Muscat

Went to Muscat for a business trip for 2 days. Initially I thought it was a superb opportunity for me to travel for free.

Huge mistake.

We (The Boss and I) took a flight at 6 am. Reached Muscat at 9. Then we were picked up from the Muscat International Airport by the project manager and walked to the site which was just next to the airport. Had our workshop until 6. Took a taxi to the hotel that was in the middle of nowhere, with no shopping malls or any touristy shops in sight.

We were forced to dine in the lousy hotel restaurant. After dinner, the Boss decided to go to the roof top bar and had a decent beer before going to bed. I went along and realised later that the bar was filled with "working ladies". Amazingly enough the majority of them were Chinese. It made me wonder, what brought them to this small town in the Middle East, to work in such a secluded bar? Sigh.

Went to bed straight away after the beer and woke up at 7, checked out from the hotel after breakfast. Carried on with the workshop from 8 to 6. Then walked to the airport from site and took our plane back home.

The only highlight of the trip was the shopping at Dubai Duty Free shop. Finally managed to smuggle some red, white, champagne and beer into my flat. (Note: I didn't apply for alcohol license; in Dubai, you need to get an alcohol license before buying any alcoholic beverages, not consuming though.)

These are the few Muscat pics I managed to take on our way to the airport after the 2 days workshop.