SatoNoMizu - Gubei, Shanghai

Went with my dad and his colleague David (pictured with his lady friend) for some Japanese food on Christmas Eve. The restaurant owner was David's sister who was an aggressive drinker. She tried to have skulling competitions with me on several occasions. Unfortunately I'd been drinking a lot of wine at an earlier dinner so I waved the white flag every time. Nice restaurant, even had the Japanese toilets loaded with buttons. Afterward we headed to a lounge bar, sipping scotch on the rocks in front of live music.

NYE in Hangzhou

Spent NYE at 1999, which is a really cool tropical style, but intimately small shack that looks as though it's made of only wood.

Chinese bamboo, it's very strong.

Welcome to Xintiandi

Because of good memories the last time I visited Xintiandi, located on the east side of the French Concession, I was keen to go again. This time I realised it was a bit too artificial with lots of pompous foreigners walking around. And no, I don't count myself as a pompous foreigner. Coincidentally, I ended up back there there many times, because friends thought I would like it. Good shopping can be had there though. As for the bars and clubs, they're okay but you can find better elsewhere.

The ugly and scary Oriental Pearl TV Tower

It is the icon of Shanghai though, so I suppose I have to love it. And the views are spectacular.

Prevention is better than cure

This is me in Sydney airport drinking Berocca. I opted to go without travel insurance because it's just too expensive. Instead I bought a digital camera with the money saved.