Shanghai 29/12/2013

Today we decided to book a hop on hop off tour.  So we left early to catch the bus.  You pay the conductor before boarding the bus.  It is a very nice way to see the city as well as being able to get off at the sights and explore a little further knowing that another bus will be past shortly and you can safely get back to where you boarded.

It was a freezing day.  Thank goodness the bus we boarded was a closed top.  We sat upstairs and took in all the sights.  The bus drivers do tend to drive quite fast from one stop to the next.  So we just sat on the bus for the whole way and marked on the map the stops we wanted to get off at the next time.  The buses also stop for us passengers to swap buses.  (Maybe that particular bus had to refill with petrol again - who knows.)  So we boarded the other bus and decided to sit upstairs.  Yes, it was an open roof.  It was fine in the beginning but was freezing after 15 minutes.  We went past a TESCOS so decided to hop off and visit there the next day.

We decided to change lines (different buses follow different colour lines which drive the different parts of the city).  The next bus (closed on the top thankfully), took us into the new part of the business district called Pu dong and the stop is around the corner from The Pearl.


Because we were so cold, we first went to find somewhere to eat.  I recommend Mr Wang's Dumplings.  They are half pan fried and half steamed.  Delicious. We ordered dumplings and wanton soup. 

The soup had a chili broth and noodles.  Very hot.  Then we went through to a Seven eleven to buy some coffee.  When we were satisfied with our tummies being full, we took a walk to the Pearl.  We did not go in but it is so close to the street you can take you photos from the road.

Then we saw a pedestrian bridge crossing.  In the shape of a circle.  Awesome.  So we went for our little walk and it had spectacular views. After that we caught the bus back to Nanjing East Road. (Nanjing Dong Lu - in Chinese).

But we were told that the bus does not go to our drop off point and that we had to catch the ferry across the Bund. It was included in our tickets.  

Well that was great.  Once across we then waited for our bus back to our starting point.

When we got back to the hostel, we got dressed a bit warmer and headed for the Bund for night time sightseeing and for photo opportunities. Stephen took us a longer alternative way back to our hostel.  Beautiful scenery and lots of lights.

When we had done enough, we headed back to the hostel but stopped off first for some street food.  They are delicious and very cheap.

 Stir Fry

 Meat on a stick

 And chicken and duck.

An awesome day.

Shanghai 28/12/2013

So we slept in a bit and waited for the two Italians to leave before we could get out of bed and get dressed.  It is amazing how many people leave shoes and clothes behind in a backpackers.

Once they left, we, the ladies got ready to go out.  We decided to go to the Nanjing West Street Market.  Well this market is indoors and is four floors up.  So its good to start your way at the top and work your way down.  It has anything and everything.  It was great fun.  

So off we went, me navigating.  And guess what ?  I got us lost.

Everyone trying to find out where we are.

On the way Sanchia got lost in translation.  We did laugh though.  A guy on the road was saying to us 'watch bag', and Sanchia said' isn't he nice telling us to watch our bags.  There must be pick pockets here'.  But instead he was tell us that he sells 'watches, bags.  Ha Ha.  So we decided that now was the time to have something to eat and leave it to the guys to find our way to the market. We stopped off at Mr P's Pizza.  No we did not order the pizza.  Instead we ordered chips, nuggets and pasta.  The Pizza was over 100 yuan each.  Ridiculous.  

Then off we headed to the subway to get to the line 2 to the market.  As easy as that.  Ja!!! I knew that.  (ha ha)
 

 Waiting for the train.  There is one every 3 minutes.

Well what a market.  You have sellers calling at you as you walk past their stall for you to come in and buy their goods.  And we had to bargain.  And bargain we did.  It was so much fun and a great experience.  By the time we walked out of there, I was exhausted and it was already dark.

 On the way to the market in Nanjing West Road

 At the market

We took the subway back and walked to our hostel.  

On the way there we stopped at a local restaurant for a bite to eat.  Boy, do they make delicious food.  By the time we finished it was about 9pm.  

At the hostel we did some washing.  Y10 for 1 token and believe me you can't use 1 token in the tumble dryer.  We had a wonderful day.

Arrival in Shanghai 27/12/2013

We arrived early in Shanghai and went straight to the hostel.  Well this  WAS a hostel.  And we had an 8 bed dorm.  But the first night two beds were taken and so Stephen had to sleep in another dorm.  Then we were all together on the second day.  It was marvellous.  It brought me back to my childhood having to shower with slops on, and having to brush your teeth and put make up on in front of other people. We had unisex communal showers and toilets.  But it was fun.  We were also out most of the days so it was basically just sleeping there.

 Yes it was this narrow.

 Erin enjoyed being on the top bunk.

 The road our hotel was in.

Once we were settled we went for a walk on The Bund and to explore a little.  It was cold out.  Very cold.  But it did warm up during the week.

 The Pearl

 This wall had potted plants on the wall to make a picture.

We decided to have lunch at a Japanese restaurant  and it was very delicious.  We went back to the hostel for the evening as it we were a bit tired from the train ride.  (You don't really sleep with all the stopping and starting of the train.)

 Paul and Sarah shared their order.

My dish

 Kerry's order

Paul and Anton went out to buy some Mc Donalds for supper.  When they came back they said that we would have to go with them next time as they were approached by ladies of the night offering them 'sexy massage'.  He said some were a bit forceful by pulling them by the arms even though they said 'no!'

But we had an enjoyable day.