Even though I’m a small blog, various companies contact me from time to time, to sell services, or offer deals. I usually ignore them, but the other day I got a very intriguing e-mail about a blogging contest. Sponsored by Club Carlson, a travel and hospitality company. All I need to do is write about my ideal weekend in Shanghai and I have a chance to win a weekend getaway at the super fancy Shanghai Radisson Blu hotel.
Hell to the yeah! You know I love Shanghai and have been dreaming about going there to see all my friends. And to publicly write about my dream with a chance to win a weekend at the fancy hotel? No brainer. And this hotel IS fancy. Like, phone next to the toilet in the marbled bathroom fancy. It’s the Radisson Blu Shanghai New World hotel which surprisingly I know exactly where it is located. I tend not to notice hotels, but this is one place that even a casual visitor to the city would notice. It’s near the glittery Nanjing West shopping street, but the eye-catching feature is the big round top of the hotel (which I found out houses a rotating restaurant.) Shanghai is known for unique architecture and this building stands out for sure.
So what would be the first thing I’d do on my dream weekend? Well after checking in I’d jump straight into the tub. Call me a redneck but do you know how rare it is to find a bathtub in China?! The last bath I took in my life was more than two years ago when a friend used her credit card points in Taiwan for a night at a fancy hotel and was kind enough to share it with me. This hotel has those big sexy baths and, I’m assuming, a bottle of bubble bath which I would gladly use up.
So, I’d take a long bath and then invite some of my friends over to show off. We’d probably help ourselves to the mini bar or go the hotel bar, appreciate the view and pretend we are rich and hang out in places like that all the time.
The next day, I’d wake up and hit the city. Did I mention that this trip would be for two? And did I also mention that I have someone specific in mind? No? Well, it is, and I do. But it’s still on the DL so the less said the better. *Ahem*
Let’s just say, that there would be a certain someone with me (hopefully) and one place in Shanghai I’d like to go with him is a little painting studio. For a couple hundred kuai they give you all the materials; canvas, paints, a teacher to help you and source books to inspire you, and you listen to jazzy music while painting to your hearts content. I’m no Picasso, but in America I had a healthy collection of art supplies to play around with. Here in China all I have a box of colored pencils. So I’d like to get my art on, and have some fun. Afterwards we’d walk around the french concession area, eat some lunch and head back to the hotel for an afternoon spa visit.
Yep, this weekend would include a trip to the spa. (See? How could I not enter this contest?) I love massages, and I’m guessing I’d chose some hot stone massage type thingy and maybe even fall asleep during the massage (and feel like jelly afterwards). Then we’d get dressed up and have an early dinner at the revolving restaurant at the top of the hotel. I’ve been to a revolving restaurant before and luckily they go slow enough that I don’t feel like puking.) We’d have to eat early because we would need to get to the Shanghai Grand Theater (located across the street from the hotel in People’s Square).
As this is my pre-Christmas dream weekend, I feel like a fancy ballet or Christmas opera performance is in order. And since this is my dream we’d have tickets in the front section, not the nose bleed seats. Also in my dream I’m wearing a fancy red dress with a mink stole, but I’m me and don’t wear dresses (and I’d never wear fur) so I guess normal clothes would do.
The next day would start early with a dip in the pool and a walk across the street in People’s Park. Sunday is the best morning to go there, with the marriage market, and old people doing exercises. Then I’d like to go meet my friends for brunch in some little cafe. (I’m a sucker for Shanghai’s cafes). Luckily, the hotel advertises late check-out which I would take advantage of to do one more thing: shopping.
I’m not such a big shopper, but in China Shanghai is the only place I can reliably find western brands in western sizes. So I’d have to go to some of the chains to stock up on pants, bras and maybe a few shirts. I’d actually consider this part of the trip a bit of a burden (I know, I’m am a freaky girl as my species usually loves to shop) but I know from living in China so long you gotta do it when you have the opportunity. Then I’d try to squeeze one more bath in, pack my stuff and fly away.
So that would be my dream weekend. Even if I don’t win it, according to science I’ve just made myself happier. Researchers have discovered that just planning a trip can make you happier for up to 8 weeks. In fact, you don’t even need to take the trip. The simple act of planning is where the happiness comes from. (Because you don’t have to deal with the actual stress or extra workload that comes from taking time off.)
So what about you? Want an extra boost of happiness? Tell me about your dream weekend in Shanghai. Do you agree with my plan or would you do something else? Share it with everyone in the comments! (and I’ll let you know if I win. Thanks again to Club Carlson for the opportunity. Fingers crossed!)
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