Postal office

Went gym this morning despite the drizzle. Returned home to pack my items to be freight back to Singapore. Carrying the luggage down the stairs from the 5th level was no joke. Brought it to the postal office nearby and then purchased a cargo box for 10 yuan. Transferred all the items from the luggage to the box.

Weighed 18 over kilogrammes and costs me almost 280 yuan. Still cheaper than paying excess baggage fee at the airport.

Bought Subway Today's Special "Seafood Sensation" at 15 yuan.

Returned home and after eating that sandwich, I went to Suzhou University to collect my certificate of attendance.

While walking to the bus stop, saw a minor accident. Few days ago I heard loud skid on the road while waiting for the bus. But did not see any accident. Anyway, the way the locals drive are bound to have accidents everywhere.

Then went to Cang Lang Pavilion (滄浪亭), which is a garden. Entrance fee costs 30 yuan.

借景 - a window 'lending' the view from outside

Went for massage at 刀馬旦 from 6pm to 7.30pm (masseur no. 157 was good) before buying 台灣香腸滷蛋飯糰 for 10 yuan for dinner and a vegetable soup for 3 yuan. Headed for In City and saw that a hard disk (500 gb) costs about 800 plus yuan. So in the end I did not buy. Only bought a refillable facial cleanser bottle from Muji for 10 yuan, because I left it at the hotel in Zhengzhou.

Reached home at about 9 plus.

So fast it's mid-week

Bought train tickets to Zheng Zhou city in Henan Province yesterday, for my trip tomorrow. The train will depart at 10.35, and will reach only at 0006 after 13 hours 13 mins of journey. Returned home to pack my stuff for my return back to Singapore. I'm starting to miss Suzhou now.

Too dusty

When I opened the drawer in the wardrobe, I was shocked to see winter clothes still lying around (because I thought I had handed them all over to mum and sis for them to bring back when they visited me in April)

Laptop is so heavy

Books are in aplenty

And oh, yesterday was the official start date for summer season, known as "夏至" where, according to ronald, people in the past would eat salted duck eggs and hang salted duck eggs around their neck... at least I don't see people hanging such things now, or it will be a laughing stock.

Because it is "夏至, " the sun yesterday would be in a 12 o'clock position (right in between east where the sun rises and west where the sun sets) at 12 noon sharp; I went out to the balcony to see and it was damn accurate.

Had dinner at a food court in In City, yong tau foo-like.

Today I went to the gym in the morning, and then went to highlight my hair at a salon called 丝度发型 because I wanted to use up my credit on the VIP card that I bought in February. As usual, the stylist will keep pressing me to choose a higher price category, but this time round, I am not to be swayed by their hard selling tactic! I got cunning as well, and said I forgot to bring the VIP card, so that they cannot check the balance and persuade me to top up more money.

After dying, the stylist kept asking me to buy a hair treatment at 80 yuan (about 18 sgd). I said no it's ok. He continued saying it's good, and even said it's not expensive. My heart was saying: "If not expensive then you pay for me lor!" But of course, I remained silent and not giving him any facial expression. He kept quiet.

After the hair cut, I flashed my VIP card at the stylist's face, and I could see his expression changed! HAHA. I just said "oops, I thought I forgot to bring."

Now I am still left with a balance of 68 yuan. Shall go for a hair wash and massage at 45 yuan next week. The remaining credit I will give back to the salon for free (or as tips haha).

Passed by a small roadside along Feng Men Road (封门路) leading to Suzhou University, selling street-side food. So I sat down to have my late lunch. Ate noodles (凉面) and seaweed soup (紫菜汤) for only 3 yuan and 1.5 yuan respectively.

Walked past this building and thought I am already in Singapore - HDB-look-alike

Returned home and then went to the gym again for body jam lesson at 1915 hrs, and then to In City.

Shall sleep now.

Singapore chicken curry

Went gym in the morning, napped in the afternoon, before having chicken curry at Food Loft restaurant in In City for dinner. 30 yuan. Ronald had hainanese chicken rice for 25 yuan, and said it tasted similar to the one he had in Singapore. I felt my chicken curry was nice too.

Went for body massage and cupping (拔灌) before returning home at about 9 plus.

Karaoke

Went to the gym this morning, and then to Guan Qian Street. Had lunch at Yong He Soya Bean (永和豆浆). Ate century egg porridge, you char kway and warm soya bean.

Sang for an hour at a KTV, although the package was 3 hour at 38 yuan. Left home when wl called to say she has forgotten to bring her key. Anyway I can't sing any further, so I left home. Cooked white porridge for dinner.

Putuoshan Island 普陀山 16-17 June 2010

Went Putuoshan Mountain on Wednesday 16 June 2010 by overnight ferry from Shanghai. During the day time I went Postal Office in Shanghai to post a gift to my prof. That postal office is a landmark in Shanghai in itself. Had a long walk from the Bund (上海滩) as the security officer whom I sought for help pointed out to the wrong direction. So I had to u-turn.

My ferry left Wusong Port (吴淞码头) at 8pm. I reached just in time to board the ferry and while walking halfway to the ferry along the walkway, I stopped to take a photo of the ferry. Then I heard a woman shouted at me from faraway under the dimly-lit shelter "小姑娘快一点儿！船都快开了! 还拍什么照！ (Young lady hurry up! Ferry is leaving!)

Upon nearing the woman who turned out to be a fruit seller, she then said: "叫错了。这小伙子。到了普陀再拍嘛！" (Called out wrongly, you this little dude. Take the photo when you reach Putuo!)

I think my stature is sexy. That's why people often mistook my figure as a female from afar! Omg. Indeed I think I am more sexy than both of my sisters whom that same fruit seller might have otherwise mistaken as "uncles in the late 30s" with a beer belly.

So I boarded the ferry and then located my berth (bed on a ship/ferry is called "berth") on Deck 3A, berth no. 36. It was a middle-class standard cabin, with 8 berths in total. My lower berth was occupied by a mother and her daughter, who had difficulty climbing up the ladder. So I took her berth. Anyway, I prefer upper berth so I don't have to get near to the shoes of others left on the floor.

I went to the outdoor deck and watched Shanghai slowly disappear from my sight as we sailed out on the pearl river delta (珠江). For the next few hours, I indulged myself in a snoring symphony as soon as I sunk into my berth, hard as rock. Two old ladies were competing in a snoring contest. So much so that I began to question the quality of my ear plug.

Woke up at 0445 in the hope of watching the sunrise, but the sky was shrouded with thick, dark clouds. It was drizzling and I returned to my dreamy state of mind before hearing the announcement that breakfast could be bought on Deck 3 Cafe. So I had a bowl of minced meat noodles for 15 yuan, just to realise that I should have taken vegetarian instead, since I was on a pilgrimage trip to one of the 4 most reputed Buddhist mountains in the whole of China.

Reached Putuoshan at 0730am, sky turned sunny! And temperature began to soar above 30 degree celsius, unbearably hot!

Paid half price for admission to Putuoshan (just like an airport tax) for 80yuan upon presentation of my Foreign Student Pass. So I was delighted! As usual in China, I began hearing hagglers calling out for tourists who need accommodation and guide. And so I began to feign deaf by ignoring and not lend any facial expression.

Walked up a hill to Southern Sea Goddess of Mercy Statue (南海观音圣像). That was when I felt Putuoshan is just like Pulau Ubin on a bigger scale. Winding and steep roads, with green trees alongside. And that reminded me of my torturous cycling trips with my mates such as nb, ken and sc many years ago. Time really flies!

I sought for accommodation later at Puji Temple (普济寺) but was told that the 100 yuan single rooms were all taken. Only left with the 200 yuan twin rooms. Initially I wanted to go for it, but when I came to read "No in-room television," I decided to take my leave. What am I gonna do if without laptop with me and no TV? I put accommodation matter aside for the time being, and then took a minibus to a ropeway station.

The ropeway (cable car) which costs me 50 yuan roundtrip took me up to 佛顶山 (Buddha-top mountain), which commanded a bird's eyeview of Putuoshan and where the Huiji Temple (慧济寺) is sited.

Very soon, I was on the way downhill, and went to Thousand Steps Beach (千步沙) where I caught a good amount of sunlight. I looked at my watch, it was only midday, and I have covered the main attractions in Putuoshan. So I decided to leave the island and caught a 1235 ferry to Ningbo (one of the richest city in China).

While waiting for the ferry, a lunch of rice with tomato fried eggs and cabbage cost me 25 yuan. All things on the island are double the price as compared to elsewhere. Still, I had to waste 1/4 of the food since I am on a light diet these days.

Slept unglamorously on the ferry, lying horizontally across the 3-seater row as I was really really exhausted from the walking. And my flip-flops left blister on my feet.

Reached the port, and took what turned out to be the longest ride on a public bus ever - 2.15 hours - to the train station, for 5 yuan. Indeed worth the ride (travelling through time from cultivated fields to modern city), but not worth the havoc wreaked unto my skinny ass.

My ass felt a second major blow when I later took a 3-hour coach ride back to Suzhou for 115 yuan. Got to travel along the Hangzhou Bay Bridge (杭州跨海大桥), which seemed endless to me, and the longest sea-bridge I've ever travelled on. I later googled the bridge and came to know it is 36km long, the world's longest trans-sea bridge. My coach travelled along the bridge for over 15 minutes, across the sea can you imagine?? And this is happening in China, unbelievably.

I reached home at 9.30pm. Shack. I think I'm one of the few who managed to tour Putuoshan in such a few hours. Because I can walk really fast! The usual route is to stay overnight on the island. But I managed to save the cost on accommodation.

Shanghai

Watched a movie on "Chanel No. 5" at In City. Prior to that had lunch at sushi outlet. But the fresh salmon wasn't fresh. So I had to reject.

Rushed to Shanghai by bus. Stayed overnight at a guest house. Only 130 yuan. Was quite clean, except that the wall partition wasn't sound-proof. So I could hear an irritating couple talking nonstop, until a woman had to knock on their door twice. It did not go off until 3am. Or maybe that was the time I finally dozed off. But they started talking since 7am again. I wonder if their mouths are battery-operated.

Took a taxi to Wusong Pier to buy ferry ticket for Putuoshan - one of the four most famous Buddhist mountains in China, apart from Mount Emei in Sichuan, Mount Jiu Hua in Anhui and Mount Wutai in Shanxi. Costs me 189 yuan for a 6-man bunk.

Taxi uncle told me the pier wasn't far. But the fare came up to 110 yuan (21 sgd). He still could ask if I want a ride back. I said it was too expensive, and off I went to inquire on how to get back to Shanghai City. In the end, a metro station was only nearby (30 minutes walk), so I took a taxi to the train station. When I opened the taxi door, I was too forceful and bang the door onto the kerb. I thought it would be dented. It was really loud. But thank God, the door only suffered visible trademark (scratches) left by Melvin Ng in Shanghai, China. HAHAHAHA

Returned back to Suzhou later by bus. Slept all the way back. Went to the gym before having lunch and then returned home. Went In City with Ronald for dinner at the sushi outlet again, this time round the raw salmon was fresh.

Returning back to Shanghai tomorrow to catch my ferry. Will depart at 8pm, and arrive the next morning at 7am.

And oh, it's a three-day public holiday in China, since Monday, in celebration of Duan Wu Jie (dumpling festival).

Farewell dinner

Had my farewell dinner yesterday at Guan Qian Street before going ktv. A taiwanese and japanese cuisine restaurant.

My farewell gifts...

A keepsake since I don't know really use it... 488 yuan!

I like blue, so I'm always having "blues" - no wonder!

Although the size fits me, but I can keep a small chicken inside

From Shanghai World Expo - Romania Pavilion

And this?? Oh! It's my dinner. Initially it was one piece. I thought of heating it up in the microwave so that its oil will secrete and I can absorb it using tissue paper (health-conscious); who knows the salted egg exploded inside the microwave - what a mess!

Thank God its not the whole microwave that had exploded... now I have 1 more phobia besides phobia of height.

Going to bed soon. Yesterday had insomnia again. This time round caused by hazy weather condition due to forest fire somewhere. And irritating mosquito bites!

Last day of work

Yesterday was my last day of work, ended earlier than expected! Was even more happy when boss gave me an extra 1000 bucks, in rmb unfortunately, but better than nothing?

Went Guan Qian Street to buy a book titled "英语导游教程" (tour guiding in English) and "写在旅游研究边上" (Research on Tourism Industry). And also a map on Beijing because I'll be there next month.

While I was in the bookstore near the main entrance (4 storeys in total), I heard a familar accent asking "请问这里有没有英文的书har?" Saw quite a few tour groups from Singapore, and I realised it's june school holiday now.

Ate fried eggs with tomato and rice at a 米线 outlet with ronald after we knocked off. Gone walk walk awhile before returning home. Is that my farewell dinner? Omg..

Gonna have farewell dinner with 3 other colleagues tomorrow.

Went running in the gym today. Have been running everyday for almost a month. 5km each time and now my joints and knees are really painful.

Ate salmon at In City again (3 plates this time instead of 4 plates, each sushi plate costs 6 rmb). Bought kiwis, mangosteen and tomatoes, green beans to reduce heat, and vegetables (dou miao) for dinner. And also "bi luo chun" (碧螺春) - 50 rmb - green tea leaves from Suzhou.

Winter made my appetite grew extremely huge, so I ate alot few months back. Now that summer is here, I have to shed some fats away. Believe it or not, I got very full eating half of the rice portion now as compared to winter. So I gave the other half to my colleagues or had to throw away.

College entrance exam

Yesterday was the college entrance exam (9am) held all over China for secondary school leavers. This exam will determine their fate on whether they can enter prestigious colleges, and it was such a big affair that road closures were implemented near schools conducting this exam. I walked past one on my way to work.

Today I had the spicy pot again at In City. Frogs' legs, prawns and vegetables, all mixed together in one pot of medium spice. You can choose low or the highest intensity of 'spicy-ness.'

Got this polo tee at 50% staff discount given by a common friend working at Muji in In City

Suzhou's theme park

Went Suzhou's theme park today (苏州乐园). Rode on tornado, vertical drop and 2 other types of roller coaster. Returned h0me feeling nauseous and took medicine before going In City for dinner at a 麻辣锅 (spicy pot) restaurant.

Had orange and lemon juice for 10 yuan from the food court.

My usual breakfast - cornflakes, scrambled eggs

Suzhou's theme park reminded me of Tokyo Disneyland, although the rides here are much more thrilling.

Guan Qian Street, Massage, Simon's Cafe

Thursday 03 June 2010

Went gym after work before taking a cab to Guan Qian Street where I bought 1 book on Cruise Vacation (for work purpose because I am doing a cruise guide booklet for Chinese market), a hand-drawn map of Suzhou and a book on China's top sceneries (for keepsake).

Bought dinner from Ajisen (char siew ramen) for 25 yuan, and took it to an outlet selling "过桥米线" where Ronald then told me that this food originated from yunnan. Men there have to do cultivation and going home for lunch is difficult. So, they will pour a layer of oil over the noodles in order to store it for a longer period of time.

Friday 04 June 2010

The sun at 4.30am... waking up to wear eye mask so i can sleep in total darkness

During the day, went Tian Hong Department (天红百货) and sat at coffeebean to use internet. Bought a coffee bread from a bakery opposite, after buying a bottle of vitamin b, melatonin and mosquito's ointment. Mosquitoes are in full blast now that summer is here. And oh, China is officially in summer w.e.f. from (21st of June) - 夏至.

At night about 9 plus, went massage at Ichiban Massage House in Suzhou New District - 1.5 hours for 75 yuan/pax. My neck almost broke.

Saturday 05 June 2010

Went Simon's cafe (where I had my birthday celebrated) for fruits, before going to the gym. Dinner at In City. Ate salmon at a Sushi restaurant (24 yuan) before having 麻辣烫 (spicy soup with vermicelli) for 10.50 yuan at a newly-opened food court. And a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice for 8 yuan.

Bringing the Singaporean culture to Suzhou

Bought eggs and fruits on the way back.

Cheap eggs, 10 for only 4.90 yuan (1.10 sgd)

My two favourite fruits now besides apple (these alone costs me 36 yuan)