World Expo 2010: Site A

China Pavilion is the largest pavilion and can only be visited if you had already made a reservation. Else, sorry. However, to make reservations ain’t easy. People would queue as early as 6-ish so, they could secure themselves to go into that pavilion. Also, I had heard stories that there are times where you would not be able to enter the pavilion even though you had made a reservation. Bollocks, right?

China Pavilion

Macau and Hong Kong Pavilions

Somewhere near China Pavilion, you could see Macau and Hong Kong Pavilions. They said at the top of Macau Pavilion, you can lie on your backs and watch movies that are played on the ceiling.

Taiwan Pavilion

Taiwan Pavilion looks like a toilet. However, its architect is the same as Taipei 101’s.

Nepal Pavilion

Israel Pavilion

Oman Pavilion

United Arab Emirates Pavilion

It was reported that after the expo finishes, UAE is taking its pavilion back to Abu Dhabi and setting it up there.

India and Saudi Arabia Pavilions

The Middle East countries got so much money to spend. It was reported that the Saudis spent 1.3 billion RMB to build their pavilion. They have the biggest IMAX in the world so, it is a must pavilion to visit. However, watch out for the queue!

Republic of Korea Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

It is recommended to visit Republic of Korea and Japan Pavilions at night. I did plan to stay at the expo until nightfall so I could witness the night in expo. However, I was so tired due to lack of sleep and the bad weather, I could not wait to get home fast, shower and stay in.

If I had a longer stay in Shanghai, I would definitely do 3-day tour at the expo and one of the days would be a night tour. It is definitely recommended!

World Expo 2010: Site B

South East Asian country pavilions are all on Site B. And when I reached this site, which I thought it would not be as crowded as Site A, I saw this!

This massive huge long terrible horrible queue! It’s like they were attending a concert or something. But guess which pavilion they queuing up for?

Australia Pavilion

No doubt it is one of the most popular countries among the Chinese, Australia. It is worth a look as the Australians have been very enthusiastic about the expo. To my friends in Australia, how do you like it? The Chinese translation for Australia is aodaliya (澳大利亚) instead of aozhou (澳洲). Also, it is yinggelan (英格兰) instead of yingguo (英国) for England.

Thailand Pavilion

I did not get to see the green mascot, Tai, people were talking about. Maybe you should check it out for me.

Singapore Pavilion

What is this? you must be asking. Apparently, it’s a music box shaped building with those thorns penetrating the wall. Interesting, eh? There’s a garden on top and a fountain inside the pavilion.

Malaysia Pavilion

Obviously you could tell which country owns this pavilion. No doubt it is a Malaysia Pavilion. Beautiful, I know but, it is not showing the world what our country is capable of. It is like telling the world that we are traditional and we will always be. They should be more creative and come up with something cool and imaginative like what the other countries did. Anyway, at least I heard positive feedbacks from the people. Or maybe they were saying it not to piss me off.

Indonesia (left) and Brunei (right) Pavilions

New Zealand Pavilion

You would be amazed by this pavilion as it was reported that the team in charge of special effects of the breathtaking sceneries’ pictures are the ones behind Lord of the Rings. Now you know what you should not missed and you know what to do: queue! Oh, New Zealand is xinxilan (新西兰) in Chinese.

And crap, I realised I missed Philippines and Cambodia Pavilions :(

World Expo 2010: Site C

Initially, I planned a three-day World Expo tour but, due to legality status which I would get into detail about it in the future, I only had one-day World Expo tour. In fact, it took me around 6 hours to finish 5 sites with just sightseeing and walking. No queuing or whatsoever.

Site C consists of North & South American pavilions as well as European countries pavilions. Hope I am not getting this wrong. This site is considered as the most crowded site.

USA Pavilion

I have a friend working inside this pavilion and was hoping he could get me in through VIP lane. However, I could not reach him as he was busy and so, I left the place. However, it was said that the USA almost was not able to come due to financial problems. Therefore, it will be great to have a look.

Brazil Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion.

You have to queue to enter this kite forest.

Canada Pavilion

They said you can see Cirque du Soleil who’s fantastic. No idea who that is as I did not enter the pavilion.

Chile Pavilion

They said it’s a well inside. You should check it out, perhaps?

Venezuela Pavilion

Cuba Pavilion

Russia Pavilion

One of the beautiful pavilions (imho). Don’t forget to check out Romania Pavilion. I think I missed it.

Luxembourg Pavilion

Italy Pavilion

If you were able to look carefully, the building was made of transparent concrete! Awesome, ya?

United Kingdom Pavilion

No doubt, this is the most beautiful, creative and unique pavilion. However, it is a disappointment in the inside or so I heard.

Netherlands Pavilion

This pavilion looks interesting, alright. However, there is nothing much you could do other than walking around.

Germany Pavilion

This pavilion is one of my students’ favourite. They said there are a lot of interactive exhibits and that you must beware of pickpockets who may steal your wallet or camera or both.

France Pavilion

They hold large scale weddings for free. Anyone interested?

Switzerland Pavilion

It’s cable cars are its main attraction.

Poland Pavilion

Spain Pavilion

People said it is a must see so, remember to join the queue here. It won’t be short so be well-prepared.

Serbia Pavilion

Latvia Pavilion

This pavilion was officially opened last year and if you are into sky-diving, this is a place for you as they provide such entertainment to people.

Finland Pavilion

It was said that the services and exhibits are all first rated as the northern Europeans do not lack funds. Worth the queue, I guess.

Denmark Pavilion

There are 500 bikes provided for you to take a ride. It’s interesting though so, no harm queuing.

I know there should be more pavilions in site C to see but you see, some pavilions are still under construction. By right, August-September would be the perfect months to go for the expo.

Why not July-August?

It’s China’s summer break and you should know the scale of China’s population, don’t you? And Shanghai, itself, is already very populated. It’s going to be horrible; the place, the queue.

The Insight of World Expo 2010

During my last few days in Shanghai, I had been pondering whether to take an excursion to places around Shanghai for instance, Zhangjiagang (张家港) or Suzhou (苏州), or to this world ranking number two event, World Expo. It took me quite a while to come to the best decision: World Expo. It’s overrated but since this world event is held in Shanghai and I was in Shanghai, it’s a shame if I did not go, innit? Plus, World Expo will be there for 6 months but Zhangjiagang and Suzhou will be there forever. And therefore, World Expo it is.

Five sites on two different districts in one day.

Before I share my walkthrough in this world event, I would like you to know a few things.

First, I am sure you are aware of Shanghai’s population and with this world event, no doubt Shanghai is super packed with a species: homo sapiens. Unfortunately, it was a public holiday on the day I went. Worst. Everywhere I went, especially the sites in Pudong, I would mostly see people mountain, people sea. Horrible, man.

Consequently, the next thing you would see: horrible queues were literally everywhere! I am amazed with those people who were willing to queue for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours just to get into a pavilion.

Denmark Pavilion’s queue

Australia Pavilion’s queue; like going for a concert

Taiwan Pavilion’s queue if I am not mistaken

If you were like me, couldn’t be arsed to join the queue but just to look at the buildings, then you should use this elevated sightseeing passageway.

Awesome, innit? Also, if you want to be entertained, do look out for sleeping Chinese. They could be found everywhere as well. You would be amazed by how ignorant these people could be to sleep in the public in this world event!

Till then, look out for my next post on World Expo 2010: Site C.

Last Monday in Shanghai

It was finally the first day of break after a long week of working days in Shanghai. Well, not for me though since I had already resigned on Thursday and didn’t have to go to work from Friday to Sunday. However, I had to work that Monday, teaching, and that was my last day of teaching but, guess what?

I was fucking late for work!

I must have been overworked from those night outs I had that I overslept. My co-worker called me and I thought it was only 6-ish. To my horror, it was already 8.33am and my class was supposed to start at 8.30am. Damnit!

Fortunately I managed to make it for the second session of the class and thank goodness they did not deduct my pay like how my previous employer does. Those bastards.

Anyhow, it was a good time, to spend my last day of teaching with my students. I managed to get their addresses (Dang! I almost forgot about this!) so, I could send postcards to them.

Oh, did you notice those arts shown above? The girls drew them on the glass board when the boys did not pay attention in class. And as a farewell gift, I drew for them as well.

I taught two classes and these students are from my second class. They are the most naughty and outta control group. The girls love to draw the glass board while the boys would play with their gadgets such as mobile phones and PSP.

That night, since I would not be able to get a massive burger with a ridiculously good price in Malaysia, I decided to have one last big burger at Malone’s. I am going to miss this always especially when Mondays come.

After Malone’s, I headed to my ex-housemates’ place where they had this house party for me. They talked about this the week before and I felt horrible to forget about it totally until that Sunday evening. It was a good time though the night didn’t go as well as I thought it would be. Still, it’s worth the shit especially when I could see these two great and very important people before I left Shanghai. They are really worth the shit that happened which I could not be arsed.