Yu Yuan (Garden) and Nanshi (Old Town)

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After the late as possible breakfast I returned to my room to prepare some photographs for later posting on the net -- did not get around to doing my blog then and a day late sometimes makes it difficult to remember stuff. Anyway I had decided to switch hotels from the Salvo, which although nice, it is however around 750Rmb ($125), to the rather cheaper Baron Business Hotel at 400Rmb ($65). So it was a simple walk of a few minutes over to Fuzhou Rd and a little closer to the Bund. Had a precautionary look at the room first and it was fine -- a generous size with two large single beds and a very modern bathroom and cable Internet. So apart from the 20th floor view, with 31st floor for breakfast at the Salvo, there is not much difference!

The temperature was supposed to improve to 10 degrees today so I went somewhat lighter clad wearing my lighter jacket rather than my polar fleece. As a result I began to feel a little colder in the late afternoon but managed to tough it out by having an early dinner and getting back to the hotel at about 7:30 PM. The general plan was to find the Yuyuan classical Chinese gardens and then to have a look at the so-called Old Town. Although I have a combination of general maps of the area in the Frommers and Lonely Planet it proved extremely difficult to find the entrance to the Garden as it is virtually tucked away and now surrounded by all the tourist shops of Old Town. It proved rather frustrating until I finally found some signs pointing me in the right direction. I must admit that I was somewhat underwhelmed by the classical Chinese Garden. I think I prefer a Japanese garden myself. Anyway I spent an hour or so there and then decided that I had had enough.

Seeking a late afternoon snack I got some sushi to take away from a place. Wandered around the olde style shoppes for a bit and could have bought at least 15 Rolex copies as "watch" seem to be the street sale of the day (I had to tell one guy that I was so rich that my watch only had one hand! - wearing my Meistersinger at the time). The cold was somewhat getting to me so I went into a food hall type thing where there were various stalls and you put the plates on your tray and paid on the way back to where the eating tables were. I had some steamed dumplings which were clearly green inside -- this turned out to be "regurgitated grass"/some kind of chopped greens -- should have gone for the pork type ones. Got a plate of steamed pak choy type stuff (an excess of green!) and some skewered rather oily chicken. Then it was back to the hotel. If that was Old Town I guess I have done it - and I would have to say I am getting to be over the shops!

[The Net broke down/was attacked at the Baron and was down so this is a day late].

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