Having recently gone for a tour in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi and Nanjing, I've decided that one should avoid all tour packages as far as possible.

Here are 5 reasons why.

#1 You have to stare stupidly into blank space, as if preoccupied with something, after you are done with your meal with 7 other strangers at a round table. Awkward! Trick is, eat slowly during mealtime and stare more at your bowl.

#2 You will be pressured to give tips to the tour guide even if you don't find him/her that worthy of those tips.

#3 The tour people bring you to touristy places (ie. pearl/silk/tea/statues/medicine factories) to rip you off your money!

#4 You have to holiday with strange/anal/boring/quiet/rowdy/overenthusiastic/kaypoh people. You get the drift? Basically, people whom you may not be comfortable with.

#5 And last but not least, is when your tour guide forces you to listen to her talk about things like fengshui when you are totally lethargic and uninterested!


Then again, I do not dismiss my recent China trip as not fruitful. I did learn a little bit about China's culture.

For example, do you know that apparently, China implemented its 3 long holidays (CNY, May Day and their National Day) around late 1990s to allow more time for their people to spend money during the Asian Financial Crisis, thus boosting their economy?

Also, do you know that their civil servants are allowed to take naps for 2 hours (12 - 2pm) after their lunch so as to ensure productivity? It is apparently initiated by Deng Xiaoping. Therefore, nap after lunch is called 邓小平时间.
Wish Singapore had that too!

Anyway, it's already 10 days into the new year. I'm still a bit lost... I need time to recuperate from my cold trip to Shanghai. The cold has frozen some part of my mind and heart.

2010... It's definitely going to be a different, more uplifting and inspiring year - if I make it to be.

Labels: travel