Travel Report: Shanghai Haigang Hotel

(Note from Author: I am still blogging on a super weird internet connection, photos aren't showing up on my side but I hope it does on yours!  If not, please bear with me, I'll fix it once I get back!)
Happy Wednesday!  As promised, I will be posting about the Hotel where I am staying!  The hotel name is Shanghai Haigang Hotel (Shanghai Harbour Hotel).

The hotel is actually a 2-star hotel but 2-star hotels in China are almost equivalent to 3-4 star ratings in Manila!  The bed looks great BUT, I had a hard time sleeping on my first night as it's hard and my back was hurting so much!  You know what I did?  I created "quilted" sheets with my blanket and I thought of that idea around 2:00am!  *laughs* So I was able to go to La-La-Land around 2:30am!  Too late, but I blend well with my "Panda" nails the day after! :P

There's a mini-fridge, a flat screen TV and the best of all?  Free LAN internet.  The internet connection gets wonky around 7:00-10:00pm though and I can't seem to chat with my family via Yahoo Messenger as I was disconnected nth time during chat!  It's frustrating but come to think of it, it's free!  No point in complaining.

There's a dresser and a SAFE!  But I didn't get to use it as I'm scared of even opening this cabinet!  Had this feeling that "Sadako" will come out anytime soon?  *laughs*  You can't blame me, I'm alone in a foreign land!

Bathroom looks like any other hostel/hotel bathrooms, they got basic necessities like toothbrush and toothpaste, shower cap, shampoo and conditioner and towels good for one. They can even lend you a travel hair dryer if you asked for it (in Chinese)!  Thank goodness I brought my own toiletries!  

There's a funny story about their service though, for a 2-star hotel, do not expect 3 star hotel service, actually I don't see much service at all!  I was there, tired from flight and was wondering why the bathtub gets flooded, I was calling their room service for help and 2x, I was given instructions in Chinese on how to deal with it!  *laughs* I was thinking: "If I can't do it, I won't ask for help right?"  Oh well, thank God for my IQ, I was able to figure it out on my own, no thanks to the service rep!

There are better hotels out there for sure but NOTHING beats the location! It's only a couple of minutes walk to the subway station and I am surrounded with restaurants after restaurants and a lot of shops!  Oooohhh, Lucky me!  Sale Season for stores like H&M, GAP, Uniqlo, Marks & Spencer, etc...!

I haven't taken much pictures inside the stores as I can be shoo-ed away for that!  (according to my brother).  Oh well, I was a diligent reporter, I was able to take a bit of shots still and I'll report back to you! :)

How are things there? 
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Shanghai! I'm back!!!

Happy Monday everyone!  By the time you're reading this, I'm probably off to the airport (or probably oversleeping) as I'm off to Shanghai today!  Before you get too excited, it's not all about fun!  I'm off to Shanghai for work...... THEN play! :P 

I will update you as much as I can!  I can't wait to see what Shanghai has to offer after almost 3 years?  The last time I was there was around 2008!  Can't wait to see my brother too!

There's nothing much to shop in Shanghai especially on international brands as I believe they are more expensive there!  It wouldn't hurt to check out Sephora Stores in China though!  I've researched and found a couple of branches --- that, if I don't get lost!

I am not even sure if I'll be doing the usual tourist-y stuff as I've done that before.  My favorite place aside from The Bund and the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower is the YuYuan Garden.  I wouldn't mind going back just to chill!

I will definitely try more food!!!  The area I will be staying is near a road that sells delicious and inexpensive local food!

Stinky Tofu is surprisingly good yet...ahmm..stinky!  Not craving for it but who knows?  Maybe, I can give it another chance!

I don't mind lining up again for....

THIS! :)

I know we have Lord's Stow down here which is as good, but this one has a more "egg taste"

I love curry!  I've eaten at a restaurant chain called CoCo and I was told by my brother that they branched out to malls!  I wish there's a branch near the hotel I will be staying!

Thank goodness the hotel is near a subway station!  

Easy for me to walk around the city on my own!

It's also a pro that I can speak the language, BUT, need to brush up my Mandarin skills!  

Not looking forward to the "blank faces" from locals who goes... : "EH?"
when they don't get what I'm saying! 

Oh, one thing more, the Subway in Shanghai is a bit confusing!  Too many people, most stops are in Chinese, or ALL stops are in Chinese?  ( I can't seem to remember.).

It'll be an adventure I will report once I get the chance!
Pray that I don't get lost ok?  Thank you!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy