Our flight here was uneventful (always a good thing). We watched lots of movies, read lots of books, and talked about how different it will be taking the return trip with a baby on our lap. We'll be hoping for sleep during that 13 hour flight!
First impressions of Shanghai, be they somewhat clouded by jet lag (or was that smog). There must be more cranes in this city than in all of North America. Everywhere you look there are new highrises, bridges, overpasses, highways being constructed. The city is enormous and clean, seems very safe (except for the crossing the road part). Traffic appears to run on rules that we're not aware of. It's summertime weather - 25C. Signposts on all major roads are in English too, so very hard to get lost (even for me)
We got to the hotel at 4:30pm yesterday. Hotel is 57 stories and gorgeous - as nice as anything I've stayed in. Condom pack instead of bibles in the drawer. We napped for a couple of hours and then went out on the town. Found a very cool restaurant called something like RKB. One of the tables had wooden swings to sit in. We ordered smoothies and stir fry type dishes. All the dishes on the menu seemed to have a fried egg served on top of your food. It was all quite yummy. The waiter chased us down the street after we left to try to return the tip to us. I guess I should have read the tipping section of the Lonely Planet - oops. On our way back to the hotel (around 11:30pm) a group of 20-somethings (one guy wearing full kilt regalia) working for Dewar's tried to get us to get into a bus for free whiskey shots. Then we tried to cut through Fuxing Park, but once inside discovered that it was closed off on all other sides. So, we walked all the way around a large, unlit park trying to find an exit. And never felt unsafe.
Breakfast this morning on the 49th floor, with a panorama view of the city. Smoggy but breathtaking. Kate ventured into the congee and dumplings but retreated to yogurt and muesli. We're off to explore the city today.
Apparently Jacob threw up all over my dad this evening, but now feels much better. No word on how much better my dad is feeling. Glad he's earning his keep.
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1 comment:
Glad the e-mail posts are working as I am anxious to keep up with each day as it unfolds.
Now, dear parents of young children who are travelling without them - please tell me that you tried to eat your Chinese meal while perched on a wooden swing. I mean, if you don't try when temporarily kid-free, when will you try it? I know, I know, you plan to go back, hold Zoe with one hand, manipulate chopsticks with the other hand and perch on a moving swing. You guys always like challenges!
Back in Ontario, Sophie and Maeve boogied down at music yesterday. Never thought I would see Dan marching around a circle acting like a chicken. And his disco moves are pretty good too!
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