Typhoon Plum Flower missed Shanghai, instead of heading towards shore, it veered off to the sea. It meant a full day of sporadic rain at times light and then heavy.

We spent most of the day at the Shanghai Museum. It is a popular tourist site, the museum reportedly receives 5000 visitors a day. This museum covers the entire history of China. I am amazed that how certain objects have survived over the years, ie currency from the 475-221 BC and pottery figures from 206BC-AD24. It is one of the best laid out museums I've ever seen and the artifacts don't seem as "busy" as the Hermitage. I highly recommend a visit to this museum if you want a full picture of Chinese History.

Due to the weather, we were unable to take the river boat cruise down the Huangpu River. Right next to the tourist bureau is the Hunangpu Park. When Shanghai was occupied by foreigners, they erected a sign in this park saying "dogs and Chinese not allowed in the park" - some people may remember seeing this sign in an old Bruce Lee movie. We were told by a security guard that the sign was removed several years ago.

May was in Shanghai 30 years ago with my Late Parents. She doesn't recognize the city, the Bund was not as developed and she is amazed at the number of commercial towers occupy the area. Everyone was wearing Mao suits and now the people are very fashionable. My Niece Kim could fit right in with the locals, her style is similar to a lot of young Asians I've seen on the subway.

Yu Gardens and Bazaar was our next stop. Yu Garden (garden of peace and comfort) is a classical garden & built in 1559. It's part of the Ming Dynasty it contains an elaborate rockeries, arched bridges and a lot of enormous gold fish. The layout includes several gardens within gardens.

The Bazzar is a major tourist trap. A lot of vendors inviting you into their stalls to purchase product - electronics, clothes, etc. You need to be prepared to bargain! No, I didn't purchase anything! Kim said, "you should buy something you can't find at the Pacific Mall (Toronto)!

Hey Randall & Megan - we had some Shanghai street foods. We had this minced pork dumplings, smelly tofu and mini wontons. You both would like the dumplings but you need to eat it properly or you will get the fillings on your clothes (trial & error). You bit a little off the top, suck all the soup from the dumplings and then you eat it, avoid the smelly tofu and the mini wontons are very tasteful!

After a full day of "hoofing", we are all tired. We are heading to Hangzhou tomorrow by train.