Beijing Tour 2012

Brought the 5 Days 4 Night Luxurious Emperor Beijing Tour Package by Gloree Tours & Travels at $398 per person from Deal Web Site, the Airport Tax for Air China Flight is additional $320 per person. Tip for Tour Guide at $6 per day for 5 days is $30, so the whole package cost about $748 per person. The tour package include Air China Flight with 5 Stars Hotel Stay and All Meals, it is consider a very good deal as we only have to pay for the Flight Ticket where the 5 Stars Hotel Stay and Meals are basically sponsored by the Specialty Shop which we have to stay for about 60 to 90 Minutes.

Day 1 Saturday 10th Nov 2012

We arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Saturday 10th Nov 2012 at 0715 hrs and take off at 0930 hrs for Beijing. We arrived at Beijing Airport at about 1545 hrs, by the time we clear the Custom and found our Tour Guide Miss Han it is already 1630 hrs. We immediately board the Van which can accommodate 13 persons and set off for Dinner.

We had our Dinner at Dalian Seafood Restaurant, and we have Gong Bao Chicken Dice, Stir Fry Pork and Vegetable. We proceed to Shijingshan HNA Hotel right after dinner and Check In to Room 838 and 839 right after Dinner and rest for the Night.

Day 2 Sunday 11th Nov 2012


Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） Stone Statue at Prince Kung Mansion （恭王府）

We went to the Super Market nearby after Breakfast and brought Three Set of Winter Glove and Hat at RMB 150 (S$30) for my Mother, Aunt and Wife. The Tour Guide fetch us at the Hotel at 1100 hrs and set off for Lunch. We have our Lunch at Chong Qin Steam Boat Restaurant, and we have Gong Bao Chicken Slice, Stir Fry Pork, Steam Egg and Vegetables.

We proceed to Solana Shopping Centre （蓝色海湾） right after Lunch. As we have to wait for another Group who will join our Tour Tomorrow we decided to hold our Actual Tour Itinerary until they have join us.

We decided to visit Prince Kung Mansion （恭王府）as part of the Additional Tour since we do not have any plan for the afternoon. The Entrance Fee is actually RMB 80 (S$16) per Person but we pay RMB 90 (S$18) for the Transportation and Tour Guide. I brought 40 x Amulet for RMB 600 (S$120) and 20 x Card for RMB 600 ($120) as Souvenirs for Friends and Relatives.

Prince Kung Mansion （恭王府） is related to a Legend, it was once the Mansion of He Shen （何伸） an Eunuch who was well like by the Qian Long （乾隆） Emperor and Promoted Nine Rank and become the Right Hand Man of the Emperor. He was a Greedy person and have accumulated a lot of Wealth and Treasures from his Post over the Years. There are Three Wonders and One Treasure in his Mansion, the Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） Stone Statue, the Treasure Collecting Pond （聚宝盆）, the Nine Thousands Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Blessings and the Number One Blessing （天下第一福） in the World.

The Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） Stone Statue is form by nature erosion and he brought it back from Jiangnan （江南） when he accompany the Emperor for Tour. It immediately bear him a Son which he have long for and it really resemblance a Women Carrying a Child which look like the Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） which give Blessing to Child Birth.
The Treasure Collecting Pond （聚宝盆） is design in the Shape of a Gold Ingot （元宝）, the Money Trees are Plant around the Pond. The fallen leaves will collect in the Pond which signify Money falling into it. It is greatly related to the Feng Shui of Ancient Chinese Tradition.

There are Nine Thousands Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Wooden Bat （蝠） Craving on the Building in the Mansion, Bat was believe to be direct representation of Blessings （福） in Chinese Wordings. The Number One Blessing in the World Hidden in the Stone Forest （石林） located at the Stomach of the Water Dragon （水龙） complete the Figure to Ten Thousands （万福）.

The Number One Blessing （天下第一福） in the World is a Manuscript written by Kang Xi （康熙） Emperor when his Mother is suffering from Sickness due to Old Age. As the Emperor is believe to be the Son of Heaven （天子）, he bear the direct responsibility to Pray for Blessing （祈福） for the Mother Health. He mediated for Three Days and created this Manuscript which actually bring Good Health to his Mother according to the Legend.

The Manuscript represent five worldly desires with one word other than Many Blessing （多福）, it also represent Many Child （多子）, Many Talent （多才） or Wealth （多财）, Many Land （多田）, Many Longevity （多寿）. As Kang Xi （康熙） Emperor only created Three Pieces of Manuscript in his whole life, this Manuscript had been classified as the Number One National Treasure by the National Leaders and National Culture Department.

We proceed for Dinner after that, and have Stir Fry Chicken, Stir Fry Pork and Vegetables. We return to our Hotel after Dinner and rest for the Night.

Day 3 Monday 12th Nov 2012


Forbidden City （故宫）

We set off for National Theater at 0700 hrs right after our Breakfast, Mr Kwok and his Family of four had join us for the Tour for the Next Three Days. The National Theater is some how very similar to the Esplanade Theater in Singapore. We proceed to visit Tian An Men Square （天安门） and Forbidden City （故宫） after that, due to the 18th National Parliament we have to go through very tight security check before we can enter into the Premise.

The Ancient Chinese Feng Shui Belief was included in Most of the Buildings in China especially Beijing the Capital which originate from Ming Dynasty until now. The North was represented by the Water Element Blue Tortoise which is the Position for Elder in the Family, the East was represented by the Wood Element Green Dragon which is the Position for Son in the Family, the West was represented by the Gold Element White Tiger (this was Earth Element in Korean Culture) which is the Position for Daughter (Thousand Gold Girl) and finally the South was represented by the Fire Element Red Phoenix which is the Position for Servant (this can also be Women as Phoenix are usually related to Women).

The Water Dragon run from West to East where the Head is located at Central South Sea （中南海） Headquarter (The Office for National Leader). The Earth Dragon （土龙） run from North to South which is the Central Line which divide the Beijing City, all the Major Building Locations are aligned to this Central Line including the Forbidden City （故宫）, the Heaven Temple （天坛）, Ming Emperor Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） and even the Recent Year 2008 Bird Nest （鸟巢） and Water Cube （水立方） Olympic Stadium.

We have Lunch after our visit at Forbidden City （故宫）, and have Peking Duck, Stir Fry Chicken, Pork Rib, Steam Fish, Fried Prawn, Fried Egg, Duck Soup and Vegetables. We visit the Tea Shop right after our dinner and was taught on knowledge of Tea as our Previous Jiangnan （江南） Tour.


Pagoda at Heaven Temple （天坛）

We visit the Heaven Temple （天坛） after Lunch, it is the Temple where the Emperor Pray for Blessing from Heaven （祭天）. It had a Centre Stone at the Three Level Platform which most believe a person can hear the Sound from Heaven and Hell when standing directly on it. It had also a Echo Wall （回音墙） which you can hear three repeat echo when you shout standing at the middle of it. The Pagoda is build completely out of Wood and all the structure were joint without any Nails.

We have our Dinner at Cantonese Restaurant after that, and have Curry Chicken, Stir Fry Fish, Sweet Sour Pork, Pork Patties, Fried Egg and Vegetables. We went to watch an Golden Sand Myth （神秘金沙） Acrobat Show after Dinner and went back to Hotel and rest for the night.

Day 4 Tuesday 13th Nov 2012


Great Wall Certificate

We visit Jade Factory after our Breakfast and was taught on knowledge of Jade as our Previous Jiangnan （江南） Tour. The only additional Knowledge is that the Jade Bracelet should be worn on the Left Hand as it is Closest to the Heart (this is similar to Wedding Ring Culture).

We visit Great Wall （长城） after that, my wife only complete half the Journey while my Mother and Aunt only waited below. I have to do one and a half journey as Mr Kwok and his two sons lost their way, as you can guess the additional half journey is done together with the Tour Guide out of Good Will to help locate them. I got a Certificate for RMB 30 (S$6) with Photo of My Wife and Myself on it.

We have Lunch after that, and we have Gong Bao Chicken Slice, Stir Fry Chicken, Pork Knuckle Peanut Soup, Fish Ball Soup, Winter Melon Soup, Braised Tou Fu (Bean Curb) and Vegetables. Mrs Kwok decided to treat my family to the Additional Tour of Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） at RMB 35 (S$7) per person in appreciation of my help to find her family.


Ming Emperor Statue at Thirteen Tomb （十三陵）

The Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） of the Ming Emperor are build at a Feng Shui Location with Longevity Mountain on the North, Green Dragon Mountain to the East, White Tiger Mountain to the West and Red Phoenix Plain to the South. The Red Army Leader Mao Zhe Dong （毛泽东） had decided to build a Dam during the Culture Revolution （文化大革命） in 1949 to stop the Water Dragon （水龙） from flowing through the Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） to his advantage as he fortune is lack of the Water Element. So the Head of the Water Dragon （水龙） had been alter to be in Central South Sea （中南海） Headquarter (The Office for National Leader) instead of Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） during the Mao Era.

There is a Gate of Hell where only the Emperor Coffin and the Carrier can past through, we have to Stomp our feet (Left for Guy, Right for Girl) three time and wipe off the dust on our body and shout “We are back” when we return from the Tomb Visit to prevent any bad fortune from following us.

We went for Tibet （西藏） Foot Massage after that, and the Specialist try very hard to convince us to buy Tibetan Medicine by demonstrating Qi Gong （气功） (Ancient Chinese Martial Art Energy Power). My mother and my aunt decided to buy the Herbal Satchel for Soaking Feet after much persuasion.

We went to Wang Fu Jin Walking Street （王府井步行街） after that, we have various Local Food at Dong Hua Men Eatery Street （东华门小吃街） which is located there. We have our Dinner there too and have Crispy Duck, Fried Fish, Stir Fry Pork, Meat Ball, Braised Tou Fu (Bean Curb) and Vegetables. We ask the Tour Guide to arrange for the Legend of Gong Fu Show （功夫传奇） at the Red Theater （红馆） at RMB 280 (S$56) per person. We went for Night Tour of Chang An Street before we return to Hotel and rest for the night.

Day 5 Wednesday 14th Nov 2012


Pagoda at Summer Palace （颐和园）

We visit the Silk Factory after Breakfast and was taught on knowledge of Silk as our Previous Jiangnan Tour. They have 6th Generation Silk Products which kind of remind me of the relationship of Apple iPhone Generation. I brought a Panda Soft for my Nephew at RMB 480 (S$96). I realise that the same thing sold for RMB 240 (S$48) at the Panda House at the Zoo and RMB 180 (S$180) on the Street.

We visit Summer Palace （颐和园）after that, the Kun Ming Lake （昆明湖） is Shape of the Peach （寿桃） which signify Longevity Sea （寿海） and the Ten Thousand Longevity Mountain （万寿山） is Shape of a Bat （蝠） which signify Blessing Mountain （福山）. The Dragon （龙） was Suppress by the Phoenix （风） in the Summer Palace as the Ci Xi Dowager Empress wish to hold Power and refuse to let the Son Emperor Rule. There was Dragon Statue which stretch out the Claw signify the Emperor Begging for things and the Phoenix is located at the center to signify it Authority over the Dragon.


Giant Panda （大熊猫） at Zoo

We went to visit the Panda House at the Zoo after that, most of the Giant Panda （大熊猫） and Small Panda （小熊猫） were lazy and were taking their afternoon nap. There are also Golden Monkey （金丝猴） there which appear much more active as compare to the Pandas.

We have our Lunch at Thai Village Restaurant, and have Fried Fish, Fried Prawn, Crispy Chicken, Sesame Ball and Vegetables. We visit the Jewellery Shop which is located there, and was taught on knowledge of Jewellery as our Previous Jiangnan Tour. The only additional Knowledge is they demonstrate the Refractive Index of the Precious Stone by the Laser. The Boss actually try to convince us into buying Jewellery by giving us a Gift of Jade Pendant and Generous Discount of RMB 12800 (S$2560) Ruby Ring at the Price of RMB 200 (S$40). I brought a Ruby Necklace at RMB 660 (S$132) as a gift for my mother.


Pan Gu （盘古） IBM Tower Shape Like a Dragon （龙）

We went to visit the Year 2008 Bird Nest （鸟巢） and Water Cube （故宫） Olympic Stadium nearby after that. The Bird Nest Stadium were build to match the International Conference Centre which Shape like the Phoenix （凤） when view from the Top, while the Water Cube （水立方） Stadium were build to match the Pan Gu （盘古） IBM Tower which is Shape like a Dragon （盘古） (as Chinese believe Water will provide Energy for Dragon to Soar the Sky).


Willow Tree at Shi Cha Hai Bar Street

We went to Shi Cha Hai Bar Street （什刹海酒吧一条街） after that and watch the Old Beijing Movement Acrobat Show （老北京动起来） there. Visitor are welcome to give Tips of RMB 10 (S$2) to RMB 20 (S$4) after the Performance and I decided to give RMB 20 (S$4) as I can see they really put in a lot of effort into the Performance.

We have Dinner after that, and have Crispy Duck, Steam Fish, Chicken, Fried and Steam Dumpling, Fried Egg and Vegetables. We went to Silk Street Shopping Centre （秀水街） after that, where I realised the Pricing there were to Slaughter Tourist when the same Panda Soft Toy I brought for RMB 480 (S$96) were selling at RMB 580 (S$116) there. Even Android Tablet which selling at Shenzhen （深圳） at RMB 500 (S$100) were selling there at RMB 1000 (S$200). The worst is when I went to ask about a Micro Fiber Blanket which is selling in Singapore at S$30 (RMB 150), to my surprise they actually ask for RMB 750 (S$150) from the start and finally lower down the pricing to RMB 250 (S$50) after much Bargain.

We arrive at Beijing Airport at 2000 hrs and take off at 2330 hrs for Singapore. We arrived at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at about 0600 hrs, by the time we clear the Custom, brought some Duty Free and get our Check In Baggage it is already 0700 hrs. We decided to have Breakfast at Starbucks Cafe before we proceed back home.

Jiang Nan Tour 2012

Brought the 5 Days 4 Night Romantic Luxurious Shang Hai Tour Package by Gloree Tours & Travels at $238 per person from Deal Web Site, the Airport Tax for Singapore Airline Flight is additional $380 per person. Tip for Tour Guide at $6 per day for 5 days is $30, so the whole package cost about $648 per person. The tour package include Singapore Airline Flight with 5 Stars Hotel Stay and most of the Meals, it is consider a very good deal as we only have to pay for the Flight Ticket where the 5 Stars Hotel Stay and Meals are basically sponsored by the Speciality Shop which we have to stay for about 60 to 90 Minutes.

Day 1 Saturday 22nd Sep 2012: Shang Hai and Su Zhou

We arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 on Friday 21st Sep 2012 at 2230 hrs and take off at 0115 hrs for Shang Hai. We arrived at Shang Hai Pu Dong Airport at about 0635 hrs, by the time we clear the Custom and found our Tour Guide Miss Zhu it is already 0715 hrs. By the time all the 16 people gather at the Bus which can accommodate 55 persons and set off is already 0730 hrs.


My Mum Making Sushi at Suntori Japanese Restaurant at East South East Culture Centre

Our first stop is East South East Culture Centre at Shang Hai, we arrive there at about 0900 hrs. We have Sushi Making Lesson and watch some Dance Performance there. We left at about 1100 hrs and have Duck Noodle at RMB 5 each ($1) for Lunch at nearby Eatery. We set off again at about 1200 hrs for Su Zhou.


Famous Combination Word by Tang Bo Hu which mean Every Day Can See Talent (Money).

The next Attraction is Tang Bo Hu Mansion at Su Zhou, Tang Bo Hu is one of the four Talented Scholar in Jiang Nan he is famous for many Painting and Poetry. I brought a Folded Fan with his Famous Poetry printed on it for RMB 20 ($4).

We check in at Su Zhou Days Inn Room 317 and 315 at about 1430 hrs, have a short afternoon nap and gather again at Hotel Lobby at 1630 hrs. We have Steam Fish and Meat Ball for Dinner at Local Restaurant at 1700 hrs. We visit Yuan Rong Times Square Shopping Mall at 1830 hrs to see the Biggest LED Display and return back to our Hotel at 1930 hrs and rest for the night.

Day 2 Sunday 23rd Sep 2012: Su Zhou and Wu Xi

We woke up at about 0700 hrs and have our Breakfast at 0730 hrs at the Hotel, we gather at the Hotel Lobby and set off at 0800 hrs. The first stop in the morning is Silk Factory and we arrive there at about 0900 hrs. Silk is a very good Material for Blanket as it can withstand Moisture, it remain cool in Summer and warm in Winter. Real Silk is different from Polyester, when burn with fire it will give off White Smoke and extinguish within seconds. I brought Leopard Spot Design Bed Linen Set at RMB 4480 ($896), Silk Blanket and Mattress Protector Set RMB 1470 ($294), it came with 4 x Silk Pillow and 2 x Silk Scarf Free, My Grand Aunt brought (Kid Size Silk Blanket and Mattress Protector Set for my coming Nephew at RMB 720 ($144). We also brought 6 x Silk Scarf at RMB 50 ($10) from the Tour Guide and get one Silk Scarf free.


Ling Shan Buddha

We have Pork Knuckle and Fried Prawn for Lunch at Local Restaurant by the River at about 1100 hrs, we set off for Wu Xi at about 1200 hrs. We arrive at Ling Shan Buddha at about 1400 hrs, the Tour Tram of RMB 25 ($5) was provided by the Tour Agency Free when we purchase the Additional Tour Package at RMB 500 ($100). We left at 1700 hrs

We have Pork Rib and Steam Fish for Dinner at Local Restaurant at 1800 hrs and arrive at Wan Da Shopping Mall at 1900 hrs. We left the Shopping Mall at 2000 hrs and check in at Wu Xi Ramada Hotel Room 8008 and 8010 at 2100 hrs.

Day 3 Monday 24th Sep 2012: Wu Xi and Hang Zhou

We woke up at 0630 hrs and have our Breakfast at the Hotel at 0700 hrs, we gather at the Hotel Lobby at 0730 hrs and set off for Pearl Factory. We arrive at Pearl Factory at about 0830 hrs. Pearl come in different Colour, the most common one are White and Pink, Fresh Water Pearl got Purple and the very rare Black while Salt Water Pearl have very Rare Golden. Real Pearl can be determine by grinding it against Glass, no matter what the Pearl Colour is, the Powder will always remain White. Pearl Powder can be consume for Health or apply to skin for Beauty. Pearl is of no value if it is not Round and less than 8 mm in diameter, the most Rare one are at least 10 mm or more in diameter. My Grand Aunt Brought a Golden Pearl Necklace at RMB 8800 ($1760) and Golden Pearl Ring at RMB 5000 ($1000)


Li Lake Garden

We arrive at a Li Lake Garden at 1030 hrs which is built in remembrance of Fan Li and Xi Shi which is one of the Four Famous Beauty. Yue and Wu have been in War for many years, Yue Emperor Gou Jian was captured by Wu and have to taste Wu Emperor Shit to diagnose his sickness to gain his trust. He also taste the bitter gallbladder of snake every night to remind himself of the humiliation and seeking for a chance to revenge. He was finally release back to his country after three years and his advisor Fan Li suggest training a female spy which is Xi Shi to destroy Wu. Xi Shi manage to win Wu Emperor Heart and talk him into killing his most capable General. As Wu become weaken, Yue manage to conquer and take over most of the land.

But Yue Emperor grew weary of Fan Li and Xi Shi and want to kill them, the Lover escape to this Lake and live a seclude life until they die. As Fan Li have invented the weighing system and help to improve the Local Economy by teaching the people how to Fish, Plant and Trade while Xi Shi teach them how to Weave, the Local decided to use this Lake to remember them.

We left the Lake Park at about 1100 hrs and our next stop is Purple Sand Teapot Museum. We arrive there at about 1200 hrs and were taught on how to differentiate Real Purple Sand Teapot from the Fake one from the Sound Crystal Clear when knock and Feel Rough on the Surface , it also have a very good Absorbing Properties where it is able to dry up fast and can give back Tea Taste after some use without Tea Leave as the Favour is absorb into the Material. As Purple Sand can only be found in Yi Xing Quarry and unable to regenerate itself, it had become a very rare material for making Teapot. The most common one is Purple or Red in colour while there are also the Yellow and the Most Rare Green. My Mum brought 6 x Purple Sand Tea Cup at RMB 5 ($1) each.


Old Canal River Boat Tour

We have Pork Rib and Steam Fish for Lunch at a Restaurant near to the Tea Pot Museum at about 1300 hrs. We set off at about 1400 hrs for our first Additional Tour Package of Old Canal River Boat Tour arrive there at about 1430 hrs. The Boat Tour actually cost about RMB 100 ($20) each but we have to pay the Tour Agency RMB 150 ($30) each for the Tour Guide and Transport. It was like the River Boat Tour in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay in Singapore only the Building is more Traditional Chinese Style in Ancient China.

We brought 5 x Biscuit from the Tour Guide at RMB 20 ($4) each and get one Free. We finish our Boat Tour at about 1600 hrs and set off for Hang Zhou. The travelling time to Hang Zhou is about three and a half hours and we have the Famous Beggar Chicken and Dong Bo Pork for Dinner at Hang Zhou at 1930 hrs. We went to West Lake Night Spot at 2030 hrs and check in to Hang Zhou Heng Jing Holiday Hotel Room 520 and 521 at 2200 hrs.

Day 4 Tuesday 25th Sep 2012: Hang Zhou and Shang Hai


West Lake Boat Tour

We woke up at 0630 hrs and have our Breakfast at the Hotel at 0700 hrs, we gather at the Hotel Lobby at 0730 hrs and set off for West Lake Boat Tour. We arrive there at 0830 hrs and take the Boat Tour with visit to another Lake Garden. The West Lake is related to the Legend of White Snake as she is held captive by the Monk in the Lei Feng Pagoda located there. There is Three Lamp with Five Holes at the Centre of the Lake where they will light up at Night on Moon Cake Festival which will simulate a Reflection which create an illusion of many Moons. My Grand Aunt brought 8 x Scarf at RMB 10 ($2) each at the Lake Garden near to the West Lake.

Our next stop is Long Jing Tea Village, we arrive there at about 1000 hrs. The Tea Village belong to the Mei Family and most of them are with the Surname of Mei. We are shown how the Tea can absorb all the Toxin from the Rice which is contaminated by Iodine and explain on the benefit of drinking Green Tea. The Tea should not be brew with Boiling Water but with Warm Water at about 80 Degree Celsius which is left to cool for about three to five minutes after boiling.

We have Steam Fish and Pork Rib for Lunch at 1130 hrs at a Local Restaurant nearby the Tea Village. We set off for Shang Hai at 1230 hrs and arrive at Pu Er Tea Shop in Shang Hai at 1600 hrs. Pu Er is Red Tea from Yun Nan, it can be brew with Boiling Water and its favour become better with age. It also have good benefit for Health and it took few hundred years to grow into a mature tree. We are also introduce to the Tian Qi Flower which the First Year is White and Second Year is Yellow which only can cook as dish, the Third Year it will become Green which can be use to brew Tea.

There is a Story of a Wood Chopper who accidentally injure a Monkey in the forest, he realise the Monkey wound recover very fast within a few days. So he decided to injure the Monkey again and follow it, he saw the Monkey using the Leaf of Tian Qi Plant to dress the wound and that led to the Discovery of one of the Greatest Chinese Herbal Medicine in History. The Root is usually grind into powder and use for treating wound, the Famous Yun Nan White Powder is actually made from that. It also help to thin down the blood to prevent Stroke and Heart Attack, which is similar to the American taking Aspirin but without the side effect. I brought a Big Can of Tian Qi Flower at RMB 600 ($120) and it come with Small Can of Tian Qi Flower and a Box of Flower Fruit Tea Free

We have Steam Fish and Sweet Sour Pork for Dinner at Thai Culture Village at 1830 hrs. We went for our Additional Tour Package of Shang Hai Circus Show at 1930 hrs. The show actually cost RMB 160 ($38) each but we have to pay the Tour Agency RMB 350 ($70) each for the Tour Guide and Transport again.


Night View from The Bund

We went to the Shang Hai Night Spot Xin Tian Di at 2130 hrs and The Huang Pu Park and The Bund at 2230 hrs. We have to pay the Tour Guide a Tips of $30 each for $6 per person per day and Luggage Transfer RMB 40 ($8) each at RMB 10 ($2) per luggage per night. We check in at Shang Hai Rhea Hotel Room 2332 and 2331 at 2330 hrs.

Day 5 Wednesday 26th Sep 2012: Shang Hai

We woke up at 0630 hrs and have our Breakfast at the Hotel at 0700 hrs, we gather at the Hotel Lobby at 0730 hrs and set off for Tong Ren Chinese Medicine Hall. We were explain about the Basic of Chinese Medicine, where the Five Organ is related to the Five Elements. Liver is Wood, Heart is Fire, Stomach is Earth, Lung is Metal, Kidney is Water. With this concept we will be able to understand how each organ actually affect each other and there by affect our body.

The Master of the Chinese Medicine Hall actually choose Me and My Wife for diagnose, and speak to us about My Fatty Liver Problem and My Wife Cold Womb Problem. He actually claim that he had the correct medicine for both of us which is only available there and cost a few thousand RMB. When I told him that I will need a second opinion and reconsider his offer, he became very work up and start to throw temper at me. I calmly state my observation on him as his lip is black from excessive smoking and his eyes were red from lack of sleep and heat trap in the body. The discussion did not go as well as I thought and my wife blame me for making fun of Chinese Medicine.

Our next stop is Jade Factory and we arrive there at 1000 hrs, the Boss Son came to explain to us about how to differentiate Real Jade and Emerald from Fake one. My Wife start to take revenge by revealing all the answer before he could speak. We became like Martial Art Expert of the Ancient China smashing the Sign Board of every Martial Art Hall as we go. It is like the Return of the Condor Hero all over again.

Jade and Emerald have very good Heat Absorbing Properties, Real One can be determine by trying to burn Hair or Plastic Bag wrap around it. The Hair or Plastic Bag will never get burnt if it is wrap around the Real One, and the Plastic been the more reliable test for it. Jade have a Hardness Index of 4.5 while Emerald have a Hardness Index of 7.5, to differentiate between Jade and Emerald is by try whether it can cause any scratch on Glass which have a Hardness Index of 5.5. Of course Emerald will scratch Glass while Jade will not base on the different Hardness Index. Jade and Emerald value is determine by its clarity and colour, the longer it is been wear the clearer it become and Bright Green and Purple got more value then Yellow and White.


Yu Yuan Shopping Street

We have Xiao Long Bao and Steam Prawn for Lunch at Yu Yuan Shopping Street at 1230 hrs. We visit the Cheng Huang Temple there at 1330 hrs and go Free and Easy for our Shopping Spree there. I bring My Family to the Forth Sign Road where things are cheaper, we brought three packet of Fried Dumplings at RMB 5 ($1) each, 500 g of Chest Nut RMB 20 ($4), 10 x Silk Scarf at RMB 10 ($2) with One Free, 500 g of Cherry at RMB 20 ($4).

We arrive at Nan Jing Road Shopping Street at 1500 hrs, I help Uncle Chia to search for some Chinese Medicine along the street and he was very grateful to me even though we did not manage to get what he want. We took Maglev Train to Airport at 1700 hrs which cost RMB 40 ($10) each which come Free with our Additional Tour Package. Our Flight was delay and we finally fly back from Shang Hai at 2000 hrs and arrive back n Singapore on Thursday 27th Sep 2012 at 0130 hrs.

Hainan Wedding Tradition

Praying Mantis - My Guardian for the Night

My Nose start Bleeding the Moment We arrived at the Village, it was mainly due to the Hot Weather. There is an Old Wives Tale where eating of Rotten Banana Soak in Water for few day will Cure My Nose Bleed. I would not dare to try that cause I am very sure my Ass will start to Bleed for at least a few days if I do.


Wedding Tradition

According to Hainan Tradition the Bride had to stay at Her Home for at least Three Days before Married to the Groom. She will also had to Remain at the Groom House for Three Days before She Return to Her Parent House. The Bride Parent will Buy Home Appliances for Downy.


Hen

Me and My Wife had to finish the Old Hen all by Ourselves so that We will Conceive a Child according Their Old Wife Tales. So We Decide to Try another Made In China again but this time is at a Totally Different Environment. It is kind of Exciting as We had to do it without Locked Door and Closed Window and We had to do it as Quietly as possible so as not to Disturb Other nearby.


Pepper

Pineapple take One Year to Grow, Pepper take Three Years while Rubber and Lychee take Eight Years. The Children's here did not have much Things to Play with, just some Wooden Sticks and Stones. By making some Paper Airplane for Them is enough to make Them Happy and keep Them Entertain for few days. I became the Famous Paper Airplane Uncle in the Village.

Sentosa Adventure

I have Brought the Deal Voucher at Deal Website at $356 for Two, the Package include the Followings:

One Night Accommodation at Choice of Five Star Hotel in Resorts World (Worth $464):

Festive Hotel (Deluxe Room or Deluxe Family Room Two Adults and Two Children)

Hard Rock Hotel (Deluxe Room Two Adults)

Hotel Michael (Deluxe Room Two Adults)

Cine Blast (Worth $36) and Desperados (Worth $28)

Choice of:

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Bird Feeding, High Tea (Worth $48)

Or Unlimited Sky Ride (Worth $28)

I have decided to Choose Festival Hotel for my Stay as the Theme is more Appealing, and I have decided to Choose Butterfly Park Package instead of Sky Ride as the Activities are more Interesting.

Bird Feeding

We reach there at around 1100hrs and decided to go for Butterfly Park for our First Activity, the Bird Feeding that came with the Package is Worth $6 and the High Tea (Slice Pizza $4 and Canned Drink $2 at Sarprino Pizza) is Worth $12. I additionally Brought Two Photos at $20.

We went for Desperados 4D Shoot Out and Extreme 4D Log Ride at about 1200 hrs, I score 252 Points at Desperados Shoot Out which make me Top Shooter for that Round. We had Lunch at Malaysia Food Street having Bah Kut Teh Set ($6.50) and Char Kway Teow ($5).

Deluxe Family King Room

We Check In to Deluxe Family King Room (35m3 Floor Area) 225 at Festival Hotel at about 1330 hrs and decided to Wash Up and Take an Afternoon Nap.

Beach Swimming Pool at Hard Rock Hotel

We went to see the Famous Hard Rock Hotel at around 1830 hrs and went to Fiesta Brazilian Restaurant for Our BBQ Buffet Dinner ($136). We went for a Night Walk at Merlion Pavilion and went back to our Hotel Room and Rest for the Night at around 2100 hrs.

We woke up at about 0900 hrs the Next Day, Wash Up and went to MacDonald near the Beach for Breakfast at about 1000 hrs. We had Filet O Fish and Big Breakfast Meal ($10.70). We went back to our Hotel Room at 1100 hrs to Pack Up and Check Out of the Hotel at 1200 hrs.

Thirteen Freaky Facts About Friday the Thirteen

Does Friday the 13th freak you out? If so, hold on to your rabbit's foot extra tight, because there are three of these supposedly unlucky dates in 2012, and today (April 13) is one of them.

1. This year is a special one for Friday the 13ths: There are three of them: Jan. 13, April 13 and July 13. The freaky thing? The dates fall exactly 13 weeks apart. That hasn't happened since 1984.

2. If that scares you, you may have paraskavedekatriaphobia (also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia). Those are the scientific terms for fear of Friday the 13th. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

3. It's not clear when or why Friday the 13th became associated with bad luck. The association may be biblical, given that the 13th guest at the Last Supper betrayed Jesus. His crucifixion was the next day, apparently a Friday. Or maybe 13 suffers from coming after the more-pleasing number 12, which gets to number the months, the days of Christmas and even the eggs in a dozen. (There are also 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles of Jesus.)

4. Whatever the reason, fear of 13 has spread far and wide: Hotels and hospitals often skip the 13th floor, and even airports quietly omit gate 13 sometimes.

5. The next year in which we'll have three Friday the 13ths is 2015. They'll fall in February, March and November.

6. If you think your Friday the 13th is likely to be bad, be glad you aren't a 14th-century Knight Templar. On Oct. 13, 1307, officers of King Philip IV of France raided the homes of thousands of these Crusades warriors, imprisoning them on charges of illegal activities. Though the charges weren't proven, more than a hundred died of terrible torture, according to "Tales of the Knights Templar" (Warner Books, 1995).

7. Fittingly, director of psychological thrillers Alfred Hitchcock was born on the 13th — Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, would have been his 100th birthday. Perhaps aptly titled "Number 13," a film that was supposed to be Hitchcock's directorial debut never made it past the first few scenes and was shut down due to financial problems. He allegedly said the film wasn't very interesting. (Meanwhile, Fidel Castro was born on Friday the 13th, in August 1926.)

8. Why does the Friday the 13th superstition stick so firmly in our minds? According to Thomas Gilovich, who chairs the department of psychology at Cornell University, our brains are almost too good at making associations.

"If anything bad happens to you on Friday the 13th, the two will be forever associated in your mind, and all those uneventful days in which the 13th fell on a Friday will be ignored," Gilovich said in a statement.

9. For pagans, 13 is actually a lucky number. It corresponds with the number of full moons in a year.

10. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is said to have avoided travel on the 13th day of any month, and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

11. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. "It was bad luck," Twain later told the friend. "They only had food for 12." Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

12. Stock broker and author Thomas W. Lawson, in his 1907 novel "Friday the Thirteenth," wrote of a stockbroker's attempts to take down Wall Street on the unluckiest day of the month. Reportedly, stock brokers after this were as unlikely to buy or sell stocks on this unlucky day as they were to walk under a ladder, according to accounts of a 1925 New York Times article.

13. This fear of Friday the 13th can be serious business, according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, N.C., which, among other things, offers therapy to help people overcome their fear of the freaky friday. Their estimates suggest hundreds of millions of dollars, up to $900 million are lost due to people's fear of flying or doing the business as usual that day, though that number isn't backed up with other estimates.

Multi Level Marketing Scam

Recently I have a few Encounter with a few Multi Level Marketing Companies through my Relatives and Friends, after attending a few of their Seminar I had come to a Conclusion that it is really a Scam.

They told you that people are split into Four Categories: Employed, Self Employed, Business Owner and Investor. Employed and Self Employed People took up 90% of the Population but only control 10% of the Money while Business Owner and Investor took up 10% of the Population and control 90% of the Money. The Rich are able to control large percentage of the Money is because they started a System and get people to keep the System Running. That is what They call Passive Income, if you work hard enough to build a Business and get Talents to run the Business for you, you can Sit Back and Enjoy your Life without any Worry for Money.

They continue by telling you They are selling a very good Health Care Products which through what they call Direct Marketing had eliminate the need for Raw Material, Manufacturing Plant, Storage Facility, Transportation Network, Distribution Network, Retailer Network and Advertising Media to Start a Business. So this had help them Lower the Cost of their Products and enable People like you to Generate Additional Profits through the Sales and Marketing of their Products. They try to convince you that the Products they sell are Daily Necessities and by Building a Network of Consumers under you it will help the Whole Group benefits from the Passive Income which were Generated.

So, all those above are Beautiful Lies to convince People who are not Happy with their Present Job and Life and Hope that Things will Change for the Better. They give you a False Dream which not many People can Achieve and try to make you Convince those who are around you to Believe in that too. The Truth is that only a very Small Percentage of the People at the Top of the Pyramid can really Achieve that Dream, and in order to Maintain that Dream they have to Convince more people to Believe the Same. That is what we call Pyramid Scheme or Multi Level Marketing, they would rather prefer the Term to be call Direct Marketing or Network Marketing.

First Thing to Ponder is that can you really Enjoy your Life without any Worry for Money? Business will not Run by itself without Proper Management, so you have to Spend most of your Time and Effort to Manage it whether you like it or not. A Business is not Secure if you doesn't own any of the Asserts, you are just a Cheap Labour for their Transportation Network, Distribution Network, Retailer Network and Advertising Media while they own the Raw Material, Manufacturing Plant and Storage Facility for the Products. They have already make most of the Profit by Monopolizing the Market and Selling the Products to you at a Price Higher than the Usual Competitor in the Market and their Products are not as good as they claim if they are unable to put it in the Open Market to compete with Other Similar Products which are selling at a Lower Price.

The Next Thing to Ponder is that will the System still Work if it came to a Point where no more people are willing to join the Network? You have to follow their System in Order for the System to Work, you have to convince more people to Share the same Dream and join the Network for it to Expand. You cannot Achieve unless you Work very Hard to Fulfill that and you will be Classified by them as Unsuitable if you are unable to Prove to them that you can bring in more People to join the Network. So it had become a Vicious Cycle of Never Ending Pursuit of a False Dream which only a Small Percentage of People at the Top of the System can Achieve.

The Last Thing to Ponder is how much Time, Effort and Money you are going to Invest in this Happy Life or Dream Project? You are Working very Hard to Fulfill Their Dream, you are still the 90% of the Population who only Control 10% of the Money. They had Succeed because They had Manage to Convince you to Work for them, but the Rewards they Offer you are way much Lower than what you should Normally get. You have Sacrificed your Quality Time with your Family and instead of Aiming for Work Life Balance they had Manage to Convince you that Working for them is Your Ultimate Dream and they had Given you a Happy Life and a Greater Purpose in the Society.

Happiness is a Journey, not a Destination.

海南风情

第一天 文昌与海口
早上四点半到机场，买两瓶法国琅酒与两盒双喜烟总值新币143元。 两瓶法国琅酒加送一瓶小瓶的法国琅酒，购物满120元送价值20元的愤怒鸟玩偶。 六点半起飞早餐在飞机上吃， 两杯热可可与两个三文治总值新币20元。 九点半到达海口美兰机场，小舅子与女友十点半驾着一天170人民币 （新币35元） 的出租车6602车号来接机。 下午十二点半到达文昌，与妻子一家人吃文昌鸡87人民币 （新币18元）。 傍晚又回到海口，晚餐与小舅子吃烧烤套餐37人民币 （新币8元）。 作牙套之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1123号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。

兴隆小姨子男友的糕饼店

第二天 兴隆
早餐在海口吃点心 41人民币 （新币9元）， 之后到蓬莱镇接妻子一家人到兴隆去探望小姨子。 经过三个小时的车程我们在下午一点半到达兴隆， 小姨子男友请我们吃文昌鸡与山东羊。 给小姨子红包与金链，预祝她未来新婚美满。 傍晚又回到蓬莱镇，晚餐与妻子一家人吃火锅71人民币 （新币15元）。 之后才住入文昌称心酒店605号房， 130人民币 （新币27元）。

文昌街边水果摊

第三天 文昌
早餐在文昌吃炒粉，刚巧遇到妻子的小学同学，经过多番推辞他还是坚持请我们吃早餐。 之后我们与小舅子搭公车3人民币 （新币1元） 到文昌市场购物。 购买新年对联100人民币 （新币21元），我的外套250人民币 （新币52元），我的两件裤子220人民币 （新币46元）。 中午妻子的小学同学又坚持请我们吃午餐，我们又吃文昌鸡与山东羊。 妻子的高专同学传舒也和我们一起吃午餐，过后陪我们回文昌市场购物。 购买妻子的睡衣55人民币 （新币12元），妻子的十多件内衣裤210人民币 （新币44元），妻子的四件牛仔裤550人民币 （新币114元），妻子的三双袜子9人民币 （新币2元），饼干165人民币 （新币34元）。 之后我们与小舅子和妻子的高专同学传舒搭公车4人民币 （新币1元） 回旅店。 傍晚与小舅子和妻子的高专同学传舒一起吃盐炬鸡90人民币 （新币19元）， 再打包鸡肉汉堡套餐 19人民币 （新币4元） 给妻子的小表妹吃。 之后才住入文昌称心酒店605号房， 130人民币 （新币27元）。

典昌村妻子一家人

第四天 典昌村与海口
早上到文昌华侨中学接小表妹， 早餐妻子的高专同学传舒请我们吃包罗粉。 八点送妻子的高专同学传舒到车站搭车之后我们就回典昌村，经过一个小时的车程我们在早上九点半到达典昌村。 早上十点半拜祖先，中午在典昌村与妻子的亲戚一起吃文昌鸡与东坡肉。 傍晚请小舅子女友一家吃沙锅骨汤285人民币 （新币59元），又送红包与手表给小舅子女友预祝他们未来新婚美满。 为了感激我们，小舅子女友免费帮我与妻子染发。 之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1119号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。

海口公园

第五天 海口
早餐小舅子请我们在海口吃点心，中午请村里的亲戚吃文昌鸡与山东羊205人民币 （新币43元）。 妻子在海口超市买了一条腰带68人民币 （新币14元）， 之后与妻子去装牙套4000人民币 （新币825元）。 晚上吃炒粉18人民币 （新币4元），給小舅子红包与租车的钱。之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1119号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。

第六天 海口
早餐小舅子请我们在海口吃包罗粉，早上八点半到机场。 班机因为大雾而延误，原本应该在十点四十分起飞最后改在两点三十分才起飞。 午餐在机场吃面60人民币 （新币13元），傍晚六点到达新加坡。