My China Chronicles...

Shanghai...the city has grown and grown...and somehow has still managed to retain some of its old world charm..especially 'The Bund'...its an area along the river with magnificent imperial buildings...you can just picture old chinese bird merchants bringing their birds to market up along the misty river...
But now to add to the contrast..the oppposite bank is nothing but tall scapers and towers of thriving Pudong district..some with very unique architecture..like the Oriental Pearl Tower...
One of must visit markets is Nanjing road..it is full pedestrian belt..with big signages and big stores...but then there are small alleys..with small stores...selling anything you can think of..for one-tenth the price..fake obviously...Rolex..Iphone...LV...Armani..cheap cheap!!
But be prepared to be surrounded by locals...drawing them to their stores..."Want some cheap cheap goods? Grade 1 quality!!"..."Hi can I practise my English with you"...and the best of all.."Hi I am a struggling artist..do you want to see my work and buy some stunning art"
People's square..the name says it all..in the People's republic..tis is the headquarters of the communist party in shanghai..the centre of power...


Some more glimpses of Shanghai:

Even the Road Signs are interesting!

Kung-Fu Fast Food

Pudong Airport

overall Shanghai is an interesting place..with great energy..constant bustle..
Just loved the atmosphere!!

My escape to the cradle of culture

CHINA
to me...it has always been a mysterious place...with a long profound history shrouded with myth and tales of emperors and dynasties....
it is also the place of a strong revolution...with people sprouting new ideology and defining the land that is today..the People's Republic of China....
and now...in the 21st century...it has made great strides as a powerful economy..and definitely showing some muscle on the world stage...

yup...this is where I was over the past week...in Shanghai and then in Beijing...and it was an experience I shall never forget....

The China Chronicles shall continue....

My Spanish Vibe

So..the blog renovation is almost complete...let me know wat u guys think...

Spanish music is so energetic..so lively..it lifts my spirits any time..any day...
Check out the updates in 'My Broken Record'...it sure will draw u to the dance floor!!!

My Makeover

okk..this blog is under going some serious renovation....stay tuned!!!

My silence

so back in singapore olredi!!

had a wonderful trip to the mystical land of arabia....write more on that later...

but seriously i am so strapped of time..but stay tuned..this blog seriously requires a CPR!!

My voyage to the Homeland

yup..it was long overdue...and finally I am back in India..back to the Maximum city...back to my Mumbai...

Coming back home after a long time...does raise your expectations to a new level..u wonder how has the city changed? wat is the latest craze? which is the new happening hotspot?

My first impression...yup..the city has definitely changed!
Every street corner you will probably find a new mall..some new restaurants...new multiplexes..new inspiring architecture in new sprawling office complexes...
but instead of admiring this great development..your attention is drawn to the lack of infrastructure development....the ever-growing traffic (I think soon we might end up with traffic problems like in Bangkok) and the constant honking!!

But finally..you forget all these things...and enjoy the city buzz..the energetic vibe and the adrenalin-rushing atmosphere...cause it is my Mumbai!

Stay tuned for more Indian adventures....

iWant

The list of desires continues to grow...and the latest addition is the new Macbook Air

Apple sure knows how to make products...just look at the design..the simplicity..the beauty!!
and to match it..a very powerful technology!!

Comes with Leopard...Remote Install..and Multi-touch trackpad



Somebody get me one!!!

My Travel Planner for 2008

Thanks to NY Times..

here's a list of must-visit places in 2008..one for every week of the year..

Wow!! Wouldn't you just love to do that!!

Laos is on top of the list...and it is high time I paid a visit to this jewel in the Indochine...

My lack of Updates

Wow..Nov has gone by without a single entry..Sorry guys..but was caught up with lot of things...

Neways..the holiday season approaches and the festive atmosphere is building up..which gives me inspiration to write once more...

So watch out for new posts!

My Flight to Cuba

Cuba Libre in Clarke Quay is a great escape to Latin America..with great food...wonderful refreshing Mojitos...and to top it all the lovely live band with some great Latin numbers...

Here is of my favorites 'Guantanamera'

Guys...do check it out..its awesome!!

My Escape to Hong Kong: Day II

It feels so good to wake up...and realise tat u r no longer in Singapore..but in fabulous Hongkong!!!

"A good Dim sum brunch for the day keeps the hungry ghosts away": Old Chinese Proverb

Who are we to judge the wise knowledge passed on for centuries...so off we went to Times Square in causeway bay to this great place called Heichinrou...for some lovely dimsum with jasmine tea...now tis is wat i call 'Heaven'...guys..this place is really good...do try the Ha Gao and the Sui Mai...

After "The Brunch" we went back to Central..to take the bus to Ocean World!!! absolutely great place..sittin on the hills hugging the south china sea...with adrenaline-rushin rides..just wonderful!!

The scariest turned out to be the Abyss..which is a free fall over the ocean...pure 10 secs of terror...got a flash of my entire 25 yrs in these few secs...now that is wat i call..Theory of Relativity!!!

and who can forget the cute pandas...An An, Jia Jia, Ying Ying and Le Le...how i wish I could take one home with me...

well..after such a fun-packed day..it was obviously time to relax..enjoy some cocktails at The Cavern in Lan kwai fong (LKF)...this place is truly recommended by Packan..for its lovely atmosphere..the awesome band...and the sheer high energy!!

LKF is serioursly hands down the best nite-life area ever...and definitely beats Singapore any day!!


To sum up..day 2 was simply exhilarating fun!!!

Stay tuned for Day 3...

My Latest Song Syndrome

Hi Guys..this song is just awesome and is No. 1 on Packan's charts for nearly 2 weeks now...

Here it is...1234 by Feist

My Escape to Hongkong: Day I

So now that I have uploaded my snaps from my awesome new camera..let me teleport you back to Hongkong and share some of those wonderful moments spent there...

Friday was a bit free-n-easy..

Took the Airport Express to Central..easiest and most comfortable way to get to the heart of the city!!

Had a nice lunch at Pret a Manger...then just roamed around through the streets in Central..which reminds me so much of lower Manhattan...seriously Hong kong is like an Asian New york..bustling with people..buzzing with activity..and a strong energy floating in the air..


In the evening went to the Peak with Lehmunade..luckily it was a clear nite and got some wonderful shots of the Hongkong skyline...

after that is was time for some exotic Lebanese at Marouche in Soho...the food here is fabulous!!..remember to try the pita with hummus n goat cheese...

Stay tuned for Day 2!!

I LOVE Hongkong

Reporting from waiting lounge of Hongkong Airport:

Spent four fabulous days in HKG n I am so in love with tis place..

Thanks Lehmunade for all the great time in this great city...

Stay Tuned for the hkg logs....

Its the time of our lives

Reporting from seat 5f of flight 3k 691:

Hong kong really captivated me ever since my last visit in March 2006..it is vibrant..it is lively..it is exciting...especially after dull drab monotonous Singapore...
I have always wanted to back and explore it more..comb through the streets..try more exotic food..and finally my Portkey has arrived..thanks to Lehmunade providing for the accommodation in Central HKG!! and JetStar for cheap airfare..I am off to Hongkong for the weekend..

There's so much to do..and so little time..maybe I should seriously contemplate relocating to this urban haven...

Update from Pacific Coffee in Admirality:

Yup...The Packan has Landed...
Flight was quite uneventful...immigration took some time..as usual the lady was scrutinising every single page of the blue passport...
Got my Octopus card..and took the quick and comfortable Airport Express to Hongkong...then a quick hop to the MTR to Quarry bay to met Lehmunade...

I feel elated!! I feel high!! I love this city!!!

Gonna go to the Peak later with Lehmnade...

Stay Tuned...

My Top 5 Reasons for loving Bangkok

yup..it is vibrant..it is exciting...it is buzzing with people...it is Bangkok!!!

and here's why I love it....

1. The overwhelming hospitality...(at the JW Marriott)


2. The fabulous Thai food....with all the tom yams..and the seafood!!!

3. MBK!! This place never ceases to surprise me...from its cheap DVDs...to even the iPhone!!! yup..u can get it rite here...fully unlocked and with 1 yr apple care...got to try it out..and it is just awesome!!!

4. The nite markets..yup..this place is packed with them..and they r quite good too...

5. The kind ever polite people....

The only reason I dread the place....the pain staking visa on arrival at Suvanrnabhumi airport...it is pathetic!! took me 2 hours to get the visa!!

This world is getting smaller...

and smaller....especially when..

1. You have fabulous breakfast in Bangkok
2. late lunch in Singapore
and...
3. wonderful bbq dinner in Bintan, Indonesia....

all on the same day!!!

My Bookrific Journey

Got Tagged by Lehmunade....

Book that changed my life – Not sure about this one...I think every book I read affects me someway...so cant really pin to any single book...

Book you’ve read more than once – Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire...I just love it!!

Book you would take to a deserted island – Lord of the Rings!!!

Book that made you laugh – Russian Disco, Wladimer Kaminer

Book that made you cry – Stay Alive; My son, Pin Yathay

Book you wish you had written – The Caliph's House: A year in Casablanca, Tahir Shah

Book(s) you wish had never been written – hmmm..havent really come across any...too picky on wat I choose to read!

Book you’re currently (re) reading – Five Point Someone, Chetan Bhagat

Book you’ve been meaning to read – A Suitable Boy...after hearing so many praises from Lehmunade...I wish it weren't so bulky to carry!!

Book you have been meaning to finish - An Argumentative Indian, Amartya Sen

Guys..go ahead and Tag yourself...just leave a comment so that I can read your posts :)

My New Thing of Beauty

...which will definitely be a Joy for at least a few years..

**Trumpets please**
I am the proud owner of the Panasonic DMC FX-100...yup it is my new gizmo...my new Muggle-Pensive!

After sacrificing the old one to the waters of Phi Phi..the COMEX show was just wat I needed to fill the void of my faithful Nikon Coolpix...

This new camera is just awesome..not only does it look great..it also has some great features like 12 mega pixels..and wide angle lens...

So...all I need now is to travel to new exotic places and eternalise them with my new Black Beauty...(ok..i know..this sounds too far out there)

My New Broken Record

Guys!!

check out the updated Broken Record on the sidebar featuring....

1. Wamdue Project: King of my Castle (Thanks to Lehmunade for reminding me about this...)

2. Mika: Love Today

3. Dirty Dancing: Time of my Life

Enjoy!!!