Shanghai: Day 5

I woke up this morning still a little hungover from last night but I was glad my iPhone alarm survived the night and woke me up.

It was a first for me, traveling to Pudong airport because I came in from Hongqiao - as an aviation enthusiast, I had to. The commute itself was a tourist attraction in its own right - the maglev and the architecture that is Pudong airport, but first, brekkie at McDonald's. One thing I love about China's Mackers is there are so many options but in the end, I opted for what I thought was a "safe choice" - Sausage McMuffin with Egg.

It was well - weird. It uses a Filet-O-Fish bun, pickles, onions and sauce from the Hamburger and of course, the Sausage McMuffin "component" of pork patty and whole egg.

You can't go to Shanghai and NOT ride the Maglev.

Sure, the "city" station isn't located downtown. Yes, you've to brave the crowds in the Shanghai Metro. BUT the 8 minute journey feels every bit worth the inconvenience. The experience? Unlike any other... except if you've flown on a commercial jet, then it's kinda like that.

I had underestimated my commute to Pudong airport and arrived a little too early, especially considering since I already checked in online. However, I didn't really feel bored because Pudong airport is a spotters' haven - British Airways, United, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Aeroflot, ANA, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Aeromexico B777-200ER... and a whole host of China Southern Airlines, Air China, China Eastern aircraft.

It was really cool to be delayed - we were sat at the parking stand for an additional 20 minutes because the Shanghai-Hong Kong route was closed by the Chinese military.

Aboard my flight...

I didn't really take pictures of my Hong Kong-Singapore flight because I was very tired, drifting in and out of sleep.

Shanghai: Day 4

Having come back from Hangzhou, I realized that I didn't have much time to see Shanghai. I'm not too sure if I spent too much time in the hostel (which I doubt) or if the city is really too big, but I guess-timated that I wouldn't be able to see all of the city by the time my trip has ended. It came as a shock to me because I'd usually come and accomplish what I set out to see. Yet, this time was the first time I wouldn't be able to realize my goals.

At the end, I just decided I'd see whatever I could, and if I really have too many things left unseen, then I'd make a second trip or somehow slot something in... I guess.

First stop of the day was Yuyuan Gardens. I didn't actually go in due to financial and more importantly, time constraints. I did however, eat Nanxiang's xiao long baos - mission accomplished!

I really do love the effects I got with the two photos below.

I had to use Instagram to highlight what I wanted to portray here because my iPhone's camera couldn't capture this powerfully, unfortunately. It was such a strong contrast - the old, with the new not too far away.

There was an incredibly long queue at Nanxiang's first floor, which was a takeout area specifically for approximately 12 xiao long baos. I could have done that but to be honest, having had xiao long baos everyday for every single meal, the last thing I wanted was quantity. Instead, I chose quality over quantity and proceeded to the restaurant dining area upstairs.

After that, I quickly made my way to the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum. I heard from people at the hostel that there was a cheap imitation goods market at the entrances of the Shanghai Metro station but a quick walk around revealed poor looking imitations.

Plus I was like, "what am I doing? I have standards!" So after a few snapshots of the museum, a famous building used by Hollywood films like Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, Ultraviolet, Mission Impossible 3 and many others, I headed for the Lujiazhui area to attempt some shopping!

If H&M could disappoint, then it must have been really bad. I guess my tastes have changed drastically - I now want to possess an individual style, to wear pieces that help me make a statement. I wanted boots, black jeggings or skinny jeans... you know, that kind of look - something Lujiazhui and Nanjing East Road couldn't provide. So I decided to search for Shanghai's indie district.

I searched, and then some. I got lost, majorly lost. The weather was hot, my toes were breaking into blisters, it's not ideal.

I got lost, but guess what I found!

I always knew I couldn't be a hand model.

After a while, I had to give up... Once I returned to the hostel, I REALLY regretted not checking the map properly because instead of walking up north, I walked down south!! It was a pity, but I did make friends with two new roomies, Andrew and Edwin and even went out with the latter to check out the Bund and Pudong skyline at night, as well as a local gay bar.

Nanjing East Road

The famous Peace Hotel.

Eddy's Bar - sorry for the poor quality pictures.

I'm not sure if you can see but they're two guys right infront - either facing either sides - they're a couple and one of the cutest couples I've ever met.

Shanghai: Day 3

The energy of Shanghai is infectious!

Having said that, any big city can be intimidating, grim, dull and grey. It's stressful, and sometimes you just gotta escape from it all - a break, all you need is a break. One thing I love about Shanghai is its relative ease and affordability if you ever need to go for an excursion just to take your mind off things.

It's a little harder to do that in Singapore because its orbital venues are either too dangerous, equally or even more dull or just too expensive.

Brekkie today.

I think I've become slightly obsessed with Earl Grey Milk Tea.

After that, I took the Shanghai Metro bound for Hongqiao railway station. Hongqiao is a real transport hub, offering long-distance buses, air and rail connections, and is the main hub for Shanghai's high speed rail lines. I literally had too many places to choose, from as far as Xiamen, Nanchang (where I can connect to trains bound for Guangzhou and Shenzhen) and Beijing to daytrip destinations such as Nanjing, Suzhou, Kunshan and Hangzhou. Based on frequency and fares (in that order), I decided on Hangzhou.

I quickly got my tickets and with half an hour to departure, I thought I had more than enough time to explore Hongqiao hub but who'd have known that walking to the escalator bound for the security checks would take 15 mins! Before long, people started queueing and when boarding was announced, boarding was already taking place.

My train.

I must say traveling by high speed rail is definitely becoming one of my preferred ways to travel, perhaps even better than air travel! I've ample legroom, and reclining is so much better! The whole acceleration was just absolutely smooth and magical. High speed rail is like riding a Mercedes while subway is like riding a motorcycle - the difference is that great!

If Shanghai's a showcase city, Hangzhou must be real China. This was the China that I knew - all our stereotypes proven but even then, I met some of the nicest people here.

My lunch. Surprisingly good actually, plus possibly THE BEST steamed egg/chawanmushi I've ever had.

Then, exploring West Lake.

After all that, it was time to go back to catch my 5:29pm train back to Shanghai Hongqiao.