Shanghai

---

Monday

We arrived in Shanghai at lunch and received the first of many treats - no Lazy Susan and a pizza for lunch!! First stop, the Bund - the Yangtse Embankment to you and me - the scenery is stunning. We are all struck that Shanghai is far more westernised than the other parts of China that we have visited. The chance to ride on the fastest train in the world doesn't happen everyday - so we rushed to catch the 3.15pm Maglev train (320km/hr or 268 mph) and I can assure you that it felt pretty fast. It is only run at top speed a couple of times a day, for tourists - who else. Then we popped into the French Quarter where Kate grabbed a hot chocolate - autumn in Shanghai has arrived. In the evening we took a boat ride on the Yangtse, enabling us to enjoy the lit-up buildings on the Bund - it was worth getting cold for!!

Tuesday

Our last sightseeing day today - and most of the group are now starting to feel the pace. Kate and I had breakfast with some Chinese trainees - we could only admire how one of them ate a fried egg with chopsticks, as our skills have not (yet) been perfected. First stop was the Shanghai Museum - Kate really enjoyed this experience. Next was the Wu Garden (inspiration for the Willow pattern) - I have developed a sneaking admiration for the complexity of legacy garden design. After lunch we were dropped in the Financial Quarter, where we enjoyed a Starbucks coffee and Kate indulged me by letting me drool over a Jag F-Type in the Jaguar Showroom. Before dinner we took ourselves off to explore the narrow alleyways (Shikumen Style) that are near to our hotel - this offered an insight into the China of pre-1992 and it will be a real shame if this is all demolished to erect high rise flats

The evening finished with dinner and farewells to everyone - we then slipped off to our room, with our 4.15am start imminent!!

---