Well, this is not much of a tale but more of the high and low lights of the journey through the cities of China by Mr Kevin Chan, Mr Gerard Wong-Wong & yours truly, Ms Wu-Hoo*.
Hi-Lites (of which, there are many)
Beijing – where we did the touristy things
A couple of good Yanjing Beer at Hou Hai Lake District on our first evening
Hou Hai Lake district is becoming a more happening area in Beijing, especially in the evenings over the popular Sanlitun Entertainment Area, which we didn’t go. Hou Hai Lake district was good enough for us.
Being on top of the Great Wall
We went to Badaling, which was very touristy. There are other parts of the Great Wall which would be more interesting and perhaps not too crowded with tourists. Hence, the Great Wall will not be off my list yet.
Riding on rickshaw in and around Hutong
This was after a failed attempt to maneuver a tri-cycle between the three of us. We discovered many things along the way. It was interesting to see how people lived there. Also, our rickshaw rider was such a joker. He kept us well entertained with his wierd sense of humour.
Enjoying a good Acrobatic Show by Chinese Youth at the Theatre
We were definitely impressed by the performance. A group of young girls were able to flip metal bowls to each other while balancing themselves on their cycle while we failed to even balance a tri-cycle.
Walking around the Summer Palace
It is no Chateau de Versailles or Leeds Castle but it was nice nonetheless.
Having the best Peking Duck in town in Beijing
It was well worth the journey to the other part of the city (we were stuck in traffic for a bit) because we had a very good meal.
Being at Tiananmen Square at night
Had to be done. The atmosphere around the square was good. Plus, good photo opportunity.
Kevin & Ger flying a kite at Tiananmen Square
Re-living their childhood I suppose.
Hangzhou – where we did the recreational things
The West Lake
We rode on bicycles around the lake and made stops along the way for visit to a temple, climb up a pagoda and photo stops. Racing Kevin & John (Ger’s brother) was a lost cause since I never seem to be able to get ahead of them anyway. We had a boat ride in the evening and ending it with a delicious dinner & a good cold Siwo beer at this posh restaurant by the Lake
Nature trail at Bamboo garden
How often does a person like me get on these nature trails in Singapore anyway? Hence, it is a highlight for me.
Shanghai – where we did the cool things
The walk down the Bund & River Cruise on the Hangpu River
Failed to do these during my last two visits to Shanghai, so this had to be done. It was a nice way to enjoy the view of the city.
Enjoying the view of the Bund from Mark’s (Kevin’s friend) apartment
Fantastic view, good wine and great company. What more could you ask for?
Drinks at a bar called Face in the French Quarter
It felt like we were in a villa away from the city but this bar is situated in the middle of the city. Met some new people. Good atmosphere.
Yunnan Mian at Super Brand Mall
The noodles were delish. I am longing for it now. The side dishes that John & Feng Yi (John’s fiancée) ordered were excellent too!
Meals at Xintiandi (Kevin’s favourite spot in Shanghai)
Kevin and I went back there a couple of times after Mark brought us there for a Chinese dinner a couple of evenings before. We had fabulous dinner & cocktail (Shanghai Fling) at Luna on Saturday night and a very nice brunch at Kabb on Sunday afternoon.
Cocktails at Cloud 9 on the 87th floor of the Jin Mao Tower
We were there on our final evening in China. It was a good way to end the holiday – enjoying some nice cocktails and the view from up the clouds.
Lo-Lites (of which, there are few… thank god!)
Kevin’s luggage went missing in action. It showed up 3 days after he arrived in Beijing.
Yours truly fell sick on the night before going to the Great Wall. It was such a struggle to get through the day when you can’t consume anything but water because your body just refused to take anything else in.
The other low-light for yours truly would be forgetting to apply sun block and bring my hat on the last day in Shanghai. Now, I am burned!
Ger lose his wallet in Beijing – credit cards, bankcard and some cash were lost. It may have dropped in the taxi. He spent the evening and the following morning sorting out the cancellation and the getting some financial assistance.
Little things that mattered (to some of us)
Starbucks Coffee
Call us crazy but one needs a real good cup of coffee to start off the day.
Ice Cream at Haagen Daaz
Ok, I know that this is too much but we needed the sugar fix. The outlet is just there right in front of us. It is not like we went looking for it. I am in love with dulce de leche.
Having a good piece of steak
After a load of Chinese food all week, a good piece of steak is definitely in order.
In conclusion ladies and jellyspoons, as far as I am concerned, this has been a very good holiday. Already planning the next holiday now.
Photos from this holiday are being sorted out as we speak. Watch this space!
* - We adopted Chinese names for ourselves while in Hangzhou. Wong-wong is the chinese version of a dog barking i.e. woof-woof, if anyone was wondering.
Hi-Lites (of which, there are many)
Beijing – where we did the touristy things
A couple of good Yanjing Beer at Hou Hai Lake District on our first evening
Hou Hai Lake district is becoming a more happening area in Beijing, especially in the evenings over the popular Sanlitun Entertainment Area, which we didn’t go. Hou Hai Lake district was good enough for us.
Being on top of the Great Wall
We went to Badaling, which was very touristy. There are other parts of the Great Wall which would be more interesting and perhaps not too crowded with tourists. Hence, the Great Wall will not be off my list yet.
Riding on rickshaw in and around Hutong
This was after a failed attempt to maneuver a tri-cycle between the three of us. We discovered many things along the way. It was interesting to see how people lived there. Also, our rickshaw rider was such a joker. He kept us well entertained with his wierd sense of humour.
Enjoying a good Acrobatic Show by Chinese Youth at the Theatre
We were definitely impressed by the performance. A group of young girls were able to flip metal bowls to each other while balancing themselves on their cycle while we failed to even balance a tri-cycle.
Walking around the Summer Palace
It is no Chateau de Versailles or Leeds Castle but it was nice nonetheless.
Having the best Peking Duck in town in Beijing
It was well worth the journey to the other part of the city (we were stuck in traffic for a bit) because we had a very good meal.
Being at Tiananmen Square at night
Had to be done. The atmosphere around the square was good. Plus, good photo opportunity.
Kevin & Ger flying a kite at Tiananmen Square
Re-living their childhood I suppose.
Hangzhou – where we did the recreational things
The West Lake
We rode on bicycles around the lake and made stops along the way for visit to a temple, climb up a pagoda and photo stops. Racing Kevin & John (Ger’s brother) was a lost cause since I never seem to be able to get ahead of them anyway. We had a boat ride in the evening and ending it with a delicious dinner & a good cold Siwo beer at this posh restaurant by the Lake
Nature trail at Bamboo garden
How often does a person like me get on these nature trails in Singapore anyway? Hence, it is a highlight for me.
Shanghai – where we did the cool things
The walk down the Bund & River Cruise on the Hangpu River
Failed to do these during my last two visits to Shanghai, so this had to be done. It was a nice way to enjoy the view of the city.
Enjoying the view of the Bund from Mark’s (Kevin’s friend) apartment
Fantastic view, good wine and great company. What more could you ask for?
Drinks at a bar called Face in the French Quarter
It felt like we were in a villa away from the city but this bar is situated in the middle of the city. Met some new people. Good atmosphere.
Yunnan Mian at Super Brand Mall
The noodles were delish. I am longing for it now. The side dishes that John & Feng Yi (John’s fiancée) ordered were excellent too!
Meals at Xintiandi (Kevin’s favourite spot in Shanghai)
Kevin and I went back there a couple of times after Mark brought us there for a Chinese dinner a couple of evenings before. We had fabulous dinner & cocktail (Shanghai Fling) at Luna on Saturday night and a very nice brunch at Kabb on Sunday afternoon.
Cocktails at Cloud 9 on the 87th floor of the Jin Mao Tower
We were there on our final evening in China. It was a good way to end the holiday – enjoying some nice cocktails and the view from up the clouds.
Lo-Lites (of which, there are few… thank god!)
Kevin’s luggage went missing in action. It showed up 3 days after he arrived in Beijing.
Yours truly fell sick on the night before going to the Great Wall. It was such a struggle to get through the day when you can’t consume anything but water because your body just refused to take anything else in.
The other low-light for yours truly would be forgetting to apply sun block and bring my hat on the last day in Shanghai. Now, I am burned!
Ger lose his wallet in Beijing – credit cards, bankcard and some cash were lost. It may have dropped in the taxi. He spent the evening and the following morning sorting out the cancellation and the getting some financial assistance.
Little things that mattered (to some of us)
Starbucks Coffee
Call us crazy but one needs a real good cup of coffee to start off the day.
Ice Cream at Haagen Daaz
Ok, I know that this is too much but we needed the sugar fix. The outlet is just there right in front of us. It is not like we went looking for it. I am in love with dulce de leche.
Having a good piece of steak
After a load of Chinese food all week, a good piece of steak is definitely in order.
In conclusion ladies and jellyspoons, as far as I am concerned, this has been a very good holiday. Already planning the next holiday now.
Photos from this holiday are being sorted out as we speak. Watch this space!
* - We adopted Chinese names for ourselves while in Hangzhou. Wong-wong is the chinese version of a dog barking i.e. woof-woof, if anyone was wondering.
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