Beijing Adventures - Shopping in Beijing

  Astroboy at a mall in Wangfujing.

   It took me so long before I had the time to blog again.  I was hoping to wrap-up my Beijing Adventures before February but certain circumstances didn't allow me to do so.  I was so busy with work (I do have a day job which pays not only for my basic needs, but also for my wants and caprices, including my travels).  And I was sick the past two weeks (allergies; cough and cold).  Really.  I mean it.  Well, okay, let's just say that there's a little procrastination thrown in...little is relative, though.  Heehee.

     I think, this is going to be my last post about my travel adventures in Beijing, and it's about shopping in Beijing! 

     To tell the truth, there is not a day when my friends and I didn't go shopping in Bejiing; at least, window shopping.  Well, it's really inevitable. First, The Courtyard by the Marriott adjoins the New World Shopping Center, which is just one of the many shopping buildings in Chongwenmen.  So, every night, after our tour, we'd roam around Chongwenmen and shop for anything.  We scoured the aisles at the grocery in the basement of the New World Shopping Center, and it was glorious!  There were a lot of candies, like White Rabbit and Nougat which we used to eat when we were children back home.  We bought some, and I added some facial cleansers, Mentholatum, a brand I discovered in Taiwan (also available in HK) and which I actually adore.  Plus, it's cheap, too.  I was supposed to buy a set of Tsubaki by Shiseido shampoo and conditioner but it's way expensive in China.  The fun in shopping for food items in Chinese groceries?  Not knowing what they are made of.  Heehee.  So, caveat emptor.

     There are four malls at each corner of the intersection in Chongwenmen near our hotel.  One's the New World, one which I forgot the name, one with an H&M inside and Soshow.  We entered all the malls but I think we found our mecca in Soshow.   For one, it's just like a more organized 168 Shopping Mall.  I think, we went there thrice.  Also, you can haggle, and even if you walk away, the store keeper wouldn't call you back, unlike in the Pearl Market.  I wanted to buy a pair of Ugg-like boots which sells for just RMB 100, but it was one size smaller.  My friend bought a winter coat for like RMB 150.00; a bargain because it's of great quality, plus it's colorful and unique and it stands out in the sea of solid colored winter clothes.  I think the shop keeper would have given a lower price if my friend insisted because we were the first customer for the day (we bought the item immediately after opening hour).

Bread shop like Bread Talk.

     I think, there was more than 6 floors of shopping levels in Soshow; each level for a different department; ladies wear, accessories, men's wear, toys, etc.  As I said, it's like 168, but thinking about it, stock-wise, it's like Platinum Plaza in Bangkok.  The clothes are more fashionable, and younger.  First floor has a bread shop, like Bread Talk...well, it's almost a rip-off of Bread Talk, or if the said bread shop came first into existence, then Bread Talk ripped it off.  The breads are almost identical, but Soshow's breads are cheaper.  I forgot the name of the bread shop, but I have photos of it [see pics above].

     Considering that it was late autumn/early winter when we were in Beijing, a lot of shops were selling winter clothing of all colors imaginable!  The only colors I saw being sold in the Philippines were the basic black, blue, brown, red, gray.  In Soshow, there were coats in hues of pink, green, lavender...so glorious!  Plus, the designs were really girly and cute.  Some of the clothing at the other malls are like those, too.

      On the upper floors, we saw rows of stalls selling cute accessories and some stalls were selling anime figures and plushies and house slippers and winter booties for kids.  I even saw a Totoro plushie of some sort.  I was able to buy a set plushies of the famous Plants vs. Zombies characters, including the Zombie, of course!

     If you're wondering what treats or souvenirs to buy for your friends and family back home, why not try circling the local malls and supermarkets?  That is what we did.  We bought those vacuum-packed Peking duck, which, although cheaper, are not as great tasting as the duck from Quanjude.  A duck at the grocery costs around RMB 40 up if I remember correctly.  Then there are also assorted Chinese sweets, like sugared plums, etc., on sale by the package, or you could just pick whatever candy you may want.  We also bought some tea, loose-leaf and in teabags.  They're cheap, and teabags are dirt cheap.  You can try the flavor and scent of the teas in the different stalls inside the grocery or the mall.

     Then, if you're in the Pearl Market, do pick-up those "I Love Beijing" t-shirts, especially the ones which says, "I Love BJ," and believe me, if you give this to your Filipino guy friend or relative, his reaction upon seeing the shirt would be priceless.  There are also those Chairman Mao shirts and caps, too, as well as the "I Climbed the Great Wall" shirts.  Although you need to haggle really good with the shopkeeper at the Pearl Market.  It's for tourists, so expect the prices to be highly inflated.  I didn't buy a shirt because I was thinking I could find it anywhere in Beijing, but I was wrong.  I was not able to find those in other places.  Perhaps, I didn't try hard enough.

     Locals and tourists alike also buy souvenirs from those thrift stores, just like the 100 yen stores in Japan, only, it costs 10RMB.  Some items are cheaper than 10RMB per piece, some higher than 10RMB.  You could buy a dozen of decorative chopsticks, or pocket mirrors for the ladies.  Purses and figurines, too, can be bought from the store.

     Animal hats are also everywhere in Beijing, and selling like hotcakes is the panda hat, of course. But it's only good for use in the winter, so it's probably only sold during winter/autumn.  Funny thing, though.  I wasn't able to buy anything to remind me of a panda.   Sadness! 

 

     So, one thing I learned cool about Beijing, aside from all those culture stuff, is that there's an abundance of malls, and there are lots of shopping places.  You'll be the one to say you're tired because the choices are endless.  In Wangfujing alone, the malls are side by side and the mall strip stretches quite long.  Have a fun time shopping!

Air Asia's Seatsale - Bigger than Big [22 to 27 February 2011]

    

Air Asia will have a Bigger than Big Sale on 22 February 2011 [GMT +8].  Travel period is from 13 September 2011 to 29 February 2012.  So, people, when the clock strikes 00:00, get ready to grab seats for your chosen destinations.  Based on Air Asia's tweets, tickets for Laos is definitely going to be on sale, East Malaysia and India.*  I'm not sure with the other destinations but they might be on sale, too.  Otherwise, what's the need for a Big Sale with a countdown clock if it doesn't involve all destinations, right?

By the way, isn't the picture above hilarious?  Lol!

I am contemplating on going to Japan in the fall, so I'm hoping for a seat sale to Tokyo.  Plan well, people!  Happy travel planning!

*

    

Thoughts: Hello, Queen of Procrastination!

     Lately, I haven't been able to post...Well, I did post some seat sale opportunities but  it's like just copying then pasting.  As for contents, like my travel adventures?  Nada.  I haven't  even finished blogging about my Beijing travel adventures.  Not yet. It's just that I have been so busy lately at work and I don't have the energy to write.  Well, that and the sudden reappearance of the Queen of Procrastination back into my life...Yup, the Queen is back.

     I don't have a split personality, even if my mother did not have me tested like  what Mrs. Cooper did to her son, Dr. Sheldon Cooper.  But I feel just so lazy sometimes...well, most of the times.  I promise, though, that I'll wrap-up blogging about Beijing before February ends.  *pinky swear*

     And oh! I almost forgot that I'll be going to Vietnam in a couple of weeks.  I have made no plans at all.  Tsk! 

    

Melaka Adventures: Day 2 - From Melaka Sentral to Changi Airport, Singapore

     

FROM MELAKA, MALAYSIA

     The Courtyard @ Hereen arranged a coach service for us going to the Melaka Sentral bus station.  I was surprised to see the roads deserted and it only took around 10 minutes for the coach to reach the bus station.  The driver said there's no traffic during weekdays; only on weekends.

No traffic!

     Anyway, we got a little early for our departure, in fact, an hour early, considering that there was no traffic.  Probably, that is the reason why the very helpful staff at the Courtyard @ Hereen kept on insisting that we leave 30 minutes later.  Oh well, next time, I should listen to the counsel of the locals.

     The Melaka Sentral is quite huge and organized.  Since it was a Monday, there was not much activity and the station was not packed as I expected it to be.  There are a couple of restaurants/eateries serving local food and there are even some stalls selling treats like our very own dried goodies like kiamoy and preserved fruits and dried sweets.  And, like in the Philippines, they sell in small quantities, or by "tingi."  Yay!  I bought my favorite, white kiamoy since I didn't want to have red-tinted fingers.

     My mother and I searched for the correct terminal and the 707 Travel Group (Melaka-SG-Melaka) is quite easy to find.  Speaking of 707 Melaka, no less than 2 strangers, first, our coach driver, and second, a passenger waiting for his bus at the Melaka Sentral, told me good things about 707 Melaka.  Actually, they both gushed that I did the right thing booking my tickets with 707 Travel Group since it is highly reputable and that I can rest assured that I'll arrive in Singapore safe and sound.  It made me a little happy and again, very thankful, to the staff at the Courtyard @ Hereen.  As I've said several posts back, the staff booked our return trip tickets to Singapore.

     So, feeling quite satisfied that I'll be in very good hands, after all, the drive from Melaka to Singapore is about 4 hours, I quickly realized the reason why I was told that I did right by choosing 707 Melaka.  It appears that there are a lot of bus companies plying the route from Melaka to Singapore that you couldn't find on the internet, and they leave almost by the hour.  Moreover, there are a lot of ticket touts loitering the station asking passengers if they want to buy tickets to Melaka, or to Kuala Lumpur or some other places in Malaysia for that matter.  If you go to the station without any particular bus company in mind, you'll probably be confused which bus company to choose. 

     Finally, it was time for boarding, and the bus has comfortable seats and a wide aisle.  There are no individual TVs though and no tour guide.  But it was fast, didn't make any stops, and we left around 12:10 pm based on the bus' clock, and we arrived at the Malaysian immigration by 1:30 pm.  Yes, you read it right.  We only took 1 and 1/2 hours to reach the border.  By the way, it was the other border, not the more popular one.  It was my first time to pass through that border.  And, we also passed by Johor Bahru going to the border immigration.  

     We reached our final stop in Singapore around 2 pm or so.  We alighted at a bus station which I later on learned to be the Queen Street bus terminal (I asked people where the heck we were).  And my gut told me that it was near Mustafa since one of the roads is called Arab Street and I was right (the place looked familiar to me).  We were way too early for our check-in time and perhaps, we'd be better off if we shop some more to while away the time.  But my mother told me we should just go straight to the airport instead.  It was easy to hail a cab at the Queen Street bus terminal maybe because it was not rush hour when we got there.

AT THE CHANGI AIRPORT

     We got to the airport with more than 3 hours to spare before our check-in time.  Had I known that the bus ride will be around 2 hours or thereabouts, I would have ridden the 1:30 pm bus from Melaka to Singapore via the same bus company.  Next time, I'll take that into account.  However, on second thought, I'd rather be early at the airport than arrive there later than expected because of some unforeseen events.  So, it's nonetheless a good thing even if we arrived way earlier than we should.  The first time I went to Malaysia, we had almost no time to spare as we still needed to go to Singapore to catch our flight.  It was what we termed as "one day, one outfit: three countries."  Yup.  We literally hopped from one country (Malaysia) to the other (Singapore) then back home (Philippines), in just one day.  We didn't have the time to change clothes (we left Kuala Lumpur around lunch time and arrived in Singapore 6 hours later, and we landed in the Philippines before 12mn the same day).

     It was a good thing that the Changi Airport has lots of activities to offer impatient people like me.  They have gaming centers, a small movie theater (showing cable movies), lounges, computer terminals and even swimming pools and smoking areas (open areas).

It's fun to "people watch."  I've seen two check-in counters for separate flights going to India while waiting for our counter to open. 

Most of the passengers, if not all, had one tv each for check-in.  

The first group all had the same model Sony Bravia, and the second group, this group, all had Samsung tvs.  By God, I swear!

 

Melaka Adventures: Day 2 - A Very Sleepy Jonker Walk in the Morning

     If Melaka is a jungle on weekends, it becomes a lonely city on weekdays, and Jonker Walk is no exception.  My mother and I went back to Jonker Walk and around the area the following morning to take photos.  We were the only tourists milling around.  Surprisingly, with all the street party and people crowding the streets, Jonker Walk had no hangover the morning after.  The streets were spotlessly clean!  However, it lost its vibrance and looked sleepy; somber even, with its streets devoid of people and activity.  Of course, the heritage homes remain remarkable but there's a lingering sense of loneliness as the streets were empty and most people have left, or are still sleeping.  Had I known that there'd be a lot less people on weekdays, I would have scheduled our trip during weekdays.  Imagine. You'd have all of the World Heritage City to yourself!

     The Baba House

Hotel Puri

     Not all heritage homes in Melaka were created equal.  Some are plain, some have lavish intricacies, and some are just in between.

 Very simple, very sparse.    

 And then, you'll see this.  Whoa!

It's a small English manor of some sorts among the rows of heritage homes.

     And some has such character and charm even after they have been abandoned, like this one:

     It is not at all suprising that some of these homes are for sale or lease.  After all, they can turn into shops, restaurants and quaint guest homes, too.

    

     Like this shop which sells handmade soaps.  So lovely! 

     Or better yet, they can turn into headquarters like this one below:

Moral Uplifting Association?  Are the people of Melaka depraved of morality? Lol!

     There are a couple of temples, too.

     And believe it or not, a burial site!  Apparently, it's the grave of Hang Kasturi who lived sometime during the 15th century.  He was accused as a traitor to his brother, Hang Tuah, but it turned out that the real traitor was their other brother, Hang Jebat, whose grave, according to Google, was also in Melaka.

 Hang Kasturi's tomb.

     

     Here's the marker explaining the history of Hang Kasturi.  It's in broken English but understandable.

    

Manila Chronicles - 18th PTAA Travel and Tour Expo [18 Feb to 20 Feb 2011]

     The PTAA is currently holding its 18th Travel and Tour Expo at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia from 18 February 2011 to 20 February 2011.  Philippine Airlines is a sponsor (official carrier) for this event, and it is co-presented by the Department of Tourism.

     Here's a brief background of the event from the 18th Travel and Tour Expo website -

     The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event covering practically all segments of the travel business, making it the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry. About 80,000 visitors were present in the 2010 edition which had 416 booths occupied by 230 firms.

     On its 18th year, TravelTour Expo is expanding to 4 halls, giving exhibitors more booths to choose from while offering visitors a wider variety of travel options. The 3-day event is scheduled on 18 to 20 February 2011 at Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

     With the theme “Around the World in 3 Days”, the show aims to feature various hotspots in the Philippines and all over the world. Visitors can expect a glimpse of what awaits them in their chosen destinations while enjoying cultural presentations, souvenir items and discounted travel packages from the exhibitors.

Why join TravelTour Expo 2011?

• TravelTour Expo is the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry
• TravelTour Expo offers you an expanded customer base
• TravelTour Expo is the ultimate destination for the best travel deals
• TravelTour Expo is the prime marketplace for your destinations
• TravelTour Expo is continuously doing its best to bring you a special show every year!

Date:
18 to 20 February 2011

Venue:
SMX Convention Center Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4,
Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Opening Hours:
18 February - Friday
10 AM - 9 PM
19 February - Saturday
10 AM - 9 PM
20 February - Sunday
10 AM - 7 PM
Ticket booths close 30 minutes before end of show hours

Accompanying Events:
Daily Raffle Draws, Entertainment & Games and Exhibitors' Presentations & more surprises

     Exhibitors in the Expo include: Star Cruises; Dragon Air; Etihad; Hawaiian Airlines; South African Airways, Philippine Airlines, Continental and American Airlines, among others.  Big-name travel agencies, like Panda, Rakso, Rajah, and Sparkle, to name a few, are likewise participating.  The tourism arm of Taiwan, Macau, Sabah, Palau, Thailand, India, and many more, have booths at the Expo.

     According to the Philippine Airlines website, they are offering up to 70% off in their international flights at the Expo. So, see you at the Expo!

Thoughts: Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau With Friends

     Yes, we went to all those places with my friends last week.  For some weird reasons, my friends acceded going to Shenzhen.  I was not keen on the idea since most of my friends are first timers in Hong Kong.  They won't see much of Hong Kong if we cram it on a 4D3N trip.  However, I didn't voice out my reservations, except to our friend, who owns a travel agency from where we bought our land arrangements.  She travelled with us, too.  She said that it's okay.  Oh well.

    Anyway,  since I am not feeling particularly industrious, I will just note some of my observations during our travel in the meantime.  I'll start my detailed travel stories next week.

     So, here are my observations which I'll try to update if I remember something to add:

• It's cold in Hong Kong this time of the year.

Yup, knowing that, I was constantly checking weather forecasts and reports for Hong Kong starting the last week of January.  Apparently, just last week, temperatures dropped to 10C, a day before we landed in Hong Kong, then the weather got a little warmer, averaging around 15C to 18C.  So, I had on with me some cardigans, but with all those clothes for cold weather I bought, it was not enough.

• You see, 15C spells the need to wear winter garb in Hong Kong, and probably, the rest of East Asia.

It was cold, but not particularly cold.  It was way colder in Beijing when I went there late November where temperatures dropped to -5C.  I mean, 15C is just a little shy colder than in Baguio, right?  So, I was thinking, I don't need to bring my winter clothes and trench coat, that I don't need to buy winter boots.  Well, turns out that I was so wrong.  When we all got to the immigration at the Hong Kong International Airport, we were surrounded by Japanese and perhaps, some Korean travellers, who were fashionably dressed in their best winter clothes.  I mean, faux fur, shearling, winter boots, coat dresses, trench coats, scarves...you name it, they're wearing it.  My friends were wearing summer clothes despite my repeated warnings that it'll be really cold.  And what did my friends wear going to Hong Kong?  Flip flops,  sandals and stilettos.  In short, their feet were exposed.  Of course, people were staring at us.  Not only do we look stupid wearing summer clothes (like flimsy short-sleeved shirts, with no inner blouse and slacks or jeans), we looked dowdy compared to our fellow Asian travellers who were dressed to the nines.

• Hong Kong is a fashionable city teeming with fashionable people, locals and travellers alike.

As I've said, those Japanese and Korean fellow travellers who were lined up at the immigration counters with us were ultra-chic and appropriately dressed, whereas my friends were shivering in the cold and sad to say, we looked like the posh Asians' domestic servants.  Perhaps, that is the reason why my friends were questioned quite a lot by the immigration officers. 

Also, it should not be forgotten that Hong Kong is so fashion-forward.  That is the reason why I bought all of my new clothes and the most fashionable ones at that.  And, I was forced to put on a trendy lipstick so I'd look presentable at the very least.  Well, normally, when I travel to Hong Kong and Taiwan, I put on make up because people are wearing make-up and it's almost a politeness expected of you to be wearing some.  It's especially true in Japan as well, and perhaps, even in Korea.   If you don't like to put on some make-up, be wary that there is a marked difference being a fresh-faced beauty and having an oily face.  Oiliness is next to ugliness.  Or being make-up free and looking like you just got out of bed.  Besides, winter is a great time to wear make-up.  It won't melt, like it usually does when I'm in the Philippines.

Anyway, I was wearing rubber shoes when I got to Hong Kong only because my winter boots have been rendered useless.  It was not fashionable but at least, it was comfortable and apt for the weather.  So while I was a little cold wearing just a long-sleeved shirt and thicker cardigan, my hair was at least pretty (it has a great color, with highlights) and I looked somewhat passable.  On the other hand, the rest of my stay, I made up for my near fashion faux pas on our first day in Hong Kong.  Well, my clothes were still not warm enough but at least, I looked really good in my opinion.

So, if you're thinking that no one really cares how you look when you travel, you're just kidding yourself.  At least in Asia.  Well, people may not particularly care, but that will not deter them from staring at you in open amusement, pity, or even disgust.  I mean, if you want to be gawked at from head to foot, then, whatever floats your boat.  At least you've been forewarned. 

• Shenzhen and Macau is not as fashionable as Hong Kong.

Yay, finally.  In both these places, it is easier to fit in.  In Hong Kong, if you're not that fashionable, you stand out a lot easier, like a moving target.  Perhaps, that is the reason why touts along Nathan Road constantly badger you if you "want to buy a copy watch." 

• Don't buy cameras and electronics from shops along Nathan Road with flashing neon signs.

My friend wanted to buy a camera, an LX5.  It was her first time in Hong Kong so when we passed by those camera shops along Nathan Road, she half-dragged me to side so she could browse one of the stores.  I dragged her harder and told her that it's a no-no to buy there unless you want to end up paying more than the mall price.  In fact, you shouldn't buy cameras in any stores in Hong Kong with those flashing neon signs.

• Exchange rates are better at Mirador Mansion.  

Compared to money changers at the airport, malls or banks.  Pinoys generally flock to Wing Hoi money changer in Mirador but we usually just go to a Western Union money changer in Mirador since one of the staff is a Filipino, and thus, it makes it all the more easier to ask questions not just about foreign currencies, but as well as general inquiries regarding Hong Kong.

• Hong Kong is not for the lazy.

As with other developed Asian countries, Hong Kong is not for the lazy.  You have to walk, walk and walk some more to reach the proper bus stop, MTR station, malls, attractions, etc., unless you have money to pay for cab fares.  And if you want to mall hop, of course, you'd have to make use of those legs and feet God has given you.

Having a leisurely walk on rush hour in TST or Mongkok?  Good luck to you; you might just get bumped by people walking fast. 

• There are homeless people in Hong Kong, too.

Like any other place, Hong Kong has homeless people, too.  I've seen a couple of homeless people huddled under sleeping bags under flyovers.  So, Hong Kong is not all glitz and glamour.

•  Don't assume that English is widely-spoken and understood.

While Hong Kong used to be a  British colony, you'd be amazed to realize that more often than not, your words couldn't be understood by cabbies, store clerks, cashiers, etc.  Well, except perhaps at the malls, nice restaurants, tourist-centric places or shops.  Don't worry, you can always point and show, which I did at McDonald's.  So, it's better to ask your hotel's concierge to write down the places of your destinations.  Or better yet, use public transportation since they have English announcements and signs inside rather than taking cabs.

• Use the hotel's shuttle services in Macau. 

Yes, a lot of hotels in Macau have free shuttle service.  The moment you step out of the ferry terminal, you can catch a free shuttle to your hotel.  Want to go from one place to another?  Shuttle service is best.  From The Venetian, there's a shuttle to the Sands which is near the Fisherman's Wharf.  Want to go to San Malo?  Take the Cotai connection from Venetian to the Galaxy and take the shuttle from there to San Malo.

•  Half-day tour in Shenzhen? Go to Splendid China to watch the shows.

 If you're on a group visa, and wishes to go to Splendid China, skip the 5pm show and tell your tour guide you want to take pictures of the miniatures instead.  It's the Phoenix show that really matters and you should not miss it.

• Try not to buy from the factories you visit in your tours. 

 I mean, for jewelry, watches, jades, etc.  Except when the products are just cheap assorted general merchandise or trinkets.

Manila Chronicles: 19th PTAA Travel and Tour Expo

PAL's section.  Long lines.

     I went to the expo with my friends during lunch break.  There were a lot of people; it was almost suffocating.  It was also chaotic.  Of course, the bulk of people were crowding PAL and Cebu Pacific's booths.  Travel agencies selling Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok tours are teeming with people, too.  

     There are exhibitors from different agencies and some of the booths were really great.  Take Malaysia's replica of Christ Church from Melaka and rickshaw from Penang.  And Japan with cuteness overload which came with ladies in kimono plus a makeover booth courtesy of Majolica Majorca.  I've seen booths from Taiwan but all they're handing out are maps and directories of leisure farms.  Thailand has one, too, but it was simple.  However, just before we left, about 10 lady boys arrived, perhaps to stage a show.

     A couple of airlines have a photo wall and provide flight attendants' uniform you could wear while having your photo taken.  Very cute.  

They're trying on the flight attendants' uniforms.

Tea ceremony at Japan's booth.

Free makeover by Majolica Majorca

     The most rewarding part of the expo?  For me, it's collecting travel brochures from country to country.  Turkey has some excellent travel brochures in book form, Euro tours, too, in magazine form.  Some booths give away reusable shopping bags with the name of the participating booth of course.  

     We didn't stay long and we weren't able to booth-hop as we only have a very limited time.  Hope I could return tomorrow and visit all the booths.