Shanghai March 2019 - Day 2

1st stop on Day 2 - Shanghai Auto Museum.

It was a long drive from the city, but well worth the drive and time. We were already impressed when we saw the 2 vintage cars parked outside.

Once inside, we were even more impressed. Shanghai was already a very advanced and affluent city in the early 19th century. It was probably one of the first cities in China to have cars. The museum's collection showed both the historical development of the automobile industry, and also the cars that plied the roads of Shanghai, plus cars that China had produced over the years. Very educational and entertaining! Best part - they had very good English signages - something that we didn't find in Japan.

We paid for an entry package that included a ride one of the 2 vintage cars packed outside. We picked the open-top Lincoln Continental - same car that JFK was shot in.

The driver took us around the Shanghai Auto Expo Park, which was a beautiful park. It was also a gorgeous day to be out in an open-top car! There were so many people picnicking, playing and camping in the park!

Next, we went to 朱家角 - an ancient town cum water village. When I was planning the itinerary, I thought the town is quite near Shanghai Auto Museum. It turned out to be a pretty long drive. In fact, we were at the border to 浙江 already!

Felt a bit like we were in a period drama. The buildings and houses were all hundreds of years old! Very well-maintained, I must say.

And in the midst of all the history - a Starbucks!

By the time we were done with the town, it was past 5, and already turning dark. We couldn't get a taxi anywhere, so decided to take the trishaw to the train station. Took a long train ride back to town.

We were so tired when we got back to Nanjing East Road that we just gave in to the children's request for McDonald's. First time we had McDonald's so early into a vacation!

Shanghai March 2019 - Day 1

For the March school holiday, we decided to go to Shanghai - wasn't one of those places that we'd been wanting to go. In fact, it was never a place that we'd considered. But after Daddy's colleague shared about his family vacation there in December, and after doing a bit of research, we decided to go.

The children protested initially. They'd much rather go to Phuket or Florida. After showing them photos of Shanghai Disneyland and the Shanghai Auto Museum, and telling them that Shanghai has maglev trains, they changed their minds.

Before our flight out, we bought a book each for the kids. Best investment ever for a vacation. Both of them were so occupied by their books during the flights there, and during the holiday.

From Shanghai Pudong Airport, we took the maglev train to downtown Shanghai - in 8 min! Aaron was so excited to be on the train!

We booked a boutique hotel at Nanjing Road East - Sweetome Boutique Apartment. It was an excellent choice. Located along the shopping belt, above Zara and within a 5-min walk from the MRT station. We booked a family suite, which looked like 2 adjoining rooms without the partition. There was 2 bathrooms too!

The vibes of the hotel was a bit similar to Hotel Graphy Nezu that we stayed at in Tokyo last September - very cozy and communal, yet private. We love hotels like that!

Most of the rooms have a small washing machine. Ours did not, but the hotel staff opened up a room for me to do the laundry. When I was done, the 1 and only dryer on their gym floor was in use. So the staff offered to put our clothes into the dryer for me, and send to our room when it's done, so that I could go to bed! What excellent service!

After checking into the hotel on Day 1, we ventured out for dinner. We had yummy noodles and xiaolongbao at a restaurant near our hotel.

The original after-dinner plan was to walk to The Bund and take a cruise. But the throng of people walking to The Bund was scary!

It was impossible to find a spot to take photos without capturing the crowds too, except if we do close-ups.

Was had to enjoy the beautiful scenery too, with the mass. Otherwise, it was a really lovely place. Not just the river and the Pudong skyscrapers, but also the old buildings. Very romantic feel!

And that concluded our 1st short day in Shanghai - away from the crowd, back to the peace of our hotel room.

Chinese New Year 2019

After missing CNY celebration for 1 year, we made it up by celebrating with a vengeance this year - more decorations, food, gatherings and photos.

Daddy said I overdid the decorations this year .... I thought, once a year, why not?

We took more family photos this year ....

Spent more time resting and playing together as a family. On 2nd day morning, we went for a walk to Parry Park before the 2 Gu-Gus and their families came in the afternoon.

Then at night, Po-Po, Yi-Ma's and Ah-Gu's families came over for steamboat dinner. We usually have dinner at Po-Po's on 2nd day. But this year, Yi-Ma decided to do it at our place instead. Too busy eating, didn't take any photos!

On 初五, we invited our church friends over - our usual CNY friends gathering. It's always fun gathering with this bunch - adults have a great time catching up with one another, while kids go crazy playing together. But as the kids grow older and bigger, our place is becoming squeezier for these gatherings!

Feeding the hungry kids before the adults sit down to enjoy our dinner

And my dear friends bought a cake to celebrate my birthday as well.

This year, since the next day is Sunday (no school!!!) and our friends could stay later, we bought sparklers for the kids to play! They had such a blast!

CNY shopping at Chinatown

Daddy and I usually would go to Chinatown a few days before Chinese New Year to buy Taiwanese 果冻. We would go without the kids, coz it's so crowded we knew the kids wouldn't like it, and it'd be difficult to move around with them.

But this year, Nadine decided to come along. We had some much fun as a threesome!

Battled through the super crowded Pagoda Street to find this wall mural at the Chinatown market.

And we made a pit stop at 味香园 for air-con and some yummy (and expensive) dessert before going back to Pagoda Street to get our 果冻 and head home.