Shanghai

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Shanghai Surprise! - Stomach Bugs and Death Spheres

On the sleeper train to Shanghai a few of us thought it would be a good idea to drink alcohol. Turns out it was a terrible idea, which co-incidentally marked the start if quite a bad stomach bug that managed to work its way around almost all of the group starting with Issy who duly fainted after leaving the train station. Luckily as it turned out Kim is a nurse so her medical expertise immediately came in handy.

That afternoon we went to explore the city and it was Suze's turn to have an upset stomach, this time leading to vomiting on the street (the splashback landed on some poor persons bicycle pedals), while Kim again looked after the walking wounded Paul rushed off to get water and bread. That night we went for a group meal but left relatively early in the hope Suze would feel better in the morning.

The next day with Suze still feeling crocked we went along the riverside (half luxury ferries, half rusting trawlers) and on to the Old City. Paul must have been feeling particularly brave that day because he ended up with a 'meat' skewer in one hand a barbecued baby bird in the other (in his defence he did buy it under the illusion that it was a baby bat). We bought some jewellery from the markets and went for a wander around the tranquil and well maintained gardens which felt like a world away from the frantic pace of the city outside the garden walls.

That night we went to see the Shanghai acrobats who were outstanding. We were particularly impressed with the jumping through hoops part and the plate spinning but the star performance of the show was the 5 person death cage motorbike show. I think we were all hoping for a slight accident but fortunately (for most concerned) no wheels touched and no bikers perished. The nightlife in Shanghai seemed quite impressive and not too touristy and we left wishing we had more time to explore Shanghai, and with less stomach cramps, and probably less street vomiting too to be honest.

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Photos

We Heart Shanghai
Hearting Shanghai

Shanghai by day
A bit like Tracy Island

Shanghai by night
More neon than a boy racer's Nova

Nightlife
Lots of nightlife

Few of the group
I managed to cut off the top of the building

By the river
We didn't manage to do a river tour which was unusual for us

Start of the Old Town
Like a different world

Suze in the Old Town
I still can't work a flash

Paul in Old Town
Contrary to popular opinion my hair is not in a ponytail

Old Town Gardens
Very well kept, Roy would be impressed

Chinese Army
Paul's heart rushed briefly but he escaped detection

Hustling
Constantly gathering a crowd everywhere we go

More sleeper trains
We love them...

Death Sphere
It looked like this but better

Drinking on the train
Excellent idea (57% rice wine)

Still drinking
Good work hip flask

Comments

[Mush]

picture's rock
been ages since ive had a chance to check this and your china pics are amazing, so need to get meself to shanghi it looks like an amazing city totally love it. Wish i was there so much england is officially crap xx