Ever since the trip,  my Samsung Nexus S (or Nexus 2) has been the most essential travel device. GOOGLE MAP IS JUST IMPRESSIVE!
I remembered in the old days,  with my Iphone 3G and Iphone 4, I had to jailbreak it so I can pre cache map data for a trip, especially going to countries where you do not want to be roaming. If I recall correctly, the app is call XGPS or something.

On Android phones, Google map has the pre cache feature build in. Meaning no more jail breaking, no more brick Iphones. It is just a simple download and done.

Now, I usually try getting a local sim card everywhere I go. I’m finding the GPS blue dot is much more accurate, locates much faster,  especially with data and wifi enable. With a local data package, I am using Google map to its full potential. It’s awesome just shortly arriving at a city, with a simple few clicks, I already know which local bus to take,  and where that particular bus station is. This avoids being rip off from taxi waiting at train terminals, airport, etc. I try avoiding taxi whenever I can.

For using Google map every single day, you tend to learn the shortfall of the map. I would say I trust it with 95% certainly.

A few shortcomings :
-bus might not stopping at where Google says, but the next stop is still walkable
– blue dot isn’t always accurate, can be off by a block or two
– location name search can be incorrect, wiser to double check the address

Other than those,  it is simply the best when travel. With the transit and metro lines integrated into the map, it’s so easy finding where to go. It feels you are never lost, in  completely foreign place.

Map of Shanghai with metro integration:

Well,  why would Google epic failed?

The entire Hangzhou metro system isn’t in Google map yet!

To be fair, the Hangzhou metro is still spanking new. All the stations are in mint condition. Trains nearly has any scratch anywhere. But I do wonder how long this will be overlooked by Google.