Hotel in Guangzhou Business Trip

I went to Guangzhou for business trip, and coincidentally the standard room was already fully booked, so my company has to upgrade me to the deluxe room. Such a big room....

My Trip To Beijing - 18 to 22 September 2010

I went to Beijing with family for a 5 day trip with Hong Thai tour agency. This is supposed to be a 5 day luxurious tour costing HK$3,599 + airport tax & fuel surcharge + tour guide tipping. Total cost is HK$4,581 per person. We stayed at Westin Financial Street Hotel.

Day 1

We went to the airport taking the 6am bus and arrived at 6.30am. The plane, Dragon Air was supposed to depart at 8am but there was a 30 minute delay. We arrived at Beijing at about 11.20am. There was a tour member that forgot to bring his passport and arrived at the airport later than us, at about 6.40am and missed the flight. He then took a later flight to Beijing. The stupid tour guide was so inconsiderate and asked the whole group of us, 33 tour members to wait for the other 2 members till 12.50pm. All luggage arrive by 12pm, so we effectively waited for about 1 hour.

We went for lunch at a Szechuan food restaurant, Yu Xiang Kitchen (www.yuxiangrenjia.com). The "Kung Po Kai Ting - chicken" is nice. Mum seemed to like Beijing's food and ate a lot. We went to visit one of Beijing's University (Beijing Sports University) and head for Summer Palace in the afternoon. We went for dinner at a Cantonese food restaurant. This is the best meal in the day 5 trip.

We went back hotel early to rest. Westin Hotel is really nice and spacious, we stayed in this hotel for 4 consecutive nights.

Day 2

Morning call was at 6.45am and we were supposed to depart at 8am sharp, but a lot of people were late and we finally left at 8.15am. The tour guide did not even remind the tour members to be punctual in the future. We went to Forbidden City and left for lunch at 12.10pm. We went for buffet lunch at a revolving restaurant in a "5 star hotel". I was anticipating so much for this lunch, but the food is not nice and not much variety too. In short, not very nice.

We went to Tiananmen Square at 2.25pm and it was really hot, I nearly have heatstroke. We walked for 15 minutes only and went to the gathering point, the meet up time was 3.15pm. Again, the tour guide was so inefficient and did not call the bus driver earlier, we had to wait about 15 to 25 minutes before we can get on the bus.

We went for "Hu Tong" trishaw ride and "San Li Tun" shopping area to shop. Obviously I didn't buy anything because everything is so expensive and not really nice. We went for steamboat dinner, the sauce for the steamboat is nice, I think it is "sesame sauce".

We went to Wang Fu Jing after dinner and stayed there for 1 hour 15 min. Mum was tired already and we didn't walk much. On the way back to the hotel, the China tour guide told us there is a Kung Fu Show and told us to pay money directly for the show although it was optional. He didn't even give us a choice to choose. It cost RMB 600 for 4 of us for that 1 hour show. I was so dissatisfied and if not because mum and dad were there, I would have to him that we will not join.

Day 3

Everyone was late again today morning, supposed to meet at 8am but a lot of people still not here at 8.15am. I went to the HK tour guide and asked him to remind them to be punctual and he said it is normal to be late and quite rude. Then we told him if that is the case, we will be late the next day. He then told us the bus will leave and he will not wait for us if we are late.

We went to the Jade factory in the morning. The items are very expensive. We headed for Ming Tomb and had lunch in a local restaurant, food not very good. We went to Great Wall of China and then to "Bao Shu Tong" (www.bjbst.com.cn). We bought some of the "popular items" eg Bao Fu Ling. We had lunch at a Mongolian restaurant. The restaurant was very unique.

Day 4

I had diarrhoea yesterday night and went to the washroom for more than 20 times. I wonder is it because of the food at the local restaurant during lunch on Day 3. I nearly wanted to go to the hospital. Took about 8 "lomotil" but still useless. In the end, the whole family decided to "skip" day 3 tour and stayed in the hotel with me. We missed day 4 itinerary which included Beijing Duck lunch (my favourite), dumpling dinner, visit to Heaven of Temple, tea plantation, Orchestra Concert Hall and "Tong Yan Tong" Chinese Medicine Hall.

Dad, mum and brother went to the Zoo in the afternoon.

Day 5

We went to the Silk factory and we bought 2 sets of Silk comforter, and the "free gift" was silk bedsheet, pillow case, Silk duvet and a pillow. Apparently this silk bought is "Cham Si", the same kind of silk sold in Hangzhou. We went for the "free foot massage" and mum had a great time, talking non stop to the lady who massage for her, and even asked us to increase the tips to be given to the staff. We had food at the Beijing Olympic "Bird Nest" restaurant. The food was not very good. We then took pictures at "Bird Nest", Aquatic and took an MTR ride before heading to the airport.

Conclusion

The trip was OK, I think Hong Thai offers good hotel and food, but the service of the staff and tour guide is really bad. It's so much worse than Wing Onn and EGL. Wing Onn provides good hotel and food too (maybe not as good as Hong Thai) but the service of the tour guide is better. EGL does not really offer good hotel, and food is also mediocre, but the service of the tour guide is so far the best.

Shopping spree - 21 August 2010 and 11 September 2010

Didn't have time to post this until today, can see the obvious decrease in number as I am getting poor nowadays....

First batch of I Phone 4 received from Apple Store

I have The first batch of I phone 4 ordered on 21 Aug was supposed to be shipped on 13 Sept and arrived on 17 Sept. I was waiting so eagerly for the phone when I suddenly received a shipment notification on 6 Sept 11:48pm that my order has been shipped by DHL. I was so eager and not sure when I will receive my I Phone since it will be delivered to my office. I was about to call DHL to check the status when my colleague passed 2 boxes to me at 10am on 7 Sept! My I Phone has arrived! So efficient.

I was hoping the price was going to increase for 16GB on weekend and I did not sell immediately, although the price was HK$6,650. However, the price has decreased after Tuesday and I finally sold it today, Saturday at HK$6,400.

I kept the 32GB I Phone for my own use, and I am currently enjoying myself with my new I Phone.

Budget Hotel In Hong Kong

My friend did some research and found some budget hotels in HK. I have not visited these budget hotels, but I know the price is reasonable.

1. Majestic Guest House

Flat 11, 15/F., Haiphong Mansion, 53-55 Haiphong Road,

Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel : 6288 5968.

Website : www.majesticguesthouse.com.hk

2.The Bridal Tea House Hotel 

Website : http://www.hkchhotel.com/eng.html

Selling I Phone 4 In Hong Kong

When I Phone 4 was launched in HK in July, I thought those people who queued up at midnight to buy the i phone must be crazy. After a few days, I learnt from my colleague that her sister queued up to buy the I Phone and sold it after a few days at HK$10k+, when the cost was only HK$5,888. Now I understand why there are so many people who queue up!

After 2 weeks, I saw a lot of people queueing up outside a restaurant to purchase I Phone sold by "3", and the brochure said that "you can get the I Phone immediately". It will usually take a few weeks to get hold of your phone after you place the order. I again thought what is the rush to get the phone, it is more expensive and I might as well order through my company's corporate plan at a cheaper monthly rate.

The next day, I learnt that my colleague bought 2 phones and still managed to sell it on the same day at HK$8,800. I really didn't expect that the resale price is still so high after 2 weeks.

So I decided to order for the phone immediately (through "3"), on 11 August and I received the phone at 30 Aug when I went back to HK. I sold it immediately at HK$7,450, I paid HK$7,732 for the phone and 24 months contract ($248 per month), so in effect my earnings are paying HK$300 for my phone and 24 months contract. However, I learnt that the resale price has increased to HK$7,800 today! Huh, I lost HK$350 already :(

I actually ordered another phone through "Smartone" on 20 August and called the sales today to check when will my phone arrive. Apparently there is shortage of stock and I can only get it in another 2 weeks time...huh...I want to get it and sell it as soon as possible.

I also ordered a few more phones from Apple store, I hope I can receive it soon and sell it, and use the earnings to buy I Pad :)

2 I Phone ordered on 21 Aug, expected delivery date is 17 Sept
4 I Phone ordered on 31 Aug midnight, expected delivery date is 29 Sept
4 I Phone ordered on 1 Sept, expected delivery date is 14 Oct (the delivery time has increased from3 weeks to 5 weeks, hope I can make more money due to the fact of short supply)

Below are links I found that updates the daily price of HK I Phone:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=141162705915012&v=wall&ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=136149589761588&v=wall&ref=ts
http://iphone4hongkong.blogspot.com/