Shanghai: I came, I saw I conquered....

i was overly excited for a month....and now i think it was all for the right reasons. This was the happiest trip I have had so far. Traveling alone was not so bad after all.

People who have actually been there told me 6 days was too long to spend in that city. I actually brought a book to keep me company in my lull hours... But I never had to open it. My six days were full of adventures.

A gazillion thanks to Tito Jun and Tita Nelia for being such great hosts. Grabe, superpowers nyo in Shanghai...hehehe.... I now believe I took the best tour of Shanghai anyone could ever have.... Pardon the 'superlatives.' I just really meant to say everything was 'super.' 

Here are my awardees:

1. Best bargain hunter- Kuya Kaka, for bringing me to the 2RMB store! weeeh! they had tons of assorted stuff...i got the beaded bracelets my brothers really wanted... i got the same ones in beijing for 10RMB last June...

2. Best ride- Kuya Jesse's electric bike (twas my first time to ride a bike!), maglev was great, too... it was fasssttt...

3. Best night out- my last night spent at Malone's.... Met cool people from home....I was in control of the alcohol, thank God! oh, and I got my souvenir drumsticks and guitar pick from Kuya Jesse and Kuya Jimmy! Art 6 was a really cool band...=)

4. Best haggling experience- Buying the Chinese dress at Subway store.... The store keeper gave me a free purse because I told her I'm an actress in the Philippines. haha! She gave me a good deal with the dress, too.

5. Best dinner- Banana Leaf.... Thanks to Tito Jun's mighty 'celeb' status, we got one of the best tables, and we didn't have to wait in line....Grabe lang! I even got to sing and dance with the singing cooks and waiters the PBB theme song and Christmas in our Hearts...hahaha!

6. Best bargain item- my ipod speakers; my adidas-converse shoes...haha...and mike's journal.... i love it!

7. Best Tourist Spot- Shanghai Museum, and of course, Xintiandi

8. Best tambay- Vandalizing the Wall in Starbucks near Plaza 66, Tracing family tree with Tito Jun; last day in Shanghai- Enjoying pastries and tea with beautiful roadtrip music plugged in my ears and the serene winter scene outside...

9. Best crib- Ms. Nancy's Pad at Palace Court...i felt so at home..hehe..., Tito Jun and Tita Nelia's Dorm....---thanks for the shelter!

10 . Best night spots- Paulaner, Malone's, Luna...and the rest of the Xintiandi Strip

11. Shopping paradise- Plaza 66- for designer's; Xi Fu (I'm not so sure about how it's spelled); Electronics Bldg ( I forgot the name)

12. Best restaurant- I like Banana Leaf, Deli Bakery and  Bi Feng Tang

 

13. Best homecooked meal- Tita Nelia's adobo and ate lydia's fish dish (paksiw ata?)

 

14. Best bar food- Paulaner's sausages and calamari

 

Winter in Shanghai was cold, but the coolest Pinoy people kept me warm every single day....Thank you so much!