Shanghai again in May 2011

During our recent trip to Shanghai in May, while waiting for our business associates, we had a morning and decided to take the taxi to Pudong as it would give us an opportunity see the recent developments (after a year).

Before this, on arrival at the new Hongqiao airport, I am impressed that it is as good at the Pudong airport. What I admire most in China is that there taxi system is very organised. Their drivers are mostly polite and do not try to fleece you all the time. Of course it was not so (the organised taxi lines) not too long ago. They have also modernised the taxis (it used to be very old and shabby).

On arriving at Hongqiao airport, taxis are properly queuing.

Very organised taxi lines.

The progress of Shanghai seems unending. we stayed at this hotel last year and after 12 months, there were so many new building up and more are on the way.

New apartments after a year. View form our hotel room.

See the new apartments in the background. Huge numbers.

The wedding car arriving at the same time. Caused some traffic jam.

The development in Pudong is another story altogether. More buildings keep sprouting up and you can feel the vibrancy there. I had not been to Pudong for a few years, so imagine my amazement.

Many tall buildings

An iconic building

Beautiful roundabout and see the walkway above that goes around as well.

Good infrastructure. You won't think it's China

Beautiful landscapping too

However, the air quality is Shanghai is also very bad. In the city area, the smog literally blocks the sun and you have this grey drab feeling. The haze is also very bad. Compare that with Pudong above.

The haze

Grey drab feeling

Not very inviting as Pudong

In the subway in Pudong, you can find so many vendors selling all types of things. These people are from the rural areas and have to eke out a living by any means. Life if tough in Shanghai for the poor.

Pets and animals for sale.

All types of toys.

A nice 2D replica of the bund area.

The subway in Shanghai is very cheap and clean. What I like is the aircon is very strong unlike many places.
 So, you don't feel as claustrophobic.

This is the equivalent of the tuktuk in Thailand. As we had walked whole morning, we asked him to send us to the hotel. RMB 5 (US$ 0.80) to send us. He happily posed for us.

A happy driver?

In the evening, we went back to Pudong for dinner with our business associates at the same area. The night pictures will show you a contrast to the day pictures. It was beautiful and in May, the weather was perfect.

Overlooking the Bund area

Many people at the esplanade

We also stopped at the Nanjing pedestrian road to soak in the atmosphere.

Very well lit area

So many tourists

Transport to bring you end to end of the street

A beautiful old building

For those people coming to Shanghai for the first time, it never amazes them and even for me who has been so many times, there are so many new things to discover there. So, it's always an adventure to go there.

Until the next time, cheers.

Assumption Church in Phuket, Thailand

During our recent family holiday in June, we managed to attend mass at the Assumption Church in Phuket, Thailand. The church is located in the city and was probably built quite some time ago.

An external view of the church

A front view of the church

Beautiful entrance 

Close up of the front

There have an English mass later but we attended the Thai mass at 9am. The music was very nice with Thai traditional style hymns. The church was full and there were a few foreigners as well as tourists.

Inside view before mass

During holy communion

Side view

Station of the cross

Grotto outside

After mass, the church gave free cold drinks. Really cold iced tea. It was heavenly due to the hot weather. It is a quaint and nice church.

Until the next time, cheers.

MK Gold Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand

We travel to Thailand very often and in many instances will eat at MK Restaurant which is a Thai suki chain. However, we have not eaten at the MK Gold restaurant before which is the premium sister of the MK chain.

The restaurant in Phuket is located at the Jungceylon shopping mall located on Patong beach which is not far from our hotel.

Thai suki is very popular in Thailand and there are many different outlets but MK is the largest. You can find them practically in all malls and shopping areas. It is basically steamboat with their special chilli sauce.

The entrance of the restaurant. Nice decor.

Not ID is not bad.

MK is also famous for its roast duck

Apart from the suki, they have also a large variety of cooked dishes as well. This include roasts, fried noodles and rice and other cooked dishes.

Beef brisket

Mix platter of roast duck and roast pork

Dishes for the Thai suki

One type of sea weed

An unusual seaweed

We ordered a number of dishes for the suki which included a few types of seaweed. All these were served quickly and stacked up as seen in the photo above. In the photo below, we ordered some rice and they served us multi grain rice made in a pyramid shape. Something different.

Pork ham to add to the suki

Different types of rice and grains. All pretty.

One must have dish is the green noodles, they are delicious. You can eat it as it is or just blanch in hot water for a few seconds. Just add the chilli sauce....yummy.

The essential green noodles

Lots of vegetable too.

The good part about suki (and in Thailand) is that you can have lots of vegetable and cheap too. Of course at the end, the soup in the soup is real delicious.

The must have Chilli sauce

The suki and the delicious soup

Dining in MK is always nice but the prices in the Gold restaurant is much higher than the normal MK. One would expect to pay extra by at least 30% just for the ambience. While some items are not available at the normal MK, most are. So, if you are willing to pay for ambience, go for it but if not, the normal MK is more than sufficient. The above meal cost us about Baht 2,000.

Until the next time, cheers.