Beijing Trip Day 4

164 days in Shanghai (10/02/08)

Woke up to pack our things and by the time we were ready, it was 10.30am already. Left our luggage at the lobby and went to 天坛, the temple where the emperor prays。

There was a performance today and as usual, it was some boring Chinese Act. Had a 2^nd look at the place and I became the tour guide for the day.

Reading the guide book and recalling what the tour guide told me the last time I was here, I gave the rest a very fast tour.

After that, it was to Silk Street, a place that is similar to Qipu Rd in Shanghai. Did some shopping there, bought some wallets and bags and the guys were to bored to continue shopping.

Went to Wang Fu Jing again as Jie Ying wants to get Fu Ling Bing for her family and her Shanghai’s colleagues. Slacked at this drink store while waiting for Jia Wei’s friend to come.

Wanted to go back to the hotel, get our luggage and head off to eat steamboat but as time restricted, we went to one of the restaurant opposite the apartment and settled dinner there.

All the food came quite slowly and when it was 6.10pm, we thought that one of our dishes is not here yet and decided to cancel the order. Then we realized that we didn’t even order that dish cox we ordered another one instead. ARGH!!! Stupid!!

Headed off to the airport, checked in and all of us got super separated seats.

Reached back Shanghai and back home.

Oh, today is the 4^th day of Chinese New Year and there are still a lot of people playing with fire works and fire crackers.

Esp when it was near 12am, when the chinese have the saying that during the 5^th day of Chinese New Year, it is the time to lure the god of fortune out, there were a lot of fire works and fire crackers around and the whole area is damn noisy. Fire works are very nice but fire crackers are just plain irritating.

And I guess I have seen too much fire works that I won’t feel so ‘WOW’ anymore when I see it in Singapore the next time.

Beijing Trip Day 3

163 days in Shanghai (12/02/08)

Woke up at 7.30am to get ready to meet our driver at 8.45am and all of us started slacking until about 8.20am, when Jie Ying on HP and realized that the driver actually messaged her informing us the change of time (meet @ 8.30am, the timing Yu Hong requested the previous day but the driver said that he couldn’t make it at first)

All of us started rushing, changing our clothes (winter time so we have got a lot of layers to wear), preparing to go out.

Set off to the Great Wall of China and we went to 幕天玉, one of the more famous tourist sites of the Great Walll.

Had a 1½ hour car ride there and we bought students tickets =)

Took the cable car up and started with the Great Wall Climb. The scenery is so much nicer then the one I went to last year and the weather was just so right. Clear sunny blue sky. Just the weather for outdoor activities,.

Took lots of dangerous photos where we started to climb on the walls to take nicer shots, standing at dangerous spots just to get a nicer view and etc.

By the time we finished out Great Wall hike and crazy photographings, it was near to 2.30pm already. Had a quick lunch at the foot of the Great Wall (just a bowl full of noodles when it is supposed to be minced meat noodles) and headed off to Summer Palace, 颐和园.

Took us another hour to reach there, bought our tickets and this time, there were a lot of tour guides asking us if we want them to explain the history and etc to us.

When we were at the entrance, the fee of the tour guide was RMB 30per person and we rejected all of them. Then when we went in, the tour guide rate drops to RMB50 for the group and we bargained till RMB20 for the group.

So, this lady guide started bringing us around Summer Palace, telling us some of the history about the place and I am so not interested in it.

Walked to this Kun Ning Lake, which takes up almost half of Summer Palace and the entire lake was frozen. A lot of people were walking on the ice and when we want to go to the lake and play, the lady guide didn’t want to allow us as she wants to finish off her guide as soon as possible.

And as all of us weren’t very interested in what she was saying, the tour ended shortly and we heading off to the frozen lake.

We were supposed to walk straight to the entrance that we came from but Yu Hong want to take a look at the bridge right opposite the entrance. So, all of us headed there and by that time, it was near 6pm and the sky was dark and no one else was on the lake except the four of us.

And since it was freezing cold, both jie Ying and I can’t wait to get out of that icy lake. Searched for the stairs back up to the pathway but couldn’t find any and by that time, there were totally no one in the lake and people are starting to shout for us to get out.

Saw this small little platform and the only way that link up to the platform was a pile of ices; not sure if they were stable a not but confirm they are slippery.

Yu Hong tried climbing up first but got stuck halfway. Lucky there were this few people that walked past and offered to help us. They pulled Yu Hong up to the platform and went off as he said tat we can settle on our own.

So, I was the next to climb and that piece of ice was sure slippery. I almost slipped and fall into the crazily cold lake.

Before I can even get myself ready and stabilized myself, Yu Hong and Jia Wei kept on pushing me and all the energy I have was to start laughing and grab on to Yu Hong’s leg like a tree trunk.

Not long later, all of us managed to climb up to the platform. Called the driver and asked him to drive us to紫玉饭店 for dinner. Angeline and Kelvin strongly recommended us to this place to try out their Beijing Duck.

Jia Wei’s friend joined us and when it was only supposed to be one of them, it turned out to be 4 of them joining us.

So the table turns out that we became the minority like from they join us for dinner, it has became we join them for dinner -_-.

After diner, it was back to the hotel to slack and we went out again to 天安门for some night shots.

Spend some time along the streets taking photos and we ended up in Wang Fu Jing’s MacDonald’s again.

Then there was this 2 young boys that started talking to us asking where are we from and etc. Guess they are from some orphanage and the care taker brought them out for dinner. Yea, it was late at night and they brought 2 10 years old boys out for super.

These boys are quite cute and it seems that they have a sad family background. Chatted with them for a while before heading back home to rest.

Beijing Trip Day 2

162 days in Shanghai (8/02/08)

Woke up at 6.30am to get ready to leave the house at 9am but in the end, we slacked till 9.30am before heading off to the Forbidden City,故宫.

Reached there and thought that since it was the 2^nd day of Chinese New Year, there shouldn’t be many people there but who knows, there were more people then usual I guess; at least more people compared to the last time I was there.

Spend the whole morning exploring around and took lots of photo. Everyone there told us that when you are in the Forbidden City, 70% of the time should be listening to the history and 30% seeing the palace.

But we were there 100% viewing the palace and taking photos =)

After Forbidden City, we walked all the way to 王府井 for lunch at Macdonald’s. Wanted to go to the Beijing Zoo to see Panda after lunch but since it was 3pm by then and the Zoo closes at 5pm, we decided to go to the Olympic Stadium to look at the ‘鸟朝’ and Swimming Pool，水地方.

And unknowingly, we took a 黑车there which cost us RMB90 (when I think it should cost us less then RMB30 -_-)

The Olympic Stadium was near one of the expressway and since it is still not open to the public, there were a lot of people along the expressway taking photos of the stadium.

The whole stadium was fenced up and no one is supposed to enter. And from what Yu Hong knows, the swimming pool is actually opened to the public already.

So being not satisfied of being cheated by the driver and not able to enter the stadium, Yu Hong finds all ways and means to enter it

He tried to unwire the fence but they were too tight then Jia Wei found this fence with just one truck tyre blocking it (remove the tyre and there will be a hole to get into the stadium).

They pushed the tyre away then all of us went in. A lot of passengers saw us and followed us into the stadium.

Walked down towards the swimming pool and realized that there is actually another fence that restricts people from entering. And this time, the fences are connected (like those fence that surround schools) and Yu Hong wanted to use a ladder to climb into the swimming pool.

Walked around and after figuring, we decided to lift up the bottom part of the fence upwards so that there will be a small space for us to crawl in. After hesitating and looking out for security guards, all of us entered the swimming pool boundary.. yea, after much climbing and crawling….

Wanted to enter the swimming pool and was stopped by this part time security guard. The whole conversation was like this

‘你们不可以进去里面’

‘为什么？我们看了新闻，他们说这里以经开放了。’

‘是吗？没有啊。他们骗你们的啦。’(with at smirk on the face)

‘骗我们？哪里可能啊？是新闻啊。 那里可能会骗人？’

‘可是你们真的不可以进去。新闻真的骗你们啦。’

‘我不管啦。外面好冷 我先进去了。’

‘真的不可以啦。你们是怎样进来的？’

‘走进来的啦。用脚走的 要不然爬进来的吗？’

‘是吗？可是你们不可以进啊。今天只有搞卫生的员工才可以进来。’

‘不管了。进去咯。外面好冷！’

Then we went into the swimming pool and we only managed to see one of the Olympic pools there. The part time security guard went in with us trying to stop us.

‘让我们拍一张照片就好了啦。’

‘不可以啦。快点走 你看那里还有很多报案。走啦走啦。’

‘好好好。我们就拍一张好了。你跟我们一起拍吧。’

‘不好不好。上面有摄影头。。。快拍就走吧。’

‘好的。一二三。Okie! Let’s go’

So in the end, the part time security guard had no choice but to take the photo with us too =) and we managed to see the pool too, although I think that is not the main swimming pool used.

Went out and we started to take a lot of photos. Even when the other security guards saw us, they didn’t bother about us. Maybe it’s because we are inside already and they thought that we are some staffs or media (coz of Yu Hong’s SLR camera).

Yu Hong said that we might be the fist Singaporean that took photos with the Olympic stadium =) cool huh!?!

Took plenty of photos then headed to 王府井 to try out this dumpling store that Denis recommended.

It was beside this church and the night scenery of that church is just damn. Look around the area and found a few dumpling stores there so we just went to one of it and yea.. the dumplings are good and cheap.

Sister called me and the entire family is at home eating steamboat, having their Chinese New Year gathering…

After dinner was back to the apartment and rest.

Beijing Trip Day 1

161 days in Shanghai (7/02/08)

I woke up at 5.30am to get ready for out Beijing trip. Leave the house by 7.45am and took a cab down to Pudong Airport.

Reached there an hour earlier, e-checked in and had KFC breakfast.

Went through the boarding gate and we have got to take a bus down to the airplane. It was quite cool cox it was my first time taking a bus before boarding a plane. Heard from Yu Hong normally budget airlines are all like that. Got to take a bus down to the aeroplane.

The moment I went on the plane and reached my seat, I went off to lala land; all of us were so damn tired cox we slept quite late the previous night.

And although it is only a 2 hour plane ride, Air China still served us breakfast. Their service is also quite good, much better then China Eastern =)

Reached Beijing, took a bus down to the terminal and get our luggage. Once we went out of the terminal, there was this driver that asked if we wanted a ride and we started bargaining the price from RMB160 to RMB100.

Was quite surprised that along the way to the apartment, there wasn’t any sight of snow. The driver told us that Beijing only snowed a few times this year and it was all those small ones. All the snow has already melted. =(

(Thought that the main purpose of coming to Beijing is to see snow.. and I get to see it in Shanghai rather then in Beijing…)

Reached the service apartment and realized that the place is actually quite near. We reached there in 30mins and wanted to bargain more with the driver. But Jia Wei just gave him RMB100 when we alighted.

Went to the check in at the counter and something happen that almost freaked me out. The counter got to photocopy our passports as reference and they asked me and Yu Hong why we didn’t have our passport stamp at the immigrant counter.

So, without the stamp that shows that we leave Shanghai and come to Beijing, it actually means that we are illegal immigrants to Beijing.

Then while I was thinking if the immigrant person actually stamped on my passport, Yu Hong said that within domestic flights, stamps are actually not required as we travelled to HangZhou, Suzhou and ZhouZhuang without the use of our passport. So we have got our 180 days visa on China is actually sufficient.

Only then I got relieved and the front desk person also agreed with it. Phew!

Reached the apartment and it has got a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms (one with a queen size bed, the other have got a single bed) and one bathroom. Snatched our rooms and slacked for the rest of the afternoon watching tv and sleeping.

Went out at about 5pm for dinner at this tofu restaurant (found in the map) and headed to 王府井 after that for night window shopping and night views. Tried out some of the road side food and ate mac ice cream in the –degree temperature out there.

We walked for awhile till about 9.15pm before taking a cab back to the apartment.

Tailor made clothes from Lu Jia Bang

144 days in Shanghai (21/01/08)

Today was supposed to be my off day but I guess it turned out to be my sick leave. Have been caught a flu for quite some time and hopefully it will recover before I go over to Beijing.

And today was the first time when Kim woke up earlier then me during our off day. Got dressed up and meet up with Joanne for lunch at the Japanese restaurant for the RMB30 set lunch.

Headed to Lu Jia Bang after that to collect Kim’s friend’s suits and make our own suits. Looked for the place her friend did her suit then searched for the place where Yee Hui made his and so coincidently, we saw Jie Ying and Chang Fang there. Who the hell say that Shanghai is BIG!!! This world is just so small man!!

Looked at the material and stuffs but we were so clueless of how to chose and what design we want. Started flipping through the magazines and ask for advice from the lady boss.

Got my design and had my measurements. Guess it’s going to be not bad. Black colour suit with pocket inside and red colour base inside. One suit with pants coz RMB380, S$76. Is it consider cheap???

Went to another stall to make shirts and I tailor make one short and a silky dark red shirt. Hopefully it will look nice =)

Done with our suits and Kim got to head back to the hotel for some briefing. When to KFC with Jie Ying and Chang Fang as they wanted to have dinner there before heading back home.

And after spending money in Lu Jia Bang today, I am officially broke for the month. Hopefully I will have enough money for my Beijing trip next month. Damn!!

Family is here in Shanghai =)

It has been super long since I last blog and I think I should just get my hands back on the keyboards again and continue typing before I get ready tired and abundant the whole blog.

So, this past 2 weeks has been quite busy for all of us, which include Kim, Joanne, Angela, Jie Ying and myself coz in this 2 weeks, either our family of friends are here to visit.

My parents and sis are back in Shanghai on the 21st December till 28th Dec and I took 4 days off to accompany them.

Met them my 113 day in Shanghai, 21st December to watch this acrobatic show and I have got to find my way there myself. I almost got myself lost and my sis came out to find me. =)

Wasn’t too bad a show but since I have seen my sis for almost 4 moths, we started chatting instead of watching the show. My mum told us to shut up for like more than 4 times.

So went back to the hotel, started chatting and went to bed.

Woke up the next day and it was the start of our own Shanghai tour.

So, instead of me bringing my parents and sis around Shanghai coz I have been here for 4 months and should know the place better, my dad was the one that brought us around (most of the attractions I mean, obviously I am the tour guide for all shopping areas =)).

Went to a few attractions like Zhou Zhuang, Shanghai Botanical Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Cheng Huang Miao, shopping areas like Nanjing road, Xu Jia Hui, Huai Hai rd, Qipu rd, and ate cuisines like Beijing Duck, Xiao long Bao, Sheng Jian Bao, Smelly Tofu and Shao Kao. Bought my sis to some night life places like B.A.T.S, Babyface and Muse.

114 day in Shanghai (22/12/07)

Woke up in the morning, had our breakfast in the hotel and headed to Luxun Park as my dad just doesn’t get bored over parks. Spend some time at the luxun museum reading his history and stuffs and we headed back to the hotel.

Packed up all our stuffs, bid goodbye to their tour mates and moved their luggage to Motel 168. By the time we reached the hotel, it was 2pm already and Motel 168 is having a blackout.

Brought them to eat Lan Zhou La Mian but I think my parents just cant get use to eating those kind of food. After lunch we walked to Oriental Pearl Tower as dad want to get tickets to see this Chinese olden days fashion show.

Went to Zhen Da to shop and ate dinner before heading back to the theatre to watch the show. The whole place looks quite nice and very new. After the show was to Huangpu Jiang to see the view of the bund.

115 day in Shanghai (23/12/07)

Woke up early as my dad wanted to go to Zhou Zhuang. Headed to Shanghai Stadium to catch the coach there and by the time we reached there, it was 9.50am already. I thought that the last coach has gone but lucky there was another coach at 10am and this time, we have got a tour guide with us.

Went there the 2nd time so nothing much to blog about it. Reached back Shanghai at abt 6pm and we went to Xu Jia Hui as dad wanted to eat at this restaurant ‘Ya Wang (Duck King)’

Went there the previous time I was here in Shanghai 2 years ago and it was quite nice so he deiced to have it again.

Shopped around there after dinner before heading back to the hotel. Brought sis to get a haircut and went back home to get some clothes. Stayed there for some time and sis bought some Shao Kao to eat on the way home.

116 day in Shanghai (24/12/07)

Headed off to Shanghai Botanical Garden in the morning, one of the kinds of places my dad loves.

That place is not comparable to Singapore Botanical Garden I must say. That place is so damn far away from the train station (30 mins walk) and the people over there actually said that it is very near and walkable. (Yes, I know it’s China and so the mindset of distance is definitely different.. but still.. -_-)

Reached there and we have got to pay RMB40 for the entrance fee. And I think because they have got a too big space there, they can’t be bothered to do maintenance to the whole place. The whole place is quite big and we have got to cover 4 different parts/places before my dad is willing to come out from there.

Not a very garden person so I didn’t really enjoy myself there but I have got to say that some of the sceneries are quite nice. Photos shows =)

After that I got to head back to the hotel to work for Christmas night, ‘Merry Christmas with Gigi Leung’ while they went to eat Jia Jia Tang Bao (very famous Xiao Long Bao shop in Shanghai). Waited for very long for this event as I so wanted to see Gigi leung in person haha. Saw her on stage and she sang 7 songs.

After the dinner, it was to B.A.T.S for Christmas party. Met up sister at the lobby and we went there tgt. The party wasn’t that fun as there wasn’t a lot of guest there and the whole ambience is quite dead.

Wanted to leave early and go to some other clubs but didn’t know how to tell Nick (the manager) that we wanted to go off. So in the end, they started counting down when we were half way going out to the exit. And we just like so stupidly standing in the center counting down.

Went to Babyface with Joanne and we have got to pay an entrance fee of RMB80. Lucky the music that day wasn’t that bad after all.

117 day in Shanghai (25/12/07)

Woke up at 10am to get ready and I went back home first to wash my clothes. Sis started cooking Maggie for lunch. Went out at 1pm, opened the letter box and realized that there is this parcel we have got to collect.

Look for the place and collected the item; it was a birthday present to Angela from some friends. After that, we took the train to Qipu rd and started out shopping trip. Sis bought 3 pairs of shoes and need her nails while I got Gina’s accessories.

After shopping, we met up with our parents for dinner at Nanjing rd in this restaurant. After dinner was shopping around Nanjing for a while before I bring them to 八佰伴area for some road-side shopping. Brought my parents to eat Shao kao for supper after shopping.

118 day in Shanghai (26/12/07)

Went to the Jade Buddha Temple in the morning and I thought that I will spend a few hours there but we ended up exploring that place in just an hour.

It wasn’t a very big temple but there was this particular room that placed the jade Buddha. It looks really beautiful but no photos can be taken there. One of the monk was cleaning the jade Buddha at that time and he was the only that can touch the Buddha. Inside that area, there were 2 more male workers cleaning and wiping the glass container that keeps the Buddha and both of them cannot touch the Buddha at all let alone females.

After that, we headed to the hotel for lunch at Yi Café for their buffet lunch. Yi Café is one of the famous buffet restaurant in Shanghai where it has it’s own buffet concept. There are a few different counters in the buffet restaurant; Western, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Dessert and pastry counter.

In each counter, they will have their own chef in the counter to explain their cuisines to the customer that’s why there isn’t any food tag on the counter.

It was quite weird eating at Yi Café as I saw a lot of managers that day and they will come forward and greet my parents. But well, I still enjoyed the lunch. And since it was my dad’s birthday, they gave us a birthday cake.

After lunch, I accompany Joanne for lunch while my parents and sis went to shop around Zhen Da. By the time we met up again, it was near 4pm already. We went to Xin Tian Di, Huai Hai rd and Cheng Huang Miao after that to look at the night sceneries.

We had dinner at this Chinese restaurant which is one of the best restaurants in China. If I am not wrong, a few president and big shots have gone there for a meal before.

Went back to eat Shao Kao again for supper before sis and I met up with Joanne to go to Maxim’s birthday party at Muse. Music was great that night =)

119 day in Shanghai (27/12/07)

We went to Cheng Huang Miao again in the morning to Yu Yuan, one of the famous gardens in Shanghai. Stayed there the whole morning and went for lunch in the same restaurant we had for dinner the previous day.

Shopped around there for a while and I found another warehouse place that sells all those accessories. Think I will be going there quite often to get more stuffs when I am going home. =)

After that, we went to Wu Jiang rd to eat all those road side food like Sheng Jian Bao, Smelly Tofu, Shao Kao, etc.

An incident happen on the way to Wu Jiang rd. From our hotel to Cheng Huang Miao, it cost only RMB14. When we took a cab from Cheng Huang Miao to Wu Jiang rd, which has almost the same distance as from the hotel to Cheng Huang Miao plus a bit of jam, it cost us RMB50. So obviously, that was a ‘black’ cab. Had quite a big quarrel with the cab driver and in the end, I just gave him RMB15.

Went to Raffles City as my dad want to eat some dessert then headed back to the hotel. Went to foot message with sis while dad went to eat Shao Kao.

120 day in Shanghai (28/12/07)

Today is the last day of the tour with my family. Woke up in the morning to pack our bags. After packing, I have got 3 bags of things to bring home. After that, we went to Huangpu Jiang to look at the scenery before going to Zhen Da for Dim Sum.

Went back to the hotel to check out and headed to Longyang Rd to take the maglev train. Reached there at 1.45pm and they have to check in their luggage already.

Walked around the airport for a while before I have got to bid them goodbye and they have got to board the plane and go back to Singapore.

Took the maglev train back to Longyang rd and went back home.

Photos to be uploaded in friendster and facebook =)

Hotel's Staff Outing

108 day in Shanghai (16/12/07)

The initial plan was to sleep for 2 hours before waking up at 5.30am to get ready for the hotel staff outing. But in the end, both Kim and I got up late and we got to rush out of the house.

Walked a few levels down the stairs and I realized that I should bring my employee card so I went back home, got Jie Ying’s house key, went into her house and get my card.

By that time, we thought that we were super later already and started running down the stairs.

The moment we reached the street, it was empty. Not a single car or taxi. The only vehicles we saw were a few buses passing by. Walked out to the main road at a very fast pace and the moment we saw a cab, we ran all the way to catch it.

It was like some morning exercise. Got quite hot when we reached the hotel when it was supposed to be freezing cold.

Got to find the coach we are boarding where they paste a ‘name list’ on the door. Went coach to coach to find our names and we finally found ours; Bus 1

Board the coach and waited for the rest of the staffs to arrive. While waiting for the other staffs to arrive, I realized that the hotel’s welfare is quite good.

Firstly, the hotel made an effort to come out with this outing for her staffs, and then there was a coffee and tea booth at the entrance for the staffs (it was freezing cold so I think by providing hot coffee and tea a a very good ides)

When all the staffs board the coach, breakfast will be distributed. Everyone will get to have a bun, a hard-boiled egg and yogurt in a plastic bag together with a bottle of water.

Journey started off and it takes us about 1½ hour to reach Ting Lin Yuan, some attraction in Suzhou.

Slept all the way, reached there and it was toilet break then team-building activity.

We were all told to gather at the field and put our bags at one corner. Thought that it was totally stupid to be involved in the activity so we decided to just carry our bag and not be involved.

But in the end, in order to get warm, we decided to just join in the activities. At least there is going to be some jumping and moving around.

Every one of us was distributed with scarf. They have got 4 different groups so each group will have a different color; Grey, blue, red and pink. Ours were dark blue.

And although the scarf was just to differentiate the different groups, I think the quality is quite good. (Another welfare from the hotel)

Played a few activities and it seems like we are back in primary school; rabbit dance (shall not explain), passing the hula hook using your head/body and finishing a race by jumping (jumping to the other end and the last person got to ran back, hit the palm of the next first person of the next row and the race continues)

Had some fun there because it has been ages since I last got involved in all this kind of activity: team building. It’s really like back to school days.

And well, at least we weren’t that cold after the activity.

Having some free time after that, we explored the garden, took some photos and started cam whoring.

Find our way back to the coach and the next stop was lunch.

Lunch was at one of the restaurant by Yu Chen Lake. All of us have got our own private room and both Kim and I were to seat with the reservation people (just nice 10 of us)

Cold dish was there already then came the prawns, some seafood with shell, vegetables, fish, egg, noodles, chicken soup and the most important item; hairy crab =)

That was the first time I tried hairy crab and have got no idea how to eat it. Rainbow, one of our colleague started teaching us how to eat the crab; differentiate between the male and female, the difference between them, how to peel the crab open, which part can or cannot eat, etc.

Started eating the crab and vinegar was the sauce to it. I ate the crab the way I eat it at home; peel the meat out, dip in the sauce, etc but the locals here don’t eat them the way I do.

They will dip the whole crab into the vinegar and suck the meat out. I tried doing that but nothing comes out of the shells.

We took a super long time to finish eating it and when we went out to wash our hands, all the other private rooms are not only empty, the dishes are more or less being cleared away already.
Which means all the other staffs have finished eating and went out like long time ago?!?!

After lunch, boarded the coach and we decided to go back out along the street to see what the locals are selling.

Chickens, crabs, eggs and vegetables are sold in almost every store there. We even saw one of the workers skinning off a chicken. Kim took a video down and I think it is totally disgusting.

Headed back to the hotel and it was another 2 hours sleeping time on the coach. Reached back Shanghai and since it was too cold to walk home, we took a cab home from the lobby.

Reached home at about 4.30pm and I started finding food the moment step into the house coz I wasn’t full at all during lunch.

Watched Prison Break until 11pm before heading off to bed.

Dinner @ Thai House

95th day in Shanghai (03/12/07)

I have got a whole list of events going on today.

Early in the morning, Both Kim and I went to the post office, as we wanted to post our multimedia project back to Singapore.

Reached there and the lady employee asked if we want the post to be fast (3 days) or slow (15days), and since Ms Ho said ASAP, we asked for the fast post.

Filled up the details on the envelope and pass the lady the envelope.

‘RMB 100++ thanks’

‘HUH!!! SO EXPENSIVE!?!?! Err.. how much is the slow post??’

‘RMB20++’

‘Er.. Does Ms Ho really need it that urgently??’

‘ASAP leh’

‘But expensive luh’

‘… Err, we want to change to the slow post can??’

‘Then why didn’t you say just now!!’

‘You didn’t tell us the price just now…’

How poor are we right?? Haha

Anyway, while the lady was changing the envelope (From those nice nice one to those super lok pok one -_- ), this 2 guys started shouting/talking very loudly in Shanghainese behind us.

And before we know, the 2 guys started fighting with each other and they actually bumped onto Kim and I.

We quickly dart to one side to watch the free show while waiting for the lady to finish packing our stuffs. And that stupid lady was actually watching the free show as well when we were already late for work.

Some of the security guards went to separate the 2 men and when one of the guys picked up his specs on the floor, there is a crack on the len. And I think we were the one that damage it while saving ourselves from the violet fight.

Cabbed to work and work was boring as usual.

The initial plan for the night was to go to People’s park for a walk before meeting Kelvin Tay, director of wine and the rest for dinner at 9pm at this Thai restaurant.

Last minute changes as he asked us to meet him at the F&B office instead so that he can bring us there.

Work ends at 6pm, which means that we have got 3 hours to spare before meeting up the rest. Went to the bank to see if our pay is in, and since we have got our pay, it is time to spend some $$$. Haha

Wanted to shop in H&M but since it has been a super long time since we took neo print and Kim got the urge to, we headed to the neo print shop.

Spend some time there and I think the service was quite good (maybe because there wasn’t any customers there). They given gave each of us a ‘cute’ pen as Christmas gift.

It was only 8pm after wasting so much time here and there and we decided to go for manicure =) My nails has been super ugly/dirty every since I took out my fake nails last month.

Service there was good as well and it cost me only RMB78 to have my nails done (including all the shaping, buffing, moisturizing, removing dead skin, nail colour, etc..). Kim did french manicure that cost her RMB 98 only.

By the time we finish doing our nail, it was near 9pm already. Went to F&B office and duh, got to wait for the rest to be ready..

With all the waiting, catching the cab, jam and stuffs, we reached the Thai restaurant at 10+pm. The restaurant, Thai House is own by a Thai couple and heard that it is one of the recommended places in the travel guide.

Waited for a while and all the food started to come in. YUMMY YUMMY!!!

First was the pineapple rice, followed by the fish (super sour super nice), then the Papaya Salad, Green Curry Chicken, Tom Yum Goong, chicken slice with chili and another bowl of soup (cant remember what it is). One word to descript the meal ‘FANTASTIC!!!’

It satisfies all my Thai food cravings. And most probably I will go back there again =)

After the dinner, thou it was quite later already, we went to foot message near Kelvin’s house. Message was comfortable as well.

By the time we reached home, all of us were so tired that we just changed our clothes, washed our face and ‘snap’, to lala land.

The night was really comfortable: Pretty Nails + satisfied stomach + relaxed feet + warm room + super tired = comfortable sleep =)

Zhouzhuang

94rd day in Shanghai (02/12/07)

It was Sunday and I got to wake up early as Kim, Jie Ying, Yu Hong plan to go to one of the attractions near Shanghai, Tongli.

But almost everyone got up late and by the time we reached Shanghai Stadium to buy our tickets, it was 9.30am already. The last coach to Tong Li has left so we decided to catch the 9.45am coach to Zhouzhuang, a place similar to Tongli.

Heard that Zhouzhuang is the original place and Tongli as a substitute but nicer place.

Bus ride there was about 1½ hour and I slept throughout. Reached there and the first thing the girls need to go was to go to the toilet.

Rushed in but came running out again because the toilet was JUST TOO SMELLY!!!

I almost started puking but lucky I haven't had anything for breakfast yet. And looking around to see if there were other guys around, Yu Hong asked us to use the male’s toilet instead as it wasn’t as smelly. (male’s toilet cleaner then the female’s??? OMG!!!)

Went into the male’s toilet, closed the main door and OMG!! That was the first time in my life using a male’s toilet!?!?!?

Started exploring the area and the first stop we wanted to go was to have lunch (to have the energy taking photos =))

There were a lot of restaurants around and we didn’t know which one to patronize when we saw this restaurant’s name on the maps and signboards. Our First mentality was to think that the restaurant is not bad and recognized.

Went in there had lunch and even though the whole meal coz only RMB 84, I think it is very expensive considering the living conditions and the cost price of the food.

Gave the waitress RMB100 and she returned me RMB 20 saying that they didn’t have any small change so they discounted us the RMB 4. Er.. so I can actually bargain on the price of the food we ordered???

Our Zhouzuang journey then started after lunch. Didn’t really know how to look at the map coz it was quite messy.

Looked around the whole area and it doesn’t look like Zhouzuang at all. WHY?!?! As all the houses look nice and newly renovated with no river, unlike what they show in the photos; old and rundown and dirty along the riverside.

That area was the newer and more commercialized place and I think they haven’t even officially start business; it looks like some ululated location. Walked for quite some time but we didn’t see any tourist around.

Reached a junction and decided to ask the policeman how to get to the ancient town (with the old and rundown house and along the river) and apparently we walked the opposite direction and got to U-turn back. It takes us about 30min to reach ‘Zhouzhuang’ (So we weren’t in Zhouzhuang for the past 2 hours.)

By the time we reached there, it was 1pm and we have got only 3 hours to walk around there as the coach was leaving at 4.20pm.

Thinking that we wouldn’t have enough time finish exploring the place, we rushed from one destination to another taking photos and seeing the scenery, although almost everywhere look the same to me; river + old shop houses + bridge + boats.

After 1 ½ hours, we explored/rushed though the whole place and all of us were quite tired already. Had some small scrolls around and tried our some of the local biscuits there.

Ate malt candy and it sucks totally. It got go hard and lumpy that I threw away the whole thing after licking for like 3 times??

4pm reached quickly and we went back to coach area.. And oh, Yu Hong’s camera went out of battery when we just started to get high to cam whore!!! ARGH!!!

Reached back Shanghai stadium and had our dinner at this restaurant, ‘Hao Xiang Lai’. Pack like nobody’s biz where they ran out of chicken and pork -_- the 2 most basic type of meat you should have in a restaurant.

Walked back to the train station and we saw IKEA sign. Decided to have a walk there since it was still early. So in the super duper cold weather, we walked about 400 metres and by the time we reached there, my hands and face was numb.

The moment we enter the building, we smell IKEA. Duh!! haha

Since both Jie Ying and I didn’t have a very full dinner (1 ½ piece of sushi, one lotus rice and Chicken's Feet - Golden Phoenix Claws), we ate hotdogs there. RMB 5 for the hotdog and a refillable drink. CHEAP???

Wanted to eat the meatball but we were too full to try it out.

Shopped for a while and almost everything in there is the same as Singapore; the structure and the layout. It makes us feel back home. =)

After 3 months staying in Shanghai and surviving without a bowl and a clock, Yu Hong went to buy them just to use it for the last 2 months

We bought a bathroom mat and a shawl (not really a shawl but a big piece of cloth made of polyester) to keep ourselves warm at home.

Took a cab home after that and settled money. Watched HK series shows and ate orange before heading off to lala land.

Xu Jia Hui

86th-87th day in Shanghai(24/11/07-25/11/07)

Saturday was a day to do project!!! OMG!!!

Woke up at 10am to return the sofa bed to CF’s room as her parents came to stay with her.

Oh, Angela’s aunt and uncle came over and they bought pandan cake over!!! YAY =) I cant wait for my parents to bring all the Bengawan Solo’s kueh over!!! Sis, if u don’t know what to buy over, you can just buy everything that is in this page =) Bengawan Solo

Jie Ying came over to do project with us. She got her interim report and we got our multi-media project.

Slacked a bit and finally got all my photos organized.

Started project at about 1.30pm and by 5pm, all of us were super dead. Ordered MacDonald for dinner and slacked the whole night after that. That is so what I want in my life =)

Projects!!!

3 monkeys!!!

Woke up at 10am on Sunday morning with the plan to get out of the house by 1pm to some new places in Shanghai. Jie Ying and Joanne was supposed to go to one of the café nearby to write their reports.

In the end, Joanne, Jie Ying and I got addicted to my HK series show ‘The Dance of Passion’ as it was the last few episodes, which are also the most exciting episodes.

Watched until 4pm and in the end, we got out of house at 4.30pm. Jie Ying and Joanne decided to just stay at home to do their reports.

(Kim slept for a few hours waiting for me.. opps!!)

So, Kim and I took the train down to Xu Jia Hui, one of the shopping areas in Shanghai.

Decided to go to that place as my dad just reminded me that there is such a place in Shanghai after chatting with him online yesterday and he was telling me about the Peking duck we ate the last time we were there.

I remembered that Xu Jia Hui was quite a big place and decided to go there for a walk.

Some how, I think the structures/layout there are a bit weird. They have got all the departmental stores at one side (with a few fast food restaurant) and all the food areas at the other side.

Went to almost all the shopping malls to have a look and the whole feeling is that I am in Orchard. I think I will prefer that place more then Nanjing rd as Nanjing rd is too touristy already.

And we went to this small little shopping mall that is only 2-storey high. The whole feeling of it was that I am back in Far East mall. Just that the structure there is more fashionable then Far East Mall.
Or rather, that place seems to be a more high class Qi-pu road where most of the good are from Qipu Rd. Just that I think we can’t bargain there.

Got quite hungry and we got to search for quite awhile before we can find some proper food to eat. Ended up at this Chinese fast food restaurant eating Fried Rice.

Explored a few more shopping malls after dinner and we went to Metro (Mei Luo Chen). Didn’t know that Metro was a Singapore brand until I saw a breadtalk outlet there and that the basement was a food court selling all the Singapore food. They have got fried prawn noodles, laksa, Toast Box, curry puff, etc… And we saw 3 Singaporeans seating at the Toast Box area drinking coffee chit-chatting.

Took the train home and the moment I got into the train, I heard Familiar voices… We stared at each other ‘Singaporeans!!!!’

There was this big group of NTU student in the same cabin as us!!! They were here for study-attachment trip for 6 months.

At first, Kim was like STARING at them and I was just looking around. Then when I turned to her and asked why was she STARING at them, one of the guys was like ‘NTU??’ That was how the conversation starts. Haha

Then we got off the train and got excited about how coincident and how small Shanghai is and when we turned behind, we heard familiar voices again… ‘Singaporeans….’

In just one day, we met 3 different groups of Singaporeans at different places.

And I think the most unique/amazing thing is that we Singaporeans, from a super tiny whiny city, do actually have our own identity.

Most of the time I will think that most people wil refer us as just from one of the bigger Asia countries like HK, Taiwan, Malaysia. But the moment we open our mouth and talk-Singlish, immediately, we can identify our own people. I think it is quite amazing.

And I am also quite surprised by the number of Singaporeans in Shanghai, let alone in China. Before I came here, some of the lecturers were telling me the amount of Singaporeans here in Shanghai and I was still telling myself ‘are you sure you will get to see other Singaporeans around??’

But true enough; I will meet Singaporeans almost every time I go out for leisure.

Maybe this world is just that small.

Hunan Cuisine and The Bund

85th day in Shanghai, Out with the expats (23/11/07)

Finally it was the last day of the week. Everyday seems to pass very fast now. Maybe because we have got things to do although it’s like a routine.

Met up with Denis and Raymond, managers of F&B Shangri-la hotel and resorts, China (Big shots huh!!) as they wanted to bring us out for a dinner.

Took a cab down to this Hunan restaurant (spicy food) for dinner. And while waiting for the food to come, Raymond opened 2 bottles of white wine for us to try. Too bad we weren’t wine drinkers coz apparently he told us that one bottle of wine cost RMB1000+ (S$200)

Hunan Restuarant

(We went there for 2 reasons: They wanted to bring us out for dinner plus they were planning to have a business proposal with this restaurant to set up the restaurant at some of the opening Shangri-la in China)

After awhile, Mr Sunny Pow, VP of marketing Shangri-la hotel and Resort, China together with the VP of Assort (ex GM of Swissotel, Singapore) came over to join us for dinner. (A table full of Singaporeans)

So this whole table was filled with half Super rich expates (them) and half super poor interns (us).

The food there was supposed to be very nice but it was just too spicy. The only thing that I really like there is the fried rice coz that is the only thing that is not spicy.

Some of the dishes are quite unique where there is this bun with an arc at one of the side to put some meat fillings in it (which is super spicy)

Another one was tofu plus crabmeat and egg. The egg taste was quite strong and thick but I can still taste the crab. I think it is quite nice.

Some other things that we ate were pork ribs, sweet lotus with sweet glutinous rice in-between the holes of the lotus, some super spicy fish (after eating the fish, the waitress will put in the noodles which will be soak in the gravy. Super nice but super spicy), cucumber with some type of peanut/sesame sauce, Chrysanthemum cake and some others that I cant really remember.

And throughout the dinner, Raymond made us drink 3 cups of rice wine (48%alcohol) and a lot of white wine. So even before the dinner ends, Angela and Kim was like half dead.

After the dinner, Raymond and Denise bought us to the bund. Like finally!! After almost 3 months in Shanghai, we went to The Bund.

And I found out something new. The bund is only in Pixi. All along, I thought that the bund was that 2 stretch of road along the Huangpu river. Then I realized that they always show the picture of the pearl tower and the view at Pudong side as the bund is to show that that is the view you can get if you are at the bund.

We took the cab down to pick up Joanne first at Shangri-la and headed to #3 on the bund, Laris to look at the view of Pudong at the balcony. The view was really nice. Is exactly like the view you get from buying those postcards.

The restaurants there look really nice and super high class. I think one dinner can cost a few hundred SIN.

Next, we went to #5 on the bund, M on the bund, rated #3 for all Shanghai Restaurants. A fine dining restaurant there, we went to the bar just one floor lower, Glamour Bar.

The place was quite nice-high-class. Came beside the window but the view wasn’t as nice as the on at Laris maybe due to all the window frames.

And Raymond was quite a killer. He would make every single one of us drinks. Drank quite a bit and have some small chats with them before we head off to #18 on the bund, Bar Rouge.

Bar Rouge is one of the most popular pub in the bund. Wanted to go up and have a look but it was so popular that people got to queue up at the lift area just to get up to the bar. We didn’t want to wait so long and decided to head to Baby Face since Raymond and Denise haven’t went there for a very long time. (not very their age to go there=))

Reached babyface and it was quite weird at first. Like it was super not their social class to go to such places.

Comparing bars at the bund and Baby face, I would say it is heaven and hell. The feeling... no, environment is so much different.

Stayed there for a while and went to eat supper at this Hong Kong restaurant beside it. And surprisingly, this restaurant’s Pork Bun is like damn nice.

After a long night out, we didn’t spend a single cent. Even the cab home was paid by Denise =)

Very good experience for the night I guess as I get to go to all the places where I don’t think I can even afford to go now. (Maybe I will go but not to spend money there but just to look at the different structures of the restaurants/bars there)

Baby Face & Cheng Huang Miao

71st - 73th day in Shanghai (9/11/07-11/11/07)
Have been going out to new places this weekend. Like Finally!!!

Waited for 5 days and at last, it was Friday and the plan for the night was to go G+, a popular club in Xin Tian Di.

The club is quite different coz it is at level 5 of a shopping mall (seldom do I see a club inside a shopping mall)

Reached there and when we wanted to go in, they say that we got to buy entrance fee of RMB 50. And this doesn’t include any free drinks or what-so-ever.. It’s like EXPENSIVE!!!

Found out that there is only entrance fee on weekends and decided to go there on weekdays (like the next day we can just go work with panda eyes)

Thought of going to some other pubs/clubs around but most of it seems quite boring/fullhouse/for older people. (It was only 11pm and everyplace seems to be pack.)

Called up Vance to see if there are any more seats in Face Bar and apparently it was full already. He told us that Baby Face is not too bad and is quite near Xin Tian Di.

Confirmed with Joanne’s manager that there is no entrance fee and took a cab down.

Reached there, went in, put our bags in the storing room and went in. At first, we were so super lost coz there wasn’t any tables for us when we went in (there will be a mini charge of RMB 600 for the table) and the bar counter was already pack with people.

So we started walking around the place, to the dance floor, toilet, and tables’ sections and we still didn’t know where to station ourselves and get a drink. Then Joanne hurt herself and we got to go out to the store to buy plasters (her hurt was terrible.. the whole skin came out and it was bleeding like crazy)

Thought that the night was wasted just like that coz we were lost, the music suck and Joanne hand was hurt.

Decided to go in again and this time, some of the people approached us to ask if we want to join them. So at that time since we got no tables and drinks, we joined them for a while but it was quite weird after a while and left.

Headed to the dance floor after that but all of us just couldn’t start dancing coz their music was so wrong. It was only at about 1am when the music starts to change and our mood become high.

And we saw this Philippine girl that was obviously going there to hook on some rich guys.
The first time I saw her, she was in the toilet dancing in front of the mirror, looking at herself to see if she is sexy enough -_-
Then the next time I saw her, she was taking her bag from the storing room, her skirt was damn short (just enough to cover her butt), she was exposing here boobs and she purposely ‘jiao’ her butt and shake when she left.. And the way she walked was like ‘I want to make sure that every single guy out there is looking at me and have a bleeding nose’ (sicko bitch!!!)

Got crazy till about 3.30am and headed back home. Reached home and while waiting for the rest to bath and I watched my HK series and fell asleep on the floor. Woke up at 5.30am to bath and slept at 6.30am.

Woke up at about 1pm and slacked the whole day at home that day. Went out for dinner in our sleeping clothes (long pants and those think tops) and headed back home again.

Another day wasted in Shanghai =(

Got Jie Ying hook up on HK series and she watched like 5 episode with me until the last episode at 2am before going back home to sleep.

Woke up on Sunday and today, we finally decided to go somewhere else besides Qipu rd, Ba Bai Ban and NanJing Rd. We went to another tourist attraction, Cheng Huang Miao.

The whole trip was a spoiler coz of some bitch. Don’t really want to explain much but that freaking bitch is seriously pissing the shit out of me..

Had Xiao Long Bao there (tried it before when I was there 2 years ago) and realized that we got to dine in the restaurant to really taste the food. But there was a minimum charge of RMB25 per person if I am not wrong.

If we were to eat the da Bao one, all the Xiao Long Bao will be lumped together and some of the skin will tear losing the soup in it.

But still, I think it is better then the one I ate 2 years ago. Had smelly tofu too much it was too salty. Think the one at the WuJiang rd one is better.


Went to took a Tu Lun home for RMB0.50. It is quite cool coz it is like some cargo boat, where people can ride their moto bike/bicycle in. It is just a boat that transport people from pudong to puxi and vice versa. Then i realised that we are actually staying quite near to Cheng Huang Miao. Like walkable distance...

Reached home, settled money and watch a movie ‘Shortcut to Happiness’ Not that nice and I fell asleep after watching ¾ of the show. When I woke up, the tv screen was black and Jie Ying was sleeping too.

Photo’s tp be uploaded again.. haiz….

Yu Hong's Birthday @ BlueFrog

69th day in Shanghai (07/11/07)

Today was the first time I went to work alone ever since we went to RSVN cox Kim took off to accompany Jun Wei.

So, the whole of morning, I was thinking who to call for lunch coz no way am I going to the canteen alone. It’s just weird to eat alone.

Msged Yu Hong and there wasn’t any reply for him and decided to go for lunch at 11.30 when she call me.

Was about to leave the office when Yu Hong called to ask if I wanted to have lunch at 1230. Rejected Angela and agreed to have lunch with him. Felt quite bad but I would prefer to have lunch at 1230 so that after lunch, I would need to spend so much time in the office.

Went to find Yu Hong at China Hall and waited for Goh to finish his discussion with the chef first.

Headed to Zhen Da after that and thought that he wanted to eat Burger King again. But he just went into a Korean restaurant and asked for a table for 3. =)

So I had Korean food for lunch and it’s free =)

Headed back to work, or rather, slack (coz I finish all my stuffs in the morning already) until 4 plus when Yu Hong came up to use the internet and we went down to finance to submit our photocopy bankbook.

6pm came very slowly after that, went to change my clothes and went to Zhen Da to shop around while waiting for the rest to come to celebrate Yu Hong’s birthday.

It has been quite some time since I shopped alone. Almost bought a dress but was having 2nd thoughts when Angela said that it wasn’t nice at all =(

Had out dinner at around 8pm at this bar restaurant, Blue Frog. And apparently this restaurant is quite a famous place. It is one of the recommended places in the travel guide. (Went to 2 recommended place already. Face Bar and Blue Frog. Yay=))

Dinner was not too bad and the service is good. Up till now, this is the first restaurant I went to in Shanghai that asked their customers for feedbacks about the food, ambience, etc…

Yu Hong wanted a cake so both Jie Ying and I went to find one for him. Went to 2 bakery shops and realized that they sell very limited cakes. Both shops only display 4 different cakes.

Bought a cheese cake for him and we got to wait for 15 mins for the baker to decorate it. When we got back, Angela and Chang Fang went off already coz Angela need to wake up early = sleep early and CF accompany her home.

Waited for Joanne to come before cutting the cake. She was super late. She is supposed to reach at 9.10pm but she reached at near 11pm coz of work)

She came, took some photos, ate the cakes and we still left with half the cake. Yu Hong wanted to give it to Gabriel so all of us went up to Yi Café.

It was quite weird coz they were already cleaning up and everyone seems quite busy and we just went in the café in our home clothes.

Didn’t stay long and headed back home. By the time we reach home, it was 1am already.

Lu Jia Bang & outdoor catering along huangpu river

45th day in Shanghai (14/10/07)

The day passed quite fast today.

Reached the hotel, looked for Yee Hui and we did the daily routine again; walking around the function rooms to check that everything is going on well (routine check is 3 times a day)

Today wasn't a busy day and there wasn’t anything much to do as well. So Yee Hui decided to go and take his tailor made suit from Lu Jia Bang and asked if we want to go with him.

So after lunch, we went to look for him and headed to that place. It look like a tourist attraction cox there were alot of angmors. The whole place looks like some warehouse where i think there is place for bargaining. haha.

He took he suit, got his shirts and next time, I know where to make mine =) There were alot of tailor shops there and next time, i can try out the different shops to see which one is the best.

And apparently the quality of the clothes are quite good and they and do up the clothes in less then 2 days if you request.

SIS: bring more magazines here when u comes and we can go tailor make it. cheap and same

Today there was this site inspection. It's about some important potential client that comes to the hotel and look at what are the type of functions the hotel is able to provide them.

So one of the function room was prepared for this site inspection and they actually had this station in front of the main door that show case beautiful 'mouth bite' chocolates.

The whole thing look quite grand where it looks more like a jewelry show case than a chocolate show case. Too bad I forgot to take a photo of it..

Tracy told us that after the site inspection, we can try out the different chocolates. So, both Kim and I waited for the site inspection to end (it ends at 6pm when we ends work at 5pm so we waited for one hour for the Chocolates).

While waiting for them, we went to look for Joanne and she show us this very cute mix-blood baby. He is 5 months old but his features are a lot more matured.

When Yee Hui, Cherry came out of the room, we wanted to go in and eat but Yee Hui asked us to go to an outdoor catering to have a look.. BOO!!! which means we cant get to eat the chocolates (well, we only get to eat one passion fruit favor and it was NICE)

But well, Kim said that she heard Tracy asking one of the manager to put the chocolates into a container and put it in the freight. So we went to the outdoor catering which was just a 5 mins walk away from the hotel located at the bund.

The client actually booked one part of the pathway along the bund for the dinner for 200pax. (It's some Shanghai Stock Exchange event=Rich People) and Ms kim asked this question

'is it very expensive to book this place???'

Everyone was like

'DER!! This is like the main part of Shanghai and they are occupying this whole area (no one was allowed to walk pass it and the only was to cross over is to make a big turn from the back)!!!'

How cute can she be right? haha The whole set-up look grand with a big stage, lightings, cocktail area and buffet spread. Imagine the huge amt of space they are using!!

So the weather at 6pm was dark and cold already and those waiter and waitress got to standby their tables to serve the customers.. They were just wearing their simple BQT uniform.. I feel so COLD for them!!!

After a while, both Kim and I cant take it anymore and went back to the hotel. We went to find our chocolates but there wasn't anymore left. So both of us just sadly changed our clothes and went out.

For the first time in this 1 1/2 month in Shanghai, we went to the Pearl Tower cox heard from Jie Ying that they sell subway there. So we went over to look for it and YEA!!! we saw it.

Had subway and went back to the outdoor catering as we wanted to watch the performance until 8.30pm so that we can take the shuttle bus home.

But well, with 2 girls wearing their own casual clothes in that area (everyone else were in uniform or at least formal clothing), we left totally left out. So after watching one performance, we decided to leave the place and walk home.

Bought a few more DVDs =)

Hangzhou Trip =)

31st - 34th day in Shanghai (30/09/07-03/10/07)

Went over to Hangzhou over the Golden Week and the places that we went wasnt that nice... but well, sometimes it's the company that counts =)

Dun feel like writing alot of words coz there were alot of things tat happen. and the highlight of the trip was that we quarreled with at least one person every day.

Anyway, photos seems to be more interesting =)

Day one.

Went over the train station to buy tixs and only 'no seats' tix are left available so we got to stand for 2 freaking hrs.

Waiting to board the train.. Tons of ppl

on the train

Got to stand for 2 hours and some of us cant take it, we decided to seat on the floor. And when we reached therem without booking any hotels, we started searching for hotels. From calling back to ask my manager to looking at the tourist guide book of hangzhou to asking help from Hangzhou Shangri-la lobby staffs. How great can we be!!!

Day 2.

Went over to Xihu and spend half the day there. Scenery wasn't as nice as the one I saw when I was there 2 years ago. Flowers were super limited.

I think these 3 photos are very nice!! all thanks to yuhong for his SLR cam =) We started climbing trees to remain energetic!!

Went on a boat ride to kill time=)

Some plants Yu Hong took..

Next, we went to Lei Feng Tar. Entrance fee was 40 RMB and we realised that people can just enter from he exit gate.. Argh!! Wasted money..

After that, we head to the bus station to get our return tixs. And the whole place was flooded with people!!!

Day 3

Initial plan was to go over to Long Tea plantation, xixi wet land and to watch sun set at Qian Tang Qiao. But in the end, we missed the sunset coz of the stupid xixi wet land.

Long Jing plantation

Saw this match maker and i think it's so cool. haa see the 'mei ren zhi'???

Went over to xixi went land and it was a total flop. The whole place wasn't fun and there wasnt any scenery at all. We bought students tix into the place which cost 40RMB and when we went in, the person recommend us to take the boat that stops at different stations which coxt 60 RMB coz if not, there is hardly any thing to see.


So, we got the tixs and took the boat in hope to see nice things. But in the end, we saw NOTHING!!! we practically took one round around the place and that's the end. We wanted to go to this botanical garden which was at one of the station and told the tour guide to inform us when the boat reached the station.


But in the end, she didnt tell us coz of the reason that there were too many tourist and she forgot abt it, and besides, the boat got into a little accident where it bang into another boat. Because of that, the speed adjustment of the boat spoiled and it got to bang into the shore in order to stop.

The stupid xixi wet land

Went to complain and demand for a refund and after much argument and quarrel, the person refunded us the money.


There was this sentence that the bitch made me pissed off. She told us to write in this piece of complain letter abt the whole situation and we got to write it in chinese. When we asked if we can write in English, she said this (in chinese) '你们不是华人不是中国人么？? 怎么不会写华语呢？' When we shot back that we are Singaporeans and not Chinese, she shut her stupid mouth immediately. that was then she refund us back the money..

In the end, we watch sunset at the entrance of xixi wet land...

After taking the money, we wanted to take a cab back to the city area but none of the cabs allow us to board coz we got 5 people.


So in the end, we boarded a '黑车' and it was actually quite cool..

'黑车'

Took a photo from one of the overhead bridge.And this is wat we ate for almost every night

Last day

Everyone woke up late and we got to check out by 12nn. Plan for today was just to go around Hangzhou looking for good food. In the end, we just came to this 'food court restaurant' for lunch. Heard from the cab driver that this place is quite famous but the only thing i like there was the Ja Jian Mian .

Lunch for the last day =) look at the crowd!!!

After lunch we got nowhere to go and decided to go Carrefour again (why again??? coz we went Hangzhou for 4 days and we were in Carrefour shopping for grocery for 3 days.. crazy huh!!)

Went to KFC and i felt asleep there..

And we had Singapore food there.. At last, after 1 month in china, i get to get Singapore food. Not very nice bit still acceptable.. And I didn't realised that Singapore food is so expensive.. =(

After dinner, headed to the bus station and waited for our coach. And that was how I spend my 4 days 3 night in Hangzhou..

Took some photos to entertain outselves while waiting for the coach.