My visit to a president suite

One of the perks in my job is that I get to visit all the places which I probably have no chance of seeing or stepping my foot upon in my entire life time.

Being in a company who specialises in hotel renovations, I will get to see all the pretty interior decorations in out of bound areas to mere commoners, who cannot afford exorbitant price for a one night stay in one of very expensive, if not the most hotel in Shanghai.

Few weeks ago, I had the chance to go understudy Ritz Carlton Portman in Shanghai which my company is working on. Seizing the opportunity, I asked my local staff to bring me in to see the President Suite at the 40 plus storey. I was told a night in this suite would set you back by 60,000rmb. That would be approximately $12,000 Sing dollar if the exchange rate is 1 Sing dollar to 5 Yuan. (Now I heard is 1 to 4.8)

The master bedroom ensuite bath-tub.

Bvlgari Toiletries! How luxurious. ( I was told that the normal soap for the standard room cost about 50yuan each. That's like $10 Sing? OMG!)

I was told the US president slept on it before. Famous celebrity would include Carina Lau who favoured this hotel when in Shanghai.

Keeping fit in the built-in gym.

The grand study table for important decisions.

Living Room for entertaining guests! (Note the red flowery print behind. I heard it costed a bomb and was hand woven in Japan)


Super long dining table behind and then the marble table is the bar counter.

A year older

I am a year older today.

Like previous years, the day is spend just like any normal day except this is the first year I spend my birthday in Shanghai. I did not do any unusual thing except stay at home, waiting for the time to pass for dinner to celebrate with T.

In this small little house, I missed my piano. Really really missed it. Unfortunately, the rented house is too small for me to buy or rent another piano so I have to make do with life without my own music. I did contemplate to pick up Guzheng, but having not accomplish anything on my newly learnt guitar, I better not.

Now I am surfing net to check for the prices of 2nd hand Yamaha piano here. Maybe who knows next year, when I have a bigger house I could jolly well buy myself my fourth piano!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 中秋节快乐

This is my first year spending my Mid Autumn Festival in Shanghai, China. Unlike my previous years in Singapore, I am spending it alone with T. The weather today isn't that good and was raining this afternoon due to the typhoon. Cannot see the moon tonight.

T received so many boxes of mooncakes up to the extent that I thought it was really ridiculous. We have kept 8 boxes and gave the rest away. How can both of us eat so many mooncakes in one go?? So I ended up taking some mooncakes to office to share with my colleagues.

If you think mooncakes are selling cheap here. WRONG. Each box retails at about 200-300 RMB which convert to Singapore dollars is about 50 - 60plus. The most expensive of them all is the Haagen Dazs 七星伴月 which is about 400++ RMB. （80+ sing).

Most of the mooncakes are similar to Singapore traditional types except they have green tea, cheese with lian rong, truffles with lian rong. I still prefer the the lian rong with eggs.


Thinking if T "ren yuan" is so good next year, I can prolly set up shop to sell the extra mooncakes at a discount.

Haagen Dazs 7th stars surrounding the moon.

Hotel Mayfair Mooncake. I love the box design.

2 boxes of Andersen Ice-cream


2 boxes of Christine Mooncake Gift Set (with truffle inside)

While blogging, I am eating the Haagen Dazs Cookie and Cream Mooncake. Very nice ! ! !