Moved

Hello to all my faithful readers, I’m moving my blog once again!

Sorry for all the inconvenience!

Here! Here! Here!

kohseesu.blogspot.com

Dorm Mates

It was raining outside, and I just decided not to go out tonight anymore. Shall just stay in my hostel room and rest. Hopefully tomorrow can arise early to catch the sunrise.

The room in Hangzhou Westlake Youth Hostel is much bigger and has a toilet in the dorm, but the one in Shanghai still feels more cozy. But it’s still a rather comfortable place, and it’s cheap too!

My dorm mates today include one from Taiwan and two from China today. The one from Taiwan is really impressive, travels to many many places, and is very knowledgable about many things. Is a like-minded solo traveler too!

Now I know, Gao Tie travels at 350km/h while Dong Che travels at 170km/h max. My dorm mates were telling me.

Hangzhou Westlake Youth Hostel

I just arrived at Hangzhou Westlake Youth Hostel, waiting to check in to my dorm.

I slept through most of my journey on the railway, and when I reached, I saw that the railway indicated that the temperature outside as 41.6 degree! Had a shocked! But well, realized it wasn’t so hot.

It wasn’t really easy to find my way around Hangzhou. I had to look for the Y2 bus and take to this place called Chang Qiao. It was only four stops from the Railway Station, relatively near, and I’m glad about that. Upon arrival at Chang Qiao stop, I somewhat got lost. Had to ask around before finding my way around.

Tired. I don’t really feel like going too far today. Perhaps I would just take a short stroll around the West Lake. It’s just across the hostel by the way.

Waiting

I’m here waiting at the Shanghai Railway Station waiting for the train to Hangzhou. I have to wait for another 50 minutes over here, and the journey to Hangzhou is about 1.5 hours. At least there’s animated Chinese jokes played on a screen to entertain us while waiting.

The railway that I took yesterday to Suzhou is called Gao Tie. The one today I’m not very sure, but I think it’s Dong Che. Not very sure what is the difference though. Remember checking on it back in Singapore, but I’ve forgotten.

I think if I really want to go into backpacking, I better start running and training my strength and stamina.

Breakfast

I decided to try the breakfast served at the hostel today since it is my last day here. It cost RMB 30, and it’s the most expensive meal I had in Shanghai. Since I’ll be traveling, I thought I just have a heavy breakfast to sustain me till I have mood to eat in Hangzhou.

I’m feeling better although I could really get to sleep yesterday. The person on the lower deck of the bed was snoring and sleep-talking so loudly.

Can’t believe I’m going back to Singapore in a few days time. If I can, I wouldn’t mind traveling for another month or two before I head back. In fact, I don’t really feel like going back…

Time to head to the railway station.

Goodbye Shanghai.

Shanghai

This is my last morning in Shanghai, and I would be leaving for Hangzhou in a few hours time. It has been a real memorable time in Shanghai, especially the friends made in this place. I have known and encountered many different kinds of people from many different countries or part of China. You really get to learn a lot of information in this way.

I have figured out that the best companion you could have on a solo trip, is the companion of other solo travelers. You have more chance of interacting with them, and learning more from them. Sole travelers, though, are really not easy to come by. And being a solo traveler myself, I realized that there are many things I could experience because I’m alone. I’m really a easy target for strangers to approach. In the different places that I go to, I get to talk to the locals, find out about their lives, listen to their stories.

And guess what, I’m starting to love solo traveling. Yes, having friends are good, but solo traveling is a entirely different experience. This may be my first solo trip, but definitely not my last. I would really like to get into backpacking, to see the world with a backpack on my back.

Singaporeans are really just too comfortable and conservative. We take too many things for granted, and we are not appreciative towards what God has given to us. We really need to go take a look at how hard others try to survive. Despite all their hardship and the low level of living, they are genuinely happy. This is something that I am really envious about.

I really just want a very simple life.

Weather

I’m back in Shanghai from Suzhou, and my nose is all blocked and uncomfortable again. It’s really not surprising that I fell sick. I’ve experienced very extreme weather in a span of few days.

Day One: slight drizzle
Day Two: heavy downpour and was drenched
Day Three: extremely hot sun, sun burnt
Day Four: slight drizzle
Day Five: hot weather, like the usual Singapore weather
Day Six: extremely hot weather, burnt a patch of skin
Day Seven: thunderstorm, still got wet despite the umbrella
Day Eight: hot sun in the day, thunderstorm at night

What makes things worst is that after I get caught in the rain, there’s no opportunity for my to dry myself properly. How not to fall sick like that? You know what? It’s horrible to be sick, and alone, and so far away

Today is day eight, and yes it’s still raining very heavily. I braved the rain with my umbrella back to the hostel as I was already drenched waist down. No point waiting in the shelter when I’m already so wet.

The lightnings and thunders happened so often that it appears to be putting up some form of performance. And it’s a very threatening performance indeed. The roads are slowly building up with puddles of water, and now the competition between the rain and the drainage system begins. The rain seems to taking the lead for now.

I better shower and change now that the toilets are empty.

Will upload the rest of the blogs later.