Only just managed to gain access to the internet. For some reason, my laptop doesn’t like Chinese Ethernet Cables? And so… I’m using my uncle’s computer.
Days One and Two of my 2010 trip to China, the first day, essentially just the flight to. Planes are so boring…
We always get the train to Sydney Airport… It’s expensive, but cheaper than if we got a taxi and/or bus… Ah, City Rail… I’ll miss your slow running services while I’m in Shanghai enjoying a fast, trasrapid rail network.
China Eastern Flight MU562, direct to Shanghai’s Pudong International Aiport, from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International.
Sydney’s Airport is pretty boring… And the air-vents all along the check-in terminals look like that… Clean…
Ah yes, Aeroplane food… My favourite… “Seafood with Rice”… I tell you what, if you’re ever going to China, try to avoid China Eastern. Air China and Qantas are the other airline options from Oz. They will be much better.
Yeah, I tried to make the food look “appetising”. We flew Air China on our last trip to Shanghai, and I must admit, they made China Eastern look like crap… They were really dissapointing, and they didn’t really impress with the whole “better” theme of the World Expo.
Half-way through economy class, I got the last chicken-rice meal, while the rest had to settle with fish-noodle… I’m never comfortable with food/eating on planes, it is the main reason I get airsick… I did eat on the plane, but not much… Damn, 10 hour flights are bad/boring… I feel sorry for those on 20+ hour flights.
Finally on the ground (One hour late), and one of the many greeting signs at Pudong Airport, Haibou; The official mascot of Shnaghai’s World Expo. You see him everywhere in Shanghai, it’s almost like he/she/it’s following you.
Shanghai’s Airport is rather pretty. I mean, it is only one of two International Airports I’ve ever been to (the other being Shanghai’s old airport, Hongqiao).
The Shanghai Maglev (Magnetically Levitated) train, was the fastest train in regular public service when it was openned. (i’m not sure if it still holds that claim).
It’s top speed is 300km/hr, (about 5 times faster than Suburban City Rail services XD) but the ride is dissapointingly short, only 8 minutes, and it only takes you to the edge of the main developed part of Shanghai. You still have to change at Yishan Road terminus for the Subway, Bus or Taxi
One of many advertisements on Subway stations. Surprsingly, I haven’t seen many iPhones the past two days. If I can remember, I only saw three…
The Subways in Shanghai, are fast, and modern. As you can see, they have a full glass wall between the platform and the train tracks, to prevent people from suiciding, or being “accidentally” murdered.
The transport system in Shanghai is EXTENSIVE. When I last went late 2005, there were only three lines in operation (Green, Red and Yellow). In just five short years, they have managed to build another 8 Lines, with still, quite a few still under construction. (What has NSW built… One three station line that was both late, and overbudget, in the last… forever?)
The following day, after falling asleep easily when we arrived at my Uncle’s, we went to pay respects to my Dad’s parents.
The cemetery is rather nice actually, though it is by a busy highway, it is surrounded by nice hills, a river flowing behind, and lots of trees. Good Feung Shui.
One of the subway stations above ground. Big building to just house a station.
The Housing developments in and around Shanghai are HUGE. So many under construction… Shanghai is growing… Fast…
With such growth, there are also plenty of rejuvination projects. This river, near where I’m staying, was a really poluted, stagnant… sludge… Five years ago.
This is where my Dad’s father lives, 5 years ago, these were new.
Though there are only 24 apartments in each building, each one has an advertising panel next to the lift. Consumerism…
All the Highrise… Actually, that’s barely anything compared to some of the other areas I’ve seen.
I hate hard water. And the water sanitation system isn’t very good in China, so for the households that can afford it, they have their own filtration system.
Music… Along Dailan Road I believe… Visiting my mum’s parents.
We went to some high-end hotel’s restuarant, where the food was really good. This was some… Dired fish drenched in a sweet soy sauce I think… First time I had had it… Really yummy. =D
Disco Apartment! (if flashes colours)
P.S. If you haven’t already, I just posted what I planned on doing here on my main blog.
ahh those subways remind me of HK…<3 the subways eh? SCREW YOU SYDNEY!!!
some of those locations (and roads) look quite pretty too 😀