Shanghai, Day 10, Part 2 – The Bund

October 17, 2014 by Let's CUT the Crap! 73 Comments

Away from the stalking (however polite) salespeople at the embroidery shop, we headed to a different lunch experience. The atmosphere had a cafeteria look and feel, and the tables were banquet-hall length and communal. The following links show better than I can tell.

 Mongolian BBQ:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/105702458

 Preparation of BBQ:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_barbecue

Lunch finished, I visited the Ladies’ Room. Again the washrooms were opposite each other. I recognized the door I wanted by a high-heeled shoe decorating it and the Men’s by a black smoking pipe. When I prepared to wash my hands later, I found myself at the sink between two Chinese men. Putting my hands beneath the tap, I expected it to turn itself on. Nothing. The man on my right snatched my hands into a firm but gentle clasp and placed them opposite the sensor’s eye. Afterwards, my ever helpful minder noticed my indecision regarding the exit and with a gentle nudge, pointed me towards the nearest one. I imagined him shaking his head thinking I was a silly westerner.  

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles (Our cruise ship)

After lunch we headed to The Bund, the financial district with the famous Shanghai World Financial Centre (shaped like a bottle opener) and many other unique and grandiose structures. Jackie purchased tickets for our afternoon cruise on the Huangpu River, which divides Shanghai in half and is about 70 miles long. We cruised among barges transporting sand, coal and lumber among others for a good hour or so.

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

It was Sunday and a long weekend (Tomb Sweeping Festival). The walkways and pedestrian areas were full of visitors. I understand during any good weather, The Bund is a popular place to spend the day with friends.

The Huangpu River, The Bund Pictures and Nanpu Bridge:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=huangpu+river&rlz=1C1EODB_enCA562CA564&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sUlBVOiLLfHlsATUhYLABw&ved=0CEEQsAQ&biw=1242&bih=585

Sue didn’t want to sit outside on the top deck because she thought it would be too cool and windy. I followed her inside to the main floor and we were surprised to be alone. We grabbed a table in a snack area marked V.I.P. Ever observant, we then noticed a doorway leading to the cruise ship’s bow, enclosed with wraparound windows. We couldn’t believe our luck. No-one to bother us, cushy chairs and our own private ship. Within seconds an attendant came in and we were forced out and ended up outside anyway. To the untrained eye I suppose we didn’t have that V.I.P. aura.

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

Shanghai Quick Facts:

• Population 23 million
• City is 6,800 square kilometres
• Communist party began here in 1921
• Home of silk
• Beginning of silk road (trade: tea, pearls, jade)
• During Hun dynasty, you could find a good horse here, an Arabian
• 14 subway lines, over 500 kilometres long

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Next on October 24, Shanghai, Day 10, Part 3 Old Bazaar and Other Shoppinng

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