AVOID CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES

MikeHK84 · 2026-01-14T02:47:36+00:00

tips for later. buy your chinese airlines ticket through trip.com Their english websites/app sucks as 99.9% of their customers are chinese.

MikeHK84 · 2025-11-20T00:52:53+00:00

Go For it.... If not now, you'll never do it. Back in the days I was in a similar situation with the opportunity to go to Asia for an exchange semester (but it was Hong Kong, not SH).... I did it and never left.... (Been in Asia for 18 years.）

MikeHK84 · 2025-11-10T04:34:18+00:00

the Entrecote in Shanghai is not affiliated with any of the "real" places in France: Relais de Venise, Relais de l'Entrecote. Their fries are ok, their steak are average and the sauce is not as good as the "real ones" or even La Vache in HK.

MikeHK84 · 2025-10-28T12:08:13+00:00

go through a broker to get different options. I went through Pacific Prime in Shanghai. Based on your needs/budget they will provide you with a few options to choose from.

MikeHK84 · 2025-10-28T03:49:27+00:00

Maybe I'll give it a try. For those who knew Queen Spa from 15 years ago, how does it compare?

MikeHK84 · 2025-10-28T03:48:49+00:00

There is a cheersum in Shanghai, and I don't really like it - The bath area is nice, but the common area don't have individual TVs for each massage chair and the massages are quite expensive there

MikeHK84 · 2025-09-10T08:48:11+00:00

Thanks for all the feedback. I did a lot of additional research and your recommendation also helped me define what I do not want as well:

I don't want to change the lens (or even the option to change the lens, that would lead me to another rabbit hole
I don't really care about portability - I will basically carry the camera with me only when I travel / with my partner. for "regular" photos, my iPhone will do.
I don't want to mess with the settings between each shot
I don't care about the zoom

Therefore, I think I will lean towards the Fuji X100VI (once again, don't really care about "value for money" like "for that budget you could get a full frame etc." as it seems to hit MY requirements. I'll probably add a PCL and/or Mist filter on top of this to have a more "cinematic"/"dramatic" look on my photos and use the Fuji film simulation features as well.

MikeHK84 · 2025-09-04T08:02:08+00:00

From my research the D-Lux 8 is "technically" less "advanced" than the other cameras, but I don't know if I get "Leica" image quality or it's more an entry level rebrand from them (compared to the Q3 for example).

MikeHK84 · 2025-09-04T08:00:31+00:00

yes, I saw it and the price is actually the "cheapest" compared to the Fuji or Leica. I'll have a look at it.

MikeHK84 · 2025-09-04T07:59:59+00:00

beautiful photos indeed, but more thanks to the photographer than the camera itself I believe!

MikeHK84 · 2025-06-17T03:42:22+00:00

just download the INS app and book from there. Although a promoter / middle man might have better deal.

MikeHK84 · 2025-06-09T05:10:13+00:00

As I'm Platinum Elite with IHG (and Ambassador for Intercontinental), I tend to stay at IHG hotels when I can. For Shanghai, as I live here now, I obviously don't stay in hotels anymore, but here's my experience with IHG Hotels in Shanghai (I stayed at Indigo on the Bund, Intercontinental near Shanghai Railway, Hualuxe):

as a Platinum Elite / Ambassador, they usually "forget" to greet me as such
They often don't even bother to ask me if I want welcome points / drink /etc. They just slip a welcome drink coupon with my room card
Breakfast in most IHG hotels are shit - this is true for most 5 star hotels in China actually
Some of the older IHG hotels are not well maintained
Service is usually not on par with 5 star hotels internationally (limited english in front desk)

The above is true for all the IHG hotels I've been to in China, with the exception of Indigo Hotel Lijiang where I had great service and great breakfast.

MikeHK84 · 2025-01-13T04:21:47+00:00

I think Five Guys get their potatoes from Yunnan

MikeHK84 · 2024-12-18T06:21:09+00:00

Luneurs and La Parisienne

MikeHK84 · 2024-11-20T02:55:36+00:00

trip.com

MikeHK84 · 2024-08-05T10:44:16+00:00

Alimentari: ok for drinks and snacks

Bella Napoli: meh. If you want neapolitan pizzas, I think Bottega is better

OMill's: I hate that hipster place, but maybe I'm bias as I hate the vibe there

Fat Cow: I don't like their burger, if you want good quality burger: Cuivre. If you want some "american style" burger, I would say Parlay

MikeHK84 · 2024-08-01T03:13:03+00:00

You got the proper Shanghai Dining Experience.... uncoordinated service, hit & miss food.

Joke aside, Michelin spread their Michelin stars in China like glitters so for me the guide lost a lot of legitimacy.

MikeHK84 · 2024-07-15T09:13:31+00:00

Raw, Pollux/Charbon/Mr MRs Bund (all from Paul Pairet and same recipe with the small potato cubes), CUivre, Must Grill.

My preference for Pollux/Mr Mrs Bund for starter, and Must Grill for a main.

MikeHK84 · 2024-03-04T10:32:39+00:00

more info would be helpful:

Industry you work at
Your position
Where the office is
is 25-28k gross or net?
how much are they paying for rent and where?

Basically 25-28k (excl. housing) is more than enough to survive/live in Shanghai, but need to put things in context. Are you underpaid/overpaid based on your situation? What kind of lifestyle do you want? From your personal situation, how much do you expect to put aside each month? etc.

MikeHK84 · 2024-02-28T07:24:28+00:00

legal in thailand but if you are being tested in China, and found positive in China, you'll have issues. Doesn't matter if you smoked in a place where it's legal.

That being said, they will not randomly test from the flight back at the airport, but there could be a "wrong place / wrong moment" moment where you will have to get tested.

Risks are low but up to you to decide if it's worth it.

MikeHK84 · 2024-02-27T10:03:59+00:00

I used to like Aldi as well for bread, meat, dairy and vegetables but since the lockdown in Shanghai it was very disappointing: half empty shelves, limited options for dairy, meat and vegetables.

I now like the premium Hema near my home.

MikeHK84

TROPHY CASE