Chionggirl in Shanghai

I had my first drinking session with the folks of my division last night.

I have been pre-warned in my previous trips to Shanghai, and was part of it on one occasion. I was witnessing it all as a guest with my other colleagues, hence we were spared. But this time, I was there as part of the team, and the tradition kicked in.

It was an innocent round of Qingdao beer for everyone initially, and it was a very normal thing for someone to toast to anyone who is new to the team. There were 4 of us then, so each of us were given a toast. Then, people start to find reasons to toast to one another, and the drinking began.

My superior got the most, since he is pretty beloved in the team, and one of the guys kept asking him to drink. All this was ok, until my boss decided to let us try the 白酒, white wine. I don't know exactly what it is, but it was served in small glasses, like shots. I wasn't spared of being asked to take a shot of it, as with the new colleagues.

I have always had the habit of visiiting the toilet soon after drinking any kind of beverages, and I had to excuse myself in one of the session. When i return, I took a sip of my beer and realised that it had the white wine added to it. I don't know how much they had put in there, but it taste ... ewww. And it is said that when beer is mixed with the white wine, it is volatile, and the effect will comes on slowly.

I think I managed well with the amount of alchohol dunked so far. I have problem with beer because alot of time, it fills up the stomach and I can't take it in further. Thankfully, the amount was manageable... in the restaurant.

When I reached home, I was pretty floaty and had to empty the remnants into the toilet bowl. Yeah, that's right, I threw up. The potent mix was really something and if you have a chance to try it, or are invited to try it in Shanghai, be ready.

Actually our session was a rather mild one compared to the regular drinking sessions in China. I am just thankful that I didn't make a fool of myself in the restaurant. Haha :) The hangover though, was pretty bad. And I had to run some errands and I went around with a pretty groggy head. The effect is really... something.

Well, I am sure this will not be the last of it. If there are more interesting future sessions, I will be sure to update!

Massages is a one of the many things that Singaporeans enjoy doing in Shanghai. i went to one yesterday and totally enjoyed it.

The name of the shop is Congen Massage Healthcare Club 康骏会馆推拿足道. It is located at No. 436 Dagu Road 436号大沽路 （Tel: 021-6340 1161) Website www.shkangjun.cn

The centre offers services such as Full Body Massage, Foot Massage, Thai Massage and other wellness services. It is popular with my colleagues and they often go there for massages. Since I am with two of them, i decided that I should really try it.

We took the Foot Massage, and I simply love it! The masseuse are experienced and they allow you to enjoy the massage without talking you into buying the packages (unlike the salons, spas, massage places in Singapore), so it was a totally relaxing experience. I actually fell asleep during the massage, so you can imagine how enjoyable the experience it was. Ok, I can still remember the pre-massage foot soaking, the shoulder and back massage, and POMP! I was in dreamland... :D Definitely a must-go again. (Regular Foot Massage cost RMB80, while Foot Massage with Aroma Oils cost RMB110.)

I would also like to mention that before the massage, we had dinner at a pizza place at the quieter, not as touristy side of Xintiandi (I only recall it is opposit a box office of UME Cinema, I think), and try 3 glasses of wine between us for 98RMB at Just Grapes, a few doors away from Congen. There are also DVD shops littered around the area, so you can get your DVD fix too.

Dagu Road will become one of my haunting places because it's a fabulous place to chill out without too many people. It's a refreshing change to the very congested human traffic in the city. I like! :)

Next, money changing in Shanghai...