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 pretty trendy now.

Getting late, so we looked for a restaurant and believe it or not found a beautiful Italian one which we enjoyed. Then strolled on home.

The hotel breakfast was the best we have had - Janet drooled over the cheese platter and salmon and I enjoyed the first slice of rye bread since leaving home. we decided to have a light lunch - but that is another story!!

We went to Yuyuan Garden which is a beautiful garden from the Ming Dynasty - 1500's (I think ) and two minutes from our hotel. We wandered in there for an hour and took many photos. Then out into the Old Quarter again and shopped!! (would you believe only a little bit??)

Lunch time found us in this restaurant where you took a big bowl and selected the ingredients you wanted - all sorts of vegetables and meats, fish prawns etc- and they cook it for you. It was delicious and quite an experience!

Then tonight -what a treat - we went to Shanghai Circus World to see the acrobats. A great show with gymnasts, high wire, juggling etc and ended with a spectacular 8 motorbikes in a wire cage. They are so flexible and some of the tumbling and hire wire work was breathtaking .

And on the way home -Scotty, I found a Yoshinoya and dragged Janet in there. To explain, Yoshinoya is a Japanese chain of restaurants - cheap and quick and good food. We both enjoyed it.

Oh and we had our first ride on the metro. Our guide came and took us to the Circus and showed us how to use it - very similar to Japan and Korea and Hong Kong for Janet - so we had no problem.