THE WAHBIANG BLOG

The weather is getting cooler (18-22 degree). Kalinda is so happy cos’ she gets to wear her sexy autumn clothings now. It is sunny and cooling. A perfect weather for some outdoor activity. So, last Sat, we decided to go picnic at the Shanghai Century Park.

It is the Clown Festival at the Shanghai Century Park. You can’t believe the number of clowns we saw that day. (Of couse, we exclude our own clowns – Tracy and Elkan). We rode a 4-man cart, cruised around the park in a 7km/hour motorboat, roller-bladed around the 3km park and picnic under the cool blue sky.

I tried snowboarding today in Shanghai. Man, it was the "Ride of my Life".

I should have try this during the golden holidays in October (or at least come physically prepared). After 1 session of this, I certainly need 3-4 days to recover. Right now, I am lying on my bed – having all sorts of "never-experience-before" achings in my life. Honestly, I dun even know which part of my body is aching now. It seems like every part…including my balls! Eeeeeeeeouch.

 
It is one of those things that I should have never underestimated.. It is one of those things that looks so stupidly simple but terribly not. To me, it was more of body-breaking+aching than anything else. (Yes, it is a sign to remind me to do my regular exercise. My body just cannot handle those bumps and knocks). I fell at least 15 times today!

Despite all these sufferings, we endured and snowboard for 3 hours. Good thing they built an escalator to bring us up to the top of the slope (so we don’t have to walk). Leilie and Tracy were such great sports. They kept my spirit high, kept encouraging me. I think they know I cannot tahan another fall anymore. It is not just the pain…. It was also about getting up. Man, it was really difficult getting up on your 2 feet on that slippery terrain. Seriously, it is not easy for a 1st-timer.

Haaa.. will I be back? Yes, cos’ it is so cool to snowboard. But it is just not cool not able to stand up after a fall. (Once I fell, it’s as good that I am "game-over". You see me sitting there still on the slope.)

The girls suggested I start doing some sit-ups now (before our next visit). Yes, I certainly need stomach muscles.

Right…I just want to sleep still. Must sleep like a log cos’ any turn will be painful.

(p/s: With all these pain, I am going to board a plane to Hong Kong in 6-hour time… Hope it isn’t bumpy ride.)

(Picture: 2 smoking signs at Yiwu) – The fine thin line between smoking and non-smoking. The pillar marks the spot.

Since 2003, I have been hearing about this place called "Yiwu" from my business friends in Singapore. And Scott and I even got some cool stocks from this place back in 2005. I was told this is the world’s wholesale capital. You can get almost anything here. Most of the things you see and buy in the retail shops originated from this place. (Of course, that item you bought could have passed through 2-3 middle-men’s hands)

I was "warned" by Echo and Francis that 1 day isn’t enough for Yiwu. Well, I have been to many wholesale centres in Beijing, Shenyang Hangzhou and Shanghai. How "big" can this place be, I thought. 

We (Tracy, Echo and myself) drove for 3 hours – passing Jiaxin and Hangzhou – before we reached Yiwu. The minute Echo’s car entered the parking lot, I saw an endless stretch of trucks and cars. I cannot describe the size of this mega-wholesale center. It is almost like our Singapore Expo, Hall 1-6 AND 5 floors up! A local told us that there is an estimated of 25,000-30,000 shops in Yiwu. Guys, it is BIG!

We saw toys, lifestyle products, household items, electronics, car parts, accessories for women, gifts and premiums, craftworks, festive items (xmas, cny) and more! These wholesalers are nice, they welcome you to take photographs of those items that you are interested. Most wholesalers don’t provide you with catalogues or samples that you can take home. So, it is important you have to snap those items you want. Pick up their namecards and record the prices. You may call them back anytime to find out more.

Now the $$$ – Things in Yiwu are generally 500% cheaper than those you see in the retail shops. For example, a 1-foot tall lava lamp will cost you about S$60 at Parkway Parade. It is only selling at S$6 here. (minimum quantity: 50 pcs). A foldable bicycle costs about RMB1,500 in Shanghai, the same model costs only RMB400 (no minimum order!).

Guess I am going to brainwash more friends to accompany me to Yiwu. Kalinda, Meijie, Felicia, Gareth, you guys should come along too! Next time, we should book a hotel room for 2-day stay. Time to book a few containers!

(Picture: A truck carrying cages of pigs, on the expressway to the slaughtering house)

(Photo Taken: Shanghai Home – Worker cleaning the windows in my estate)