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Published: December 31st 2007
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Our flight was delayed from Xi-an which meant by the time we arrived in Shanghai all the public transport had stopped for the night. We had to get a taxi into town which we knew would be costly in comparison as the airport is a long way out of the city. That done we got to our hostel around 12.30pm. As we were staying here for xmas we had booked the luxury private room which was lovely. Big soft bed, great bathroom, our own kettle (hoorah) and much needed heating!!!! We settled down to a good nights sleep.
We awoke to rain (Peter Kays soak you through drizzle) but we decided to brave it anyway and that it wasnt heavy enough for our waterproofs. Our hostel was very close to the famous bund so we headed off with our street map to check our the surrounding area. It was very cold and the view of the city skyline buildings was not great as it was misty. We moved on and decided we would come back later - skylines are always better at night anyway. We carried on walking around the local streets/markets and finally as we were now getting very
wet fleeces we conceded defeat and headed for home. We checked our map and tried to work our way back. Rain is now quite heavy and we seem to be struggling with our sense of direction! To cut a very long and confusing story short it took us 2 hours to get back. Shanghai's street system is based on a N,E,S,W structure and we had been walking round our hostel in large circles. It didnt help that it wasnt quite where we thought it was. Never helps when you arrive somewhere in the dark!!! We were soaked by the time we found it. After reading the guide book later we realised it is common to get lost in Shanghai!!!! Excellent bit of info 4 hours too late. After warming up to a great meal we borrowed a DVD from the hostel and cosied up in our warm room for the night rain was still quite heavy and we needed to dry our fleeces out!
Although the main shopping areas were decorated for xmas and some of the resturants too it was very strange that there was no sense of excitement about it. Obviously this is all done for tourism
and the chinese are not really in to it although some have started to give presents on xmas eve. We spent the next couple of days wandering round the city. The shopping malls are large and have lots of designer names. My trip out to find something nice to wear for xmas day was a disappointment as the clothes are not in western sizes and on inspection of a top we realised that I wouldn't have fit into it when I was 6 never mind 29!!!! So I conceded that I would have to live with my travel clothes - aarghhhhh!!!!!!!
Shanghai is still under alot of development and even the 'Old Street' is new buildings in an old traditional style. The stalls here pretty much sell the same thing and prices are quite high for a 'market'. The bar and restaurant area we had read about as a must see called xintiandi was much smaller than we expected and was very expensive as it is aimed at the tourists. In normal circumstances we would have paid the prices but having eaten locally and drank in our hostel we just felt we were being ripped off so we gave
stopping here a miss.
The bund was much smaller than we expected too, we had the impression you could walk along it for quite some way whereas in reality you can cover it's length in around 15 minutes. The skyline view was pretty but the weather did not really clear and it was still misty the evening we went back. Having seen the Hong Kong skyline you cant help but not be impressed with Shanghai's! The develpment is immense and there are building sites everywhere you walk but we both felt that on the whole Shanghai was destroying it's history and replacing it with new modern architecture. Tim had been here on business 5 years back and he found the difference unbelieveable. I supppose like Hong Kong things are moving forward here on a massive scale and very quickly. We stood in the middle of the main shopping/business area and both said that we could be anywhere in the world. It certainly does not feel like China.
We spent xmas eve decorating our room with tinsel (found in a local market dedicated to xmas decorations)and wearing our silly santa hats trying to create a xmas feel. We had
sign outside a restaurant
Dont think were welcome here !!! purchased ourselves a picnic of crisps, nuts, chocolate (including forrero rocher!!), brandy and beer. The most indulgence we'd had since we left home and basically I over ate and over drank and was ill. Just like xmas at home eh!!!!!
For xmas day we had already booked at the Blarney Stone irish pub in the french concession area of the city. We had not been to this part before and were surprised when we got off the tube how quiet and clean it was. The buildings were very european and prettily decorated. We opened the door of the bar and found xmas!! The place was small and intimate, beautifully decorated and xmas songs were playing (first we'd heard). Everyone was in high spirits and we sat at the bar watching the procession of food come out. It was heaven and Tim didnt even complain at the unexpected 45 yuan (3 quid) for half a cider!!!! Our lunch was delicious and plentiful and I even got a hug from santa. We left podged and very satisfied. It was great to get a call from my sister and family and Tim caught up with the lads, very strange that we were
8 hours ahead though!!!
We departed Shanghai on boxing day for our flight to Guilin (southern China) looking forward to being outside of the major cities.
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mariah
non-member comment
sounds like you guys had an awesome christmas! happy new year!!