On the way

Some good friends drove us to the airport. Relaxing company makes a big difference to the feeling of the trip, and it is a great pleasure to have this service volunteered.
Once through the security line (always tension inducing for me as chattels are parsed, containered and retrieved) we were directed to the air NZ lounge, which Qatar shares with Etihad, China Southern and probably others too numerous to mention. Modestly comfortable, it does not have the purposeful bustle or extended comestibles of domestic Qantas Club, but what international business class lounge at Tullamarine does?
I am tempted to take a photo to start the illustrated travelogue, but what can one illustrate to hold interest in a grey room, cane armchairs with jungle green upholstery looking out on directly on the wet tarmac through a hedge of plants I think are called mother in law tongue, with ground traffic cruising by?

The transit terminal in Doha is a free standing two level building with a variety of guest facilities including children's games room. The main lounge is spacious with a very high staff to traveller ratio. Nothing except boarding time is self serve, including a variety of food and drink stations, toilet attendants, etc, so since there are no boarding calls and the place is mostly plush carpeted it is exceptionally quiet.
The decor is desert oasis at dusk (low light except for one large skylight) sand walls with real palms and tropical orchids. This seems to be part of the Qatar bid to trump other airlines, particularly at their hub where the State has an overwhelming infrastructure and staff cost advantage.
We continue to have a very positive view of all aspects of Qatar service delivery on and off plane.