Day 6 - Wednesday

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!!

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 finding the sight of 3 Westerners roaming aimlessly around the store also amusing!!

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.

After the boat ride we headed back to the shopping area for lunch at Starbucks!!

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.

(unfortunatley my camera battery died so I don't have any pics of this)

Day 5 - Tuesday

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.

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..

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.

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.

Sleeping on the job - didn't spill a drop of his tea though!!

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!!

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.

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.

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.

Day 4 - Monday

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!!!

The Entrance to the Chinese Gardens

Couple of nice Pagodas

Mr Whitaker looking as cheerful as ever!!

A really tranquil place - considering it's in the middle of the city

Push me Pull Me - although Gaz looks like he's having a loo break!!

From behind the Waterfall in the Chinese Gardens

Modern skyscrapers behind the old town buildings

We were forced to pose together......

My company for the two weeks - help!!

See even Mr Whitaker is trying to escape!!

They carry anything on pushbikes - take a look at the fence panel!

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.

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)

Were off out to Xintiandi shortly i've been told were going to Simply Thai for dinner... Mmm food!!

Day 3 - Sunday

After a pleasurable OK tolerable 10 hour flight with Virgin, 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!

Immigration was nice and quick - although I think Gaz was a bit dissapointed that he wasn't questioned or 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!!

Oh and I forgot to mention we spent the entire plane journey with deportee - he was a scary looking fella..



We finally arrived at Sam n Jodie's home for the duration of their stay in Shangai - the Shimao Riviera Gardens all i can say is the place is gorgoeus..more pics will follow






View of the river and Pu Xi from Sam n Jodies apartment, 39 floors up, it was a little bit of a smoggy day!!








View from our room - apparently the blue roofs are to prevent the birds from dropping their droppingson them...??







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.






We stopped off at the ATM to grab some beer money - this statue was keeping guard!

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!!!







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...




Depending on how long the little blighters keep setting firecrackers and fireworks off we might actually get our first proper nights sleep since Thursday!!!

Keep coming back for more updates on our trip

Day 2 - Saturday

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..

After a little more time watching planes come and go in the room we decied it was time 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!!

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.

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)

Flight wasn't delayed and off we were - taking off at 12:10 to land the next morning.. so see you then!

Day 1 - Friday

Day one 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!!

We finally arrived at the Sheraton Skyine (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.

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.

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)

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!!
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!!

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. Al 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.