KERRYAJS1

I suspect the Chinese don't want me.

I have wanted to go to Shanghai for some time, ever since I made a brief stop at their airport 12 years ago. My Mum and I had a spending spree at the shops there and I became so engrossed in retail therapy that I almost missed the plane. This episode comes back to haunt me but more about that later. When a cheap fare with the famed Singapore Airlines comes up, I jump at the chance.

I had a few problems getting my Chinese visa for this longed-for holiday though. The first photo I submitted was rejected. It was a bit flattering and bore little resemblance to my hideous passport photo, so fair enough. It could well have been two people or perhaps one evil twin and one not so evil twin.

Then I have to provide a declaration that I had visited China previously. I did not realize that my old passport with the visa stamp would have been sufficient proof or I would have found it. Instead I have to sign an official looking document as proof I have been to China on an CTS organized tour before. What the! Does it really matter? Apparently it does.

The upshot of it all is that I don't get my passport and visa stamp back until the day before I leave. I was getting quite worried but my sister reminds me that she had problems getting a French visa for New Caledonia and only received it at the last minute too.

I can only assume that the Chinese don't really want me and the French don't like my sister. But all is sorted and the Chinese relent and decide I can visit them again.


At Mascot international Airport I help a thrifty American man. I am perusing the Duty Free when he asks for my help. We are at the 50% off Opal jewelery sale. He can't decide which opal pendant looks the most “real”. I give him my opinion and tell him his wife will love it. A man after my own heart. A bit cheap perhaps, (by that I mean thrifty not stingy) but a real bargain hunter. My philosophy? Try to buy cheap stuff that looks expensive.



Singapore Airlines live up to their reputation.

Being in the very last seat which I have chosen myself on-line has its advantages as you board first. Plus is it said the people in the back have the best chance of not dying in a crash, at least not immediately. You may have a split second or two to regret your miserable life which may or may not be an advantage also.


I settle in to enjoy the flight. I do so love taking off and wonder if the pilot and crew ever get sick of thundering down the runway. I love going very, very fast! I begin to wax lyrical in my mind. Here I am, so near to heaven and able to see the paradise that earth is below. I gaze out with wonder at that fragile sliver of silver that is the wing , watching it dipping and soaring. I just never get tired of that.

Even watching those little flaps...well, flapping...seems to me such a mechanical marvel. I then settle down to watch all those movies I have missed. I enjoy "Tangled" which puts me in the mood for my planned visit to the Oriental Pearl Tower.

People who know me well, know that I am easily pleased. Singapore Airlines please me greatly and would regardless of my cheap personality. Most flights have cut out those little extras but Singapore Air has not. They offer me a newspaper and I am delighted. The hot towels fill me with joy. They give me a Givenchy pouch with a pair of thin socks and I am thrilled beyond reason. They serve a Drumstick ice cream and I am almost orgasmic! At this point the plane could have crashed and I would still have said it was a great trip. Plus I have the whole row all to myself!

I go to the immaculate toilet. Following a tip off from a travel site, I open up the little amenities drawer next to the toilet and find a lot of toothbrushes and one purple comb! I keep it. I said I was cheap! I try everything available - the moisturiser, the mouth wash, the cologne, even the after shave. No one is sitting next to me after all.

I am so engrossed in the toiletries that when I turn around to leave, I nearly die of fright. For one split second I came face to face with some dreary middle aged woman!!! But it is only me in a thoughtfully placed full length mirror to help one avoid leaving the toilets with your skirt caught in your knickers. Other airlines just don't care if that happens to you.

I arrive in Shanghai after a great flight. As I have said, I love going very fast so the Maglev train seems the only way to get to the city. The Maglev travels at 430 kilometers an hour. I only wish it felt faster! I sit there watching the on board LCD speedo climb ever higher and wonder every second. Is this as fast as it goes? And then It keeps on going faster ! It certainly does not seem that fast, at least not untill you hit 300 k's an hour. So does their speedo need adjusting, I wonder?

I suspect it is like the Tokyo Bullet train which is rather like sitting in your comfy lounge chair as far as speed goes when you are a passenger. It is not until you see it thundering by at whiplash speed do you appreciate just how fast these things go. Oh, and the fact that the Maglev journey takes just eight minutes compared to at least an hour by car.



All the Police in the World Congregate in Shanghai

Does everyone in Shanghai have a rellie in the Police Force or Security? As soon as I arrive, I begin to think that I have never seen so many police officers in all my life unless there is a fancy dress day and every man wants to be a cop. They don't seem as cheery as the police in Tokyo though. Certainly none of them bow and salute me as happened there. I don't feel like trying to strike up a conversation with the Shanghai police or asking them for directions as I had in Japan.

It is peak hour and the metro is jam packed but this doesn't stop an angry security man showing his great displeasure at some breach of protocol. I hear a lot of officious shouting and an arm reaches from behind me and a hand clamps down on a well dressed young man next to me who is jerked back from the turnstiles. He doesn't seem to be unduly perturbed though his friend seems a bit annoyed at their delay.

I see similar incidents on several occasions. Don't try standing on the benches at the Bund if you want a better angle for a photo or the blast from policeman's whistle will deafen you. This was not me, I hasten to add. I do realize that a city of such epic proportions needs quite a bit of control so it doesn't bother me at all.

One of my first excursions is to to the brilliant Shanghai Museum , which has the most exquisite porcelain and bronzes that you can imagine. You simply must see this as it is magnificent both inside and out. I return to the Foyer to collect my bag where I am very surprised to see what looks like Swat style police officers or heavy-duty military men. I do not expect them in a museum.

I should have been prepared as the museum attendants seem quite policeman-like and need a lesson in “friendly”. But these men in the foyer look so grim and stand so statue-like that I wonder for a moment if this is some sort of performance “art” , as unlikely as that seems. But then, when a large crack in the floor of the Tate Modern is riveting art, which it actually was, maybe scary police officers with a serious arsenal is “art “too.

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibi...o/default.shtm

I want to take a photo of them but don't dare. Not that I haven't seen soldiers, guards , military persons and various assorted lawmen before. Indeed, the longest chapter of my autobiographical novel is called “My Run-Ins With the Police.”

I was in Spain when, due to the Basque Nationalism Movement, soldiers with large guns were stationed at the tourist spots. I have seen what appeared to be trigger-happy teenage boys acting out as security guards at the airport in Manila. I was in in Italy shortly after the murder of Aldo Moro and experienced the Polizia screaming up to the church I had just left with guns poised for firing. Our tour group instinctively took cover behind parked cars at that sight! I was passing through Frankfurt Airport around the time that terrorist attacks were thought to be planned by the PLO and saw many soldiers armed to the teeth with weaponry you hope you will only ever see in the movies. I was also in London around the time of some of the IRA tourist spots terrorist attacks.

So I don't usually take much notice of men in uniform - unless they are very handsome of course! But there was something chilling about these guys that made them standout. Later I realized they were some sort of security guards as I saw them at banks whenever armored cars were there.

I think I know why there is so little crime in Shanghai.

Yet there is another kind of uniformed personnel in Shanghai that is most appealing and non threatening. I am delighted when I come out of the People's Square Metro to the sight of dozens of Marching Girls or rather Marching Women. They are middle-aged and immaculately uniformed in red and white, though one of the ladies has brown boots on instead of white. A passerby points out the obvious to her with a chuckle.

So, my very first hour in Shanghai Central and I am treated to a most marvelous show of clashing cymbals, swirling dancers and a riotous musical score of marching music and soppy popular ballads played loudly over the top of each other. Could there have been a better introduction to this vibrant city! Even members of the transient audience feel compelled to stop and dance on the spot. I would have too had I not been loaded down with luggage.

So despite what we in Australia might consider an unusual security presence; every time you board a train or visit a museum your bags is X rayed, there are moments of childlike exuberance. From the dancing ladies at the metro to the kite fliers in the city center to the dressed up dogs looking as silly as possible, there is, on occasion, an appearance of something almost uninhibited.



People keep emailing me even though they believe I have been swept away.


I have only been in Shanghai 24 hours when I learn of the terrible tragedy in Japan with the earthquake and Tsunami. It is truly,truly heartbreaking. I have several Japanese and Australian relatives by marriage visiting Japan as tourists but fortunately did not know this at the time or I may have been quite freaked out. I only find out about the dreadful events when my family rings me to see if I am still here, which I am ... and so is Shanghai.

All is well with me with the worst being not finding two out of the three museums I had planned to see today. I swear I was so close to them that I probably stubbed my toe on their front step but still could not see them! I did make the Art Gallery, located in a lovely old clock tower building, which was marvelous but very crowded. I don't think weekends are good times for sightseeing in this gorgeous but huge city!

The Art Gallery's exhibits included a very extensive retrospective of a prominent "elder statesman" artist which was was very comprehensive and really allowed one to see the development of his style and technique over many decades. I wish I could remember the name of the artist but, as the web site is only in Chinese, I am unable to look it up. An exhibition from Australia was about to open as well- I just can't escape the place!

Next - I ruin everything for future tourists.

Kathie

Loving your report! More! More!

hawaiiantraveler

Yes we will be in Shanghai later in the year so this report is a welcome site. Anxiously awaiting more!

Aloha!

KERRYAJS1

Thank you so much,Kathie and Hawiiantraveller!

I ruin everything for future tourists.

While searching for the art museum, I encounter a shoe shine man. I brush him off and regret it. My boots do need a good clean and I go looking for him when I come out. He was after all, only trying to make a living. I feel really guilty when I can't find him and make up for it by bargaining badly and paying more for smiling, waving Mao watches than I would have had to on Ebay. I amuse every stall holder in the markets after just about anyone selling anything dazzles me with numbers.

My best, or worse, bargaining experience was t shirts for sale at 45 yuan each to which I bargained the seller down to 180 yuan for four. Doh!

I buy a horse statue at the Dong Li antique market from an earnest man with an honest face who assures me “on his mother's life that it is genuine Ming Dynasty.” I buy wilted flowers and unwanted postcards from old ladies at exorbitant prices and give handfuls of change to old men sitting on the pavement. To give me my due, I generally limit my giving to the elderly who can't chase me down for more.

I even tip taxi drivers. Not a fortune though. Am I so bad? Have I ruined it for every other tourist? I have had quite a few bouts of illness on this trip and don't feel too well so perhaps that excuses me.

However, I have my wits about me enough to not fall for the students' “Invitation to Tea” scam. Within a day of arrival, I am approached by four charming young students, two male and two female, who engage me in conversation. They compliment me and seem to show a genuine interest in my opinion.

Alarm bells begin to ring when one of the girls asks if I am a professor and another says she likes the color of my hair and they all laugh at my jokes. I tell them my life story as they do seem so genuinely interested. They don't persist after I politely reject their invitation. My life story is pretty dull. I leave them with a smile on my face as its not often I have such an attentive audience even if their motives are questionable.

The next Shanghainese who desire my company for tea are a girl on holidays and a man on a business trip who ask me to take their photo and then ask if I would be in a photo with them because “I am so beautiful and elegant.” I want to believe them, but I am neither, especially as my blistered feet are making me walk like a drunken sailor.

I smile graciously and tell them my life story, this time edited, as I am tired and want to return to my hotel. They also do not persist in the tea invitation, at least not too much, though they do try a little harder than the students. They only got a short version of my life story after all.

I recommend if anyone meets these friendly invitees that you talk them to death. Even the most persistant will be glad to be rid of you. However, I suspect that the real reason they have not pressed me further in order to fleece me is that I tell them that I am a carer for my parents. Given that filial piety is so important to the Chinese, I think they do not consider me such a good victim.


People here are very friendly. A young mother buys me a subway ticket as I couldn't figure the machine out, and that was using the English menu. Turns out the machine was broken, which made me feel better. I don't seem to meet many Shanghainese who speak English so I am limited in being able to get directions or instructions and anyway, it is all “Blah Blah Blah” to me with my brain!

I stop in a park and some dear little girls came up to me and one little darling wearing a jumper with a koala on it gives me a rock! A few times, small children have called out "Hello" to me when I have passed by. So sweet!


A Fish Named Smith

I finally found the Natural History Museum after many attempts and, yes, I was almost literally on the doorstep the first time I went looking for it and still missed it! I really want to see this museum as I have read quite a bit about it.

Thank you, Subway fast food Man for your many patient attempts to point me in the right direction of this museum. I think I love you.

Filled with “lets have a lovely day out” families, anyone human is quite a contrast to the atmosphere of this unmissable museum. Happy children scamper between the glass cases filled with wild-eyed, stuffed, moth-eaten animals.

Now I am a great lover of these old fashioned Victorian style museums. One of my favorites is the Animal Attic in Dunedin with it's strange and apt odor of dead animal. There is one in Los Angeles that takes one's breath away with it's complete herd of stuffed elephants, surely a taxidermal triumph.

This Natural History Museum while equally fascinating, is also mildly disturbing. Should this place ever come to life as in “Night at the Museum”, these zombie animals would wreak death and destruction on their Frankenstein creators. You can plainly see it in those crazed, glassy eyes.

As noted in many reviews of this museum, there is plenty to entertain here such as those indispensable museum draw-cards, the Mummies. This lot are a bit shabby but this adds to their creepy factor rather nicely.

There are fetuses in glass jars, a few naked people statues and even a fish named Smith. Smith, a common sort of fellow, nonetheless seemed to be attracting a great deal of attention. I really wished I could read Chinese to find out why a fish named Smith was so fascinating!


I have walked vast distances to find this little gem . Even though the metro is easy to use , there are so many exits and I always choose the "exit that leads to nowhere except the edge of the world." All this walking has caused huge blisters on my feet...and it is only early days. My goal of twenty museums in ten days begins to appear remote.

I find a chemist, who hands me a pen and paper when my pantomime of limping and pointing at my foot puzzles him. I am able to get some cream and bandages by drawing a picture of my foot with radiating "pain" lines coming from a "lump" on the ball of the foot that I have added to my art work. The chemist produces a tube of cream with almost the exact picture I had drawn! I was pretty sure I was on the right track when I saw that tube. But it looks like a day at the hotel today which is a shame as ,apart from my feet I am feeling better.



George Clooney gives me a hand after a fashion.
or
Don't you just love grandiose names for lots of shops!



By the way, did you know George Cloony has been helping me back to my hotel? Not as good as it sounds but, whenever I see his face gazing down at me from a monster billboard, I know the hotel isn't that far away. Turns out he "lives" on the New World building which I have been searching for. Who knew?

I go looking for the “New World” even though I am not yet tired of the old one. I had expected the sign on top to say “New World” but instead it says “Samsung”. I am easily confused at the best of times but eventually I get to the “New World” shopping center...and it's hell!!! You can get in...but you can't get out. Oh yes, there are exit signs...but no exits. So you are doomed to walk endlessly in circles past dress shops with fabulous clothes that you can't afford and don't fit you. Is that not "hell"?

Inside this strange and wonderful “ New World” was Madame Tussauds Wax Works which is on the gazillionth floor and I finally find it after wandering down many long, empty, deserted corridors - all painted blood red. I come to a massive empty space in the middle of the building which stretched upwards and downwards for what seemed miles. It was most surreal.

Across a great divide in front of me was a massive bank of glass elevators. Above and below was just an empty space. It reminded me of some futuristic film set. You know the scene in Star Wars where Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia are trying to escape the white armoured Imperial Stormtroopers in that vast empty structure with the loooong drop down? Well, sort of like that. Turns out I'd come across what I suspect was some obscure back entrance into the building. As the place was virtually deserted , I have a lot of fun "molesting" the helpless wax figures.

Next - There is no handsome prince at the Pearl Tower.

ekscrunchy

Great report! Too bad about the missing prince, though.

Femi

I love it!

thursdaysd

Great stuff - and I don't even like Shanghai (aside from the Art Museum and the Bund, of course).

gearsau

Great report.....I love Shanghai as well. Need to go back, as it's 3 months since I was there ..

Don't like the Oriental Pearl Tower though. Much better views from the Shanghai World Financial Center Building .

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KERRYAJS1

Thanks so much, Ekscrunchy, Femi,Thursdaysd and Gearsau ! I am flattered you are enjoying this as I have read all your excellent trip reports in the past and they are so good and much more useful that my reports as well. Same to you, Kathie and Hawaiiantraveller.

I am often reluctant to post as I stay in Hostels and rarely eat in restaurants so I can't really post anything of much value to fellow travelers. These writings are based on emails I send home to my family which I edit later. I do find that writing it up again kind of prolongs the holiday as it is like living it over again. Whether it is of any real benefit to anyone else is another matter!

Hi Gearsau. Due to illness, I didn't get to a lot of what I had planned. I had heard that the Shanghai World Financial Center Building was better so hope I get back and see it as well.

Just a question for you, Thursdaysd , if you have time.
I have been reading your most informative web pages and note that you get foot problems when traveling. I was born with a twisted foot which is not at all obvious now, but I do get very bad blisters and pain in my feet and hips which I think may be related. Can you give me some tips for lessening foot problems , if you have any?

KERRYAJS1

There is No Handsome Prince at the Pearl Tower.

I decide today to go to the famous Oriental Pearl Tower....and save the handsome prince....and live happily ever after. Made that  last bit up, but the Pearl Tower does have a fairy tale sound, eh!

Despite the sign at the entrance saying you cannot enter if you are insane or improperly dressed, I go in anyway.

Up I go and find there is no handsome prince imprisoned in the tower but instead I find that it is ME trapped in this high up, heavenly labyrinth. It's quite easy to get up to the viewing platform but very,very hard to get back down again. I  wander around and around , buying more souvenirs than anyone really needs, before finally finding the lift down.

Many more people want to get down than came up. How can that  be? Have some been trapped up here since last night...or even longer? I only know it took a few minutes to get up in the crowded lift but about an hour to get down in the even more crowded lift.

At one stage they try to jam me into the small glass outside lift with a vast crowd. You couldn't fit a starving fashion model in much less a large woman with a backpack. I don't want Shanghai to see my face squashed against the glass as I descend so I decline and wait until the next lift.

But this only takes me to another viewing level which has a glass floor. I find myself surprisingly reluctant to step out onto the glass floor and I stare down at Shanghai so far below with some trepidation. It is so freaky! But I finally do so. I notice I am not the only one feeling unsure. There are a great many squealing teenage girls and even nervous gentleman, so I don't feel too bad.

I really enjoy the history museum in the tower's ground floor. It doesn't look much from the outside. There is no hint that inside there is another world, and a surprisingly large one at that. Why, in this respect, it is just like the Tardis! Old Shanghai comes alive. As alive as as dioramas can be, anyway. But it is very well done and a real treat to walk down the streets of Shanghai as it was.

I next decide to eat at the restaurant back at the Phoenix Hostel, where a fine meal with rice and a coke costs the princely sum of about $5 Au. I could have had Spicy Boiled Bullfrog, Drunken Fish - "Grandmother" style , Crucien sauted with "Old Dry Mother" , Fried Large Intestines or Bovine Paws. (I kid you not - Something got lost in translation there!) but I resist all these delicacies and have Spicy Pork, Shanghai style. Delicious and clears out your sinuses as well.

Only chopsticks are supplied and I think I am doing very well. I find that, as long as I can keep up the rhythm of the sticks in much the same way as a drummer might do, I can eat a meal with chopsticks as well as the next person, though far less stylishly.

But one of the waiters must think I am pathetic and brings me a spoon! I am mortified and go completely to the pack and can't pick up a piece of food for several minutes with either the chopsticks or the large porcelain soup spoon. But I rally and manage to finish my meal before slinking back to my room.

Talking about lost in translation, I have been watching a comedy show on TV here called “The Office. "  It bears a slight resemblance to “The Office” TV show back home with a boss who thinks he's really cool and several bumbling workers in a  advertising company. The main purpose of the show appears to be to teach English in a colloquial fashion to Chinese speakers. It is on several times a day.

The main character tells a joke, which he tells you beforehand is a joke in case you don't get it and don't laugh.

“ A Tomato and his vegetable friends go as contestants on a reality TV show. The tomato easily wins . The other vegetables are upset and complain.  The Judge tells them." Stop complaining...just look at yourselves. What can be more red than a tomato?”    End of Joke. 

Confucius says? Or maybe Confusion says. I have no idea what it means but guess it has something to do with Communism. But that may be reading far more into it that is meant... If anything is meant!

Rewriting all of this has made me think of why I like travel, even though it is rough on my health. Don't you find It's the little things that happen that add so greatly to the fabric of travel and, make it all worthwhile? Like every little stitch in a tapestry, it all adds up to something beautiful. Feeling very tired, sore and miserable , I stare blankly into some shop windows, one being a sport's trophy shop.


There, amongst the mini monuments to as yet unsung sports heroes, is a ginger cat, resplendent with an enormous red taffeta bow around his neck and lying on a red cushion. He is sound asleep but wakes, yawns, stretches and sits up and looks me in the eye.

Everything about his demeanor tells me he is the owner of this shop and very proud of his abilities in public relations. He is the one who attracts the customers and he knows it. It certainly works as, even though I don't buy anything, I return to the shop just to see that cat again.



I cause Shock and Horror...again.

As my foot is now infected and I am only walking due to strong pain killers , I decide to book a coach tour to a water village rather than find my own way The hostel finds me a tour that departs for Zhouzhuang Water Village the next day. I am warned it is all in Chinese but that does not bother me in the slightest. In fact, I think this may add greatly to the experience. I am sort of right!

On this bus tour of Chinese Day Trippers, I am taken under the wing of three Shanghai girls in their twenties, Tracy and her two delightful friends, who translate for me. It would be harder to meet more sweeter girls. I really needed their help and guidance.

Ever had everyone turn and stare at you with shock and horror? I did today when I photographed a Buddha figure at a temple. Apparently not the thing you do. I did look up "Things Not to Do in China Unless You Want People to Stare at You with Shock and  Horror" on the internet but must have missed that one. I must be more careful as I may not get another visa otherwise.

I should say though that the Buddha statue was outside the temple. I hope I would be more intuitive and sensitive to public feelings and not take photos inside a temple without knowing for sure that this was permissible.

The tour bus takes us to a jewelery factory and salesroom and I experience one of the most bizarre selling incidents ever. Ushered into a large room, our tour group is addressed by a pretty, plump girl in the most solemn terms, though of course, I understand nothing. Tracy whispers to me that this visit is organized to get some revenue from the tourist department or words to that effect. Another immaculately clad girl comes in and whispers something in a conspiratorial manner to the pretty,plump girl. She looks even more serious and resumes speaking as if she were delivering a life changing lecture or announcing the end of the world.

I ask Tracy what she is saying and she whispers that “The Boss is coming”. I am expecting something like a Triad Boss to appear and I eagerly await what I think will be someone from a Chinese gangster movie. This Boss is a smartly dressed , smiling , youthful looking man who begins with a joke , then looks very earnest. He alternates this format for the next 20 minutes.

The pretty,plump girl leaves looking rather put out to have her important speech interrupted. I may not understand what the Boss is saying but he has the air of an evangelical con man so I am not surprised when Tracy whispers that what he is saying sounds suspicious.

Waving his Ruby-ringed hand around, he works the room like the pro he so obviously is. Several times , the audience laughs but I am most intrigued by a man with a prosthetic leg, from our tour group, who has a cheeky grin. Periodically he interjects with lively banter and then chuckles loudly along with his mates. I ask Tracy what the man on crutches is saying and she says that he asking for his free gift.

As we go to the salesroom, Tracy tells me the Boss is saying that , after 16 years of marriage , his wife has had twin boys but one of them is very frail. So today, he doesn't want our money.... he just wants our prayers and good wishes for his ailing son.

The boss has promised a free gift if we just listen to his spiel. So everyone troops into the salesroom and listens. Two more beautifully groomed and seriously silent salesgirls watch on as the Boss holds up various pieces of jewelery. Sometimes at the Boss's request, they comment. Despite the offer of a free gift, most people drift out as the Boss raves on until Tracy and I are the only ones left.

I look at a sapphire ring. The Boss comes up to me and asks in very disjointed English where I am from. He repeats it back, pronouncing it “Otralia'. Words pass between him and the salesgirl which I don't understand. I don't really want the ring so I thank the Boss and depart. I ask Tracey to interpret what he had said about the ring and she smiles.

He had asked the girl how much the marked price on the ring was. She had quoted some astronomical price. He had then said to sell it it to me at such and such a price, naturally much lower than the ticketed price. She had feigned shock and said.”Oh no, Boss! That is way too cheap!” But the Boss had insisted that I get this “special” price. Apparently the other sales girls had said much the same when asked .

It was all very well choreographed but not one person had fallen for his pitch. I asked Tracy did she think he really had just had twins and she said smiles. “Well, I think that will be his story for the next few hours.” We all piled back into the bus.

No one, not even the cheeky man with the prosthetic leg, has a free gift.



We also visit another temple complex with some tatty but interesting models relating to filial piety, a silk factory and see many “lucky” lion animal statues. The lucky lions are all dutifully patted by most of the tour group. I remark on this and Tracy says how superstitious many Chinese are. Pointing to a table she says, rather seriously , that if you were to say that table was lucky, everyone would rush over and pat it. I smile inside and think she is quite right.

The Water Village is absolutely lovely though I think it is a shame that some of the canals are lined with market stalls but then, people have to make a living. But it is a beautiful experience. I treat my helpful companions to a meal of lung fish and rural chicken at a local restaurant the tour leader has chosen which costs a mere 120 to 130 yuan (I estimate the cost to be about $20 Au all up!) for the four of us. A gift from Tracy of a lovely embroidered picture of one of the stone bridges in the village completes a delightful day.


As an added bonus, I now have a connection with Hugh Jackman!  Based on the principal of "Six Degrees of Separation",  I think me and Hugh are really close. Tracy works at the luxury Peninsular hotel.  I asked her if she had many celebrities stay at her luxury hotel and apart from ho-hum types like Tony Blair, she mentions Hugh. I tell her about the ad showing in Oz where Hugh dances with the staff and two Asian girls in a hotel foyer. Tracey said that was her hotel where Hugh filmed the dance scenes in his latest advert!

ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_separation  Six degrees of separation (also referred to as the "Human Web") refers to the idea that everyone is on average approximately six steps away from any other person on Earth, so that a chain of, "a friend of a friend" statements can be made, on average, to connect any two people in six steps or fewer.


Next. I am educated by Chinese TV and educate a Chinese girl on Aussie “Bogans.”

Kathie

One of the more interesting accounts of the routine forced shopping stops in China. I love that even the Chinese tourists are treated to these stops and that they are just as skeptical of the stories told by sales people!

AskOksena

>>>People who know me well, know that I am easily pleased. Singapore Airlines please me greatly and would regardless of my cheap personality. Most flights have cut out those little extras but Singapore Air has not. They offer me a newspaper and I am delighted. The hot towels fill me with joy. They give me a Givenchy pouch with a pair of thin socks and I am thrilled beyond reason. They serve a Drumstick ice cream and I am almost orgasmic!<<<



And man, does your trip report - and yes, Singapore Air thoughts - please me greatly!!! Nothing like flying with those Girls, business and pleasure.

Love your Shanghai reflections. That city is not (yet) on my current Asia business travel loop, so will vicariously savour your adventures.

Thanks again and may you have many more sweet and smooth (SQ) rides.

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

thursdaysd

Re: feet... You have all my sympathy, and much kudos for carrying on!

I don't think I can be very helpful, alas. I would recommend my wonderful chiropractor, who does a great job on my feet, but that won't help you in Oz. But if you haven't tried chiropractic you might look for one who does feet - everything is indeed connected!

My chiropractor has convinced me to travel in over-the-ankle boots - if I'd been wearing them in Vancouver I probably wouldn't have sprained my ankle! I also use ortho inserts I got from her (I tend to pronate). Aside from that, boots/shoes/sandals and socks that fit really well and are well broken in are the only things I can think of. In your case I wonder if custom made boots would be the answer?

I do travel with a heavy duty ankle brace I bought years ago in Bangkok, and an Ace bandage (although the one I got in Japan this trip was much wider and gave better support). Also arnica gel and tablets. Plus I can do Reiki, but it's hard to do your own feet.

Note on socks - I used to wear Thorlo's but have developed an allergy to the Coolmax, so this trip I wore SmartWool socks and they did well. I wear Vasque boots - http://www.rei.com/product/726092 - although they don't grip as well as I would like on wet surfaces, but I'm very hard to fit. I do acquire a blister on occasion, and usually pop them as soon as they appear.

KERRYAJS1

Hi Robert,
I see you are a real fan of Singapore Airlines and I understand why! Those charming men amd girls are so helpful and the girls wear what must easily be the prettiest uniforms in the sky!

Each take off and landing was as smooth as silk and , though I realise that does depend to some extent on external factors, I mentioned this to one of the girls and she even promisd to pass on my thoughts to the captain. I know flight attendants have a difficult job - anyone dealing with the public has problems , and I did appreciate their willingness to help.

I can easily say that this flight was the best I have ever been on. Probably the first flight where I arrived in a reasonable condition due to excellent leg room. I am tallish but not exceptionally so and I often wonder how a big man can possible fly in Economy with any degree of comfort when I am so cramped with my knees up against the seat in front of me.

I even wrote to them congratulating them on their excellent customer service when I got into a bit of bother over missing my flight home, (my fault entirely) and they replied quickly. They really saved my bacon!
Thanks for reading.
Kerry.

KERRYAJS1

Hi Thursdaysd,

Thanks so much for taking the time to post such excellent advice. Sounds like you really know how tough it is to travel when you have a lot of foot pain! I am a great believer in Chiropractic treatment though I have not had any for some years. Maybe its time to get some treatment again.

I do wear boots as I sprain my ankle easily. As a young person who was forever spraining my ankle, I probably hopped more than I walked, but that's something I couldn't do now!

I will investigate further the arnica gel and ortho inserts and your other suggestions. I usually have very swollen feet when flying, possible due to being cramped on most other flights as well as flights from Australia being so long. But, as this flight was so much more comfortable, they hardly swelled at all.

Plus the last long trip I took , I broke my foot in three places only 6 weeks previously. So I got a bit complacent thinking I would have no problems this time and realize now I should have bandaged my feet straight off instead of leaving it until it was too late.

Thanks again,

Kerry.

gearsau

Kerry,
You sound like you are having a great time. Next time I go back, I plan to spend a lot more time in Shanghai to see things I never got around to see when I went there on business.
Here is an older photo album, and some more shots taken from the Shanghai World Financial Center Building top observation deck.( SWFC)
The Pearl Tower top platform is 350 meters up, whereas,the SWFC is 474 meters up. Its much better to get there as well. The Pearl Tower is a real pain,and,as you have discovered, getting down takes ages..

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?a...0&l=65cae33184

Carrabella

Kerry. I too have foot problems on the long flights from Australia, and all the sight seeing afterwards. I have a pair of medical knee length stockings, for during the flight.They were expensive, but are now 10 years old and still going strong - the only time they are worn. One time in Bangkok, I twisted my ankle, but kept the stocking on day and night, resting for a day or two, and then it was fine. I also have made to measure inserts, but I find a comfy, well-tried pair of sneakers to be just as good. I always carry bandaids for blisters. We do walk miles and miles.

Your report is a joy to read. Funny, whimsical and written with insight. Thank you! We had five days in Shanghai in July and loved it too, although it was extremely hot and tiring. Two days at Expo, crowds of people everywhere. But we had a super hotel room - Seagull on the Bund - and could retreat to our room and watch the people strolling on the Bund and the barges and ships on the River, one every twenty to thirty seconds, which was marvellous. I want to go back even more after reading your report!

Mara

Kerry - A wonderfully, entertaining report - I've never been to Shanghai but you make it sound quite inviting...
Concerning foot issues, I wear compression (to the knee) stockings when I am on long flights and my feet don't seem to swell - it's best if you have them fitted professionally rather than just buying them off a rack....

KERRYAJS1

Hello Gearsau,

What excellent photos! I come from a family where some have been professional photographers, but I am hopeless! The only two decent photos I have ever taken are hanging in the toilet, so even they aren't that great!

I really love the “atmospheric” Buildings in the Clouds and the Red Lanterns. Reminds me of one of my favorite Chinese movie,”Raise the Red Lanterns.”

Can you give me some details? Camera used , settings, time of day or whatever?


Hey Carabella,

Thanks so much!

I will look into made to measure inserts and medical knee length stockings. I well realize I was complacent as my health was improved when I left and I just thought I would be OK this time. But you are so right to be prepared for anything!


Hi Mara .

Thank you too!

I do hope you get to see Shanghai.

I think you are right about the getting these compression stockings professionally fitted , as the off the rack kind don't seem as good.



Thanks all, for your comments on foot help and your observances regarding Shanghai as it makes me want to go back too(though better prepared) and I only just got home!

gearsau

Kerry,

Camera used are NIKON D3 and D2Xs. Lots of $$$ .
Those shots of the tall buildings in the clouds. Well, I was in Shanghai in March 2010, and took some shots at night, and the others when it was its usual rainy, cloudy day there. Of course, it does get fine as well,just that everytime I go there, it rains. I was in Shanghai March, 2010, and January 2011. Have been going to Shanghai on and off since 2000. The place is amazing for all the changes.
Lots of $$$ spent ..

All the best from Nerang, Qld.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...&id=1239983560
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?a...0&l=a4420843ab