China, Korea and a little bit (of Japan) on the side

[Justinf]

Woke up fairly early. 6am is early for me.
Got out bed and was immediately struck at how painful it was to walk. My calves had a massive build up of lactic acid from all those stairs yesterday and now I was paying for it.
Lazed around for a bit and then decided to head out to Tian’anmen square.
I didn’t realise you had to book a ticket. I just thought it was a public square that you could go to.
Tickets are free but you still have to book one.
I walked all the way there and found out it was booked out.
Weather today felt quite mild even though it was +1, it was sunny and no wind. I actually felt a bit warm while walking.
The streets were very quiet as it is New Year’s Eve today.
This is as close as I got to Tian’anmen Square.



I then walked around looking for a decent beanie and some gloves.
The gloves I have aren’t cutting it so I ended up finding both at a thrift shop for less than $10.
I won’t need them in Shanghai but might in Seoul and Japan
Almost everything is closed for New Year’s Eve.
Streets very quiet.
NYE here is like thanksgiving in the US or Christmas for us. Everyone returns home to their families for a feast.
Not sure what I will do tonight.
Pretty much everything is closed.
I could go back to the brew pub, which is open at 5pm, but I’m not that keen.
Managed to rack up 12,000 steps today and gave the calves a good workout.
Off to Shanghai tomorrow.
Weather is for 8 degrees there tomorrow and then warming to a positively baking 14 for following two days.
I’m on China Eastern flight 5196 from Daxing airport departure time 1pm.
Seat 7C, which is actually the second row in business class. Aircraft is an A321-211.
Never flown China Eastern before so I’m keen to see how it unfolds.
Also praying for a hassle free airport experience.

 

[Justinf]

Decided to stay in tonight.
Apparently there is some kind of TV extravaganza on tonight that has live music and is a bit of an institution here. Everyone watches it even though in recent years it has become quite cheesy.
I’ll see if I can pick that up on the TV.
If not, I’ve downloaded some shows on Netflix, Squid Game one of them that I can watch.
Obligatory trip to 7/11 for some Tsing Taos and I’m set.
The people in the room next to me are a bit noisy though. Actually they are talking normally but it’s still loud enough to hear them.

 

[VPS]

He has that vibe even in a photo!

Yep that is the one I picked too

 

[Justinf]

Packed up and headed out at 9am, which was super early for a 1pm flight, but I wasn’t sure how New Year’s Day was going to be like.
Ordered a DiDi out to Daxing and was picked up at 9.10am.
It took nearly an hour and cost $28, which is not too bad.
Daxing is huge and very new. It only opened in 2019 and has one single terminal and is called the starfish. Google it and you’ll know.
Checked in and dropped my bag off.

 

[Justinf]

Security was absolutely whoa!
Had to take power bank, iPad and phone out.
Pat down was borderline sexual. Dude at least buy me a coffee first.
My bag didn’t pass the test so the attendant rifled through it and turfed everything and put it through again.
Eventually came back all clear.
I searched for the China Eastern lounge as flying J I presumed I was entitled entry.
There were two lounges right near each other and I just went into the first one.
First impressions were positive.
Had some eggs and chicken sausages which look ordinary and tasted about the same.

 

[Justinf]

They were having some dumpling making demo.
Dumplings are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day for luck and the staff were inviting kids to have a go.
Afterwards they got their photos taken with the two dudes who helped them make it.
I wandered over for a look and they invited me to have a go.
Not wanting to miss out, I said yes.
I rolled three very ordinary dumplings which everyone found quite hilarious.
After that it was photo time and not for me.
The entire staff wanted to be in the pic with the old white dude and it took ages to get through all the pics from everyone’s phone.
My phone was an afterthought but I did get some pics.
I felt like a celebrity.
Ed Sheeran got nuffin man.

 

[Justinf]

I wasn’t allowed to leave without eating my own dumplings.
And they made me a nice drink of whatever it was.
And they gave me a fridge magnet.

 

[Justinf]

Had an hour to go before boarding so I relaxed in one of the chairs.
Gotta say as far as lounges go, this was pretty good.
Food options good although booze a little light on.
Beer was Heineken and Tsing Tao, a small selection of spirits and only one wine, a Chardonnay.
I imbibed in the wine.

 

[Justinf]

Was quite a walk to the gate and boarding was early.
Took my seat and the FA said there was nobody next to me so I could shuffle over to the window.
There are 20 J seats on the China Eastern A321 and the legroom was a bit ordinary.


The second two pics are with the seat in front of me reclined which was done well before take off.
Predeparture drinks were water or juice and I cheekily asked for a white wine more so just being a bit of a smart cough, but the FA said yes and to wait a moment.

 

[Justinf]

FA took lunch order and drink order.
I went with the chicken and a red wine.
Keep in mind this the same length of flight from MEL to BNE.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Late to the party and now on board @Justinf
And Kung Hei Fat Choi

 

[Justinf]

The seatbelt sign stayed on for around 30 minutes after take off despite there being no turbulence whatsoever.
First I got a snack and my drink.

 

[Justinf]

The meal was good. The abalone tasted like tofu (no taste at all). I’ve never had abalone before.
But overall, it was a good feed.


Compare this to the same flight duration our national carrier and which would you prefer?
Pic stolen from @RickyT84 on the QF business class meals thread.




I paid $400 for this flight. Not sure what QF would charge from MEL-BNE. Maybe twice that?

 

[Justinf]

The scenery out the window was ok.

 

[Justinf]

It came time for another drinky pooh.
Asked for a beer and was presented with this.


Given we had just started our descent, I wasn’t sure what I was meant to do here.
Gulp or concede.
I certainly didn’t ask for the wine.
Decided just to sip on the beer and no sooner than five minutes after the drinks were given to me, they were taken away. Not the beer mind you. That baby, I was nursing until she was finished.
The FA took the wine away without me even touching the glass.
Descent into Pudong.

 

[Justinf]

Flight time from wheels up to wheels down was one hour and 45 minutes.


It was a long walk to baggage claim which wasn’t baggage claim at all. Had to hop on a train to baggage claim.
My bag was one of the first off the first off the conveyer belt and I was on my way to the taxi stand.
Taxis are so cheap here.
Into a cab and it took an hour to get to the Crowne Plaza.
I think old mate took the long way because it was $60
I think going back to Pudong I will at least take the maglev instead.

 

[Justinf]

I normally don’t stay in lavish places.
I don’t need much when it comes to accommodation.
Still, this would be a good place to spend three nights.

 

[Justinf]

Headed out for a walk and by jeepers, Shanghai rocks.
Totally different vibe to Beijing.

 

[drron]

I always find a good long soak in a warm bath is good for my painful legs.

 

[Justinf]

Searched for a place to have a beer and there is a spot literally around the corner from the hotel.
They had a 2 for 1 special so I had 2 Goose IPAs for CNY70.

And was amused at the spelling.


Back to the room and it’s ghastly hot.
Called reception for a fan.
Tomorrow I am going to walk to The Bund but for now, it’s sleep time.