So here I go again, this time via Shanghai and London.
Shanghai is an amazing city, a great blend of beautiful Colonial buildings, with Art Deco and ultra modern all sitting alongside each other in such harmony. The bullet train from the airport transported us to the outskirts of the city -7 minutes at 300kph. It didn't feel like we were travelling at such speed, until looking down the cars alongside appeared to be travelling like snails. The sun had just set, and there was still a slight glow between the brilliant neon lighting so many of the buildings. Because they are so tall, they cannot be seen so well close up in the city, and the best views are from the bridge over the river, which separates the older part of Shanghai from the new Pudong side, which until recently was a stretch of flat land with 60's apartment buildings which were bulldozed for the brilliant new city of the future.
We stayed in a lovely little B&B which was very handy to a little touristy area, with great restaurants and old buildings which were very much part of the French history of Shanghai. The next morning we walked through Fuxhing Park on our way to some more touristy shops in the old part of town. It was wonderful to come across people dancing in the boulevards of the park - each group had organised music, and there were areas of ballroom dancing, choirs with recorded music and people singing their hearts out. Further along were discussion groups - mainly men - and people sitting at tables and chairs, cafe style, just enjoying everything that was going on. We went to the large temple in the old part of the city, it has a beautiful lake, and one of the best gardens I have seen - the Garden of a Thousand Steps (please correct me if I am wrong) with walkways leading into different little gardens and waterways - all more than a thousand years old - you can just imagine the monks walking through here, back then it would have been peace and quiet, not overrun by tourists! We had a delicious lunch which we had to queue for, but worth the wait. This place is visited by many families, the children obviously enjoying all the shops and entertainment. Went to a great restaurant that evening with Jason's friends, Human House, with very good food. Then for coffee on a garden rooftop.The food in Shanghai has been amazing, wish we could have the same at home, but will have to look out for places there. The next day we went to The Jade Temple, and then walked along The Bund, a promenade along the river that runs through the city, dividing old and new. We crossed the bridge and checked out the famous old hotel The Aster, which these days is government run after a very colourful history. It was really "faded grandeur" or should I say jaded grandeur, there was a lack of energy from the staff, who all looked bored, in spite of the lovely surroundings. Its very Victorian but in great need of an update in every sense. After we crossed back and walked along the Bund, we came to a hotel that has just been renovated from top to bottom, The Peace Hotel, and it is absolutely stunning! There has been no lack of expense in bringing it back to its full Art Deco glory, and for someone looking for a special place to stay in Shanghai, this is probably it. We then walked to have coffee at a Hotel further along called "M", owned by an Australian woman, on the rooftop overlooking the Pudong area, and then onto the beautiful old colonial buildings that line the Bund. After that, we met Jason's friends again for dinner, this time at Lost Heaven, a beautiful Vietnamese style restaurant,with more amazing food, then home to B and B for me to get an early night (not) before getting up and heading off to the airport. It did surprise me how few people, especially taxi drivers, do not speak any English at all, and I was really thankful that Jason was there. So, off to London!
