I know its taking me such a long time to update, but I’m working on it. Been editing photos, but never seem to get myself enough determination and time to finish it all in one sitting. Here are some photos from Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai. It’s been there since 1577. Yu means pleasant, and was built by this government official for his parents to live in in their old age. However, its been through a couple of renovations as it has been bought over by different people for the past hundreds of years.The place is about 20,000 square metres, pretty big (as all Chinese gardens usually are). Don’t know if we walked through the whole thing, but it was pretty cool. I have to say gardens DO get redundant, but it’s just for the fact that you HAVE been there.

I actually like the area outside of Yu Yuan Gardens alot more. You will see why shortly. They still call the whole area Yu Gardens I think, but you’d have to pay for admission to the REAL gardens. Yu Gardens (the external area), was really nice because they had so many cosy cafes, snackbars, queer shops and whatnot – but all in a very traditional setting. Roofs were of red tiles, and had such a Chinese design to it. It was the real definition of a fusion of the young and old. I didn’t take much photos of myself here as I was TOO awestruck. I got down of the cab and had my jaws hanging along the way, just too impressed by such a beautiful little area in the heart of Shanghai.

Only Christine and I were left from the pack just still standing at where we got off, because we really loved how the place looked like. We took photos of A to Z. If she wasn’t there I think I’d constantly get lost because I HAD to take photos of what I really like.

Mini Kodak store, selling different polaroid stickers and such – but definitely not for a good price.

It’s to no surprise, this may look typically China for you. But coming from a city of square buildings of not much architectural sense – this place kind of blew my mind. I mean, Haagen Dazs under this wing of red tiled roof with gold linings and dragon statues at the ends? That, is. so. cool!

We were also quite hungry by the time we got there so we’re all headed to the famous Xiao Long Bao place. When we got there, the lines were so long. Almost everywhere you go in Beijing and Shanghai, there’s ALWAYS a queue. And yes, the Chinese in both cities actually queue. Heard many rumours about how they don’t – but so far at all places I’ve been to, they’ve all been pretty good at getting the idea of queueing. Met one or two who would subtlely try to jump the queue infront of you but if stare at them long enough they’ll just jump the queue right behind you pfft.

The queue at this place <Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao> is really crazy.  The thing about their queues is that it’s divided into three section. One is the public line, where the rest of the world is usually standing. You’ll see why in a bit. The rest of the two, is where you’d have to decide if you and the rest of your company would want to eat up to RMB 50 or RMB 80 worth of food. That’s because they have different sections for both budgets, and the latter obviously has better quality and a larger variety in the menu.

But because we just wanted snacks (well, that’s just a great reason to not admit that we were being cheap) we knew we weren’t going to stuff in that much for lunch, we headed for the RMB 50 one. Line was still pretty long, we thought there’d be more people willing to waste more time to spend less money. That crazy line out there, you can just buy one xiaolongbao and nobody cares. Frankly food was just alright, and really nothing over the top. I’ve definitely had better Xiao Long Bao’s – and at a way cheaper price.

Waiter that was the ambassador and the face of the restaurant. This was the door to the RMB 50 per person restaurant.

Moderately acceptable queue, but it was also going quite slow.

This is such a bad idea, for chefs who want to concentrate – but a brilliant idea for people who love taking photos (like me).

Had loads of them because we had a RMB 50×8 (?) bill to fill.

Isn’t that the SMALLEST rice dumpling you have ever seen? As small as half of three fingers, horizontally.

After lunch we headed straight to the real Yu Gardens. That zig-zag bridge you are about to see is a prominent spot of the Yu Gardens I guess, since they’ve been appearing in several paintings of exhibitions or museums that I went to. Along the bridge there would be Chinese families taking up a spot to offer to take photos of you, and insist that its mian fei (free). I guess only the super Chinese illiterate will fall for it, because if you pay attention – they’re actually saying “Free Photography Session”. Just photo taking is free, my dear tourist – for the printout you should pay us a bomb.

Also while slowly walking on the bridge, I overhead this Chinese mom telling her son about how he should study English because everybody else will look down on him if he don’t. Also, English will take him to heights outside China and it will be a whole new world for him out there. The things people talk to their little kids about on a day trip out to such a beautiful place like Yu Gardens. But it was actually quite heartwarming, felt like I had a sneak peek into the lives of the locals. I like such things!

And the entrance to the real Yu Gardens. Admission fee was RMB 40, but we went in with our student ID’s so it was half price. For those who’d like to visit, the Garden’s open from 8:30am-5.30pm, but ticket sales stop by 5.00PM – so go before that! We went during the Qing Ming Festival in April so it was pretty busy because many locals had days and weekends off.

Mei always ready for the camera.

Christine always with me because we are the REAL tourists, with 1821 photos of one spot.

20 yuan ticket!

I thought this was the entry to the toilet (lol!) but it turned out to be some greenhouse looking thing.

That led to another beautiful side of the gardens.

That’s Mike just trying to scare everyone walking on the other side.

You will be happy. And mild.

Maybe.

Man at garden maintenance.

We got out of the place after an hour or two as it was getting a little too tiring, our legs were burning from the long walks the day before I think. Took short walks around the outside idea for abit, just to indulge ourselves in more of this area. It was really amusing to see and experience because people there are mostly people who are from the villages and outer parts of China. We were with a few foreign looking friends so they’d just stare and stare and continue to stare for as long as we were standing nearby.

Got ourselves from treat. Christine’s got a huge one cause she asked for a bigger one, at the same price (shucks, should have done that!).

And that is the end of Yu Gardens!

When I was about 5, I was sent to learn piano. Sometimes I loved it, sometimes I hated it. Sometimes I am ready by the doorstep even before my dad comes home to send me there, but other times I dread leaving the television that’s broadcasting Sailormoon. But I know, every time on the way I will sulk all I want – but each time I hear my teacher playing the piano – I’ll forget ever being unhappy. Little did I know back then, that music was capable of moving me, changing me and influencing me.

Music was art.

When I was 13, I went to my first Chinese pop concert ever. Tickets were free. I remember how that hard thumpings of the beat from the speakers made my heart jump every second. People were flocking in the stadium, everybody with whistles and banners. This guy must be reaally famous. I only remembered one song from the radio – but also probably because there were simple words that I could understand. When the concert started, songs were pretty upbeat – I didn’t really enjoy it. I was a 13 year old girl, probably about 157cm – and that man standing on stage was so far away I couldn’t even see his face. Just when I was getting really bored, he appeared on my side of the stage – with a piano.

I was awestruck. The music was perfect – melobeats, smooth tricks on the piano, and stage lighting was all toned down to a perfect dim. This man is amazing. Can’t believe I was I got his signature few days prior to the concert without knowing what kind of music he was able to make and play. I went back home that day, and saw the piano in my house with a different house.

Music also had a deeper and meaningful meaning to it ever since.

As I grew elder, as much as I liked music – I never found myself doing anything to really express my fondness for it. All I did was just listen to music from day till night – Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston – all the classics that I could find. When I feel like it, I’ll write short parts of melodies while spending time with my piano. I’ve always wanted to put them all together to make a song, but I never know how. Sometimes I lose inspiration and motivation, but I think of that man on the stage in 2003 – and I regain some sort of excitement to play the piano again.There’s always something about a piano that doesn’t belong to you, and I always find new melodies to keep when I play it somewhere else.

I guess the people around me, have never really really liked music and instruments to actually discuss and talk about it. I myself never saw it as a conversation, to me it was all about feeling and appreciating it. Frankly, I have recently come to realise I’ve never really embraced and took pride in the fact that I like music – and in the recent years, singing.

In college, I met a couple of friends who were pretty outspoken about loving music. Then I gradually realised, why not me? Singing makes me feel so relaxed, even more than the piano ever did. I don’t know why I hide the fact that I actually love belting out to songs – maybe I had a feeling that I was being judged. I don’t even know why I bothered being judged. But realizing that has given me a different perspective to all different parts of my life and direction. I realised I have to embrace what I believe in and like, then take pride and stride towards it. That is a kind of happiness.

A true value of life music and singing has taught me.

 So I took my first step on a stage with a mic ever by trying in a public audition.

However, I do realise the limitations that I had. I haven’t any prominent musical talent, my piano skills weren’t up to expectations – even if I wanted to make my own music, you could say that I had no capability to. If I were to take up lessons, it would have costed some time and money – that I have yet to learn to earn. Joining musical groups in university sounded like a good thing, but really had no time to join cause activities were always after class hours and I always had to travel home immediately after classes to catch the next train.

Now that I’m here in Beijing – I have decided to embrace this hobby of mine. Finally joined the Tsinghua Acapella Club. And I’ve never felt this happy about a decision made in an institution. Activities start late evening, and runs for a few hours after.Everyone from the club are from different divisions in university, some can’t even speak Chinese. But in this place, we all share the same passion for the one thing called music. Everyone speaks the same language – music. Everyone thinks the same way – with music. It’s so cheesy, but it’s really how it is. All able to laugh at a slight creek, a missing beat – and sometimes we throw ourselves off the chair for the horrendous recording of us singing. Everyone walks in the room with such a tired face, but nobody walks out with a yawn. Everyone will be belting their lungs out while walking our way up the stairs, harmonising, beatboxing, or just waving our hands in the air.

People give us stares, but with them – I don’t feel the way I sometimes feel back home, being judged. Because when we all come together, with music – it feels like I’ve never been this proud and excited about my own likings.

This year in 2013 – ten years after that first Chinese pop concert in Malaysia, that man is returning to Malaysia again. The one who made me try to venture into venturing into the art of music..and coincidentally the one who very possibly taught me my first few tenths of Chinese characters. Karaoke sessions to his songs over the years has made reading a lot more easier for me (despite still being difficult, but could’ve been harder) here while taking my course. Amazing how one genre of something could lead to another.

Brought to us by KL SOGO

How great it would be, to go back to his concert again – as the girl who has finally learnt to embrace music and singing as her interest. Maybe its a coincidence, or a welcoming event – I would love to think, that it’s being held just when I get back to KL. Learnt so many Chinese characters now, maybe I can sing along even better to his songs because his concerts always have lyric plates hung ahead.

Music, is definitely art.

An art of emotions. An art of knowledge. An art of happiness.

Your music is an opus. A true work of art.

At Jay Chou’s concert two years ago. I always make it a point to go to his concerts whenever I can possible.

Here I attach a cover I did with Vivien, just before I left to Beijing! Hope you like it!

During my sixth week in China, I took a break during the QingMing Festival (yes, we get qingming off in China!) and took a trip to Shanghai. We could have taken the plane, it was the same price – but figuring how some of us have never taken the bullet train in the past, we decided to go for the 5 hour bullet train ride. I must say, it didn’t go as fast as I thought it would feel like although it was surely penetrating through air. It went about 300km per hour, which was moderately okay I guess. I was expecting rocket speed, perhaps. We paid 1116 yuan for return tickets, and timing was pretty good – we didn’t have to wake up at 5.30am etc.

There were the six of us, none of us were from the same class in the course. All from different levels, and of different countries. Mei is American, Christine’s French, Keshav’s English, Cris is Brazillian and Michael our host in Shanghai was American. We were really lucky to have had Michael come along with us because he was a great company for the whole trip. To top it off, he offered us to stay over at his place so we were more than delighted to. We were so afraid that the place wouldn’t fit cause there were six of us – but we didn’t mind, saving accommodation costs in Shanghai meant more good food in Shanghai, or back in Beijing even.

So with some meet ups and arrangements  we decided to meet up early morning at 7:10AM. Our train was at 9.00, and we had intended to take the subway which takes about an hour. The bus comes at 7:20AM right outside the gate near our dorms so we had to be really on time. If not, we highly risk the chance of missing the train (although you don’t need to check in etc as opposed to taking flights!). It was such a hassle because the hot water at the dorms only come at 7:00AM and I usually want my morning shower before I go anywhere. Not to wake up or anything, I just want to feel fresh and clean. I HAD to have my shower, so I woke up at 6.30AM and prepared everything else (even my make up) and then just gave myself a sweet 5 minute long shower before I zoomed out that door. Sometimes they have hot shower starting 6.50AM so I got lucky that day. However, when we all arrived at Building 21 where majority of them stayed – we were still missing of one – Michael!

Frankly, we all already expected that he would be late – so we still had a backup plan, which was to take the 7.40AM bus. We would be really tight on time but it was still a method. But he didn’t pick up his phone, and we got the service desk to tell us his room number. The good thing about these apartment frontdesks is that they normally never ever give personal information of anyboody in the building. They remember the face of everyone who stays in the building so whenever a stranger walks in at anytime of the day, it is their duty to stop you and make you register so they can kick you out at the visitor curfew at 11:00PM. Anyway, we got the receptionist to tell us Mike’s details because she has seen us with him. When we knocked on his door, he was indeed still sleeping!

Hahaha, so we all just had to get to the bus station first while Mike rushed his life towards it. Thank god we made it, because the moment we stepped onto the train – I swear it was just about 10 seconds before I felt the train started moving. We hadn’t even found our seats yet!

Mei got us all baozi’s for breakfast – so sweet! And Chinese.

Taking the subway to the train station

Good thing there isn’t much hassle checking in, as opposed to the many inspections we’d have to go through with the plane.

Michael and Christine

This is Mei, who knows ALL the Amurrrican games.

Cris and Keshav

Mei and I

The bullet train was actually really clean – seats were big and had adequate room for your legs.

We arrived early afternoon and got a cab ready to head to Mike’s place. I have been to Shanghai once probably about 10 years ago (that’s an incredibly long time ago) but the only thing I remember about the place was the Shanghai tower and some night lighting performance. That’s why they say, don’t bring your kids out travelling when they are still young! I had my camera ready and was all set for the trip. I still can’t believe these cities are so near reach. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m really in China. One time, we had a random walk to Tian An Men after a really filling dinner – just because we felt like it and we could. God, I’m actually REALLY in China.

Setting foot in Shanghai, look at the unimpressed man behind!

Journey to Mike’s place took about 30 minutes. Cab metre definitely goes up alot faster than in Beijing. Cab in Beijing is really quite cheap, especially if you share with 3 other people. We spent probably about 100yuan from the airport to his apartment in Pudong. Mei and I were just staring out the window trying to get scenaries of everything with our cameras. “You get the right, I get the left”. We are serious when it comes to capturing moments. Although already in the cab, our postures were eveready to getting our hands extended for a photo of a pretty scenary. But it seemed like we had to keep looking at this…

Is this all to Shanghai? (lol)

Upon arrival, we were all just…staring at wherever we were. This place was alot prettier than we expected it to be. Not that we thought it would be some dodgy Chinese alley place (althought it wouldn’t have mattered) but this place was actually like a hotel. There were bellboys (or men pfft) at the entrance to greet us and who seemed to have recognised Mike. “Impressive”, we thought.

Then the real impressive thing came. We all acted like jacoons, but we were just really happy!

The elevator didn’t have buttons, except for when you want to head down. We always have had elevators that takes you up to your doorstep directly, but this one didn’t have buttons. So all you had to do was scan the chip against the sensor and it reads your lot information and sends you up there. While we were busy being amused by what Mike did and listening to the explanation, we also realised that we’ve been in the elevator for a really long time. We then looked up at the plate read “Level 59″.

“Level 59? Is this a tower? Do you stay in Level 59? Shit, that’s like a tower!”

He opened the door and we all thought we were in Cloud 9. The place was such a beautiful place, and so comfortable and perfect for our type of travelling. Most importantly, it was so clean and well organised – thanks to the house caretaker. Best thing about the place was that there was alot of space for us to just do anything and the view from the tall glass windows were just breathtaking. If you know Shanghai, you know that river along the towers. We were right beside the river, and all the prominent towers were in sight – almost just opposite the area.

I’m telling you, we were all so grateful and we immediately felt so super blessed to have had been arranged to such fate pfft. We were all planning to just bunk in moderate hostels, so this was a huge leap. Nothings better than to come back from a tiring day tour to such a comfortable house!

His homemaker Xiao Wang made such good food for us. Real Shanghainese homemade food – really yummy. I actually still can’t tell the difference between many many Chinese food. Some people just taste certain dishes and they know the region origin of the dish. To me, they’re just all Chinese food! Well, I can distinguish one though. Sichuan dishes. Just because they are extremely spicy and numbing.

Found a bar of alcohol too, which they were really happy about!

Mei came up with so many alcohol games upon seeing the variety Mike had.

As we all explored Mike’s place, we also chose our rooms. Cris and I got the biggest room (lucky us) and the view was also perfect. Mike knew the areas around his place well so he was explaining to us what certain deep holes way below were for (future rises) and brief background story on the landmarks he could see from the place.

From the glass windows of our room

Girls being girls, just mesmerised!

What a way to start such a fabulous trip – I found myself to actually like Shanghai. Maybe because I’ve always lived in a city, and seeing a developed city made me a little happy inside. Will try to finish the Shanghai series tonight adn schedule them to be posted in alternate days because I can’t wait to update on my recent Guilin trip!

Till then!

Hello!

I love discovering really good apps, and because I don’t still don’t like the idea of jailbreaking the phone – I’m always on the lookout for Free apps! Today I discovered the Fisheye app was going for free for a limited time only (as they always say!) so I quickly downloaded it and played with it a little. I think I really like it!

I could mix images in on shot while using its filters. They have in-app purchases, which is a bummer because that allows a few more different fisheye lenses for you to play with. But for the easily satisifed like me, this is pretty much very good enough!

With my cute Popo today! Love the front camera when you have to take photos with seniors.

At least they have somewhere to look!