Today it was pouring with rain so we has to change our plans. After another yummy breakfast, we caught the subway across the river to the Museum of Science and Technology. It was a beautiful building, and like all of China's public spaces that we have seen - beautifully laid out in spacious grounds and gardens. Some great exhibitions but a lot of the interactive things not working. It was filled with groups of school kids. After, we caught the subway again to...

Raining again today. Caught subway to Xiantiandi which is a lovely old fashioned shopping area -old world from 20's to 30's - beautiful old houses and cobbled streets. Lots of restaurants and coffee shops. Then wandered into a really big shopping complex - 5 floors and beautifully laid out. And again we commented on the lack of people shopping - how do all those stores exist? Back to our area and had lunch in the same place as the first day - pick your own thi...

The first night in Shanghai we went for a walk to the Bund - a flood proof levee bank that has been turned into a promenade beside the Hyangpu River. It is very pretty with lots of flowers, seating areas and is packed with people. We checked out the Peace Hotel which is a magnificent old building with fantastic ceilings and old world charm. In fact the whole river front is lined with these grand old buildings - Shanghai must have been a swinging place! It is pr...

Shanghai - a huge city of 24 million people - the whole population of Australia in one place!!! The roads again are super highways with freely flowing traffic. Our hotel is just beautiful. One of the Renaissance chain they are five star and a lovely way to spend our last four days in China. Our room is a hoot. Our neighbors on board the ship - an Aussie girl and English girl who had just squeaked into Tibet before the border was closed, told us of a hotel th...

Last days on the Yangtze. Saturday was a visit to Sun Yet Sen's mausoleum in Nanjing and at last there were the crowds. Hundreds of thousands at this big site with lovely gardens. Lunch on board and then back in the bus to a temple and markets which were interesting. Lots of little stalls selling all sorts of things from silk to jade, knock knacks etc. Then final night dinner which consisted of even more wonderful dishes and a visit from the captain. Staff ...