The Bund, Shanghai (2012)

Anddd… I’m back! From five days of cool Spring weather in Shanghai, witnessing flowers of all shades bloom and residents shed their thick fur coats for light cardigans. It was very comfortable weather but did get chilly at times so we strolled a lot less than L would’ve liked. Whenever my jaw started aching, I would just want to hop into a cab or disappear indoors.

We stayed at a friend’s apartment located on Nanjing Lu. It’s like living in Wisma in Singapore. We were just 50 steps away from the metro and minutes away from the humongous H&M, Uniqlo and GAP outlets. Really, we couldn’t have stayed at a better location even if we paid for it and he put us up for free. (Thanks, Ben!)

I went on this trip with only one aim, and that is to tick off my list of items to tailor. I knew for sure we were going to expand our waistlines with lots of delectable, spicy, artery-clogging food but there was no plan for any sort of Michelin star excitement. Thanks to the fiancé and his constant desire to make me happy, he decided to make reservations to take me to the newly-opened three Michelin starred restaurant, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, the moment he heard about it from a friend. Oh, it made me happy alright. That might even be an understatement considering I once told myself I’d marry any man who took me on a date to a Michelin starred restaurant. What a happy coincidence (and now you know my priorities).

Jokes aside, I think this trip helped me view the Chinese city in a different light. Some things that used to disgust/annoy me, they now just amuse. A fellow Singaporean I spoke to saw the city as displaying “a lot of character”. I still don’t agree but I think I’ve somehow accepted that it’s just the way things are and just the way people behave.

Food reviews and photos are in order but for now, I shall rest. A crazy work day awaits.
 

Read my Shanghai travelogue:
Part 1 – A Charme-d lunch
Part 2 – Brunch at Jean Georges
Part 3 – The Spice Spirit service
Part 4 – Tang’s Cuisine
Part 5 – Brunch at Kommune
Part 6 – Fabulous dinner at 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana