Hot, Hot, Hot!

It's a first experience

If not for it, we would not have decided to make a trip to China.

The Shanghai Expo, almost all the time on our lips was the highlight of the trip.

However, whether it really turned out to be it is a matter of opinion ; at least among the 5 of us. Esther babbled about it all the way from Melbourne to home and from home to Shanghai. The expectation was high as it was meant to be the epitome of all architectural ideas and wonders. Grace was the obliging mate ; anything went. Sara definitely would not die for it and when it was time for the exposition on the last day, we actually lost some of the zest when we heard stories about the crowd and the heat.

So I am going to spill the cat out of the bag ; for those who plan to go to the expo it is best you skip the post as I may kill your enthusiasm but for those for one reason or another cannot make it there ... I will be doing you a favour !

We have never witnessed a fleet of buses of this size anywhere ; amazing ! We were warned that we could easily lose ourselves among the mad crowd and had to memorise the parking lot of the bus...

Sometimes it is good to be late; we checked in at noon and avoided the huge madness in the earlier hours of the morning; so walking in was a breeze; so refreshing for a change.

The instant we got to the grounds we were greeted by this camp ... quite refugee-like ? The scorching sun did not complement the walk and at the sight of any shade huge masses gathered.

The Laus had to strategise... where to go... how to make the most of the day? Only a day for the exposition so we had to cut queues and avoid masses.

Ouch...what a hot day ! Why must the day be so hot... mama I dowana walk...





First greetings...Portugal ; corked.

Slovakia; land of beauty but I laughed when I overheard a group of Chinese ladies commenting...

"na ke pai ren how mei li yo; ke sze chza men de zhong kuo hai zhe gen mei li ya, twee mah?" (Oh what a pretty White girl but look at our Chinese girls , aren't they more beautiful?) As usual, anything Chinese would be the best!

Germany... for poses like that it meant we had no chance to go in; the queue was too unappetizing.




Turkish architecture and colour...

This land reminded us of Miriam and her Belarus hubby...



It's Sweden , the Norwegian neighbour...

Iceland... had no chance to peep !

Sorry lost track...








The Spanish Fan ...





The Republic of Czech...

We went in to have look at their exhibition but we found instead this crowd taking rest under the air-conditioned pavilion; so comfortable that you would not want to move anymore...

The Pacific Islands attracted us as the queue was short and so we gave it a shot !

The Pacific Islands ; Samoa, Cook Islands, Marshall...but they share a common feature having widespread beaches and holiday haunts.

Local handicrafts...

The hula-hala bands...

Beautiful ornaments...

The canoe, the symbol of livelihood and Mr. Kino...

Carpets of the island ... captivating.

Welcome to the UN Pavilion...it was easy entry; no queue.

Humanitarian issues threshed out and glad to read about Malaysia's role in the Myanmar cause...

This Chinese lass is so ... appealing.

Serbia and her brick structure...

Another forgotten one...memory lapse.

The Belgium Manifesto...


Oh... Singapore, our neighbour ; put off by the queue...not for us Grace.

The Malaysian Manifesto ... 1 Malaysia !

Whatever others may say and whatever the inside contained; we waited in the queue.

Girls, line up.

The multi-cultured society of the nation was clearly depicted at the entrance...

Malaysia , truly Asia...

The great reminder that Malaysia has a past connected to the host... the Baba Nyonya heritage.

Painfully selected tiles recounting the Peranakan Shelter...

Shopping ideas...paradise.

Fine craftsmanship...

The sea collections...

Our very own label...batik.

Selamat Bertugas...



The land of gloves...

Who can beat our quality and quantity?



Batik covered for comfort and looks...

An East Malaysian depiction?



That was the Malaysian Pavillion...what do you think of it?

From noon till evening... lovely hues.

Ireland by night...

Chile ... cool.

The Berlin cause...

Give chance la ... Singapore by night.

The Expo by night...

Time for some action...that's the way.

Mexican Magic !

To visit the host Pavillion, you need to take numbers way before your visit... so forget about it.



At the main entrance all containers containing liquid had to be confiscated but we were well compensated... free clean water ! Bring in empty bottles and fill them up ! So good to have them free of charge ! Rare !




See... fill to the brim...FOC ! An excellent gesture... the best so far !

I must confess that this public facility has never been so well represented for the host country ! This clean and superbly maintained public amentity makes making business a pleasure !

First class mentality. Covering a wide area, the facility lessened the lethargy of the hot weather as the water was really, really as cool as the spring water! No lies.

Towards the end of the day and trudgings, we wished we had brought practical amenities along with us...dead tired and we looked at others with envy.

The Shanghai Expo...at your pleasure.