Writes of Passage

After the cancelled flight, we finally got to Shanghai. It’s very cold and the restaurant didn’t provide any warmth. They serve fish head.

3883 Hongmei Lu (near YanAn XiLu)
虹梅路 3883号 (近延安西路; 长宁店)

Dad’s 85th birthday falls on a rainy day. Traffic was terrible in the evening. We were an hour late to the restaurant (dianping and comments).

My cousin picked this one and it’s a great choice. Valet parking. Men dressed in long red coat greeted us by the door. The hall is spacious with exhibits – reportedly they change them often. We dined in a suite, a closet and a bathroom; it’s two tables with sitting area at one end – not an uncommon configuration in China. We’d more than a dozen dishes: small portion, nicely prepared and presented. I’d give them 4.5 stars – I’m stingy on giving out 5.

Dad was being loaded boarded on to the MU (China Eastern Airlines) plane in Taipei TPE:

Due to the canceled flight last evening that stretched into mid night in Taipei, we had to get up early for the 5am bus to return to the airport. I didn’t get to wish dad a happy birthday till he’s seated in the plane after the complicated boarding.

The flight attendants, mostly girls were very nice and attentive, aside from being attractive. They wooed and ahhhed over him. Commenting how handsome he’s and how healthy he’s to travel.

The hotel issued a boxed breakfast, and the in flight tray isn’t too bad. I enjoyed the cracker the best.

Meeting his aunt who’s two years his junior (she’s from the youngest concubine) was a blast: they haven’t seen each other for over sixty years. Yes, six decades!

We stopped by a Japanese restaurant for lunch – it’s kind of late and couldn’t finish the food. It’s a rainy day and we were an hour late to arrive at the restaurant for the celebration. My cousins made arrangement and the menu at 名豪鱼翅海鲜.