SHANGHAI IS CALLING

TRAVEL

It was the start of a fabulous day in California. There was no rain cloud in the sky, the sun had set beautifully and I could hear the happy chirping of birds and of course, the wind blew along rustling trees and leaves and just making everything pretty perfect. Right in the middle of the flawless setting, there I was relaxing by the pool in effortless elegance, reading Steve Harvey’s new book and treating myself to a lobster salad. The warm feel of the sun against my already fabulous body was just heaven plus I was getting a much-needed tan. Before I knew it…ring ring, it was the sound of a phone call jolting me out of Steve Harvey's book that I was lost in and right into the present. I managed to ransack my bag to pick the call just in time. Then the news came drumroll, please…. I was to be in Shanghai in the shortest possible time!!!. Boy, do I love to travel?!. There has hardly been a time when I declined the opportunity to take a plane and get whisked away to a new destination. It’s a thing that I don't think I'll get weary of anytime soon. This year alone I have been on planes longer than I have been at home. You won't be wrong if you say it has become a part of me. Now, don't get me wrong, there are a few moments that I just wish I could retreat into my personal space and just take some time off, but I really can't. Sometimes it’s not just about the fun of traveling, its also about my blog which is dependent on my moving about and getting in on the juicy things happening around the world. A couple of years back, I was in China, Beijing to be exact and it did my blog and I some good.

OfficialDSHA

April 24, 2016

This latest trip to Shanghai which is also in China was however last minute and I must admit, I was taken aback. Despite that, I was fascinated by the fact that I was going to explore new territories, learn new things and meet pretty amazing people but I also dreaded all the hard work that comes before the travel. It’s like I’m finely tuned to enjoy the traveling process starting from when I find myself in the lounge or on the plane. All the preliminaries like packing my suitcases, sometimes needing to apply for visas and all the security checks that the airport personnel's subject travelers to just get me worn out. However, the moment I’m able to sit back on a plush seat and enjoy a glass of rose champagne…honey, I instantly forget about all the difficulties of the travel, the time difference and the dreadfully long hours of flight and I'm set to have a swell time.

Boy, do I love to travel?!.

In this case, however, the fourteen hours of flight from California to Shanghai was the least of my worries. The time difference did not even bother me a bit. Those things can easily be managed with a few hours of good sleep and adjusting my mind and body to get accustomed to the time zones. What was paramount on my mind was the question of how in the world I could arrive at my destination and still look good and not as a truck ran over me. I had been scheduled to attend a dinner and a meeting shortly after my arrival and these contributed to my perplexed state. It’s not my intention to turn up looking like I have been through a lot. Fortunately, the hotel that I was booked in which was the Fairmont Peace Hotel had a premium standard pickup service. I also had zero difficulties locating the baggage claim, retrieving my suitcases from the band or finding my driver. As I alighted from the plane I met the person whom my hosts had sent over to assist me. I was assisted to the restroom where I freshened up and by the time I was out, my suitcases had been packed neatly in the trunk of the car (that's what I call quality service). I was then taken to the driver and we were ready to move. We were absolutely taking Shanghai!!! On my way to the hotel, I was brought up to speed with the recent happenings and news in Shanghai. I was also given pointers on how to move around the city. So far, I was enjoying every minute of this.

Upon my arrival at the hotel, I was given a warm reception. The staff was well mannered, they greeted me and assisted me in checking into my room. I have no complaints whatsoever regarding the hotel's service. When I was finally alone in my room, the moment I had been dreaming of for more than half a day was finally here. Some time alone to simmer down, have a good bath and treat myself to shine glasses of good wine. I put on my bathrobe and got into the bathroom and then it hit me. There I was standing in a bathroom with the most amazing aesthetics I had ever seen in a while. The bathroom is heaven!!!. Whoever designed it should be proud. Interested in seeing a full room tour, tune in to my snap chat and take in every moment. Meanwhile, the bit of Shanghai that I've seen so far, is pretty amazing.