My MH Trip to Mt. Huangshan via Shanghai (Chinese New Year 2009)

Chinese New Year 2009 Family MH 388 Trip – Shanghai, Mt. Huangshan (China)

 

 

 Date: 24 January 2009 – 31st January 2009
Time of Departure: 9.30AM (KUL) Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Time of Arrival: 14.30PM (PVG) Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Class of Travel: EY (Economy Class)
Aircraft Type: Boeing 777-2H6

Fare Type: MH Low Fares

Day 1: 24th Jan

5.30AM: Woke up and Showered
6.00AM: Final Checks and Packing
6.30AM: Board Taxi
7.15AM: Arrive KLIA

KLIA

7.30AM: Check In via MH First Class Check In Counters – Staff Check In’s (EY Class)

First & Business Class Check In Counters

7.45AM Board Aero Train to Satellite Terminal

KLIA Aerotrain

7.55AM: Meet up with Royce from Australia
8.10AM: Breakfast and Chatz with Royce at Starbucks KLIA 1st Floor Satellite Building
8.45AM: Getting Ready to Board Plane at Gate C32

B777-2H6 (9M-MRF)

9.00AM: Royce Meets up with Dad and Mum
9.10AM: Board MH 388 for Departure to Shanghai Pudong
10.05AM: Take Off
11.30AM: Breakfast Cum Lunch on-board MH 388
14:00PM: Prepare for Approach – Landing at Shanghai Pudong, Int’l

14.30PM: Collect Luggages from Arrival Hall @ Terminal 3
15.00PM: Tour Guide picks us up from Airport – Holiday Inn, Shanghai

Holiday Inn Express (Wujiaochang Shanghai) Day 2: Depart for Mt. Huangshan8.00AM: Woke Up + Shower + Pack8.15AM: Breakfast at Hotel8.45AM: Back to Room9.30AM: Depart Holiday Inn for Mt. HuangshanChecking out ..

We just about depart to our next destination – Hangzhou where we will have our LUNCH!
Before that, Royce decided he wanted to test out the thickness of the ICE Fountain where we saw kids walking on ICE which were initially freezing water that turned into ice.

Royce on ICE

We’re on our way to Hangzhou and whilst travelling on the bus we came across what appears to be a Ferris Wheel about the same size as the one in London except this is definitely a No No for us since we’re not sure how safe it is.

Ferris Wheel in Shanghai

 Just about half way through our journey, we stop at a rest area where we got some R&R time and got some fruits to ease the hunger away too. The baby mandarin oranges are one of the items we bought .. (see below) they are cheap! and much sought after in every part of China. Because of the weather, these fruits are extremely hard to find in other countries such as Malaysia and best of all, its sweet …. and delicious!

Mandarin Oranges - Minis

You know that when you’re on the bus travelling from one area to another, the tendency to stop and look for F.O.O.D is so hard not to miss out and being Malaysian Asians, it is almost impossible to avoid missing out on Food. So after some food snacking and some needed sleep, we have arrive in Hangzhou where we ate again .. and this time around its Lunch!

Arrived for LUNCH!

As you can see above, we were so hungry, tired and mostly HUNGRY! that we couldn’t wait …
Mum and Dad couldn’t wait either .. their faces are smiling =)

Priceless .. eating your CNY Lunch in China!

Cuz'en's enjoying our CNY Lunch

Now … for the Food =)

Hangzhou Specialties

The food wasn’t all that great, but just being where we are and having celebrate CNY there was enough to make every taste fantastic. Although every part of China has their food specialities, I find that our taste buds can never really accept the food because of their ways of cooking it (like either too salty or bland)

Now for the moment we all were waiting for … Meat of The Day!

Chef Specialty

These small pots of meat in dark soya sauces are specially ordered in advanced.
They are well seasoned and cook to be enjoyed slowly…. *but* one can get rather thirsty after such a dish.

The person to enjoy the most amongst all of us is Royce..
He practically smiled all the time …. especially after meals =)

Happy Royce

 

Next Destination: Hengdian (The Movie City)

Hengdian is well knowned for its Movie Studios especially for the Film ”Curse of the Golden Flower”
and many other known movies and TVB Series.

After like a few hours on the bus .. we have arrived at Hengdian “Sun City”

Our stop will be at The Movie Studio where Chow Yun Fatt acted in for the film “Curse of the Golden Flower”

Hengdian Movie Studio (Replica of Forbidden City, Beijing)

Every Building seen below – in the Amazing Replica version of The Forbidden City is exactly the same. The reason the City was build was because China did not allow the Real Forbidden City to be used for any filming so instead of filming in the actual city, they build another one. See below…

 A View of The Heavens shinning down on the city..

 Reflections in still waters

 Beautiful Landscaping makes this place even more beautiful than the actual..

and now .. after all the walking, it is time for some fooooD and it so happens - Dinner time.

At the entrance to VIP Restaurant and Residence @ Hengdian

But before we eat .. its time to Pop some Crackers .. Loud ones!

In China, during the Chinese New Year, people from all parts of the country from the Rural to the City will use Firecrackers to symbolize the tradition and the festive seasons. It brings joy and families together at this time of year. The Chinese people will demonstrate different type of fireworks for the first 2-3 days. Some may asked ”How much does this cost?” Well the answer is really simple, it cost very little to them and don’t forget it is Made in China!

Food time ..

After food ..

Time for some fresh mountain air and fireworks =)

Next Destination – Movie Studio # 2

Apparently this particular studio is what some say is the Chinese Version of Universal Studios minus the Rides..

Look at the time .. Wow!

We then went back to our Hotel for a much needed rest and the next day’s destination – Movie Studio # 3 -

This is where most of Wong Fei Hong’s movies were filmed – Once upon a Time in China (by Jet Li) See images ..

After some walking around the studio, we saw a stage area where actors and actreses were acting for all to see. Got some pics of the Chinese Characters as well.

and we’re all so tired … but wait! We ate dinner at a local chinese restaurant and headed back to hotel for our sleep as we were departing for Mt. Huangshan the next day.

While travelling on the highway, I managed to catch a glimpse of the new Honda Civic which is expected to launch in 2 months time in Malaysia.

As we were closer to Huangshan, we stop at a tourist spot which concentrates on Crystals. They mold crystal’s into very nice decorating items as well as for gifts.

I managed to catch a photoshot of this item as Photo shooting was Not Allowed within the premises.
They were afraid that people will adopt their ideas … =D

Off we proceeded to our destination…
Not too far away, we were very near our destination … and I shot this image whilst being on the bus going up the hillz to our Cable car ride.

and moments later, we reach the base point in which we needed to take a 15 min cable car ride to the middle section and from there we are expected to hike up to our hotel approximately 1.5KM’s

Shortly after the ride .. we reached the mid section and started our climb.
Oh boy .. I was in for another surprized! Up and Down Stairs .. very very steep stairz!

as we were climbing .. man there were rest areas but it wasn’t easy and stopping made things worst. First the air was thin, secondly .. we were all tired already from previous days, Thirdly .. we were not prepared! But somehow or rather .. we all made it! and found that it was very exciting and refreshing .. its like accomplishing something very great.

The view was superb .. its like viewing Grand Canyon in a Chinese Way. GC is another scenic area … and for me GC is more exciting then Mt. Huangshan.


Above is the Legendary Monkey who sat on the mountain. One of the biggest in its species…

And oh yea …. the river was frozen too. The temperature was way below…

After all that climbing and walking .. we were so dead tired and it was time to give the camera a rest and amongst us all, only myself and 3 others of us decided to use the Spa to warm up and relax … but that’s another story =D

So next morning .. its 6.00am! I got up .. forgot the showers, left my room .. went and hike to catch the sunrize.

I could not catch the Sun rising .. but the sight was still good and I was happy!
After the hike .. off I went for breakfast and changed for the big Hike of the Day!

Destination: Lions Peak
Distance from Hotel: 3Km Up and 3KM down (back to Hotel) the Hike has variable steps like up and down when you are climbing upwards due to the terrain and when you get back .. the steps are the same, up and down the mountain!
Time: we did all that in 3 hours…

NExt … Dinner

All that happen without the camera as we wanted to have less weight and not tire ourselves out by having extra weight.
I was using a DSLR which happens to be heavy!

The next 1 day in Shanghai was pretty casual .. and nothing much going for us. And the next day we were off to the Airport and back to Malaysia. Ohhh hot and Sunny!

Being a family member of MH and Malaysia Airlines, I must say that the services offered in China Airports by MH Staff were not satisfying to say the least. But overall .. it is definitely much better than the other airlines.

Our Flight MH 389 to Kuala Lumpur is expected to Depart in 1 hours and I had nothing much to do except – Shoot anything that interest me within the Airport. Photography can be either interesting or exciting .. for me that’s both! especially in the aviation side

(A340 Engine – Image shot at Low ISO)

(Boarding our flight – Royce takes the Lead..)

Our flight back to Kuala Lumpur was pretty quiet. The passenger load for MH 389 was extremely low. The total passengers were 187.

On a normal flight, you usually find yourself cramping with others in Economy Class. However this flight was so quiet and there were ample seats for one to take an entire row for a good nap!

Mum and Dad .. feeling happy to be going back home and so was I!

The Chinese Cabin Crew in the middle was very nice and pleasant.
She practically treated us like family and gave us very good service. This is definitely True Malaysian Hospitality (MH)!

The flight was definitely 5 Stars .. The food was not so good but overall, better than low cost carriers!

An hour before landing and the lights in the cabin made the flight so comfortable … even in Economy Class!

Thank you Malaysia Airlines for providing the Best in Comfort, In-flight services and Safety!
No other airline other than Malaysia Airlines can give me that kind of Quality and Assurance!

* Images are Copyright 2009 ®William’s – Simply Different Blog