Advertisement
Published: June 16th 2011
Edit Blog Post
山竹: Shān Zhú
The Garcinia Mangostana or the Purple Mangosteen, colloquially known simply as Mangosteen is virtually unseen and unheard of on the cold rainy shores of the British Isles. However here in Asia they line the streets, their deep purple skin shining like cobblestones in the rain. Their look is unassuming and perhaps slightly unpleasant, squat and round topped with an ugly collar of green. You want to know what I'm talking about, right?
Sunday evening in Shanghai after a tiresome, miserable, rainy day and lots of walking exploration, we drudged back to the hostel when we stumbled across a bizzare looking fruit, Chris, Eric and Teresa have all tried it but none have any idea what it is. I am, as usual, completely oblivious! Back at the hostel we ask the women at the desk, both of which have no idea what we're talking about and know neither the Chinese or the English names for this funny looking thing. After ten minutes playing guessing games with no joy we hit the streets again in search of this mysterious fruit. Returning with a gift each for the girls behind the desk we ask
again what it is. Neither of them seem to know, only one of them has had it before. They get a laptop out and start typing away, giggling to themselves, and talking to Eric in an English Chinese pidgin, and after what seems like forever we finally resolve the mystery of the mangosteen.
As you can probably guess I spent the weekend of the Dragon Boat Festival in Shanghai. The weekend was action packed and I did so much that I'm not really sure how to start or what to write about and what seems unimportant.
Friday was probably my favourite day as we packed so much in and I feel like I achieved something personally. We dodged the afternoon heat in Shanghai's aquarium. Which starts slowly and is misleadingly awful, but ends with penguins, sharks, giant sea turtles, massive manta rays and the worlds longest underwater walkway. I also saw my first alligator! The Chinese alligator is much smaller than its american counterparts, usually only grow to around 5ft, and despite it's gruesome and intimidating demeanor is relatively docile. Another difference between the Chinese alligator and the American alligator is that the Chinese alligator is fully armored. These
creatures move with such clumsy elegance, their movements are slow and awkward. Yet somehow they move through the water with grace. Fascinated by the alligators but a little distracted talking to Eric and Ali, I turned back to the tank and screamed! Nose against the glass glaring at me, armored belly and claws ready for attack was an alligator! Everybody else was laughing, my heart was racing and profanities pouring from my lips. I quickly let go of Chris' arm and moved away from the tank, blushing only ever so slightly. I honest to god thought I was going to be eaten by alligators!
The afternoon had flown by and as the sun was beginning to set we crossed the river and headed towards the Shanghai World Financial Centre (aka the bottle opener). The SWFC is the worlds second tallest building and stands at 492m (1,614.2ft). Our goal: 473m, the observation deck. Officially the Guinness World Record Holder and personally terrifying! However despite the need to close my eyes, breathe deeply and count to 10 every 10 seconds and the dizzying head spinning, building swaying vertigo. I made it! With photographic evidence! Watching the sunset over the Shanghai
Shanghai
The Oriental Pearl shrouded in mist skyline and dusk settle into neon night was amazing, the views spectacular and the experience more than worthwhile. I can honestly say I am insanely proud of myself!
The weekend was action packed but I feel like I've written so much already so I'm going to sum it up quickly!
The site of the first Chinese Communist Party Congress is on The French Concession, free, interesting and informative if you take the 'facts' with a pinch of salt. Worth a visit. The French Concession is expensive.
Saturday night found a great Scottish bar, filled with whiskey and traditionally scotch menu (mince & tatties, haggis anyone?). It also meant exploding lighters in an old bomb shelter. Great atmosphere, fantastic building, bad music!
Sunday was a visit to a Propaganda Poster Museum, seriously enlightening an absolute gem, if not a little difficult to find. Well worth the walkabout. Some fascinating things in the gift shop too, if reproduction posters don't take your fancy how about a real English textbook used during the cultural revolution? The Hutong near the Poster Museum is fascinating, full of boutiques, galleries, cafes. If you don't mind not being the only western tourist well worth the trip.
Monday meant no Dragon Boats, but lots of rain. The Bund is still the Bund even in the rain. Posing for stupid photos is always fun! Posing for photos with Chinese people is ridiculous after number 432. The Art Gallery is full of beautiful, unusual and fascinating artwork. Worth a visit if its raining and you need to save the pennies. Waiting for buses is no fun when your hungry and only have 10RMB between two of you for food. Strawberry fruit winders are a great replacement for jam. Having company on long distance bus journeys is far too good for the soul!
p.s Many more photos to come, having troubles uploading them.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.17s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 33; dbt: 0.1035s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb