tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114456002024-03-13T20:43:22.202+00:00Your Time, My LifeA good friend is someone whom you can pour all the contents of your heart out to, knowing that with the gentlest of hands they will soften it and sift it then smooth it together, take what's worth keeping and with a breath of kindness gently blow the rest away..http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-29258418372470177552011-04-07T23:58:00.002+01:002011-04-08T00:04:35.229+01:00HelloWell it's been too long since I have done this blogging malarkey, but as my new job role requires me to have my finger on the pulse of all things social media/social networking and the all encompassing world of digital marketing - I thought I'd better do my bit and show willing. Since I fisrt attempted this in 2005 a lot has changed and many new blogs have come and gone - I'm now a fully fledged <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/digital_munkey">tweeter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/turnipmonkey">facebooker</a> and my <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=37077616&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro">Linked In </a>profile does not sound like me - until you see the picture. Well I'm signing off now as it's time to rest, had the pleasure of my 2yr old godson for company tonight, whilst his mum gave birth to his brother and the little fella has run us ragged..http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-46859339932205360232009-02-19T15:25:00.010+00:002009-02-19T16:32:57.964+00:00Day 13 - Wednesday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ2HMdvRVOI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Vf_dyvCmoBY/s1600-h/800px-Tallest_Buildings_new3.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304544584323388642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 107px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ2HMdvRVOI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Vf_dyvCmoBY/s200/800px-Tallest_Buildings_new3.png" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">With only a few days left before the end of our trip - although the weather has turned and the mist and smog is returning back to coat the city we decided today would be the day to take a trip up the 2nd highest building in the world.</span> <div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In the eyes of some, the building resembles a giant bottle opener.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">(The three buildings in red are still to be completed!)</span></div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ192rMX6LI/AAAAAAAAAPY/hJF4Iw661bk/s1600-h/DSCN0759.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304534314373343410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ192rMX6LI/AAAAAAAAAPY/hJF4Iw661bk/s200/DSCN0759.JPG" border="0" /></a>The skyscraper was topped out at 492.0 meters (1,614.2 ft) and became the second tallest building in the world; as well as the tallest structure on mainland China, including Hong Kong. It is currently the world's tallest completed building by roof.<br /></span><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The Shanghai World Financial Center is a supertall skyscraper in Shanghai. It is a mixed use skyscraper consisting of offices, hotels, observation decks, and shops on the ground floors. Park Hyatt Shanghai is the hotel containing 174 rooms and suites. On opening, <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ2HwRr7-CI/AAAAAAAAAPo/6dmggrL8RNQ/s1600-h/DSCN0740.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304545199563470882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ2HwRr7-CI/AAAAAAAAAPo/6dmggrL8RNQ/s200/DSCN0740.JPG" border="0" /></a>this hotel became the highest in the world, surpassing the Grand Hyatt Shanghai in the neighboring Jin Mao Tower.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We were expecting a roller-coaster ride that left stomachs churning on the ground while we hurtled ever upwards, but the journey was incredibly smooth, only the sound of whistling wind and the fact that our ears popped gave away the fact we had climbed 94 floors in less than a minute.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18T-Bg8eI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ioPgZiSK7GI/s1600-h/DSCN0767.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304532618621022690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18T-Bg8eI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ioPgZiSK7GI/s200/DSCN0767.JPG" border="0" /></a>There are 3 observation decks in Shanghai World Financial Center. The height of its lowest observation deck is 423 m (1,388 ft), on the 94th floor, the second is 439 m (1,440 ft) high, on the 97th floor, named "Observatory Bridge" and the highest is 474 m (1,555 ft) high, on the 100th floor.<br />The skyscraper's roof height is set at 492 m, and has temporarily claimed the highest roof in the world.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ17ZmGNMKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ohwvPT6g1cM/s1600-h/DSCN0748.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304531615765835938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ17ZmGNMKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ohwvPT6g1cM/s200/DSCN0748.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The view looking out over the Bund and Huangpu river</span><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18TrK6d7I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/pp_pWnrC4Ko/s1600-h/DSCN0764.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304532613560170418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18TrK6d7I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/pp_pWnrC4Ko/s200/DSCN0764.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18Tkx5vAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/CzR5ZhA6o-w/s1600-h/DSCN0765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304532611844652034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18Tkx5vAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/CzR5ZhA6o-w/s200/DSCN0765.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The pic on the left shows you Pudong in 1990 and the pic on the right is pudong as it looks today.</span></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18UPCj_jI/AAAAAAAAAOo/goE_0pVE-F0/s1600-h/DSCN0775.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304532623188819506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18UPCj_jI/AAAAAAAAAOo/goE_0pVE-F0/s200/DSCN0775.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Garry & Jodie larking about on the 94th floor - which can be hired out for private parties, coporate events and publicity launches - Sam briefely considering holding his 40th Birthday party here - That was until discussions turned to how much the hiring out of the room may actualy cost!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The three main towers from ground level (l-r) Jin Mao, Bottle Opener, Oriental Pearl.</span></div><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19CGdPoWI/AAAAAAAAAPA/OKIac8wKUo4/s1600-h/DSCN0789.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304533411158794594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19CGdPoWI/AAAAAAAAAPA/OKIac8wKUo4/s200/DSCN0789.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18UO1YzmI/AAAAAAAAAOw/CL7dafsgTGA/s1600-h/DSCN0785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304532623133560418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ18UO1YzmI/AAAAAAAAAOw/CL7dafsgTGA/s200/DSCN0785.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19Bz1eFaI/AAAAAAAAAO4/G-tbCM_OIo4/s1600-h/DSCN0787.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304533406160131490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19Bz1eFaI/AAAAAAAAAO4/G-tbCM_OIo4/s200/DSCN0787.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19Cd30igI/AAAAAAAAAPI/bxlzvLCM8xA/s1600-h/DSCN0796.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304533417444280834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19Cd30igI/AAAAAAAAAPI/bxlzvLCM8xA/s200/DSCN0796.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After the trip up the tower it was time for lunch - we decided to head back to Malones where we celevbrated by 30th - this is a pic of the stage that I was dragged up on to sing Happy Birthday to myself!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After I beat Sam at a couple of games of pool it was time for home, food and sleep!!</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19CuCYEwI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/NL0C2eeAWYY/s1600-h/DSCN0798.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304533421783520002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZ19CuCYEwI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/NL0C2eeAWYY/s200/DSCN0798.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">On the way to the car we were the amusement of this crowd of locals who where doing the 'crouching tiger, hidden dragon' pose.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-18852717019021548412009-02-17T12:17:00.006+00:002009-02-17T12:56:01.257+00:00Day 12 - Tuesday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr9IUZsVI/AAAAAAAAAMY/pK2lgTynE1Q/s1600-h/DSCN0684.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303740577875603794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr9IUZsVI/AAAAAAAAAMY/pK2lgTynE1Q/s200/DSCN0684.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Today we started off with a trip out to PC Mall - this was 5 floors dedicated to PC's, Laptops, mobile Phones and all and everything computery. Gaz and Sam were loving it - I was bored out of my brain, but endured!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Josie not feeling to well today had made the best choice and stayed home!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><- This was just one of the sights I saw - Spot the gloves these were sellotaped to the handlebars of the bike. This is a familiar site throughout the city.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr9uPkAUI/AAAAAAAAAMo/xofLgnv1Ev4/s1600-h/DSCN0688.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303740588055855426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr9uPkAUI/AAAAAAAAAMo/xofLgnv1Ev4/s200/DSCN0688.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After PC Mall it was time for a trip to one of the museums - Starting with the <a href="http://www.sstm.org.cn/structure/english/index">Shangai Science & Technology Museum</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The first exhibition was the Animal Kingdom - this was more enjoyable than the Wild Animal Park visit from Saturday as it was warm and the views of the animals were better...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr9-RiP-I/AAAAAAAAAMw/pG1Rh5ZkjPU/s1600-h/DSCN0692.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303740592359096290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr9-RiP-I/AAAAAAAAAMw/pG1Rh5ZkjPU/s200/DSCN0692.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We didn't see this sort of movement or violence at the Safari park..</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr-rRyV1I/AAAAAAAAAM4/pQ_uqHs7b1I/s1600-h/DSCN0699.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303740604439746386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqr-rRyV1I/AAAAAAAAAM4/pQ_uqHs7b1I/s200/DSCN0699.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We then ventured through the Bat-Cave where Garry and Sam proceeded to display their knowledge of the Batman theme tune!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsvMC8TDI/AAAAAAAAANA/DtSBYhtZmAY/s1600-h/DSCN0712.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303741437869575218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsvMC8TDI/AAAAAAAAANA/DtSBYhtZmAY/s200/DSCN0712.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In the Robotics Exhibition we saw the dancing robot arms - that also displayed their car making skills as well as dancing skills.</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsvXCCgzI/AAAAAAAAANI/EkMjr_2Kkhk/s1600-h/DSCN0720.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303741440818578226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsvXCCgzI/AAAAAAAAANI/EkMjr_2Kkhk/s200/DSCN0720.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">There ws also the Piano playing robot who was activated by performers singing karaoke on the screen behind - now she didn't do much moving as the visitors all seemed to shy - and us biys couldn't help out as we can't read Chinese!!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsvxLhV9I/AAAAAAAAANQ/fV_06s43HCo/s1600-h/DSCN0728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303741447837669330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsvxLhV9I/AAAAAAAAANQ/fV_06s43HCo/s200/DSCN0728.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In the Human & Health exhibition we had the choice of sitting inside a giant fruit on a ride taking us inside the human digestive system - This creature 'according to the ride' lives inside us - their was also some bizarre talking faces!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqswGcLjWI/AAAAAAAAANY/R4wzPVaWJZ0/s1600-h/DSCN0739.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303741453544688994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqswGcLjWI/AAAAAAAAANY/R4wzPVaWJZ0/s200/DSCN0739.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The journey starts with us looking like this - We start in the mouth, down the throat. You know how it all works. There were bubbles in the stomache...etc...etc... although what surprised us was the exit ... yes we were excreted through the arse by little babies wearing crowns that play with poo - Well that's what the ride was telling us</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsyvCgJSI/AAAAAAAAANg/t4yjuaS59z0/s1600-h/DSCN0731.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303741498802578722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqsyvCgJSI/AAAAAAAAANg/t4yjuaS59z0/s200/DSCN0731.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">After our trip through the Body it was time for Outer Space - here Garry decided to take a ride on a Gyroscope - or something. (one of them thingies that spins you all upside down and around and around - see pic) The thing is I'd have been throwing up and screaming to get off whilst wondering what assortment of treats had fallen out of my pockets - Garry decided to laugh all the way through his experience.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">After another day off fun it was time for home to check up on the poorly patient and to order Pizza for Dinner.. Mmm!!! food, drink and then sleep.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-30498279864003357392009-02-16T13:02:00.003+00:002009-02-17T12:15:32.452+00:00Day 11 - Monday<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoOXMd_0I/AAAAAAAAAL4/38teAuNk5Yc/s1600-h/DSCN0627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303736475880128322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoOXMd_0I/AAAAAAAAAL4/38teAuNk5Yc/s200/DSCN0627.JPG" border="0" /></a>After the last two days of drunken debauchery we were all looking forward to a nice relaxing and quiet day - although we had to be up and out for 10am as the maid comes at this time..</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So off we travelled, the gorgeous warm weather we had last week has dissapeared and it is teeth chatteringly cold again - although not before Garry insisted on us taking more pictures of the view from the apartment - as this is one of the things we will miss the most!</span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div> </div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoOgczJtI/AAAAAAAAAMA/6h4-qvjVC18/s1600-h/DSCN0640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303736478364542674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoOgczJtI/AAAAAAAAAMA/6h4-qvjVC18/s200/DSCN0640.JPG" border="0" /></a>We decided to take a trip to the </span><a href="http://www.yufotemple.com/default_en.asp"><span style="font-family:arial;">Jade Buddha Temple </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">although we have alreadys been to see three other temples what harm could another do - maybe all these temples will bring about some spiritual enlightenment or speed up my trancendence - well once you've seen one Buddha Temple you ahve seen them all - although so we thought.</span> </div><div> </div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqovi0vuOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/jXxLsalgbTY/s1600-h/DSCN0652.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303737045937535202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqovi0vuOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/jXxLsalgbTY/s200/DSCN0652.JPG" border="0" /></a>This temple contained 3 Jade Buddhas all carved from single pieces of Jade - one of which is guarded by security cameras and cost an extra 10RMB to go and take a look at - unfortunately we were unable to take photos of the 2 smaller jade buddhas - although were were allowed to photograph the Sleeping Buddha, which was the largest of them all - (we are still scratching our heads at this one)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqov9ELb9I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/iQYoPlpJEbQ/s1600-h/DSCN0663.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303737052981587922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqov9ELb9I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/iQYoPlpJEbQ/s200/DSCN0663.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We also took fed the Koi Carp in the pond in the temple grounds - although we couldn't take pictures unless we were going to feed the fish - so after paying £3 for a tiny bag of fish food (this cost more than the entry fee to the temple) we fed the fishies and took lots of photographs!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After the temple it was time for more shopping at <a href="http://www.hqpearl.com/">Hong Qiao pearl market </a>- this has a whole floor dedicated to pearls and made to measure jewellery which the stall holders would alter to fit there and then...It also gave Jodie the opportunity to once again show us her bartering skills when she managed to strike yet another deal!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoN8p-drI/AAAAAAAAALw/BP7XuCSjiM8/s1600-h/DSCN0677.JPG"></a></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoNExKcfI/AAAAAAAAALg/stI5b-4hYJY/s1600-h/DSCN0677.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303736453753893362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZqoNExKcfI/AAAAAAAAALg/stI5b-4hYJY/s200/DSCN0677.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">After another busy day it was time for an evening of relaxing...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-7164123247189718912009-02-16T12:33:00.002+00:002009-02-16T13:01:29.661+00:00Day 10 - Sunday<span style="font-family:arial;">Despite awaking with a sore head and feleing a littel rough - I had been waiting for today for months before we came to Shangai - We were going to have what has been describeds as the 'World's Best Brunch' It was one of the most amazing deals at the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1379">Westin Hotel </a>in Puxi.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The whole day was about enjoying the city's most celebrated Sunday Brunch, with its sumptuous buffet spread and entertaining live performances. For about £55 each we could dine on just about everything! </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />There was food stations all over that included some of the last beluga caviar, sushi, lobster, peking duck, smoked salmon, stonebaked pizza, kebab skewers, prime rib, BBQ pork, chinese dumpling, fruits, desserts, you name it we could fill our plates with it again, again, again and again if there was still room!!<br /><br />Included in the price was unlimited Mumm Champagne refills, Mojito cocktails along with drinks ranging from make your own cocktail bar, wine, and beer.<br /><br />Also included in the price is their floor show that is worth the cost alone. Acts include Chinese opera, acrobatics, modern Chinese music, dancing and more.<br /><br />Now you are all probably realising what I was thinking, yes I was in heaven all the food I could eat and all the drink my liver could take!!!<br /><br />Well throughout the meal the champagne glass was kept filled, there was at least two other drinks on the table at all times (one of these was water) Jodie and myself tried out a few cocktails, hers being Kahlua, Baileys and Chocolate Vodka...this was yummy. my preffered snifter was - Raspbery Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lemon juice topped up with fresh orange juice.. Oh and did i forget to mention it was self-service so I could do Mark measures!!! ;0)<br /><br />It was one of the most memorable meals we have ever had and a highlight of our trip to Shanghai.<br /><br />After the meal we had to spend the evening relaxing...we were all rather full and despite Sam and Garry getting a taste for the Champagne it was Jodie and Me that were feeling a little squiffy.</span><br /></span>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-50868303417088585862009-02-16T11:01:00.013+00:002009-02-16T12:33:17.005+00:00Day 9 - Saturday<span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWOGmpc1I/AAAAAAAAAIM/htW_97tA9p4/s1600-h/DSCN0501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303364836496339794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWOGmpc1I/AAAAAAAAAIM/htW_97tA9p4/s200/DSCN0501.JPG" border="0" /></a>Well today was my 30th Birthday - woke up not knowing what what is in store as today was all dependent upon the weather. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">First surprise was the apartment had banners up wishing me happy birthday - these were in English and Chinese - well we hope the chinese ones said Happy Birthday!! </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Then it was time for cards and pressies!! ;0D</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">After the obligatory birthday proceeding were out the way and I spent the usual 45mins getting myself ready to face the outside world - Although today I allowed a little more time to check for any extra 30th B'day wrinkleage!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Time for the todays trip - If it was raining it would be a day at the museums, if it was dry then it would be a surprise to me where we would be going - It wasn't raining so I had no idea what we were doing - and those who know me know how much I don't like not knowing what was going on!?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWOlwzWDI/AAAAAAAAAIU/XCHhzfYuNCs/s1600-h/DSCN0530.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303364844860430386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWOlwzWDI/AAAAAAAAAIU/XCHhzfYuNCs/s200/DSCN0530.JPG" border="0" /></a>We ended up at <a href="http://www.shwzoo.com/">Shangai Wild Animal Park</a> other than being cold we were all looking forward to seeing the animals - especailly the Lions and Tigers and Panda Bears.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We started off with the bus tour around the carniverous animal section of the park - this can best be described as a Benny Hill type bus tour where we sped around the park - only stopping for the occasional sight of one of the animals by the side of the bus - it was great fun and nice to not the one's on show for a change!! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWPKsDQCI/AAAAAAAAAIs/RmbISyel1jo/s1600-h/DSCN0537.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303364854772613154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWPKsDQCI/AAAAAAAAAIs/RmbISyel1jo/s200/DSCN0537.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWO1c3KKI/AAAAAAAAAIk/GA43SjK2GYA/s1600-h/DSCN0559.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303364849071761570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWO1c3KKI/AAAAAAAAAIk/GA43SjK2GYA/s200/DSCN0559.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;">After the whistle-stop bus trip we decided to grab some Birthday lunch in one of the 3 restaurants in the park, after sitting down they laid a cling film tablecoth on the table, we scanned the menu stood up and exited not feeling hungry anymore - other than rice there was nothing that taking our fancy! </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWO7V1NzI/AAAAAAAAAIc/urTeJnOMP_s/s1600-h/DSCN0557.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303364850652886834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlWO7V1NzI/AAAAAAAAAIc/urTeJnOMP_s/s200/DSCN0557.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;">We then tried out the fast food joint and the choice was chicken drumstick burger or chicken wings - this would of been ok if the chicken in question wasn't deforsting on the tea urn.... we didn't fancy food poisoning so left rather sharpish...after looking at the other eateries we settled for a snack stop of, Soupy noodles, Crips and Galaxy chocolate!! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXR6G49mI/AAAAAAAAAI0/2wsDJlLCmvI/s1600-h/DSCN0562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303366001373017698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXR6G49mI/AAAAAAAAAI0/2wsDJlLCmvI/s200/DSCN0562.JPG" border="0" /></a>It was then time to venture around the rest of the park - where the animals looked worse than we felt - the big animals were kept in tiny pens with nothing to amuse themselves with and the smaller animals had more space than they knew what to do with but spent all their time scavenging for food off the Chinse visitors that obviously couldn't read the no-feeding signs and were throwing in crisps, nuts and rice crackers - the ape was even been thrown sweets still in there wrappers!! </span></p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303366006335281266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s200/DSCN0584.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSkLUd7I/AAAAAAAAAJM/p3Wa7yolVvE/s1600-h/DSCN0602.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSkLUd7I/AAAAAAAAAJM/p3Wa7yolVvE/s1600-h/DSCN0602.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303366012665886642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSkLUd7I/AAAAAAAAAJM/p3Wa7yolVvE/s200/DSCN0602.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXS5FqNFI/AAAAAAAAAJU/NexySHg_J7M/s1600-h/P2140112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303366018279289938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXS5FqNFI/AAAAAAAAAJU/NexySHg_J7M/s200/P2140112.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSkLUd7I/AAAAAAAAAJM/p3Wa7yolVvE/s1600-h/DSCN0602.JPG"></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSkLUd7I/AAAAAAAAAJM/p3Wa7yolVvE/s1600-h/DSCN0602.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlXSMl_GHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XErm3FqJhlo/s1600-h/DSCN0584.JPG"></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZla4hvw5hI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/CmRci2h7iMY/s1600-h/DSCN0614.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303369963383350802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZla4hvw5hI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/CmRci2h7iMY/s200/DSCN0614.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Some escapees - I'll you decide who I'm talking about!!?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">After what was an entertaining morning it was time to head back to get ready for the evening out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlYD7kCo7I/AAAAAAAAAJs/W_JGvK7Oz18/s1600-h/DSCN0619.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303366860757181362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZlYD7kCo7I/AAAAAAAAAJs/W_JGvK7Oz18/s200/DSCN0619.JPG" border="0" /></a>Not before being surprised once more with a Birthday Cake - Sweet things aren't the norm in China so this was a surprise. it was a gorgeous coffee and chocolate creation.. mmm!! Cake...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The night started of rather sedate with a gorgeous meal at Cafe Le Monde a resturant with authentic New Orleans cuisine, after feeding it was time for drinking - we hit <a href="http://www.malones.com.cn/">Malones</a> where the live music of house band 'Jagged Edge' provided us with plenty of entertainment to keep us wanting more cocktails - that is until I got called up on stage to sing Happy Birthday to myself in front of a crowd full of people - well I say sing Happy Birthday all I had to say were the words "to me" the band and crowd sung the rest (luckily I don't have pics of this) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">All in all it was another great day and a Birthday I could never forget........ </span>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-82687430983476720402009-02-13T12:59:00.013+00:002009-02-13T15:06:43.298+00:00Day 8 - Friday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZV0UI923LI/AAAAAAAAAIE/OkmZvIw5AWA/s1600-h/DSCN0367.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302272025651764402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZV0UI923LI/AAAAAAAAAIE/OkmZvIw5AWA/s200/DSCN0367.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Today was going to be a trip to one of the local water towns - but we had a last minute change of plan and started the day off with a visit of Longhua Temple.</span><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302269726749405602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyOU40saI/AAAAAAAAAG0/IWqXkBmBk3U/s200/DSCN0383.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This temple was so much nicer and grander that Jing'an temple it was actually recommended as a must see by the driver.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Similar to Jing'an temple, the worshippers would come and smoke the place out with the lighting of josh sticks - smelt nice - hurt eyes!!</span><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyOkgIVQI/AAAAAAAAAG8/T_OeWt7xfQs/s1600-h/DSCN0387.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302269730940802306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyOkgIVQI/AAAAAAAAAG8/T_OeWt7xfQs/s200/DSCN0387.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Each of the individual buildings had a different Buddah inside this was one of the best with appox 1000 Buddahs each with there own significance sitting around the temple.</span><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyOi4lYeI/AAAAAAAAAHE/1dcgEAJ2u0I/s1600-h/DSCN0411.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302269730506498530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyOi4lYeI/AAAAAAAAAHE/1dcgEAJ2u0I/s200/DSCN0411.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyO9vGsCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/NwA4YIOptmI/s1600-h/DSCN0420.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Within the grounds of the temple it was just so tranquil and relaxing to sit and people watch.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyO9vGsCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/NwA4YIOptmI/s1600-h/DSCN0420.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302269737714495522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVyO9vGsCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/NwA4YIOptmI/s200/DSCN0420.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After leaving the temple we went over the road to KFC for lunch. Eating fast-food over here has put me off it back home. the chicken is rwal meat - none of this processed crap and for 2 KFC meals it was £6 that was 2 Zinger burgers, large popcorn chicken, large fries and drinks.. bargain!!</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This bloke was carrying 10 bottles of Oil home on his Bike - I'm not surprised he was pushing it, I can't imagine him riding it back!!</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzEqqas3I/AAAAAAAAAHU/4DlPLeQDCGw/s1600-h/DSCN0421.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302270660307497842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzEqqas3I/AAAAAAAAAHU/4DlPLeQDCGw/s200/DSCN0421.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Took this pic to show you how they seem to dry the washing over here - this is seen everywhere we see the apartment blocks - they thread the clothes through bamboo rods and prop them out the window! If it wasn't so dusty it wouldn't be a bad thing!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzExTT22I/AAAAAAAAAHc/6PJYndo5p70/s1600-h/DSCN0447.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302270662089628514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzExTT22I/AAAAAAAAAHc/6PJYndo5p70/s200/DSCN0447.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After returning back to Puxi we took a trip on the Huanpu river up to where it meets the Yangtze river - it was a 3 hour cruise to rest our feet!!</span><br /></div><div></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzFBM6W4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/mrcrUuclAwo/s1600-h/DSCN0468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302270666357758850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzFBM6W4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/mrcrUuclAwo/s200/DSCN0468.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This was just one of the sights we saw up the river - these guys were apparently hosing something down - but it looked more like they were topping the river back up again!!<br /></div></span><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzFEEIKeI/AAAAAAAAAHk/NKHUj1zR9X0/s1600-h/DSCN0460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302270667126221282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzFEEIKeI/AAAAAAAAAHk/NKHUj1zR9X0/s200/DSCN0460.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Just to show you that they even dry their clothes whilst out on the river..<br /></div></span><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzXaZLLRI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OELAopeTbaU/s1600-h/DSCN0488.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302270982357724434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzXaZLLRI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OELAopeTbaU/s200/DSCN0488.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is a view of the Bund from the river - The Bund is a lovely looking row of early 1900's buildings with fantastic architecture and a part of the history of early Shangai but when you actually see them you could be in any City in the world - Shangai has so much more to see than old buildings that could just as well be in London, Manchester - I think there may actually be a few like it in Stoke!!!</span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzFRrIyUI/AAAAAAAAAH0/tIZo_VliIsI/s1600-h/DSCN0498.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302270670779500866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVzFRrIyUI/AAAAAAAAAH0/tIZo_VliIsI/s200/DSCN0498.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Although a majority of Shangai is like a concrete jungle there are hidden gems amongst it that show parts of ancient china and the china we see in the films..these boats moored up on the Bund promenade were just so beautiful...</span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-42832379454213287942009-02-13T12:10:00.012+00:002009-02-13T13:45:51.343+00:00Day 7 - Thursday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_MGgUfI/AAAAAAAAAFk/z81a5WiP5wY/s1600-h/DSCN0326.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302254073530044914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_MGgUfI/AAAAAAAAAFk/z81a5WiP5wY/s200/DSCN0326.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Today we took a walk up one of tha main shopping streets in Shangai - Nanjing Xi Lu. The Pedestrianised end of Nanjing Road.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div></span><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_RHXkXI/AAAAAAAAAFs/OT1whJBVcPE/s1600-h/DSCN0330.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302254074875842930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_RHXkXI/AAAAAAAAAFs/OT1whJBVcPE/s200/DSCN0330.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The road was made up of Designer stores, Coffee shops and fast food booths as well as the usual street seller offering watches, shoe bags or anything we want... at one point Garry was offered hash-hish and spa-lady massage!!</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_nqMXqI/AAAAAAAAAF0/hYDdoyh7b8A/s1600-h/DSCN0339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302254080927489698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_nqMXqI/AAAAAAAAAF0/hYDdoyh7b8A/s200/DSCN0339.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">At the middle of the road where Nanjing Dong Lu meets with Nanjing Xi Lu is where Peoples Park can be found - it's haven of peace and tranquility in the middle of the busy shops and roads</span><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_khiwKI/AAAAAAAAAF8/tBAioe-t82c/s1600-h/DSCN0349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302254080085901474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVj_khiwKI/AAAAAAAAAF8/tBAioe-t82c/s200/DSCN0349.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's that peaceful within the park that this tired chap decided to take a kip on the pavement!</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been told this sight isn't all that uncommon on the streets..so if i see more I shall be sure to capture them on camera..</span><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVlHG51bZI/AAAAAAAAAGk/8ZbaiR3E724/s1600-h/DSCN0358.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302255309085306258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVlHG51bZI/AAAAAAAAAGk/8ZbaiR3E724/s200/DSCN0358.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We finished our walk up Nanjing Lu with a trek up and down the Bund and the Bund Promenade - the views from here of the Pudong and the towers was superb - especially with it being such a clear sunny day - I think the temperature was in the early 20's<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVkkwGoYXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/R8y1zMD5IUY/s1600-h/DSCN0360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302254718849409394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVkkwGoYXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/R8y1zMD5IUY/s200/DSCN0360.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After the trek on the Bund we took a taxi over to Pudong to the opposite view of the Bund form over the river - just as the sun was setting... Feet were hurting and it was time for food drink or both....</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The one thing about this holiday is that i don't think I have ever walked so much...yet i'm craving sweet sugary snacks so much that I don't think I'll lose any weight!</span></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-43195265886830557202009-02-12T02:11:00.003+00:002009-02-13T12:09:55.232+00:00Day 6 - Wednesday<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVicKaHZLI/AAAAAAAAAFU/KGGh6Y-bXjg/s1600-h/DSCN0315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302252372268377266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVicKaHZLI/AAAAAAAAAFU/KGGh6Y-bXjg/s200/DSCN0315.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Today we took a trip out of Shanghai to the capital of the Zhejiang province, Hangzhou - this sub-provincial city is about 112 miles south-west of Shanghai this was a 3 hour drive (allowing for a cigarette and rest break) with more toll stops than I can remember!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Before we started to do the sightseeing we went in search of a toilet - we were directed into a department store from here we then got lost as we couldn't find the exit and we couldn't find which was down or up - it was very entertaining!! I think all the shop workers were <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVibK1xaaI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ZjnT-CXSpCk/s1600-h/DSCN0314.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302252355204508066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVibK1xaaI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ZjnT-CXSpCk/s200/DSCN0314.JPG" border="0" /></a>finding the sight of 3 Westerners roaming aimlessly around the store also amusing!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When we arrived at Hangzhou we headed for the west lake and took a boat ride to the island in the middle more commonly known as '3 pools mirroring the moon' this was so peaceful and tranquil - despite the number of other people on the island. Yet again we were the attraction of the day with many people once again stopping to stare at us.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVi4q3jkoI/AAAAAAAAAFc/0VzO4B63pls/s1600-h/DSCN0313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302252862018130562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZVi4q3jkoI/AAAAAAAAAFc/0VzO4B63pls/s200/DSCN0313.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After the boat ride we headed back to the shopping area for lunch at Starbucks!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We then headed of to Linying Temple - one of the oldest Buddhist temples. We didn't actually head into the temple itself but the grounds around the temple were amazing with all the buddhas carved into the mountain side and the stone stairways taking us up and down the mountains and through the caves. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">(unfortunatley my camera battery died so I don't have any pics of this)</span></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-45532618145158089032009-02-10T11:49:00.010+00:002009-02-13T12:55:22.136+00:00Day 5 - Tuesday<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFuT952PTI/AAAAAAAAAE8/2TRd9_9Riuc/s1600-h/DSCN0222.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFqHSQOXTI/AAAAAAAAADc/18HaplEqRJ8/s1600-h/DSCN0131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301134909783301426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFqHSQOXTI/AAAAAAAAADc/18HaplEqRJ8/s200/DSCN0131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Today we started of with a visit to Jing An temple, this was at the top of Nanjing Dong Lu - one of the main shopping streets in Puxi.</span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301136084308384322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrLps02kI/AAAAAAAAADk/Jxj3ahMC7gc/s200/DSCN0134.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Many of the locals visitng the temple were lighting incense in the burners on the left of the pic and then creating a whole load of smoke..</span><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrMeMM1oI/AAAAAAAAAEE/HVf8V3qxHYc/s1600-h/DSCN0189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301136098398623362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrMeMM1oI/AAAAAAAAAEE/HVf8V3qxHYc/s200/DSCN0189.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">People were trying to throw coins into this tower in the middle of the courtyard - although I think hardhats were needed as the coins bounced off and landed on you - or they were going through the holes and attacking those on the other side - it was safer to watch from above.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrMOLo0_I/AAAAAAAAAD8/zpKx7I9Dn_I/s1600-h/DSCN0183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301136094101296114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrMOLo0_I/AAAAAAAAAD8/zpKx7I9Dn_I/s200/DSCN0183.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">One of the carvings on the side of the temple wall - it was fantastic, what made it all the more amazing was that the carving was all the way though so the shape was replicated on the reverse.</span><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrL_74H1I/AAAAAAAAADs/Cv7HCtnMhgE/s1600-h/DSCN0141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301136090277093202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrL_74H1I/AAAAAAAAADs/Cv7HCtnMhgE/s200/DSCN0141.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Sleeping on the job - didn't spill a drop of his tea though!!</span><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrLxDPAXI/AAAAAAAAAD0/oPK9ErF172g/s1600-h/DSCN0160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301136086281421170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFrLxDPAXI/AAAAAAAAAD0/oPK9ErF172g/s200/DSCN0160.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These started singing - well we think it was singing - and then they got asked to leave by the guy in red for making to much noise.. But they just ignored him and carried on!!</span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsH-WKGvI/AAAAAAAAAEM/kyf6gsa9IMY/s1600-h/DSCN0222.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301137120642603762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsH-WKGvI/AAAAAAAAAEM/kyf6gsa9IMY/s200/DSCN0222.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After we let ourselves loose in the Old Town district and Yuyuan Garden area (although we haven't visited the gardens themselves yet) - so far this has to be the best place we have visited.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsITRBGjI/AAAAAAAAAEk/RsyvEjfNr_M/s1600-h/DSCN0254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301137126258186802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsITRBGjI/AAAAAAAAAEk/RsyvEjfNr_M/s200/DSCN0254.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">As you were walking down the streest people on bikes and pulling carts would just squueze through wherever they could see a gap in the crowd.</div></span><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsIKCeMcI/AAAAAAAAAEc/l9ClOXLzsuo/s1600-h/DSCN0238.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301137123781259714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsIKCeMcI/AAAAAAAAAEc/l9ClOXLzsuo/s200/DSCN0238.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It was just so colourful, not just with the Chinese New Year decorations that were emblazoned across the buildings but also the people and the vendors in the street stalls.</span></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsdLPEdCI/AAAAAAAAAE0/v3oFIz_B1i4/s1600-h/DSCN0261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301137484879787042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsdLPEdCI/AAAAAAAAAE0/v3oFIz_B1i4/s200/DSCN0261.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsIURXL_I/AAAAAAAAAEs/Yc_MIjyMmko/s1600-h/DSCN0257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301137126528069618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZFsIURXL_I/AAAAAAAAAEs/Yc_MIjyMmko/s200/DSCN0257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-55235754217591560492009-02-09T10:44:00.012+00:002009-02-09T11:34:42.752+00:00Day 4 - Monday<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Today we took a trip around the Chinese Supermarket - which generated a few strange looks as the supermarrket is used mainly by the locals - but it was interesting to see the live toads and turtles in the tanks ready for selection!! Wasn't a fan of the different varieties of chicken feet on offer either - being here for two weeks could turn me into a vegetarian!!!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The Entrance to the Chinese Gardens</span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZANPhPCqmI/AAAAAAAAADU/3tKdMxo8YjY/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300751321685731938" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZANPhPCqmI/AAAAAAAAADU/3tKdMxo8YjY/s200/Chinese+Garden.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Couple of nice Pagodas</span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAJ6E0pEOI/AAAAAAAAAB0/Kw4jT1yCCng/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300747654746673378" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAJ6E0pEOI/AAAAAAAAAB0/Kw4jT1yCCng/s200/Chinese+Garden+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"> Mr Whitaker looking as cheerful as ever!! </span></div><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAKcHkx5KI/AAAAAAAAACM/qANNcudiRCE/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(11).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300748239601001634" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAKcHkx5KI/AAAAAAAAACM/qANNcudiRCE/s200/Chinese+Garden+(11).JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">A really tranquil place - considering it's in the middle of the city</span> </p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAKL0gDBWI/AAAAAAAAAB8/8j4iTUdIlNI/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(15).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300747959602972002" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAKL0gDBWI/AAAAAAAAAB8/8j4iTUdIlNI/s200/Chinese+Garden+(15).JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Push me Pull Me - although Gaz looks like he's having a loo break!!</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAKsrfc7bI/AAAAAAAAACU/mpA8H4BJ-kQ/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(18).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300748524120239538" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAKsrfc7bI/AAAAAAAAACU/mpA8H4BJ-kQ/s200/Chinese+Garden+(18).JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">From behind the Waterfall in the Chinese Gardens</span> </p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALWJWjuGI/AAAAAAAAACc/NrCLC3NUjzo/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(22).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300749236510636130" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALWJWjuGI/AAAAAAAAACc/NrCLC3NUjzo/s200/Chinese+Garden+(22).JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Modern skyscrapers behind the old town buildings</span> </p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALWQppnJI/AAAAAAAAACk/aEH08AWOVe0/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(29).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300749238469762194" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALWQppnJI/AAAAAAAAACk/aEH08AWOVe0/s200/Chinese+Garden+(29).JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">We were forced to pose together......<br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAMyfY9yDI/AAAAAAAAADM/k6eDmmuGX8I/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(26).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300750822974277682" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZAMyfY9yDI/AAAAAAAAADM/k6eDmmuGX8I/s200/Chinese+Garden+(26).JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">My company for the two weeks - help!!</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALWlgnTyI/AAAAAAAAAC0/_8YXEpJFj5A/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(28).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300749244069007138" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALWlgnTyI/AAAAAAAAAC0/_8YXEpJFj5A/s200/Chinese+Garden+(28).JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">See even Mr Whitaker is trying to escape!!</span> </p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALW_PApsI/AAAAAAAAAC8/FIC9uCGNGUQ/s1600-h/Chinese+Garden+(35).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300749250974492354" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALW_PApsI/AAAAAAAAAC8/FIC9uCGNGUQ/s200/Chinese+Garden+(35).JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">They carry anything on pushbikes - take a look at the fence panel!</span></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALgvPIRdI/AAAAAAAAADE/hQoLPJe4n84/s1600-h/Fence+Bike.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300749418478716370" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SZALgvPIRdI/AAAAAAAAADE/hQoLPJe4n84/s200/Fence+Bike.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">After the Chinese Gardens we took a trip to the markets, these were hectic with vendors shouting as you walked past trying to encourage purchases of watches, handbags, coats, shoes... you name they could get it.. The most enjoyable part of the markets was the cloth markets where you could get anything you like made-to-measure.</span></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Well it didn't take me long to see a coat I wanted - my head is now spinning with thoughts of a hole new made to measure wardrobe - Mr Whitaker is shaking his head at the thought of the money I could be spending here!!........... I'm loving it!! ;0)</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Were off out to Xintiandi shortly i've been told were going to Simply Thai for dinner... Mmm food!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-16202913145269741312009-02-08T15:16:00.017+00:002009-02-08T16:07:25.410+00:00Day 3 - Sunday<span style="font-family:arial;">After a pleasurable OK tolerable 10 hour flight with <a href="http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/index.jsp">Virgin</a>, where I had the chance to catching up on my films by watching High School Musical 3, Brideshead Revisited, Burn after Reading and the first half of My Best Friends Girl - Gaz by the way managed to watch The Incredible hulk, Hancock and Dark Knight - we finally touched down in Pu Dong airport at 07:20am (00:20 uk time). This is one of the nicest airports I have ever seen - quiet and organised, no screaming kids to be heard - which was very different to the plane journey!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Immigration was nice and quick - although I think Gaz was a bit dissapointed that he wasn't </span><span style="font-family:arial;">questioned or </span><span style="font-family:arial;">searched!! Poor guy has only left the Uk once before I think he was expecting a little more - there wasn't even and police with guns for him to comment on - the funnies sight was the chinese lady we saw coming of the plane who was dancing from side to side - and he asked if we could take one home with us!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh and I forgot to mention we spent the entire plane journey with deportee - he was a scary looking fella..</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY79gEfsp5I/AAAAAAAAABU/mW3K-w6D1Fg/s1600-h/Shimao.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300452538865985426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY79gEfsp5I/AAAAAAAAABU/mW3K-w6D1Fg/s200/Shimao.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> finally arrived at Sam n Jodie's home for the duration of their stay in Shangai - the </span><a href="http://www.shimaogroup.com/english/project/sh.riviera/index.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;">Shimao Riviera Gardens</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> all i can say is the place is gorgoeus..more pics will follow</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY76eDq8GWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/W1TednznNXM/s1600-h/View+from+room.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300449205750077794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY76eDq8GWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/W1TednznNXM/s200/View+from+room.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">View of the river and Pu Xi from Sam n Jodies apartment, 39 floors up, it was a little bit of a smoggy day!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY765tRL5CI/AAAAAAAAAA0/aeVHr2HtaG8/s1600-h/Bedroom+View.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300449680772817954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY765tRL5CI/AAAAAAAAAA0/aeVHr2HtaG8/s200/Bedroom+View.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">View from our room - apparently the blue roofs are to prevent the birds from dropping their droppingson them...??</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY78cnnVSwI/AAAAAAAAAA8/nUjPtbpwDvU/s1600-h/Out+n+about+070209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300451380062145282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY78cnnVSwI/AAAAAAAAAA8/nUjPtbpwDvU/s200/Out+n+about+070209.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">S & J decided to take us for a walk aound the block - By the way - this was one hell of a huge block! so it involved a stop off the local.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY78xgMZRgI/AAAAAAAAABE/p2CFOFNKsfg/s1600-h/Out+n+about+070209+(4).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300451738847364610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY78xgMZRgI/AAAAAAAAABE/p2CFOFNKsfg/s200/Out+n+about+070209+(4).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We stopped off at the ATM to grab some beer money - this statue was keeping guard!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY79AVP2EuI/AAAAAAAAABM/oRDWn1MRmAU/s1600-h/Gaz+smoking+indoors.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300451993607082722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY79AVP2EuI/AAAAAAAAABM/oRDWn1MRmAU/s200/Gaz+smoking+indoors.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Garry was impressed in Max's Bar that he could light up and drink his Bud without having to go outside and freeze - whilst I on the other hand was remebering what passive smoking in bars was like..lol... and not being a smoker I must say the ban is a good thing!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY7-VC8LHZI/AAAAAAAAABk/Trg1gYzBh5c/s1600-h/View+from+room+(6).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300453448981618066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY7-VC8LHZI/AAAAAAAAABk/Trg1gYzBh5c/s200/View+from+room+(6).JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So after a little taste of Chinese happy hour it was back to the room for a proper nights sleep - This is the view of the river and Pu Xi at night from the apartment...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Depending on how long the little blighters keep setting firecrackers and fireworks off we might actually get our first proper nights sleep since Thursday!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Keep coming back for more updates on our trip </span>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-2943348526916379392009-02-08T14:38:00.005+00:002009-02-08T16:29:21.453+00:00Day 2 - Saturday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY71DdhuO5I/AAAAAAAAAAk/wT8WSDLymCI/s1600-h/Room+%40+Sheraton.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300443251276135314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY71DdhuO5I/AAAAAAAAAAk/wT8WSDLymCI/s200/Room+%40+Sheraton.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Saturday morning we woke up bright and early - breakfast was served..with too much choice for lil old me with a hangover.. So I settled for a couple of croissant - 1 with jam the other with Cheese & Ham.. Mmm Yum.. I must say it looked nicer than Mr Whitaker's crispy bacon butty.. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">After a little more time watching planes come and go in the room we decied it was time</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> to check-out and pay up - I attempted to use my card (the one declined yesterday) and it was accpeted - funny that considering we didn't attempt to pay £3 for a mars bar out of the mini-bar...the buggers!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Well it was a short Hoppa Bus trip to Terminal 3 and the excitment was building - Checked in on these quick and simple machines that scan your passport - technology is changing gone are the day so of long queues attempting to check - or so we thought. the machine checked us in then broke and decided it didn't want us to have our boarding passes!! So off we went to queue up and drop bags off in an attempt to collect our boarding cards. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">So after a short wait we were all checked in - bags dropped and off to the Departure lounge we did go - yet we weren't waiting in the communal area having to play musical chairs trying to bag a seat with a view of the screens so we could check our flight updates - courtesy of my Big Bro we made our way to the Servis Air lounge and enjoyed the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of no screaming kids and complimentary drinks and snacks - although anyone that knows me knows that me pouring my own drinks isn't good!! Well believe it or not I only had the one G&T - it was a triple - but it was still just the one ;0)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Flight wasn't delayed and off we were - taking off at 12:10 to land the next morning.. so see you then!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11445600.post-68498630795877261832009-02-06T21:29:00.007+00:002009-02-08T16:01:24.603+00:00Day 1 - Friday<span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Day one</strong> of the holidays has started. we got to the hotel at heathrow and it's nice - although there is nothing else around except hotels, McDonalds and Planes... well what was to be expected!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We finally arrived at the <a href="http://www.sheratonskyline.com/">Sheraton Skyine </a>(my choice) it was all going great until my c-card was declined, then Gaz's was declined - so we though oops!! but then they finally accepted one of them.. it wasn't until we got to the room - saw the mini bar and realised we musn't have had enough to cover the bill if we decided - sorry If i decided - to wipe out the mini bar of all alcoholic beverages.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY7ywFs4HTI/AAAAAAAAAAM/HdwJ6pKkn9o/s1600-h/Champagne+%26+Strawberries.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300440719439699250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BMu2E4S-pQE/SY7ywFs4HTI/AAAAAAAAAAM/HdwJ6pKkn9o/s320/Champagne+%26+Strawberries.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our minds were put at rest after a quick trip to the lounge were we went online and found out finances were in order - hotel just expected a pair of drinkers to have turned up - not just the one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We were nicely suprised with a bottle of Champagne and a bowl of strawberries when we arrived in the room - what was more Suprising was the card being made out to Mr & Mrs Whitaker-Brookes - well I found it funny, Garry was a little bit put out..... ;0)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">After having stopped of at Uttoxeter McDonalds for lunch with no other option but good old Ronald we decided to go their for dinner also. It was this or pay £7 for a bowl of soup!!! Inside McDonalds instead of the usual gathering of Chavs and skater-boy's it was full of business men in suits with laptops - so this is what Maccie D's @ Heathrow has to offer, at least it was safe!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The evening ended with complimentary drinks and canapes in the club lounge - all part of the room deal - I'm not being rude but if i can get the price of my room stay back in drink and food i will try my best - although 3 bottes of Corona, 1 White wine spritzer and a glass of vino as a night cap was all I could manage in 2 hours - and as for gaz, well he had his fresh orange and lemonade!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">It's time for the Sandman now and I need to try on the complimentary roe and slippers - it's a must!! if anybody wants the freebies form the room shout up now as I'm taking them around the world with e - although I reckon little Bro will end up with them. <strong>Al</strong> if your reading this - free drink and food matey and I can't bring any home for you - sorry!! you know i would If I could fella.</span>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10786151496956803074noreply@blogger.com0