OELP: Day 0 (Shanghai)

Finally, we're in China~~! Follow us as we recount our experiences and feelings during the trip! ;)

Schedule:
-Flight to Shanghai (WHOOTS!)
-Check in at Yitel


Constance:
After a long flight, we have finally reached China. It didn't really feel like China though, there didn't seem to be much difference, especially with the humid weather. We got to meet our guide, 米导，who would be with us for this 8 long days, or so it seems. She had already left us a great impression with the delicious burgers she had bought for us. Soon, we reached the hotel, getting to sleep as soon as we were done.

Sean:

After the first talk about the oelp In the first few months of 2014, I was always looking forward to the trip and every second that past felt like it was a second closer to the trip . Since young , I've been to many many trips overseas with my family , but never have I gone on a trip with my friends and what more now been my whole entire class (excluding one ._. ) Futhermore, this trip wasn't to our neighboring countires like Malaysia or Indonesia , this trip was to China, Shanghai and Suzhou. We couldn't have gone on bus just like if we go to Malaysia , neither was it an hour or two hours plane ride. This trip to China was nearly 5 to 6 long hours on the plane . The semester was finally over and it was time for us to finally relax after 6 months of test after test , studying after studying. That day, I woke up at 6am in the morning without the use of an alarm clock(on a schoolday I wake up at 630 with the use of an alarm clock)  . It was a Saturday and we were suppose to meet at the airport at 3pm, but I actually worked up at 6????? That day was like heaven , that day was the day I've been waiting for for one entire semester . From the moment I stepped into the airport I couldn't help but walking around the meeting point, hoping to see my fellow classmates . Slowly , bit by bit more and more classmates came . And unknowingly , it was not long that we boarded the plane, and the 5 to 6 hour plane ride didn't seem that long as it sounded with the company of my friends . It was there in china that we met our tour guide 米导 , that would be bringing us around for 8 long days. By the time we reached the hotel , it was almost 2 in the morning , we checked in and went to sleep . 

Cherlyn:

I felt my heart tingle in excitement as I stepped into the airport! It was finally the day when we would be leaving for our trip to China! It was really a torture to see classes, class by class leaving for their trip, leaving us alone still in Singapore, however now we are finally at the airport about to board the plane to China in a while's time. 

When we finally boarded the plane, I was already exhausted from all the excitement I had earlier on and immediately dozed off a while after watching the movie on the plane.

Soon, we touched down and reached the hotel at around midnight. The excitement on most of our faces were already washed away by lethargic and replaced by sleepy faces. When we reached the hotel, I was tired and all I wanted to do was to get a good night sleep and use my phone for a while however to my dismay, there wasn't any wifi!! *cries* But my tiredness soon wore me out and I fell down dead onto my bed, dozing off into lala land.

Yuling:
We're finally here~! Expectedly, the day(night, I guess) was pretty uneventful save for some gaming and food on the plane, but there was a noticeable perk: burgers. In the middle of the night, no less. Definitely a first. Also, I did not pick the tomatoes out; another first. Well, if it was already so "fruitful" on Day 0, I can't wait for the rest of the trip. Though maybe it's the burgers, our because I'm with people who I see almost every day, but the fact that we're here in China hasn't really sunk in yet. Oh well. I'm going to enjoy my first night's sleep.

Shinru:

RV Trip Advisor (CHEYS' critiques ;))

Hotels:

• Shanghai Yitel Hotel

Rating: 2/5
Critique:
The hotel was rated badly as the service was terrible. The hotel staff were unfriendly and not responsive to our queries. Not only that, on the first night of our stay there, we were unable to connect to our wifi that was stated to be available. To add on, the bathroom had unnecessary light sensors which not only did not aid us in any way but instead caused us trouble. The lights would switch off in the middle of your bath or when you are brushing your teeth and it is horrible to bathe in the dark. Furthermore, the breakfast spread in the morning was really pathetic looking with only a few dishes. To make things worse, the food was horrible, stale biscuits, oily food, very diluted drinks and milk and also no fresh fruits. Not only that, the food was often not replenished after it was finished, leaving little food left for us. Therefore, it was rated as above.

• Suzhou Snowy Sea Hotel

Rating: 3.5/5
Critique:
The hotel was average, just like a normal hotel, with acceptable services and breakfast spread and quality. In the hotel room was two single beds, a settee and a toilet with normal toiletries you would expect in a hotel. The breakfast spread was also average, just like a normal buffet spread. The only thing I would pick on is the bed, the bed was rather hard and not fluffy and comfortable to sleep on. Other than that, everything in the hotel is average.

  Restaurant:

• 海底捞 

Rating: 4/5

Critique:Firstly to start off, I feel that hai di Lao deserves four stars upon five as it obviously seen that money and effort were spent on its design and concept of the restaurant . The restaurant was beautifully set up, with many tables and comfortable chairs . It was much above my expectations. The food was really delicious , not to mention the better service . There was many choices of food we could choose from , like prawn balls, chicken , mushrooms etc. We ordered many dishes , and no matter how many times we called for the waiter or waitress, they would always serve us with a smile , and get back to us really soon with our request. The food was really delicious as they are all marinated before they gave it to us to cook it in the hot piping soup , adding on , the food was prepared with one special ingredient , the heart of the chefs. Before I went to haidilao, I thought that it was eat all you can, but I was wrong. Only the porridge , some fruits and the dipping sauces were free for all . My imagination of eating a table full of food started falling apart. However , in no time to come , something caught my eye. A chef , came out to where we were seated and started to play with a floured type of noodle, at first, it appeared as a lump of flour moulded into a ball, however, the more he played and performed with it INFRONT of our eyes, the more it started to look like noodles!

I felt that the performance was quite special and unique as not many other restaurants has such entertaining performance that makes the eating experience there so much more memorable . Hence, even though the food was nice and splendid , and the service was second to none, but the food was pricy and that's why I gave it 4 starts and not 5 stars

Places of interest:

• City God Temple of Shanghai 上海城隍庙 

Rating:4/5

Critique:

A very big and cozy place with shops bursting with goods ranging from caps to accessories to trinkets among many other things, and not to mention, delicious food, Chenghuangmiao is a must-stop spot for shoppers who want to experience both the traditional and modern sides of China. This is an especially good place for cheap buys because most of the time, one is able to negotiate a substantial discount, which works better when traveling in groups. The wide variety and ambient environment makes this a popular tourist hotspot, one that is most definitely worth visiting. 

• Lu Xun Memorial Hall 

Rating: 5/5

Critique:

The Lu Xun memorial hall served its purpose, to enrich visitors of the wonders our ancestor Lu Xun was able to create. The books displayed in the shop in the memorial hall proved to show Lu Xun's wisdom and insight in terms of the many political problems China faced in the past. The memorial hall recorded many of Lu Xun's triumphs against adversity and the various artworks by the talented people who are able to appreciate and capture Lu Xun's battles with the unknown. These artworks and wide variety of sculptures amazed me and as we approached the end of our journey, we were sincerely appalled and fascinated by the sculpture of Lu Xun in his old age, along with a few strands of hair people managed to salvage after Lu Xun's death. This really imprinted in me the importance and legacy Lu Xun left in his wake, inspiring others hundreds of years later. The items on display are indeed overwhelming, as was the service of the staff there. They were warm and welcoming, displaying enthusiasm which most definitely infected us, as we shared several conversations on Lu Xun's legacy. 

The service and display there definitely did not fail to impress us and also held deep meaning, making my decision of giving it five stars not a difficult one at all.

• Oriental Pearl's TV Tower 东方明珠电视塔 

 Rating: 4/5
Critique:

A distinct landmark around this area, the Oriental Pearl Tower is 468m high and is eye-catching. At the Oriental Pearl Tower, you are able to see the ground clearly beneath you, and you can take many beautiful pictures with the beautiful background, either behind or under. The waiting time to get to the sightseeing area is short, and there are also many cheap snacks that can be bought there. However, it is a little crowded as there are a lot of tourists there. After taking a look around the sightseeing area, you can go below where there is a museum, and many other shops to get souvenirs(you can also get souvenirs just outside the Oriental Pearl Tower). However, the museum is big and there seems to be no other exit other than walking back to the start or right to the end.