My boss told me I cannot cash my unused leave and have to clear by month end or forfeit
I just went online on impulsse and booked a Shanghai-Hangzhou holiday free and easy
My question is whether I should carry my passport with me at all times or can I leave in the hotel safe deposit
Chances of loss through misplacement, theft is significant if carried along but what if I get spot checked?
Any old bird China travellers can help?
Dear SadPlumpGal,
You not blur sotong. I am blur sotong - see my nick.
Me stay in Shanghai for a period of time and have been to HZ. Actually they are quite safe.
1. Check into a reputable hotel and keep your passport in hotel safe. Carry it around with you if you feel more comfortable. It is your choice. Just remember that there are pickpockets everywhere especially during festive season which now is not. For me I always leave it in my room locked up.
2. Make photocopy of whatever cards [front and back - especially the contact number must be visiable] & your NRIC, and of course passport and keep the photocopies in a seperate place.
3. Don't put all your $$ in one pocket. Place it in at least 2, better still 3 places.
4. Use common sense. Do not follow people. Do be gullible. Any bargain that is too good to be true will not be true.
5. If you need direction, ask, then decide how you get there. Best to do your homework before venturing out. Do not follow anybody - male or female regardless.
6. Eat at places where there are alot of people eating. Do not eat at empty shops or cheap places or those roadside stalls. Your tummy may not be to take it.
7. Bring along some commonly used medical supply on standby... just in case you may need it. Hopefully you don't need it. Pharmacy are those places where they displace a green cross in white signage.
8. Check out weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing. It is rainy period now. The plum rain is on in Shanghai now.
9. If you are travelling alone, be aware of your surrounding. Walk away quickly whenever you sense something not okay. Be sensible. Don't walk around at late unearthly hours. Don't go drinking in a pub and getting high there etc.
10. No how lian and show off whatever wealth you may exhibit. Wear normal clothings not flashy expensive watches or gold bar chain or big diamond crusted rings etc. No wear sexy, attention grabbing clothings too. These are NO NO.
11. Bring lots of Mao. Alot of shops in Shanghai, even more in Hangzhou, do not accept foreign credit cards.
12. Arrange with banks for you to withdraw $$ from ATM in China if need be before you leave. These are for emergency purposes. Often, the ATM card cannot withdraw Mao from the ATM - speaking from personal experience.
13. Bring along a friend if you can. No ask blur sotong to accompany you. Two blur sotongs does not means not be so blur.
Hope the above helps. Have a fun trip in Shanghai and Hangzhou.