afternoon tea at the Ritz. I am at heart a bit of a traditionalist and I have always liked the idea of Tea and cake, as it always feels naughty. I am always on a diet or having to watch my calories and fat content.

This year I decided to celebrate my Birthday in style with some close girl friends of mine and have a girly afternoon at the Ritz having afternoon tea. Two of my closest friends were Canadian and the tradition and Customs surrounding Afternoon Tea amazed them. I explained to them the traditions and history of afternoon tea and that Tea in the eighteenth century was worth more than gold and was kept under lock and key hence the creation of the Tea Cady.

Historically afternoon tea was introduced to England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year eighteen forty. The Duchess as legend has it would become hungry around four o' clock in the afternoon. The evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at eight o' clock, thus leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. The Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.

This pause for tea became a fashionable social event in which the whole of England indulged. During the eighteen eighties the upper class and society women were changing into long gowns, gloves and hats for their afternoon teas. The afternoon tea was usually served in the drawing room between four and five o' clock, and provided the host the opportunity to show off her good taste and refinement.

Today the proper afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches, scones, served with clotted cream, strawberry jam. Cakes and pastries are also served. Tea grown in India or Ceylon is usually poured from silver teapots into delicate bone china cups. It was also customary to have nice linen, flowers, soft music and fine china.

I explained to my Canadian friends that there is a difference between Afternoon Tea and High Tea, which was served around six o'clock and is in reality a hearty evening meal. It was started in England as a ploughman's or working mans supper of strong tea served with ham, roast beef, leg of lamb, bread and butter, pastries, custard and cakes.

The Ritz Carlton is situated in the West Bay area of Doha perched on the seashore overlooking on its west side a vivid turquoise blue lagoon. Its huge tower has become a landmark in Doha. Inside the marble foyer is an atmosphere of unpretentious elegance and refinement. Here the waiting staff makes everybody feel as if they are kings and Queens there is no distinction. The service is off the highest quality and your every wish that is humanly possible is attended to without any complaint.
Afternoon Teas is normally served in the foyer, however I had asked for it to be served by the blue lagoon as I felt this would be much nicer. The staff made this possible without complaint.

We all arrived in good time and were ushered down to the Blue Lagoon where a beautiful table was waiting for us. Laid with the finest, crispy white linen, festooned with garlands of flowers in the most delicate almond sugar colors. Set of with Wedgwood bone china and silver cutlery. As we sat down the waiting staff stepped forward with huge starched napkins to automatically lay on our laps. They had a huge selection of teas and specialty teas with which we could order from. I had Rose Puchon my favorite and the rest of my friends took their pleasure over the three tiered cake stand that emerged from nowhere piled high with delicate mouth size sandwiches of salmon and dill, of cream cheese and cappers and off course the ubiquitous cucumber sandwiches. My favorite was the next tier, which contained scones, strawberry jam with clotted cream. I was in heaven. Looking over at my friends they were in ecstasy. The Tea seemed unlimited and the conversation became more jovial as it flowed.

From the back off the room the Head Waiter came out with a huge Birthday cake with sparklers singing Happy Birthday to me everybody from Qatari's to my friends were singing along. It was great it was one of my happiest birthdays, as my parents did not like celebrating Birthdays it was the first cake I had since I was ten.

Afternoon tea took us four hours to complete and it was so much fun. Tea can be inspirational it was a time for all us girlies to sit back, relax, and take a few moments to bond and to have fun. I would like to say thank you to all the staff at the Ritz Carlton for making my day not only special but also memorable. And life here in Qatar is just magical all for just fifty Qatari riyals(about nine pounds) what good value.