A Different Kind of Business Trip: Shanghai Part 1

I haven't a chance to visit our China's office as China is under another colleague's charge. Not that I am keen to travel for business to China, I never thought traveling for business is fun. 

It was their annual New Year party. For the last few years, it had been virtual bcos of covid and I enjoyed attending the virtual party. With things returning to normalcy, China has planned for a large scale physical party and I had the honor to be invited. 

I have visited China 2x. Once for leisure back in my uni days to 九寨沟 in Sichuan and another time to Qingdao for recruitment. I have never been to Shanghai or Beijing and couldn't remember much from those previous China trips too.

The intention was a 4-day trip. I chose to take an early flight, hoping to head to the office and meet some colleagues. Ended up, I had to go directly to the hotel bcos some calls got moved, making it senseless to go to the office. 

I fretted over the 手礼. I mean, what is there in Sgp that isn't in China? Apparently, Bengawang Solo pandan cake. 

Bcos CNY is around the corner, I also managed to grab a few tubs of CNY goodies. 

Maybe bcos it was an early weekday morning flight or there are too many flights to Shanghai or not many people are traveling to China yet, anyway, the flight was very empty. There were maybe only 30ish of us. The 1st segment of the plane was half full. In my segment, there were only 5 of us. It was this empty. 

Bcos there were so few passengers, we received so much attention from the air stewardesses, who stopped to chit chat. It was so weird. Pls leave me alone. Lol. 

Bfast!

Landed!

I was happy bcos the flight was good; I stole a nap and the weather was great! It was in the mid 10s on the day that I arrived. Zaky was so jealous and said that it wasn't fair that I got 2 winters. Hoho. I was told that I would be enjoying nice weather in the few days that I would be in Shanghai. Just the week before, it was super cold. Ya, I no need super cold. 

The immigration was a breeze. I was very well taken care of and a car was arranged to bring me to the hotel. I started calls in the car and continued at the hotel lobby. The room wasn't ready until almost 4pm and I had to comfort myself. 

The room was nice. I was at Marriot Shanghai Riverside. I think 5 star. Hoho. No, I didn't have time to use the bathtub.

The calls continued to 7pm and I realised that the room uses solely warm light and I had trouble reading my notes, even with my glasses. Old already. 

I had in-room dining. 

Also finally found time to admire the views. My room was located in the correct angle. I 赚到. 

I am not sure what bridge is that but it changes color. 

Sleep wasn't difficult. Everything was good except that when I logged on to the WiFi, many of the apps like WhatsApp, FB, IG, etc. wouldn't work. It was quite painful, like I was going through a social media detox. 

Mummy Lim