My Farewell Party

4 Seasons cookies, representing my 1 year stay at CKS

2 Days ago on 28 November 2007 was my last day with CKS. It was a cordial farewell, with everyone wishing me all the best.. The highlight of the farewell was the dinner gathering. With so many people resigning, we are having a farewell gathering once every month since September. And now, we no longer call it the farewell dinner, but a Reunion Gathering. Cos there will be one in December, and potentially once each in jan and Feb of next year.

We went to MOF (Ministry of Food) in Marina Square with a turnout of 13 people and ordered a feast basically. But the more enjoyable part of the dinner was the talking and catching up, especially since the table was filled with people who have left, people who are on their notice period, and the rest of them who are contemplating to leave. Seems like my ex-firm will be encountering a rough patch really soon by Q1 of 2008.

Makeover

One fine day, I received a call from this NBYN studio who specialised in makeovers for corporate clients. Apparently, I kinda won a chance for a free makeover, and in the process, they will give me a CD with 2 photos for me to keep. Out of curiosity, I went to this place along Circular Road. I went in and it was a buzz of activities in the studio main lobby area. The place was filled with sales people and lotsa iMacs. They sent me an image consultant and began to devise 2 images for me: Smart Casual and Funky Rock. I didnt know what went over me to agree to the latter, but I did.

I have to admit it was not an easy thing to pose in front of the camera, especially with the ametuers they are using. They did not even do anything to make me feel comfortable. Kinda shocked as the last time I had a photography session by a fren a few years back, I was so comfortable. This time round, it was totally awkard. The Smart Casual one was ok, more of myself basically. However, it was the Funky Rock that was teh evil of the two. They drew a tattoo on my face, made my hair, and made me wear this tight leather pants. Well, basically that was it. It was so strange to pose in such an attire in front of 4 people, whom only 1 I would consider experienced (and it was the image consultant).

The final tally of 51 photos did yield a few nice shots, but there was around 10 blurred shots, and several pretty unflattering angles as well. And wat a bummer it was, considering this was an established studio, as claimed by the consultant. So disappointed was I that I didnt even bother to listen to their packages on offer, not that I will buy. Well, in the end, I picked 2 unblurred and alright pic.. Unedited though.. well, dont think will use much of them.. If I wan, think i will find my fren to take for me.

Spatrachina Volume Twelve

Century Mansion: Where I stayed in Shanghai

The block I stayed

My last day in China, and I didnt sleep a lot the last night basically. Loads of stuff to pack. And some clean up to do as well. The feeling of a natural sense of sadness swept over me. It's gonna be goodbye holiday, hello work soon. This last day was dedicated to the area I had been staying the past few days, XuJiaHui. And the most famous icon was the Catholic Church. The church, which was out of bounds to outsiders, was a pretty sight given the blooms that adorned the grounds. It was also good that the skies was clear that day.

The Church

Me in front of the church

Bloom

Church side

The streets of XuJiaHui was filled with throngs of people in the early morning. Guess the Shanghainess were eager to enjoy their weekend to the fullest. Along the way, we came upon the statue of Mr Xu, whom have inspired the naming of this region. So cool.. we only have Sir Stamford Raffles statue.

Street of XuJiaHui

Statue of Mr Xu

Blooms

After the walk, I went to the supermarket to buy a dozen of hairy crabs home. It's gonna be a surprise for my family cos my dad's been telling me not to buy.. But such a delicacy at such low prices, how could I resist? A crab was selling at 28RMB (SGD 5.6), while it cost SGD 45 each in sg restaurants. After fillingthe foam box with crabs, we met up with Yufei one last time for breakfast. Then we moved outta her apartment. It was almost a sombre moment for me.. It's been almost 4 years since we last saw each other. (Edward if u r readin this entry: Remember our pact with Yufei? We are supposed to meet up together for a cuppa someday..)

GangHui Complex: Where I bought the Hairy Crabs

1 dozen Hairy Crabs

My Breakfast

Jeremy, Me and Yufei at People's Square

After bading farewell, I followed Jeremy to his hotel room in the Bund area. Relaxing a bit then headed for the Maglev. The Maglev was the much-hyped magnetic railway linking the airport to Pudong. As an air ticket holder, I got to enjoy 10RMB off and paid 40RMB. The futuristic station was the right design for this supersonic train. You could really feel the train flying as it zoomed past buildings like images you would see when u fast forward your videos on TV. The max speed it attained was 431km/hr. F1, move aside man!!

Old and the New

My Maglev Ticket

Maglev Station

The Maglev

Interior

431km/hr!!

Within 10 minutes I'd travelled over 30km to reach Pudong Airport. The airport looked impressive on the outside, but the inside was rather cramped for such a large scale terminal. I guess they dont really maintain the airport as it should have been. Nonetheless, the design was intriguiing enuff for me to snap a few shots.

Airport

Departure Hall

My SIA plane home

Finally, after almost 5 hrs in the sky, I reach the sunny island. Lugging my 30kg worth of luggages (inclusive of hang carry), I took a cab home. The contrast upon stepping outta airport was immediate. The 10 degrees warmer temperature, the higher humidity and the distinctively clearer air. But my heart was still in Shanghai..... The next day, I cooked 1 of the crab for snack.. the delicious taste brought me back to Shanghai for that instance... If only the ticket was cheaper, I would be flying there every other year!!

My luggages

Food stuff I bought

Steaming Hairy Crab

My delicious crab

Spatrachina Volume Eleven

My last full day of my China trip. While waiting for a cab to take us to Old Shanghai Street, I saw our Singapore flag flying proudly. Apparently, this Metrocity Shopping Mall is owned by Singaporeans I supposed ( or joint venture).

Metro Shopping Mall with SG Flag

Took a can to Shanghai's famous Old Shanghai Street. Actually found it rather commercialised. But then again when in Shanghai, it's tough to really find authentic old and ancient settlements, speaking from a tourist's point of view. Well, Old Shanghai Street was a charming piece of historical relic of this bleaming metropolitan. The structures looked rather new, like newly constructed. I hope that the buildings were indeed restored from the original architecture.

Old Shanghai Street

The Old and New Buildings

Cables overhanging the crowds

Courtyard

Old Shanghai Street was not just 1 street, but a myraid of small roads leading one to a variety of shops and food stores. I got my colleagues some gifts here. With the cool autumn weather, it was akin to walking in Bugis Junction, albeit the very obvious Chinese styled buildings. Finally found the restaurant for the very famous NanXiang Xiao Long Bao and the GuanTang Bao. Actually, they didnt taste nice at all. Thick and tough skin with little tastless fillings. Really wonder why they were so famous in the first place. The XiaoYang ShenJian Mantou can beat this baos hands down anytime of the day.

Drinking the GuanTang Bao

Our Lunch

We decided to explore the outside of the commerical Shanghai Street and found the real jewel of Shanghai's quarters. There in the narrow streets, it was buzzing with activities. People were busy buying their necessities, shopping for bargains, eating at roadside stores, all with the clothes and cable lines hanging on top of them.

The Real Shanghai Streets
Crowds

PoloMa? Where's PoloPa?

We tumbled back to the commercial Shanghai Street with it's very red theme. Yes, red. The buildings were painted red and trees hanging red lanterns. It almost felt CNY while walking amongst the throngs of crowds.

Big Red Lanterns


Narrow Streets

While we were at Old Shanghai Street, we couldnt miss out ChengHuang Temple. Basically, the temple was constructed to mark the celebration for the founding of a new city. So one will be able to find several ChenHuang Temples all over China. The Old Shanghai Street was built around this temple, making it the 'centre of the attraction'. However, paying 10RMB for a compound visit of around 10 minutes seemed rather exorbitant. Well, we utilised the fee fully by really sitting there , resting our feet and legs.

Me at ChengHuang Temple



The Buddha of the Temple
Tree with Red Lanterns

Old Shanghai Street

Traditional Puppet Show

After walking for almost the full day period, we finally sat down for some local munch. We saw this tantalising beancurd and decided that we must have it. However, it turned out to be something we least expected. the beancurd was salty and the scrimps lent a seafood flavour to it! Rather odd to the tongue for us, but the locals looked all the bit satisfying though. Then we also ordered what looked like roasted pigeon, but turned out to be a tough baby duck! Not very smooth on our choice of food that day for sure.

Savoury Beancurb

Tough Duck

We left Old Shanghai Street for the Bund again, this time going for the HuangPu River cruise. We board our ship at 6.30pm and within a few minutes the Bund and Pudong district lit with a dazzling display of lights. Just a pity I dont have a shake free camera so I didnt managed to post many of the taken pics as they were a bit blur. The cruise was a wonderful departure from the usual walking the riverside to take in the view. The cool breeze and the sound of lapping waters made it a memorable experience. The relatively clear day also helped to enhance the visibility of the buildings.

Time to Board the cruise!!

PuDong Disctict

Me with Pearl of the Orient

The Bund

The Bund

After the 1 hour cruise, we went to meet up with Yufei again, this time for our dinner. Baby lobster, a local delicacy, was the main and only menu for our meal. Baby lobsters were cooked in 3 different flavours and they were simply divine. The only complain: They were really baby sized. Eating the lobsters was also interesting in the fact that we had to wear this plastic aprons and given plastic gloves (which I didnt use). We spent a good 2 and half hours in the restaurant chatting and laughing. It was a great gathering by any standards. And then just by a blink of an eye, it was time to head home for bed. Tonight would be a busy one for me. Have to try to squeeze in everything into my 2 bags. Wonder how heavy I will be checkin in onto the plane.

BuXing Street at Night

Baby Lobsters!!

Wearing my apron! like a skirt

Jeremy, Yufei and Me!!