Shanghai Trip

I have been lazy lately and the internet connection was kinda crap over in PNG.

However, I am back in KL for a few weeks and I managed to get some time to update my blog *finally*

I went to Shanghai for Wendy's wedding, I was there during the registration of their marriage in Sydney and she hope that I will be in the formal wedding in Shanghai. I took time off work to visit Shanghai for the 1st time after 10 years. I would say travelling alone and going back there was something different.

I realised a lot of things during this trip that I didn't when I was younger...this is only natural because I couldn't speak proper mandarine and shanghainese.

I took a Maglev (Magnetic Bullet Train) and change for trains to reach Wendy's house. I got into some problems but I still managed to reach her in the end. *Proud*

Maglev Station

Subway

The first person I saw was "Big Mickey", he doesn't look like Mickey Mouse. But he is a curious one, born in the year of rat just like me hehe:P

Tristan AKA Big Mickey

After leaving my luggage in the motel, I went out to their supermarket. They seems to have everything there and I was told that it's the season for hairy crab...

Supermarket

Yuck... They sell Tortoise?

3 Steps to bind a hairy crab.

1st Step

2nd Step

3rd Step

All done:P

They normally just steam the crab and serve it with a home made vinegar (sugar, chinese cooking wine, vinegar, salt)

The night view of Shanghai was spectacular...well, probably normal for most people, but I have been in PNG for too long. Hey, look at the bright side, at least everything is fresh to the eyes of a jungle man hahaha.

On the day of the wedding, I woke up quite early and walked to Wendy's house. Suddenly, I realised that I could actually walk on the streets without any worries...hahaha, I guess I am really weird compared to a normal person. But I guess it would be the same for anyone who's been in PNG for too long.

Apparently, she still have to work for half day everyday...tough life.

The media team

Moir & Silver

Wendy & husband

Some photos from the wedding...

Oh yes...a lot of my friends was like...it's a trend to get pregnant before marriage? Well, only one advise the to all my friends and family out there, always register and get marry within the same period of time. Otherwise, it might give a wrong impression...but personally I don't think it does matter these days because we're just so carefree nowadays.

They also dress up the son for the wedding...haha:P I think he's quite lost most of the times haha...eg: attending my own parents wedding? *scratch head*

The Wedding Hall

Ah...the girl who got the bouquet and the next guy to go...hahaha, he's got a "priceless" and mix of emotion written all over his face. (Guy in black shirt and white snickers)

Oh...that girl in black (clapping hands), she's the wedding planner. Her name was Jessica...I think so...

There you go...the curios one going around touching whatever he get his hands on...

After the wedding, we went out for drinks and catch up a bit. I think it has been almost 2 years since the last time I spoke to Wendy. We walked around the old streets of shanghai later on and call it a night.

The next day, I went to Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Nothing fancy and there's too much to cover in one day.

After the excursion, I went for Indian cuisine in one of the suburbs and rush out for my date. I figured out since Wendy's always busy, it was a good idea to get her wedding planner's contact details and ask her to take me around hahaha:)

Oh...that's their train station, the have LEDs cover all over it and it changed colour to displace words or patterns.

She looks different now eh? Well, it was a bit hard to meet up since I was not very familiar with Shanghai and she did spent quite some time locating me...while I was still having a massage (ok...let me rephrase, normal massage). Lucky she was quite patient with me.

Heh, this is what I call a club...the one Wendy took me to was too formal hahaha...

We had a lot of fun that night, she forced me to do pole dancing and all sorts of non-sense, well, it's all about fun anyway...and most importantly I experienced the night life in Shanghai.

I woke up with a headache the next day...*expected* Went to Wendy's place for breakfast and the husband drove me around Shanghai.

We spent the whole day together for drinks, pool, lunch and dinner.

Weeee..........

This is the so-called "Dragon Pole", it's a feng shui thingy and it's situated in the central of Shanghai district. I think there're 9 Gold-plated Dragons on it.

After dinner, I was out on again with the "wedding planner", this time I requested a GPS from my bro-in-law hahaha, why I didn't think of it before?...*hmmm...slow thinking*

It's kinda ridiculous to think back how our parents date back then when there's no GPS, but I guess they would probably say something like meet me at my place...here the address...and they turn up late in the first date...hahaha:P

I celebrated Mooncake festival over there as well, Bro-in-law bought this 60% chinese whisky...he told me it's chinese custom to drink it, so we did and before we know it, both of us was heavily intoxicated hahahaha...lucky our eyes can still see when we woke up in the evening.

After that, he treats me to foot massage and we call it a day:)

The next day, I woke up and received a call from Ling (neighbour from Sydney's Apartment). She was very surprise to see me in Shanghai and we went out for lunch. Later on, she showed me around the shopping area and show me the way they bargain for price...*impressed with her bargaining skills*

Overall, I would have to say that the purchasing power of chinese people has dramatically increased and I evident this with my own eyes. Products and services are generally quite affordable but quality and standard comes with a high price tag.

During the whole trip, this fella was all over the place. He's "Hai Bao", a mascot for Shanghai's 2010 Expo...designed in Taiwan. But doesn't he seem to look like a famous male product from "I need house", "durex" or "ansell"?

Entry for July

I am dropping one entry because I haven't wrote anything in July.

Basically, there's nothing much happening in my life other than some small events, gathering and endless company socialising events. I go to the office when the sun rises; by night I would get stuck in the gym. I try to squeeze every ounce of energy out from my body so I don't need to think so much... I would be so tired that sleeping would sound so sweet to me every night.

I have been on the same routine for more than a year now because those are the only 2 things that interests me. I don't consider myself as a boring guy but the environment kinda limits my expansion towards other interest:P Thus, leaving not much options in terms of a change to my current lifestyle.

Generally speaking, sometimes I feel lucky that I am not born a lady, I don't have strong urge for shopping or styling up my hair:) But I am still a normal mortal and it is hard when I really need something sometimes. For example: I am craving for McDonald or KFC but I can't get over here and officially I haven't touch or attend to any fast food for 1.5 year... this record was not part of the plan for being here.

However, a lot had happened overtime and I have opened my eyes to a lot of things I can't see in the past.

Here's what happened in July:

Hermee in Yatch Club

Moir & Raka (Yatch Club)

Work...as usual:P

Big Guy & His mom...they flew to M'sia 2 weeks ago

Just a random pic...

Moir & the whole bunch of M'sia Expat

Meet People, Go Places, Do Things

It's a rainy day today, I didn't get much rest last night because I was busy doing the payroll for all the employees. It's good that Hermee is here to help me out a bit and I have a handful of employees to support me at all times.

Just before I go to bed, I set my alarm to 4am. I woke up as schedule to do my routine check on the securities. 20 years ago, my father and bro was residing in the same spot and the idea of walking in the dawn within the compound feels awkward to me.

I went back to my unit and realised that Hermee broke the coffee plunger, so I couldn't brew any coffee this morning. Feeling agitated I sat down the couch and wondering "what am I doing here?"...and all the business issues start flowing in my mind. Suddenly, I realised that I have been thinking about business non-stop for the last few months, regardless day or night. When I was younger, I used to remember how my dad could just sit in front of the TV watching the news motionless for hours and anyone can sense there is a lot going in his mind...I got my answer now.

But the big question is: "Isn't being young all about meeting people, going places and doing things?" - Yes, indeed I am doing all three, but what about my plans for the future? I don't have anything in mind to be honest...

So while I am so carefree, I thought of my bro...he was struggling to get a job at the beginning of 2007 and he would blog everything that went wrong in his interviews. The struggle for his financial crisis, personal life and health was a constant challenge for him and the family; yet he always put his priorities right and I am proud to say that he finally found his dream job, got chances to travel around and always surrounded by friends that cares about him. I was very much relieved to know that he is doing well now.

Just thinking about my plans in the future or should I just follow the saying "I don't plan for the future because it comes too soon!" or "let go of the past, the future is unwriten, living by the day is living everyday to the fullest"...Personally, I reckon all these quotes are created to give excuses for people like me.

By the way, my dad's favourtie quote: "Make money while you're still young; think about the rest later, money will solve most of them at the end of the day."

I am tired...going to play Wii and get some rest after work :P

Updates for April ~ May

Just pretty much the same routine everyday... but I just snap some shots everyday.

*Giant Praying Mantis*

*The Gym Supervisor - She lives to argue with me*

*Other Gym Ladies*

*Tiramitsu*

*Before she got wet* :)

*Splash*... :P

*zzz....ZZZZ...*

*Charity, Christina & Nanai*

*Gia & Joe

*Spa*

*Was stuck in a strike*...

Officially got my diving license

Hermee was gone...

But he back again!

Ramu Nikel Riot

Recently we have been warn to increase awareness for potential disruptions toward daily business operations and safety for Asian staff (Chinese only).

Approx. 2 weeks ago, the Manufacturers Council of PNG was advised of a planned demonstration march (to be held in Port Moresby) against illegal Asians and low quality products from China sold in PNG. Unfortunately, the police and various security firms were unable to substantiate this intelligence.

Yesterday a demonstration took place in Gordons are of Port Moresby (POM). Somehow, the protest against illegal Chinese immigrant progressed to a general Anti Asian sentiment in particular Asian shop owners/ workers. Whilst the initial target was 'illegal Chinese workers', it quickly elevated momentum to the Asian Community. Meandering groups are moving around NCD and "preaching" anti-Asian sentiments, in particular to the street vendors, especially those who work for Asian owned trade stores. The preaching is gathering momentum as we speak and may potentially increase the risk of a "rent-a-crowd" following.

According to reports gathered, this Anti-Asian sentiment seems to spread around POM (town, 2 mile, 6 mile, Korobosea, North Waigani, Erima) as well as Madang Lae and Kokopo. Demonstrators will seize any opportunity or attempt to harm the Asian community if the MP doesn't furnish them with a letter of their concerns and requests ASAP.

With the general unrest at present there is cause for concern that unrest may arise.

Updates...

Friend's nephew

Remember the guy who refused to move out from the unit, and insisted to put his girlfriend in the unit to guard his belonging while renovation takes off?

...He's back with more this time (unfortunately, not with style and new tricks).

We were under court order not to chase him out from his unit, however, it doesn't stop us collecting rent from him...right?

So since he wasn't paying rent on time, and defaulted this month's rental. The company has the right to cut off the electricity and water supply into his unit.

Well, first he went to the police again trying to get us in jail, but it was in vain and he was frustrated. *sad, everytime my boss visits this country, the same guy tries to put him in jail...lolz*

The next day, he brought his own electrician but our "intelligence" found out and we sent our security guards along with the property manager to stop him.

He was adamant and parked his car to block the electrician's car from leaving.

I think the argument escalated, and he started punching my property manager. My manager retaliated with a full swing on his face...that marks the end of the fight.

According to my secretary's report: "he was down for 2 minutes, with blood ozzing out from his face...we thought he was a goner but to our surprise he was rising up again soon after...sad:)"

I think the mom called too, she wants to put our manager in jail and she wants to ensure that the water and electricity supply will restore to normal...*first she wants to take us to court, then they defaulted rent, next the tresspass the property and create disturbance, now she wants me to fulfil her request?!!!* These people seriously need to get a life!

Some people just ain't meant to play devil and advocate...

Just Updates

Hmmm, I feel like going on a holiday again...

Probably going to China would be a good idea...economical and special fares are just around the corner considering all the airline companies are experiencing heavy losses.

Now just got to find the time to go there...

I just joined up with a new gym. I have been going there for the last few days...trying to be fit again.

Hmmm, probably I should start dating twins or something...

The newly wed manager is trying to get a baby now, sounds like a scary idea for me now. I guess it's not time for me yet. I thought I was ready for a lot of things but my reality check proves me wrong. Hmmm...well, I still have plenty of time to think it through.

Remember to drink lots of water and have a lot of rest:P