I had a day off last Sunday, so, along with some work
colleagues, I visited Shanghai, the largest city in the world and home to 25
million people – most of whom seemed to be walking towards me as I made my way
along the riverside towards the Yu gardens and Temple of the gods.
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| The Bund |
It really is
the most amazing city, the ultra-modern skyscape of offices and hotels
contrasting with the narrow streets of the old town. My colleagues and I dined
out Saturday night in the French quarter, which wasn’t very French but full of
expensive western designer shops and up-market restaurants.
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| Allegedly - the tallest building in the world |
While I explored on
Sunday they all got drunk in one of the expensive hotels along the Bund; I have
to say my preconceived notions of what communist-run China would be like have
taken a big knock – this place rivals any big western city, everyone appears to
be well-off, new western cars clog the streets (Audis and BMW’s the most
popular), fighting with millions of electric scooters and cycles, all of which
disregard any apparent rules of the road including traffic lights or any kind
of common sense. It made a nice change though from the little town where the
shipyard is – I managed to eat in a couple of vegan restaurants, even managed
to get some fresh fruit!
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| They still do bustling alleyways |
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| Temple entrance |
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| Gods |
Gardens
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| ?chinese writing |
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| Spotted on a scooter handlebars |
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| Shops |
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| Lunch |
Good to hear from you. The pictures look beautiful, I would have suspected it to be more fogged up. But the air doesn't look that bad. I hope things are well with you, and I wish you all the best for 2015. Cheers, SonjaM
ReplyDeleteHi Sonjs - the following day there was a dense smog, couldn't see the tops of the buildings.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you, here's hoping you and Roland have a great 2015. Regards, John
新年快乐！(John)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year , Nikos to you and the missus. Here's hoping 2015 is a good riding year.
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year too, to you. Hoping 2015 is a good one.
DeleteSo glad you got out for a day to relax and enjoy. And you managed to find vegan eats and fruit. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the pictures too. It looks like an interesting place to visit. Although I don't think I could handle that many people.
Happy New Year. Or are those wishes a smidge early since you are in China?
Trobairitz, I think the best bit was finding vegan restaurants - I've been subsisting on a basic diet here.
DeleteThere is definitely too many people, and the traffic is horrendous, worse than anywhere else I've been.
It's definitely New year here now - not sure of the time difference with USA.
Anyway, thanks for dropping by- all the best to you and Troubador for 2015. Regards, El D