china in nine days: Shanghai

Day 1: Warm welcome from Shanghai and the Ongs

23 December 2013 Monday

Becky and Alvin will not take 'no' for an answer. So we were superbly taken care of during this trip. It started when we landed in Shanghai airport at 6am. Becky and Alvin drove an hour from home to pick us up that freezing morning.

Their enthusiastic welcome and hospitality warmed our hearts immediately. We started the day at Mr Pancake House, an American quaint pancake chain that serves super delicious waffles, crepes, coffee and more.

After a couple hours of sleep, we had late lunch at a steamboat restaurant where I satisfied my craving for blood - 鴨血 or duck's blood. Since the pig farms were closed in Singapore, we no longer have access to pig's blood, which I loved to eat as a kid.

The last time I was in Shanghai in 2009, the famous Shanghai Bund was under renovation in preparation for the Shanghai World Expo. I was really happy that I got to see it this time. I loved the row of historical buildings!

Besides the walk along the Bund, we did a little shopping. Gek Kia bought a winter jacket from H&M at ¥199 (S$42). He had a leather jacket which he bought during his time in Pakistan (pictured above), but it wasn't keeping him warm enough. He was pretty pleased with his new jacket - and you'll get to see it more in the later photos.

We had a light dinner that evening. The highlight had to be the superlicious thick toast with ice cream. Both the soft and fluffy inside and the crispy exterior go so well with the vanilla ice cream. Baby Winston had his eyes on the prize!

Day 2: Hairy crab and Christmas Turkey

24 December 2013 Tuesday

Becky and Alvin bought a new apartment in Shanghai and we had the privilege of being one of the first visitors.

I am so in love with her new home. The entire estate is designed with a French theme - look at how amazing the kitchen looks! I'm sure Becky will whip up many fabulous meals here.

The entire apartment is extremely lavish. Here's the spacious walk-in wardrobe.

While we were touring the new apartment, Becky's mum and helper were busy preparing lunch. Alvin and Becky thoughtfully bought hairy crabs since I've never tried them. Hairy crabs, which were in season, are known for their luscious roe and paste.

These deep-fried crispy shrimps were very addictive. We just kept popping them whole into our mouths.

While the boys played Fifa2014, I had some quality time with Super. This seven-year-old Corgi is one of the most affectionate and well-behaved dog I know.

The highlight of the day was our Christmas Eve dinner, hosted by Sam and Apple. They had just moved to a new house with a beautiful front yard. Sam had bought Christmas lights to line the fence and Apple prepared a feast for us.

We were all super impressed by her home-made blueberry cheesecake and cookies.

Sam's and Apple's kids - Kimi and Olivia (or Kiki) - together with Winston. Kiki is such a doll!

Check out our Christmas feast - pizza, mash potato, grilled vegetables, turkey, salad, pasta and chicken wings.

[If you'll like to follow the trip chronologically, please go to Day 3: Bullet train from Shanghai to Nanjing.]

Day 8: Back to Shanghai from Hangzhou

30 December 2013 Monday

Our last train ride for this trip was a 1.5-hour train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. From the hostel, we took the subway to Hangzhou East Train Station.

We arrived in good time for our 1.50pm train, so we went to Yonghe King 永和豆漿大王, a Taiwanese chain famous for soya milk and fried fritters, for brunch. We ordered a tomato and beef noodles and a minced pork rice meal which came with cabbage, soup and a warm soya milk, all for ¥59 (S$12.30).

Unlike the two trains we took earlier (Shanghai - Nanjing and Nanjing - Hangzhou) which were the fastest bullet 'G' trains, this one from Hangzhou to Shanghai was a 'D' train.

It took 20 more minutes compared to a 'G' train. Instead of having individual seats, this train had soft sleepers which weren't too bad. The ride cost us ¥46.50 (S$10) each.

We checked in to Yangtze Boutique Hotel for the night, approximately S$170. Built in 1934, it had the magnificent charm of old Shanghai and was the birthplace of the classic and well-known Chinese song “Rose, Rose, I love you”.

I love the spacious bathroom with lots of natural light. Pity I didn't have time to have a good hot bath.

Gek Kia went to the gym while I unpack and watch HBO. We then headed to Xintiandi to meet Becky, Alvin, Candy and Richmond for dinner. At Paulaner Bräuhaus, we washed down loads of pork knuckles, cheese, cold cuts and sausages with fruity light beer.

Xintiandi had a special 'Merry Kissmas' campaign - hold a kiss for five seconds on stage and light up the big Christmas tree.

We finally checked out Spa Vanda, a Chinese and Southeast Asian-style spa opened by Alvin and Becky. The modern oriental decor as well as professional and attentive service blew us away.

After a milk bath foot massage followed by a stressed back relief massage, Gek Kia and I were completely relaxed and rejuvenated.

Day 9: Last day in Shanghai

31 December 2013 Tuesday

We went to Raffles City, which was just right next to Yangtze Boutique Hotel, for brunch.

After checking out, we strolled along Shanghai Pedestrian Shopping Street. Many of the malls were packed, so we just walked along the main street which stretched 6km long.

We stopped for some snacks at BreadTalk.

And got a pork stick from a roadside stall.

We went back to Alvin's and Becky's home for dinner - more hairy crabs! Becky's mum also made many other great dishes, such as sweet prawns, cabbage, chicken and beans, and more. We had a great time chatting with Becky's parents while filling our tummies.