Discovering More of Shanghai

I had a conversation about Shanghai with someone I met at Hyatt on the Bund, and the person asked me what did I like about Shanghai. At that very moment, the only two things I loved about Shanghai is Barbarossa, the exquisite Moroccan bar set in the middle of Peoples Square; and Faigo Hot Pot in Julu Road.

But in this third trip to Shanghai, I found another love - Huaihai Road. A titilating stretch of shopping malls and independent boutiques, some in modern buildings, others in restored architectures.



And most importantly, Huaihai Road is home to H&M. Huaihai Road is pretty long and if you are unfamiliar with it, like me, you would not be able to find H&M easily. It doesn't help that most taxi drivers in Shanghai are not familiar with the roads and buildings. My driver made me get off at the Parkson Mall somewhere in Huaihai Road and I was left to pester passer-bys for direction.

I walked till my ankles ached, and they were already in a sorry state because I had danced non-stop till 3am the night before at the fabulous Bar Rouge at No. 18 On The Bund. So yeah, it was an exhausting trek down Huaihai Road and I was getting depressed with every step. I was so afriad that I have been walking down the wrong direction and it would take another 20 minutes to retrace my steps.

And you know the saying: Light at the end of the tunnel. At one point, I looked up and noticed a signboard bearing the familiar black and red H&M logo. I jogged towards the signage and my heart skipped a beat when I realised it REALLY IS H&M!

I don't know if I had actually exclaimed aloud, but I do remember feeling incredible happy.



Ahh, four floors of orgasmic finds. I lost myself in it for more than an hour and emerged S$500 poorer. Then I lugged my HUGE shopping bag further down Huaihai Road to check out other boutiques.

I say, shopping in Shanghai is more fulfilling than in Hong Kong! I bought more things than I had in Hong Kong! There are some boutiques in Huaihai Road that are similar with those in Causeway Bay, but much cheaper.

I also found several boutiques in Huaihai Road that sold snipped labels apparel from popular designers such as Chloe, Diane Von Furstenburg, Yohji Yamamoto, and more. I found a pretty Diane Von Furstenburg wraparound dress that sold for only RMB$890 (S$178). Alas, such shops only stock each design in one size - and it isn't my size. Drats.

My shopping experience lasted five hours and I contributed at least S$900 to Shanghai's economy. That's not too much of a splurge, since it averages out to S$180 of purchase per hour.

Shopping is not all I did in Shanghai.

I rekindled my love affair with Faigo Hot Pot, where I ate loads of fatty beef, mushroom assortment and meat balls - all dipped in a fantastic sauce made up of soya sauce, lethal small red chillies, garlic bits and parsley.



I enjoyed really nice desserts at a little shop in Metro Town, a mall connected to Zhongshan train station. It specialises in fruit desserts. I had one with finely shaved ice flavoured with real strawberry juice, mango puree and a selection of fresh fruits.


I also chilled at Hyatt on The Bund's rooftop bar, Vue Bar, where a sparkling side of Shanghai was laid out in front of me.



I danced my ankles away at Bar Rouge, the club of the moment in Shanghai. It was packed with gwailos and local girls. It was a meat market - a high-class meat market. But beyond the meat market, the DJ spun very good hiphop and chart toppers. *sigh* It made me miss Phuture.




I was so into dancing that I did not take pictures of the place at all - how daft of me! There was this amazing scene when the bartender set the whole length of the bar-top on fire - and I did not take a shot.

Oh, but I do have this picture of the lobby of No. 18 On The Bund, where Bar Rouge and the equally cool Lounge 18 is. What lovely chandeliers!



I had massages - really fine ones. Once, from 1am to 3am. It costs me only (RMB$50) S$10 per hour. On my last day in Shanghai, I ordered one to my room at 10am to give my poor wasted feet a good kneading. All the dancing and shopping has reduced my feet to mere stumps.


And of course, I rounded up my trip to Shanghai with a night at Barbarossa over nice French wine and shisha.



Well, that's all for Shanghai then. I'm so tired now. I headed straight to Shanghai from my birthday holiday at Cameron Highlands. All I wanna do now is to just lie in bed and cuddle up with Joshua. And the good soul has offered to massage my feet for me.

I love this dude.