Stayed at the Faculty Club of Shanghai Jiao Tong University for two nights while attending the 2005 Shanghai Combinatorics Conference. The location is great, being right in downtown Shanghai, in the Xuhui district. I find the rooms better compared to Zhong Ya Hotel (see my review here). But one catch is that you need a faculty member of Shanghai Jiao Tong University to make reservations on your behalf!

Had late dinner with XQ at Bai Hua Yuan (百花苑), Zhong Ya Hotel (330 Meiyuan Road, Shanghai, China). We were there just after 9pm and only the late-night menu was available. We had sauteed shrimps and a winter melon soup. Food is below average. Avoid.

Blogging from Singapore Changi Airport. Was supposed to be on SQ806 bound for Shanghai at 10:10 this morning. But an electrical fault in the aircraft caused a 3-hour delay and here I am, in the SATS Premium Lounge blogging away and waiting for a new aircraft scheduled to depart at 13:15.

The delay screwed up pretty much all of my plans for the evening in Shanghai. And worse, Singapore Airlines doesn't seem to be the least bit apologetic, as if it is a day-to-day affair that warrants no special care for the passengers involved.

I'm a Singaporean, and fly Singapore Airlines often. But I'm sad to say that the quality of service has dropped so much. For example, I wonder if those feedback forms were ever read. I had written in an earlier form that I expect a written answer from Singapore Airlines regarding an unhappy incident. To date, there were no written answers, no phone calls, no communications whatsoever. Makes me wonder ... "A Great Way to Fly"?

Had business lunch with BZ, EG, SW, and WL at Dragon Court (Sheraton Media, Jalan Gunung Sahari Raya No. 3, Jakarta 10720, Indonesia) last month. We ordered a peking duck, deep-fried garoupa, and stir-fried kailan. Nothing memorable and the service is slow.

On my trip to Jakarta last month, AR invited XQ and me for dinner at Shima (Hyatt Aryaduta Hotel, Jalan Prapatan 44-48, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia), which expanded into a big party comprising SS and wife, H, and HG. We had toro (tuna belly) and mixed sashimi, teppanyaki with Mastusaka beef (which many consider as superior to Kobe beef), king prawns, scallops, and mixed vegetables. All the items turned out to be heavenly! Even the dessert of fried banana with ice-cream is good. But stole the show is the wonderful company that night!

Had dinner with family at The Divine Cuisine (360 Orchard Road, #02-01/04 International Building, Singapore) sometime last month. This is a new concept steamboat, where the traditional steamboat is replaced by a claypot, and the "soup stock" is replaced with porridge. Other than this replacement, don't expect a different experience. I find the porridge rather tasty, although everyone commented that it is too salty.

Had dinner with BT, EG, and A at My Humble House (2-27 Espalande Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039802). This is one of the higher-end restaurants belonging to the Tung Lok Group. For simplicity, we took one of the set dinners, which I find to be rather over-priced at S$68 per person for the amount and type of food. If it is value you are looking for, skip this restaurant!

Had dinner with BS, SM, HG, WG, and EG at Gang Gang Sulai (65 Jalan Cideng Timur, Jakarta 10250O, Indonesia). This is a Korean barbecue restaurant. We ordered ginseng leaf as an appetizer, which is very good. The leaves are quick-boiled and tossed in a slightly sweet light soya sauce with sesame seeds. We had salmon, ox tongue, beef ribs, and several different cuts of beef for barbecue. OK food, but not spectacular.

Just got back from a business trip to Jakarta.

Had dinner with BZ, EG, and WG at B.A.T.S. (Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia). This is a restaurant cum bar serving American food. I had a beef tenderloin with red wine source, which is quite good, although nothing to shout about. EG had ribs, which he commented to be not as good as Tony Roma's.

This place is frequented by the expatriat community in Jakarta.