Chionggirl in Shanghai

Since I have been working very hard for the past one week, I have decided to be a tourist for a day.

Well, partly, or a big part of why this happened was because I have to go to Pudong to do extend my visitor's visa. And since I have to go to Pudong, I decided to stopover to Lujiazui to see the Jin Mao Tower.

I do have to comment on the customer servoce of the Shanghai Immigration department. I took my queue number and went to the counter to be serviced. The 'policewoman' was nowhere to be seen at the counter, so I waited. For like 15 mins or so. When she finally came out of the office, I told her my request to extend my visa and showed her my documents. She took a look at them and told me ' go there to take a form and fill it up, then go to there to make a copy of this (temporary residence permit)'. I am appalled. Why don't have the form at the counter, and why can't she do the photocopy at her office?! Well, anyway, being the good 'alien', as they refer people like us, I did as was told. Before I did that, I asked her if there are anything that needs to be done, she said no.

So I did what was told and went back to her. She then said, where is your photograph? I know I need a photograph, but thought I should try my luck to see if I can get away with it. Well, I can't. But why can't she just tell me to do both at one go? So now I have to go down to the ground floor ot have my picture taken. Hmmph.

When I return, she was no longer there, and I was served by a male colleague of hers. After he showed me the printed records of my recommendation, there was no mention on where I should collect the visa. I mean, c'mon lor... What is so difficult to just point to the receipt and show me the details and tell me when is the date of collection? Hmmmph.

I rest my case. At least something was done. Now on to my tourist venture.

Because of the massive construction in and around Shanghai, getting to Jin Mao Plaza and The Bund took a lot of walking. So be warned that you should wear something comfortable for walking.

Jin Mao Plaza is magnificent in its outlook, and the speed to that took tourist up to the 88th floor is pretty amazing. 9 seconds and we are at the 88th floor. By the way, the entrance fee is RMB88 to visit the viewing gallery.

I took some pictures from the glass viewing panel. It is truly amazing to see the 360 degree view of Shanghai. But it has been cloudy, so didn't manage to see much. It wasn't as fantastic as I imagined it to be though. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

I decided to go home because I have accidentally dropped my purse (or so I thought) after alighting from a cab at the metro station. It is yet to established if I have dropped it or it was pickpocketed. I have distinctlvely remember paying special attention to my purse because I realised I did not bring enough money for my adventure when I wanted to pay the cab driver. After alighting for the cab, I remember putting it back into my bag. When I was going to pull it out to buy the transport card, I realised the purse has gone missing :( Had to withdraw some cash with my credit card to do that.

For a moment, I felt helpless cos I do not have money with me and there are no money changer in sight (I still have some SGD with me). Fortunately, there are many atm machines around, and my credit card managed to save the day. And double fortunately, is that there isn't alot of money in the purse, and my important documents were not in there. Oh well, we learn...

After taking some rest at home, The Bund was the next place that i decided to go. Thought I should have a proper visit of the place since I am in Shanghai. It was easy to go there via bus and train from where I am putting up.

However, there are constructions in that area, and the area is very dusty. Do be prepared for noisy traffic and people trying to get you to buy ferry tickets. The Shanghai Time Tunnel (direct translation) sound interested to me and I paid RMB50 for a return trip to check it out. It was nothing spectacular and I was sorely disappointed.

Nonethless, it was a fantastic and eventful day for me because I have explored all 3 public transport options of Shanghai. I am more confident moving around in them and I am most sure i will discover more things in the days to come.

Will write more and post some pictures of the area I have been maybe in the next post. Now I need to sleep, eyes are drawing curtains... :)