Shanghai: An Introduction

Finally! We boarded the train at 10pm for our transit to the airport.

Even when we were on our way for the holiday, the man was still working, snapping shots of his transit ad :)



After checking-in at the airport, we made our way to the international terminal for O'Briens. Both of us love their sandwiches and wraps!

Looks yummy, no???

Please say yes. :P


Taking the midnight flight is no fun. I thought we could catch up on our beauty sleep onboard and when we arrive Shanghai in the morning, we would have enough energy to go for a walk.

But no!

They were serving supper an hour after taking off, cabins lights were on and off ... kids crying ... Both of us only manage about 3 hours sleep MAX!

I was so happy to wake up to beautiful sun :)


After passing the Shanghai immigration at the International Airport, we were greeted with a really modern looking airport. I was really impressed. Shanghai has boomed so much!



After waiting for an hour for our luggage (wtf), we made our way out of the terminal, looking for our hotel transfer.

Saw both our names on a piece of paper held in the hands of a tour guide (I think he is) ... he asked if it was just us. We both nodded.

Then, we knew why he asked the questions before that because ...


Yes, he drove a mini van. -______-


Anyway, I was so surprised by the traffic and driving skills of the people in Shanghai!

1. No signals were used. You just honk and make your turn (wtf)
2. You don't really follow the traffic lights
3. If you're crossing the road, look out for the cars! And no, you don't have to wait until the light turns green. (wth)


The can was screeching left and right on the highway because the driver was shocked that the car on the left didn't let him change lanes. Thus, the natural reaction was to turn your steering wheel sharply to the right to avoid the car on the left. And the next thing I knew, we were going left and right ... if the traffic was bad, thing could have been much worst.

What pisses me off (disappointed) was how the driver reacted after that.

He turned to the back to look at us to check on us (and see if we're still alive or die of heart-attack) and continued driving without acknowledging anything!

Ok whatever. I didn't want to screw my holiday. So I didn't bug further. This happened barely a few hours after touching down!

When Darling was in Beijing, he also got into a minor accident!

As you can sense it by now, yes, my virgin experience with China wasn't happening with a good start.


We were lucky to choose to sit in the 2nd row of the mini van. If not, I would have flown to the front!

But anyway, whatever. It's still my birthday treat and I would like to cherish it to the max :)

Yes, it was raining when we arrived.


Both of us were so happy to have arrived Sofitel Hotel safely!

The scent of Lilies and Roses in Sofitel always greets me. They never fail to cheer me up and make me feel welcomed. :)


There were a huge crowd of air-stewardess, stewards and I was looking out for the pilot. Yikes! :P


Sofitel is under the Accor Group Hotels. Since we're a member of Accor, we never fail to always go back to their hotels whenever we travel.

Collect points lah. :P


Love the room. :)


This was what we see every time we look out the window. Not too bad. Shanghai is just a concrete jungle like KL anyway.

After taking a short nap, we get ready for lunch.

Walked down Nanjing Road but didn't know which restaurant/cafe to go. But we ended up into Shufu Restaurant inside a mall along Nanjing Road.


Seriously, I can barely read Chinese. I would read one word, skip another word, then maybe skip another word ... in the end, I could barely digest what it meant.

So most of the time, we would dine in places that has an English translated menu.


We had to pay RMB2 for this set of utensils. Not too bad I would say? Since it came with tissue paper, chopsticks and among other things, a wet towel as well.


After lunch, we contacted our dear friend Alanis, who decide to meet us at night for dinner.

We decided to shop around Nanjing Road.

This trains takes you up and down Nanjing Road for a very minimal fee. :)


Then, I had to do this tourity thing. Don't ask me who is that or the baby. I don't know.


A wet day.

We decided to walk to The Bund.

As you walk further down Nanjing Road to The Bund, you'll notice the difference in terms of architecture, due to the French Concession.

Beautiful.

Look at the amount of people!!!


The Pearl Tower was our main focus. It was pretty hazy that day due to the wet weather. :)


Some memorial tower along The Bund.


We decided to stop for a drink. I chose the Tropicana Orange Juice.


After a short walk at The Bund, we went back to the hotel.

The Shanghai World Expo 2010 had huge publicity. Even our hotel has a special booth!


Ahh ... flowers greeted us in the lobby :)

Now, I was always looking forward to go back to the hotel.
First thing was because I can't wait to rest my leg.

Secondly, I only experience good hospitality in the hotel but no where else.

Alanis met us at the hotel at night and off we went for a special dinner!

Well, that is what she says! :)


The highlight of the dinner was this Beer Chicken.

Meaning, chicken cooked in beer.





I could smell something really yummy!




A little bit oily, but it was definitely tasty!

Alanis ordered Japanese cucumber as appetizer. Very appetizing. wtf ... what other word to use than the word "appetizing"?



Oysters in Garlic Sauce.

Sweet & Sour fish. Awesome!


:)

After dinner, Alanis was so nice to bring us to an quaint old art street.


She brought us to this Teddy Bear Cafe.

See what I mean?


The first day in Shanghai wasn't really that bad. Alanis and Sofitel definitely made us feel warm and welcomed. :)


Will talk more about the Shanghai World Expo 2010 as we spent a whole 3 days there!


XOXO,
theRascal