We had a choice as we left Shanghai station. Grandpa had Mr Niedham to whose "man" he gave his luggage. We not only had no Mr Niedham but no guide either!!
Grandpa went to his digs and then had tiffin, went to the races and had dinner with Mr Harpur, his boss, I think quite busy with some similarities to our arrival.
The main difference I suspect was that Mr Niedham was in a good mood when he arrived whereas our guide was not
On leaving the station we were given two choices East or West I think
We went with the flow and arrived at the barrier with no sign of a guide.
A kind English speaking West African chap called the Travel company in Beijing who said they would chase her up and we waited in hot sunshine.
After about 10 minutes a lady came running up with the usual sign with our names on. "Why did you come out of that exit? You should have come out of the other one, There is no parking here you are in the wrong place!!"
Not designed for a good arrival for two weary travellers.
"Come this way follow me" she said and rushed off.
After a few steps I stopped dead in my tracks and said to her "In England at this point I might say Shall we start again, my name is Liz and I am pleased to meet you"
I think this gave her a clue that all was not well and she introduced herself as Diana.
Still rushing ahead till Tone made her stop and to take a pic of our arrival by the station sign.
Still rushing ahead to the car and driver
Still rushing to a restaurant where they only had noodles without ginger. She is the first guide who had not done her homework about this issue. Everyone else had said, because it was often lunchtime when we arrived places, that they knew of my allergy to ginger and had a couple of suggestions to make .
Rushing on again we went to the Jade Buddha Temple. It's serenity and beauty seemed to calm Diane and we were able to calmly visit it and see how wonderful it is.
Back to rushing through Shanghai traffic we went to Yu Yuan Gardens which again made Diane slow up a bit. All was going really well till she described a statue and likened it to willow. Willow she said is like a woman, very slender. Tone made some appreciative comment and Diane said "if you like slender why you marry this woman"
You will all know that this would not go down well with me and although I know it is how frankly people speak here I was quite put out for a while.
There is a very busy shopping area round the Yu Yuan gardens which was very jolly but it was by now getting on towards six o'clock so we will come back
On to the Bund.
Grandpa had pics of his first few days here showing him on the bund but by now Diane had said the driver had another job to go to and we needed to get on.
The bund is not far from our hotel so we can come back any time
So our first half day in Shanghai was a whistle stop tour of the great attractions. Lots more planned for our stay as we are here for five nights.
Hotel the same as Sonia and Ray stayed in. The Howard Johnson Hotel near the Nanjing Road.
Seems ok.
We can unpack all our stuff for the first time, put away the thermals and re order everything.
Supper in hotel tonight and a good nights sleep without smelly feet!
Pics to follow and more blogs later
xxxxx
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