The KPop Experience: Guess Who!

Last January 20, I was at NAIA Terminal 2 with my uncle, grandma, and cousins because we were sending away our cousin back to Japan. Outside the international departure entrance, there's a big crowd (mostly girls) waiting but I just ignored them.

Our family stayed at the end-most part of the departure area wherein no one else were staying, While chatting there, the huge crowd 10 meters away from us turned screaming so I ran towards their direction to check what's going on. Some KPop guys got off a van and walked to the departure entrance gates. A lot of bouncers were there to control the crowd. Then I saw this girl who was crying like a "2-year-old kid whose lollipop fell on the ground". I got so curious that I asked her friend what's going on. The girl said it was "Infinite", a KPop group who joined the Girls' generation concert the previous night. The girl who turned hysterical got a bit calmer and hugged her friend as she said she can't believe she saw her idols. Woah! I was speechless. I left the scene and headed back to where I was standing first.

While I was chatting with my grandma and cousin, there's a black van that came and everybody at the departure entrance gates went screaming again. I got curious so I ran towards their direction again, until the van stopped in front of me. To my surprise, some cute Korean guys got off the van and the shouting girls came running towards me but they were stopped by the bouncers. So they were all blocked by the bouncers while I was there on the other side completely enjoying the view of these Kpop guys without competition haha! I took photos of them; but I didn't catch them looking because they were all in a hurry. I tweeted their photos and some Kpop fans responded that those guys were actually U-Kiss. Well I wasn't really familiar with Kpop guys because they all looked the same to me plus they belong in big groups that it's so hard to remember their faces, most especially their names. So, can you help me identify who these guys are?

This experience may be very random, but it's cool!:)

xoxo,

CityGirl

We Survived Shanghai!

The night of our Day 3 was the schedule of our flight back to Manila. We took the Metro Line 2 from East Nanjing Road to Pudong International Airport, which took us a little over an hour in the train. We checked-in at the Cebu Pacific counter, but since it's already 11pm, most of the food places there were already closed. There's one open somewhere near the boarding gates, but it's quite expensive there. We chose to spend all the Yuans left in our pockets here! haha! (But when I got home I actually found a left over of around 140 RMB in the deepest part of my bag haha)

survivors! haha!

 we were too hungry that we forgot to take a photo of the ramen we ordered lol

just so you won't get bored at the airport

After all the misadventures in our 3-day trip in Shanghai, I can say that we really had fun. We had a lot of discoveries and we learned a lot from this trip.

Although we initially planned to visit Shanghai Zoo, the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, the Jiang'an Temple, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the buffet at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, we were not able to do so due to our very tight itinerary. We could've gone to all of those places if we stayed there for 5 days. But of course, that would mean more expenses. So here's a quick estimate of our expenses:

Round Trip Airfare (Manila-Pudong Shanghai-Manila) - Php 5000+ each

*Our trip was dated Sept. 20-24 and we bought it on promo on the 1st week of June.

Accommodation for 2pax (3 nights) - Php 4100 (so Php 2,050 each)

*We booked it via Agoda and paid through credit card. Among the Jinjiang Group of Hotels, Jinjiang Inn in Donbaoxing had the highest ratings, and we agree!:)

Philippine Travel Tax: Php 1620 each

NAIA Terminal 3 Terminal Fee: Php 550 each

ERA: Intersection of Time (Shanghai Circus World) - Php 1254 each (or 190 RMB)

*We're supposed to by the farthest seats at 90 RMB but we missed the day we originally reserved those seats so we had no choice but to use a credit card to pay for 190 RMB each on the night of the show (since 90 RMB seats were already full); but it's worth it!:)

Pocket Money (shopping not included) - Php 7500 each

*We had this changed to Yuan at Czarina Money Changer in Makati Cinema Square. Just make sure you reserve Yuans 3 days prior to the day you'll have your money changed. To cover transportation, food (and cocktails haha) expenses, entrance fees to attractions and some "pasalubong" to our common friends. It's always better to bring a credit card or contingency funds.

Emergency Expense (Airport Hotel Accommodation for 2 pax for 12 hrs) - Php 2,625 (or Php 1312 each

*Cebu Pacific flights are always at 8:20pm and you arrive there in Shanghai at midnight. It is better to book that as your first night in your hotel because that's our mistake. We thought we could stay at the airport 'til the Metro opens at around 5:30am but Pudong International Airport was just a dead zone by midnight 'til before sunrise. So we ended up booking an airport hotel (15 mins away from the airport w/ free transfers) at 398 RMB even if we stayed there for only 8hrs. Thank God for credit cards!

So we spent a a total of Php 21,400 each in our 3-day trip. Could've been cheaper if not because of that emergency expense haha!

Some quick tips:

1. Do a lot of research so you can plan your itinerary and come up with a budget.

2. Download these apps: Trip Advisor, Wow Shanghai, Shanghai Metro, Guidepal Shanghai.

3. To be updated of the events, log on to www.smartshanghai.com.

4. If you're a CouchSurfer, there are a lot of CS members there who have available couches you can surf. Although I wasn't able to meet with any of them due to our tight schedule.

5. Make a reservation online for your ERA tickets and just pay upon pick-up before the show.

6. Be sure that your check-in baggage weighs exactly as the allowable baggage weight or else you'll end up opening your baggage there and pulling out your stuff to make them your carry-on baggage. I suggest you bring an extra bag (a foldable one) so if you have to remove stuff from your check-in baggage, you can move some of your stuff to your extra bag for carry-on baggage.

7.Bring food and water all the time because you might be skipping meals trying to accomplish everything in your itinerary.

8. Wear comfortable clothes, most especially your footwear! Flats or sneakers will do.

9. Bring Chinese Yuan. Reserve Yuan first at Czarina Money Changer.

10. Do not trust the 1st price they give you. Haggle to death! Be kind always but try to act as if you're leaving so they'll chase you and give you the price you want.

11. Get a city map at the airport. It will navigate you to the famous attractions there.

12. Bars and Clubs are primarily located in Fuxing Road, plus some are in Century Avenue and The Bund.

13. In crossing the Huangpu River, take the ferry as its way cheaper and better than The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.

14. Dedicate an entire day for shopping. We were not able to do it!

15. Get the number of the Shanghai Translator (maybe online).

16. Roam your mobile phone. Data roaming is available at promo rates with Globe because of the Bridge Alliance. For Smart, data charging is per KB usage.

17. Ask the person from the check-in counter to put a "Fragile" mark on your luggage so they won't torture your luggage.

18. They don't have Facebook and Twitter there but there's Foursquare, Path, and Instagram.

19. It's super hard to find a free wifi hotspot there. There's an open wifi at O'yamee in Century Avenue though haha!

20. They said buffet's good at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower revolving restaurant. Lunch is cheaper than dinner, and it's priced at around Php 2000 - Php 2500. We missed that because we didn't have much time.

So that's a wrap! Hope this can guide you as you plan your trip to Shanghai.:) Check out my previous posts for more detailed tips:

http://www.citygirldiaries.com/2012/10/surviving-shanghai-day-3.html

http://www.citygirldiaries.com/2012/10/surviving-shanghai-day-3.html

http://www.citygirldiaries.com/2012/10/surviving-shanghai-day-1-official.html

http://www.citygirldiaries.com/2012/10/surviving-shanghai-arrival-mishaps.html

xoxo!

Surviving Shanghai: Arrival Mishaps!

So I went on a weekend trip to Shanghai with my BFF. There's only 1 flight everyday from Manila to Shanghai via Cebu Pacific at 8:20 pm and it arrives in Shanghai at around 12mn. 

We got our tickets booked on sale last June and it only cost us around Php 5000+ roundtrip. About the visa, we got it 4 days after our application. Well we just renewed the Chinese visa we got September last year for a weekend trip in Beijing. I suggest you course it through an established travel agency because it's a whole lot easier.

We left Manila (NAIA Terminal 3) on Sept. 20, 8:20 pm. During our trip, the plane was less than half full. And 90% of the passengers were Chinese. After more than 3 hrs in the plane, we're finally in Shanghai. You better grab those tourist maps you can see on your way to the immigration.

neck pillows:)

The Pudong International Airport was almost closed when we got there. We were starving but got no place to eat. Our check-in at the hotel is at 12 noon and we have 12 hours more to go. We thought we could hang in the airport but we're wrong. Then an English-speaking Chinese guy with an "airport service" name plate approached us and offered us help in getting an "airport hotel". At first we thought that's the "per hour" hotel at the airport but we ended up booking a hotel, which was a 15-minute ride from the airport. initially the guy told us it will only cost us 300 RMB so we agreed. We bought snacks from Family Mart, the only open convenience store in the airport. Then we got out of the airport, rode a van, and arrived at the hotel. There we were charged 398 RMB for our room. Thank God, to the Chinese-speaking South African guy, a hotel guest who was nice enough to do the translation. The place was a bit creepy. And the bathroom was see-through! So we slept for a couple of hours and left the hotel at 10am. They gave us a free ride from the hotel back to the airport.

never again!

right before we left the "emergency hotel" haha

We're supposed to take the MagLev train but it will cost us a lot more so we settled on the regular Metro train. That's Line 2 from the airport. You better pay attention while in the train because at Guanglan Station, you'll have to get out of the train, transfer to the other side and ride a new train because if not, you'll end up heading back to the airport. It's kinda weird because when the train reaches Guanglan Road, it does not head to the next station, but goes back to the airport. When we noticed that the train was pulling back, we got off immediately after two stations back. We went back again to Guanglan Station and rode the right train after. Anyway, so we got off at East Nanjing Road, then transferred to Line 10 and got off at North Sichuan Road. Our hotel is at Dongbaoxing Road so it took us a really long walk to get to our hotel, most especially because we started walking at the wrong way. haha!

Note: The SHANGHAI METRO app is very helpful. Be sure to download it before going to Shanghai. It navigates you around Shanghai by telling what Metro Lines to take and which stations to go. It even calculates your estimated travel time. It's an offline app so you can use it even if you're not connected to the internet.

We stayed at Jinjiang Inn. It's a group of hotels so there are a lot of branches in Shanghai. But for the Dongbaoxing branch, we're really satisfied. They got good service and they got really nice rooms. We booked it via Agoda, and 3 nights cost us about Php 4,000+. It's super worth it! There's LAN in the rooms, plus cable TV, and heater at the shower. They also have wifi at the lobby. Room keys are cards, and these cards are required to be inserted in the elevator to bring you up in your room.

After a few minutes of rest at the hotel, we went out and started exploring the city. That's what my next post will be all about....

xoxo

Hello Japan! :)

Upon arrival at the Narita International Airport, it took us quite a long walk from the plane to the Immigration. There was quite a long line 'coz our plane's really full...maybe because there were lots of tourists who would spend their summer vacation in Japan too.

my cousin at the walkalator

At the Immigration, we were directed to the priority lane by a ground attendant. There we were attended by a female immigration officer. My grandma and I had our thumbmarks and photos taken, and our passports stamped.

Then we proceeded to get our baggage at the conveyors. While when on our way to the Customs, we encountered a lot of officers with sign boards which had photos of fruits. I knew they were asking if we got fruits in our baggage, so I said "no/none". Then we submitted the form we filled out during our flight (regarding prohibited items/customs duties) at the Customs officer at the gate.

Then we headed to the exit gates. Upon exit, we immediately saw my Uncle and cousin waiting for us. Yes, their waiting area's inside also, unlike in the Philippines.

There we were!

with my uncle (whom we call Daddy)

We grabbed some drinks.

Then we proceeded to the parking lot. But before riding the car, we had to pay for the parking first. Daddy just inserted the parking ticket and the payment...then whoala! Done!

It was totally freezing outside! I put on a thick jacket yet I still felt cold. It felt like I was in a huge freezer! Temperature was approximately 0 degrees...but it also turned negative along our way! Yay!

We got a house in Tokyo, which is about an hour away from the airport, but we'll be staying at our house in Suwa CIty, Nagano, which is about 4 hours of travel via Express Way.

On our way home, we passed by Tokyo and saw the Tokyo Tower.

We grabbed some food at a service area along the Express Way.

(oops sorry! I did the wrong way of positioning the chopsticks. it must be on top across the bowl.)

checking out some stuff at the convenience store

Then we had another stopover. We had some coffee (since it's really cold outside). I wasn't able to take photos inside 'coz I forgot the camera in the car. :p

Then back on the road again. It was below 0 degrees Celsius outside! Thank God, there's a heater in the car. haha!

We got home at around 1am. So tired and sleepy...but happy!:)

Yey...Finally!!! :)

So I haven't posted a blog entry  for almost two weeks already. It's just that a lot of things happened really fast! Let me tell the whole story.

I applied for a 90-day tourist visa in Japan last February but I assumed that it won't be approved 'coz I got denied already twice a few years ago. But luckily, I was informed that my visa was approved on the 3rd week of March. So we bought a ticket immediately for a flight on the 27th of March. Unfortunately, PAL and JAL were both fully-booked, so the earliest possible flight for us would be April 4. So I set my mind that I'll be flying on that date. But on the 26th of March, we got a call from our agent that she was able to boor a flight the next day, March 27. Oh my,I didnt expect that it would be too soon. So I packed my stuff and texted my friends to meet me for dinner. We had dinner at Pasto, Eastwood. 

they looked like Sex and the City girls :p

I got home at around 3pm and I woke up at 7am. With only 4 hours of sleep, we headed to the airport at around 10:30am. By the way, my grandma and little cousin were with me. Our flight was at 2:45pm but it got delayed so our plane took off at around 3:15pm. We flew via Philippine Airlines' Boeing 747.

 busy airport (MIAA)

our plane

middle seats

people boarding the plane

my meal: fish fillet curry inside

my cousin's meal: chicken curry (which I also ate after I finished mine haha)

After the 4-hour flight, we landed to Narita International Airport in Japan a few minutes before 8pm (GMT+9) or 7pm (GMT+8). The cool interactive screen kept me up the whole flight. It didn't bore me but made me enjoyed the flight even more. I played games, listened to some music, and watched movies. Haha!

My arrival in Japan would be discussed in detail on my next blog entry.=)

Airport Goodbyes

March 7 - So it's time for my pseudo-siblings to leave the country with their Mom and Dad. It's so sad that they had to leave us for two months here. It's kinda hard to cope with that since we're used to hanging out together every day and every night; most especially given the fact that I have been staying in their house for the past few weeks.

Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye for the meantime. Well at least I wasn't the only one who's left here. I had my other pseudo-siblings here with me.

last hoorah!

 the weird kuya haha 

 mom & dad! don't leave me and kuya!!! haha!=))

 huhuhu

We can't be sad forever. We just have to deal with it. Our happy days and nights shouldn't stop here. We've got more parties coming as we wait for our brothers and sisters here.=)