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Published: October 14th 2008
We have just started a nice few days of relaxation. Now obviously we can't claim to have earned it, but we'll enjoy it all the same. Sometimes when you are travelling everything seems to be going that little bit too quickly, and you never have a chance to step back and take it all in. Well we have arrived in Shanghai now, which means we have finished our last pre-booked tour. I think that we are both relieved and it is going to be fun actually arranging the travelling, rather than be whisked through the sites with a guide.
Shaolin temple was a real eye opener about Kung Fu and the number of children that attend the school, even if what we saw was probably a more defensive / aggressive form of the ancient art, neglecting the meditation and chi side of things.
I went for a great walk with a couple of others in our group into the mountains above the temple. We caught the cable car up and then walked along a path that clung to the cliff. The drops were enormous. We followed the path looking for a small temple that was apparently used by the
Grand Masters. We crossed a rope bridge across a precipitous ravine (imagine a scene from Lord of the Rings / Indiana Jones) and arrived at the entrance to the temple. We were all prepared to meet the Grand Masters after our epic trek. Unfortunately however, the temple was a building site with a road and car park full of tourist coaches coming up the other side of the mountain. We turned round and headed back!
Over the next two days we visited Suzhou (a bit like Venice). Gem got herself on telly which she was very excited about. We watched it that night back at the hotel - local news going out to millions of people! If you looked carefully you could see my elbow at the edge of the screen.
I couldn't wait to arrive in Shanghai as that meant that it would only be a week until I go to see the F1 race; however, I'll try and steer clear of that topic for now as to not bore everyone to death (believe me Gem has made it quite apparent that this subject is dull, boring and generally for losers!)
We are staying in a
great YHA in Shanghai (Traveler's Rest). We have been playing table tennis and pool and watched some Chinese tv as well as plenty of DVDs. We visited the Bund and Pudong district; I went up the 88th floor of the Grand Hyatt hotel to get a lovely view of some other tall buildings amongst all the smog.
We catch an overnight train to Hong Kong next Monday (20th). Gem and I are very excited as we have just found out that Mr James Buckle is coming out to meet us in Bangkok at the start of November - See you soon James! And if anyone else would like to come and meet us anywhere you all have an open invitation!
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Susannah
non-member comment
Natural heights
Hi Al (and Gemma) Pleased to hear your trip is going well. Rather you than me going up that ravine. It makes me ill just looking at your photos. I don't like natural heights, but your tall buildings photos are great. I will be thinking of you whilst all the GP news is happening. Surely Lewis has got to win this race - I hope so. Take care, Susannah