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Trip Start
Apr 14, 2008
1
85
Trip End
Nov 11, 2008
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Shanghai,
Shanghai,
China
Monday, November 10, 2008
31/10/08
Arrived in the city, obtained a sim card and grabbed the metro. Only problem was I exited the wrong side of the bund. It was muggy and I was frustrated with myself. Never-the-less I decided to take the sightseeing tunnel back underneath the bund. Well what a waste of money that turned out to be. Just a lot of flashing lights and quirky noises.
Got to the hostel and played pool with a couple from Yorkshire. Made a few phone calls and next thing I knew I was heading out. Crashing a Halloween house party with Summer!
Day 201. Woke up with Glow sticks in my pocket
1/11/08
Last night turned into a heavy vodka jelly sesh. Woke up at midday thinking I was on London time still. For breakfast that was more like lunch I went to the noodle cart outside the hostel. Yummy.
I decided I wanted cereal. Being here for a week it made sense. So off I went on the subway to Carrefour. I must have taken every exit but the right one. But ended up buying some DVDs. Eventually I got to the right exit, shopped, but man it was busy on a Saturday.
The evening I joined Maria, Janus and one of their friends for Japanese. Followed by a few beers and crude jokes with the Cultural Attache and Kanuck of the CBB's.
Day 202. Not again Alex
2/11/08
I spent the day hoping to catch up with Mel. But once John & Hannah (Yorkshire couple) came for drinks all was forgotten. Drinking the duty free rum, chatting to all, I was a little pissed. It was necessary to TC before I went to bed.
Day 203.
01. Vodka Jelly Bee
Random chats continue3/11/08
Plan was to met Mel face to face at last. But once I got to the rendezvous point she text me saying she was running major late. So I thought for a little, then realized I was out side a massage parlor.
Thank you very much!
Cocktails and Mexican. It was superb. Headed back to the hostel bar by myself and an English girl started to chat to me. Think a few hours went by. I could hardly get a word in, but was feeling very tired. Eventually excused myself and went to bed.
Day 204. Century Park, Shuda, Wuda, Cuda
4/11/08
Somewhere in the bar chat yesterday, Izzy, asked if she could join me visiting Century Park. The forecast suggested today was going to be the best day of my 10 days here. Made sense to do something with it.
Well Izzy said lets met 10 or earlier. So we 1st saw each other just after 9 I think. But one things for certain, after all her chatting to people we did not leave till 11. No worries.
Park was not as good as I had hoped (see photos), but it was nice to relax. Running late for Bar du Greg's, Izzy and I quickly ate Dumplings. Well I actually left her to finish hers off at which point some Chinese business man asked for sex with her.
At Greg's we drank various cocktails, chatted and went to Sticks Islamic restaurant. Summer joined us a little late but was tired from a long day at work. I returned to the hostel bar to find Izzy chatting to some random guys and about to head to a club, Windows. Obviously I joined them, danced big time, but there was a serious lack of ladies.
In the taxi on the way back I was talking to one of the guys, Zahid the cookie monster.
05. Street vendor
My thoughts were going round, "Shoud I", he replied "Shuda, Wuda, Cuda". Back at the hostel Izzy and I said goodnight at my door, she walked to her door, 2 away. I did not enter my room but instead waited. She entered her room, leaving the door open. Come on Alex, that's a bloody sign!
Day 205. 07:00 wake up call
5/11/08
We both set our alarms for 07:00 so we could upgrade to one double room. So today was pretty much a bed day. Once evening hit Zahid, Izzy and I went to Obama night at Glamour Bar, joining Mel and friends.
Izzy bought a bottle of champers for the occasion in what was a swish joint on the bund. Everyone there was so happy and friendly. It amazing what emotions Obama has bought out in people. Afterwards the three of us headed to Velvet for more Mojitos.
Day 206. Izzy's back strain
6/11/08
Izzy was struggling to move in the morning after hurting her back in the night. She was due to catch her flight in the evening. Instead she got a massage and changed her flight to Saturday, giving us 2 extra days in bed and time for her back to recover. It was also raining outside so it made sense to stick with inside activities after all!
Day 207. Its not Canada but
7/11/08
With the rain still pouring I decided to go by myself to the indoor ski slope. My first time skiing! To my surprise I was not that bad in ill-fitting equipment. Few jumps and stacks, but nothing major. The trickiest part was the ski lift.
In the evening Izzy and I went for dinner at Janus & Maria's.
06. My noodle dish
She cooked a stunning Vietnamese soup and stir fried rice. Janus then introduced me to Wii tennis.Day 208. Chinese attraction to Max
8/11/08
So this is as close as it gets to 5 mths working in Canada; skiing yesterday and a street festival for Canada. It really was a sorry excuse really 500 meters of booths, stages and exhibits. Must were completely unrelated to Canada. Janus bought his dog Max along in a
pouch. Max was a bigger attraction that the feet itself with the cameras and onlookers all over him.
Afterwards I saw Izzy off to the airport and headed back to Janus & Maria's for leftovers are more Wii Tennis.
Day 209. Intro to Chinese Chess
9/11/08
Chatting to Nic, a Perthite, we decided to go to Yuyuan Gardens & bazaar together. This was typical Chinese, a site of historical importance but uncertainty over how 'original' it all was.
Nic bought a Chinese chess set. Once back at the hostel he showed me the rules and of I went to victory.
In the evening I returned to Bar du Greg for Jaffa cocktails and warfare. Gone midnight I reached the hostel were a group of Americans were leaving to party. I soon realized they weren't the usual type I would hang with. Pretty much dumb in my opinion. But of course I
joined them to Babyface night club where two of them had an argument with in 10mins resulting in them all returning to the hostel. I had just ordered a long island ice tea so I was stating put for the time being.
Day 210. What was I thinking
10/11/08
Alarm went off at 07:30. I felt worse for where, those Jaffa's! I left to catch my flight to KL.
