October 2009

Happy Birthday Dad!! And welcome back to Shanghai - what a great idea - Shanghai as a stopover on the way to the UK, and back!! Arriving on his birthday, Mum and Dad came with stories from their first visit to Marnie and Pete’s house, tales from the South of France (and half a grocery store) and trips down memory lane as they had revisited many of their previous stomping grounds.

For Dad’s birthday we went to see a Chinese Opera - Le Ke Shan - the story of a woman who was displeased with her husband’s apparent earning capabilities and so divorced him, only to have him then climb the ranks of success, but sadly, without reconciling, as happy endings are not as essential in Chinese stories.

The first week of October is National Week Holiday, and this year was a big one as it was also the 60th anniversary of Communism, and therefore the Peoples Republic. There was a general feeling of good will as we moved around in Shanghai - and in Lujiazui on the riverfront in particular. We enjoyed a beer or two at the Lowenbrau while watching all the movement on the river. We had a crazy surprise after catching the Sightseeing train under the river, with return tickets back in spite of knowing that:

1. Nanjing Dong Lu Metro station was closed, and

2. There were no ferries crossing the river to the Bund, and

3. Having observed the lack of people across the river on the Bund;

that exits to access the Bund were closed. For the whole of the National week, the Bund was closed. But in true China style the ticket seller didn’t tell us that in fact we were unable to get out at the other end.
We had a great short break in Hangzhou - thanks Nigel for the recommendation. Caught the train out there and stayed near the lake. Was a very quick trip and we did a tour around the lake on a golf cart, and sampled Beggars Chicken, in the least ‘beggar’ environment imaginable - the restaurant in the Shangri-La. Such a beautiful holiday town, and really felt like the world was having a good time.

Back to Shanghai, with the lead up to my birthday - hairy crab season, and that was what I wanted for dinner... But alas it wasn’t to be and instead my birthday dinner was at the Blue Frog for Fajitas... And a margarita ( well 2, as it was happy hour) with all my family!!

No visitors now in sight, we can really focus on settling in to Shimao Lakeside, until we go away for Christmas.