Buffet breakfast, then on the subway to the Shanghai Museum. Some museum. And they were right yesterday.
We were told the schedule would be changed, as it would be raining on Saturday AM, so we’d go to the museum to avoid the rain. Just as we were about to enter the museum, the rain began. There were two lines, one for groups and one for individuals. We certainly fell into the group category. Not much faster, but somewhat.
There are 4 floors to the museum. Also individual audio guides. Key in the exhibit number and lo and behold, a very clear description of what you are looking at. We were on our own, wandering at will. The exhibitions were: furniture, bronze ware, jade (closed, unfortunately), ceramics, painting, calligraphy and coins. We were there for over 2 hours, which worked out just about right. This and the museum in Xian were both excellent. Of course, as usual, the rest of the group was waiting patiently (?) for us at the end.
After lunch (the rain had stopped) we had free time to explore around the hotel. As you explore, be very careful crossing the streets. As previously mentioned, traffic lights and regulations are suggestions only. I’m convinced that there are two forms of population control in China: One is the “one child policy” and the other is “traffic fatality”. You really are taking your life in your hands when you cross a street.
However, we’re still alive. The area we were in was relatively affluent. And got very affluent when we went into a high-rise shopping center About 5, maybe 6 floors of shops, very exclusive, then many more floors of offices. Neither Phyllis nor I shop in these stores. We’re more the Kmart/Costco/Target types.
We saw a very interesting looking tower on the way back to the hotel, and tried to get to it, but the entire area was fenced off. Later we found it was the exhibition grounds. Obviously nothing to exhibit at present. Maybe it’s being prepared for Expo 2010, slated to open in early 2010.
After supper at a restaurant near the hotel we did some more exploring in another shopping building. More exclusive shops, although not quite as toney as the one in the afternoon. This one had a supermarket in the basement level. Interesting. Looks much like a US market. However, all the vegetables are packaged in saran or similar wrap, even the bunches of bananas.
9/7/2008 Sunday
Pack up and be ready to leave by 8 AM. So we were and that’s just about when they picked up the luggage. But we had until 9 for a leisurely breakfast. Then on the bus for a trip to the Bund area. Actually, we went to the Pudong area, across the Huangpu River from the Bund. Pudong, until the early 90’s was farmland. Not now. It’s now high-rise heaven. Also with a great view of the Bund, and the modern Shanghai skyline behind it. The Bund was (and still is) the financial/trade/economic center of Shanghai. There are a number of buildings dating from the 1930’s that were British/French/German//US concessions of that period. Wish we’d had some time to explore.
From there we went to old Shanghai for a walk to the Ming Dynasty Yu Garden. The walk took us through a bazaar area. We were cautioned to be very aware of our surroundings, our wallets and purses. And to completely ignore the vendors. With good reason. They were over us like ants on honey. Fortunately there were no vendors allowed in the Gardens.
The Gardens were very nice. Many small open buildings, a number of paths, pools with carp and walls with dragons. Very relaxing and restful. Might have been nice to wander about it a bit longer, bur we did have a schedule to maintain. Our bus awaits.
On to our last destination within Shanghai, another shopping area. We were on our own for lunch so Phyllis and I each had a club sandwich. Just like home, except a fried egg replaced the turkey. We’d been cautioned not to have iced drinks, so the sodas were barely below lukewarm, but other than that, an enjoyable lunch in an outdoor café. Then we found the building where the Chinese Communist Party was formed in the early 1920’s. An interesting series of exhibits. I tried to take a photo of their mission statement, a very political piece of propaganda, but no photos allowed. Then, to close our visit to Shanghai, a very Chinese tradition, a visit to Coldstone Creamery.
On to our abode on the water for the next 8 or 9 days. We boarded the Victoria Prince (not Princess, Prince) in the mid-afternoon and finally left the dock about 5, an hour later than scheduled. We had to wait for the last busload of passengers. Each group was met by a brass band. Wish we could name the tune they played over and over. We think it’s from HMS Pinafore.
Our cabin is pretty nice, with a small balcony. Nice lounge area and a top open observation deck. Should be a pleasant time as we head up-river. Or in actuality, downriver, as we’ll be on the Huangpu River for a short while until it meets the Yangtze.
We really wish we could have spent more time in Shanghai. One and a half days just isn’t enough. Certainly a lot to see there.
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