18th May to 23rd May – To Shanghai

We embarked on an amazing journey to Shanghai, China. Dad and Mum had earlier gone to Shanghai to stay with Jessie for a month. Our mission was to fly to Shanghai and escort the folks back – of course R&R. Arriving on the 18th May morning at 0640H, I was impressed with the expressway, brand new, clean and efficient. Pudong the commercial district has been landscaped with modern skyscrapers. Street were generally clean (was told that they have cleaning trucks patrol the streets 24 x 7 and cleaners clearing garbage twice a day) in the name of the ongoing EXPO!

The hotel room was fabulous (thanks Jessie), and we had a fair relaxed itinerary – guess this was one of the rare trip that I did so much shopping. What you need to do to survive Shanghai:

1. Speak LOUDLY (preferred if you speak and look hostile :-))
2. You need to be prepared for unglamorous events:
– fighting for taxi;
– fighting for dining tables at restaurant;
– telling someone off;
3. Learn to bargain at shopping centers. (Warning: if the merchant finally give in to the price you ask for, you better buy it else you will be cursed and swear at – unless you are very thick skinned).

OK. We visited Zhou Zhuang, EXPO (horrible), Tai Kang, Xin Tian Di, Yu Garden. But we did not visit the Bund! Next trip. Dad, mum, sis, bro-in-law, Jessica and Valerie tailor made suits and cheong sum thought. They all looked lovely and dashing.

Will probably plan another trip again to Shanghai. In all, good experience and most “shiok” nice weather. Thank God though the weatherman said it would rain whole week, by God’s grace, it rained first day and last day when we were there.

Now back to reality! WORK HARD! Check out the gallery for some of the photos taken!