Some would say that I am not patriotic for not celebrating the SG50 in Singapore. It’s the same throughout 50 years with March passes, vehicle and air showcase and of course the firework. It would be better if I was offered the NDP tickets but never had I received it. With all the SG50 offers going on, there will be bound to be crowded all over. To save me the hassle, I offered myself a SG50 Getaway.
Let just say it is part of SG50 celebration, going back to the main “Contributors” to our great independence. They provided lineage to our founding father somehow. I’ll be heading to China where most things are made.
I intended to travel with my family to Kuala Lumpur but they decided to go Tanjung Uban instead. I had to make my own plans and go elsewhere since I’m not interested in the Indonesia. Ironically, I wanted to go to Bali but luckily I wasn’t drawn by it because the Denpasar Airport was closed due to volcanic ash on the Jubilee Weekend. I would rather explore places that I’ve not been to, such as Ho Chi Min or even crazily to Manila. Comparing budget flights to this places, I could have gotten a full-fledge flight to Shanghai by just topping additional $100. So, I did.
I’ve booked a China Eastern flight to Shanghai for an overnight flight on August 6th, arriving in the wee hours. The flight cost me $650 with 2 luggage allowance. The flight was pleasant and not as rowdy as my Beijing flight via China Airlines. I had a row to myself and surprisingly managed to sleep on the flight. I don’t normally sleep, mostly due to the eagerness or discomfort.
There are many options in getting out of the airport. My favorable options were taking the Maglev or the Metro. Since I arrived early in the morning, I had to consider between the Metro which operates at 05:45 and the Maglev at 07:00. I had to choose the Metro as I wanted to check in early. That wasn’t the best idea. To satisfy myself, I still managed to ride the Maglev on my return to the airport.
Taking the first service wasn’t the best idea. As the stops progresses, the train became super packed with the locals trying to get into the city. They were mostly farmers and they had produce with them. It was already packed with travelers with luggage and had to include farmers with their produce. I was cornered to the wall and passengers were squeezing as close as possible just to get more in the carriage. I had a proximity discomfort.
Even though the Metro runs under the same line 2 to my destination, we still have to transfer to the opposite train at Guanglan Road station. That was the most chaotic scene I’ve ever seen. Peoples were pushing to get on board just for seats. Poor passengers who were disembarking got pushed back into the train. There were definitely quarrels and calling them IDIOTS, but they still managed to alight. I had to take the next train hoping for an ease but I was wrong. Before the train came, another airport train arrived and people were rushing out. I was already by the door when they pushed me. I had to elbow someone just to be patient and accidentally hit some woman’s boobs. No guilt there because she was still pushing to get into the train.
After the horrendous train journey of 18 stops, I finally arrived to Nanjing Road East station, the closest station to the Baron Business Hotel at Fuzhou Road. I got a good deal for a superior room at only $250 for 3 nights via Agoda. However, there wasn’t any room available for early check in. So I had to wander around until check in time at 14:00. I had mix reviews on this hotel but the location was just stone throw away from The Bund and the surrounding are quite rustic during the day, eerie at night. Furthermore it’s cheap.
The key point of this trip is that I’ve made a local friend before coming over and it has been quite helpful. I managed to prepare myself for the weather and getting around. I met Greg on day 2 for Lunch and he also brought me along for a toy hunt. He had an unexpected surprise by his family visiting him so he had to attend to them before meeting me again for dinner. I had a great time getting to know their culture and behaviours.
I will share more on my adventures and places visited on the next post. Stay tune.