Apologies for the brief hiatus there – I was too busy getting 2000 RMB spa treatments and then interminably writing about them, drinking wine and then telling people that I drank wine, eating entirely tasteless, matchbox-sized pieces of bread that are labeled ‘High Tea’ and sold for 300 RMB (+15%, + your remaining shreds of credibility) in hotels – and then, of course, reason-lessly telling others of my humblebragging, soulless vanity.

Other than that – back in the real world – we found another indoor play area. Another writer in another Shanghai magazine website (Filthy hun weasels, fighting their dirty underhand war!), not a writer of this one (Splendid fellows, brave heroes risking life and limb) (reference!) had listed another indoor play area, within @Lifehub, which is @Jinqiao – named ‘Action & Fun’. Neither is correct.

It’s on the third floor of one of the blocks, and is – like so many things here – a wasted opportunity, due to bad decision-making and zero creativity. Despite the massive space there is essentially nothing for kids to really ‘do’ in there.

However, right next door is another kind of kid’s arcade, but with a couple of unique features: a very small but very fun small rollercoaster-esque car-riding ‘thing’, good for thrilling ages 3 to around 6, or a 7/8 year old who is young at heart. They also have bumper cars / dodgems on their 2nd floor (4th floor of the mall).

As you may know by now, I only feed my child custom-made, Okinawan Artisan tofu quenelles – yet if you are such an evil person as to feed your child McDonalds and/or other delights, there are all of the usual restaurants there.

To ingeniously conclude, here is a brief ‘parent’s own’ ‘Best of 2011’ list:

Best book shop: Kid’s Republic, 262 Yuyuan Rd.

Best restaurant family ambience in a place that kids can also enjoy: Bella Napoli, Changle Rd.

Most surprising fun couple of hours: Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom

Best internet proxy: Astrill

Best hidden-in-plain-sight restaurant (in which kids will also love the pork and rice): Tonkatsu Hamachan

Best kid’s burger (mini chicken) and best Dad’s burger ever (Mmm… Tom Chutney): Gourmet Café

Worst burger in Shanghai that has followed the city rule of (1) make a quality product to entice expats (2) wait for local customers to follow (3) destroy quality and serve tasteless food while spending more on the decoration: Blue Frog

Best play area (+ best buffet downstairs) that REALLY should introduce a day ticket, not just high monthly fees only: Kerry Hotel Pudong (‘Adventure Zone’, 4th floor)

Best shop ever for kids (and Dads) clothes: Uniqlo

and finally:

Best unorthodox Christmas Day Lunch to order 5 different burgers and scoff them all: Carl’s Jr. You know you want to.