SHANGHAI

MARCH 20/21:  For our two day stop our ship docked right in the center of Shanghai.  Shanghai is an absolutely stunning city.  World class cities fall into two types:  those that have classic architecture and height restrictions in the core (Paris, Madrid, Buenos Aires) and those that are vertical  (New York, Santiago de Chile).  Shanghai is in the latter category, but different in that the skyscrapers are not simply glass and steel rectangular blocks; rather each building has its own unique shape with either curves or angles other than 90 degrees.   Shanghai proves that not all modern architecture is tasteless.

Shanghai has a population of 23 million, yet (unlike Hong Kong) it does not feel crowded.  Perhaps the $8,000 licensing fee cuts down on the use of private cars.  The city is on two sides of the river, with the largest buildings on the newer side, all of which have been built since 1990.  At one time during the 90’s Shanghai was reputed to have more than 50 % of the world’s construction cranes.

There is little or no unemployment, and no signs of poverty.  Apparently if you lose your job and cannot find another, the government steps in and provides something (such as giving you a uniform and standing you at a busy intersection where you help old people and tourists across the street).

For our two days eight of us arranged for a guide and driver.  We saw the standard sights including the white jade Buddha, the Yu garden (400 year old formal garden in the center of the city), the old city, the French Concession, etc.  At the end of the first day we were returned to the ship around 5:00 p.m.  Betty and I left immediately so that we could stroll along “The Bund”.   “The Bund” is a pedestrian walkway that separates a long section of the river from an older group of buildings from colonial times.  After a late supper back on board we parked in the 10^th deck lounge and enjoyed the light show displayed by many of the huge buildings.

On the second day we had a little more time on “The Bund” prior to our afternoon cruise on the river.  At one point we were stopped by three young girls (tourists from southwest China) who asked us to take their picture.  They were very, very excited to hear that we were from Justin Beiber’s country. On each day we lunched at a local restaurant where the food was excellent.  I did recognize a duck course during one of the meals.  I have almost mastered the art of eating noodles with chopsticks.

After lunch on the first day we visited a tea shop for the traditional tea ceremony.  Even for a non-tea drinker like me this was a very entertaining hour, almost as good as a wine tasting.

One of our stops was at the International Financial Centre (locally called the bottle opener for the building’s resemblance of that appliance) where we visited the 100^th floor for a panoramic view of the city.  While at the top we used the facilities (which in Vietnam would be called the “happy room”).  While I enjoyed relieving myself while standing up to a glass wall, Betty experienced (not in the same happy room) sitting on a heated seat and having her choice of which part of her bottom she wished to have washed.  She declared that she wants one of those toilets at home.  One of the women in the group was so enthralled with the view from the John that she stood too quickly and apparently got a complete shower.   I guess you can’t take a Canadian anywhere.

Throughout this trip we have really enjoyed the various groups of people with whom we have taken shore excursions.  However, as I mentioned earlier, not everyone can be pleased.  The New York couple have been with us several times.  Eventually whenever we had a choice of when or where to go each group would wait to see how they voted, then everyone else selected the opposite.

We are getting better at bartering, although I’m not certain that I really needed the $ 4. “Rolex” that Betty’s bought me as a gift.  Perhaps it will keep time until we return to Canada in only a couple of days.

p.s.  The two pictures are of our ship; one taken from the 100th floor.