Jan 9th

Today was all about exploring Shanghai.  We walked all day (probably 6 miles), from our hotel, we walked down Nanjing Rd to the river, then walked down the Bund.  So here is what we learned today.  Shanghai is not on the coast like I thought it was, it is actually quite inland off the Huangpu river, it takes up both sides of the river for many miles, all of which can be used for docking all manner of ships and boats, making Shanghai the 3rd largest harbor in the world.  

Nanjing Rd is a major shopping destination (for the wealthy, and sightseers) all along both sides of the street for a few km, some of it is even blocked off to all car traffic, although scooters go EVERYWHERE here (more on that later).  They were really high end shops, from Rolex to Cartier, right next to a small dark alleys about 6 feet wide, that wind thru to the next street, lined with all manner of shops and residences, clothes hanging from poles overhead, scooters driving thru, I bet you could find ANYTHING in those little alleys. 

The Bund is the world famous historic boardwalk along a section of the river, that is lines with really cool buildings dating back to the 1800's all are still in use, some are high end shops and restaurants, others are embassies.

Statue in the park across from our hotel

Beginning of Nanjing Rd.

one of the little alleys

was looking for a squatty potty...

The river at the Bund

the Bund is a really nice boardwalk 

A martini at M on the Bund

Chinese Wall Street

river cruise

We took an hour cruise up and down the river, took in the sites from the inside of the boat.  I braved the cold to snap a few shots of the more interesting buildings.

Stacey had been marveling all day at the Chinese lack of awareness of personal space.  Pushing and shoving is not rude here... So, at the end of the cruise she decided she was going to be first off the boat, come hell or high water!  She and Estee got right next the door, practically leaning on it, and amazingly, when they opened the door, this Chinese lady squeezed out thru the two inch gap, almost knocking Estee over in the process!  Stacey got revenge by smacking the lady's husband in the head with her purse as he squeezed past.


   

very interesting architecture

a sign on the boat

They had really cool walls with little potted flowers every 4 inches

this is how they keep warm on these things

At the end of the day, Estee's feet were sore and cold, and we were all tired. So we ate dinner and headed to the room...  Estee had to watch a movie, so I got Toy Story going on the iPad.  I had to carefully remove it from her grasp about 10 minutes later as she snored!  Goodnight Shanghai...