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 they had stayed in where the bathroom had a wall of glass and you could see in from the bedroom.

Well, as we entered the room, Janet gave a squeal and started laughing - that is what our room is like!!! It is lovely with two double beds and a view of a famous garden and old quarter shopping area - Yuyuan.

After we unpacked we wandered down to thud area intending to go to the gardens but because today is Sunday and a holiday it was crowded so we just enjoyed looking at the shops and the crowds.

We tried a steam bun restaurant for lunch and for the first time in a week ate meagerly and really enjoyed not feeling like we were being stuffed for Christmas dinner. But of course made up for it later by having a Haagen Das ice cream!!