Back on line after a long time

Our computer crashed in China and with the assistance of the Australian Help desk (Son Timothy) and a completly reformated hard drive we are back in action and will now update from the diary we have been keeping while we have not been blogging.

Tuesday 7th August 2007 – Hong Kong to Shanghai

Up early this morning (7.30am) as we have a lunchtime flight to Shanghai (2.5 hours). Flew Dragonair which is a subsidiary of Cathy Pacific and it was very comfortable and well organized with an average meal. Flying into Pudong airport was very interesting just looking at the size of Shanghai, with its very muddy waters of both the delta and the river which runs thru Shanghai. Pudong Airport is huge and we walked (with the aid of many moving footways) for about 20 minutes to get from the gate to the terminal. Have had no problems with immigration or customs at Hong Kong or Shanghai and no queues. There is simply a gate which says “items to declare” and you can choose to go through here or not. Nothing is searched and nothing is x-rayed. Very different to Sydney.
We are staying at the Le Meridian and when we went to their office at the airport to ask the best way into town he looked at our baggage and said a Limousine (Large Van) was the only way to go as we had too much luggage for 1 taxi. Cost us 600 yuan (A$90) versus 200 yuan for a taxi and I think they were mates with the van rental place, but it was an hour into town and the van was air-conditioned and very comfortable and the driver was good, if not a bit quick.
The Hotel is beautiful and we are on the 48th floor with a stunning view over “Peoples Square” and the “Shanghai Museum”. After dark we went for a walk down Nanjing Road towards the “Coca Cola” bottle sign and Pam did some browsing and brought some reading glasses as she lost hers in Hong Kong. Got offered everything from a “massage with nice lady (400y A$ 60)” to watches, camera’s and some begging but not that prevalent. A chinese couple walking with their children said "You are so tall, can we have a photograph with you (See below)



Legs gave out so back to the hotel for a coffee and bed.
It’s now the morning of the 8th and we tried to get onto our blog site this morning but it we were unable. Perhaps blog sites are blocked in China!






Wednesday 8th August – Shanghai

Slept in - up till 1am watching movies! Lazy morning then off on the subway with all the locals to find a glasses/sunglasses shop which was recommended to us by Li in Sydney.

Great sunnies and a real adventure. Walked down to the Bund in the afternoon where we met some lovely Chinese people. One was a teacher and the other was an interpreter. They also recommended we see the Shanghai Acrobats as did our friends Paul and Sue Kenny. We'll try and see this tomorrow night. Have visited the shops mainly in the evening as it is cooler. People keep stopping me (Pam) and asking where I am from. One man suggested tonight that I was Russian! They must breed tall ladies in Russia! One young woman asked me why I was so tall so I told her that everyone in Australia was at least as tall as I am. I think I may have scared her off ever trying to visit!

Thursday 9th August - Shanghai

Today was another hot day so we stuck around the hotel in the morning and Pam worked on her family history so we know what and who we are looking for when we get to Birmingham.
With respect to our computer problem, the fantastic and always available, Sonnet help desk (son Tim) had suggested we needed some software to help repair our operating system so the Concierge directed us to a shop about 15 minutes away and we headed off. Never seen so much electronic equipment in the one place. Very few taxi drivers speak English so the Concierge writes the name and address in Chinese on a card (also has return address of Hotel pre-printed on the same card) which we give to the Taxi driver and off we go.
Tonight we booked to go and see one of the "Shanghai Acrobat" shows which stated at 7.30 and was a great piece of entertainment. A combination of juggling, magic, contortion etc with the grand finale being 5 Chinese men on fast motor bikes going round and round in a sphere. Very nerve wracking - but wonderful entertainment. Had drinks and nibbles (as we did last night and the night before) at the Club Lounge for guests who are staying in the Club Rooms. Very posh – only way to go! They provide a great breakfast and great nibbles between 5:30 and 8pm which we have used as our dinner. So far during our 3 day stay we have only had to buy one meal. Very cost effective! Came back home and spoke with Tim as he was doing night shift, to help us get our computer up and running. He is a fabulous help and it's like having our own private help desk! Nevertheless another late night (1am) so off to bed. We leave for Hong Kong tomorrow night and have a late checkout here at around 4pm. Then over to Birmingham to chase up the family tree. Have been watching the two cyclones/tropical lows on either side of us with interest. So far we have managed to avoid them - one has been near Hong Kong and the other near Taiwan. Temperatures still up around 35 and we noticed tonight that London is 22. I think we will feel the cold! Time difference in Hong Kong and Shanghai has only been 2 hours behind Sydney so the next time zone could be more difficult. No sign of another beautiful grandchild yet from Alexa - baby is due to arrive tomorrow week.