Shanghai

"It's where we go, and what we do when we get there, that tells us who we are" Joyce Carol Oates

"Paris of the East and Queen of the Orient" are among the sycophantic nicknames that have been bestowed upon Shanghai's thriving business center. Everything was once possible-for a price. Shang Hai means "up the river (from the sea). It is the largest city in China in terms of population and on of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with over 20 million people. The city is an emerging tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the Bund and Xintiandi, its modern and ever-expanding Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower, and its new reputation as a cosmopolitan center of culture and design. Today Shanghai is the largest center of commerce and finance in mainland China, and has been described as the "showpiece" of the world's fastest growing economy.

We began our tour in Shanghai with a ride on the famous Maglev train. Maglev, short for "magnetic levitation" whisked us to the nearby airport using groundbreaking technology. Without the friction of wheels or rails, the innovative train reached 267 miles per hour, making it the fastest transportation on land. It was quite amazing...almost like a plane on the runway beginning to take off, yet surprisingly enough there were no seat belts and very little notice of motion. We next visited the Jinmao Hyatt Building, an impressive 88 story skyscraper and one of the tallest buildings in China.

Our tour guide explained to us that Shanghai is know for three key words: height, speed and change. Height...The city is famous for its skyscrapers with over 3.000 skyscrapers over seven stories tall. 25% of the world's cranes are in Shanghai. And of course Yo Ming the basketball player. Speed...It is the first city to open to foreign trade. 1990 was the year of the economic growth rate and they do $100 billion in import/export business. We were so shocked at all the containers we saw, both in Hong Kong and Shanghai, stacked seven high in rows and rows!! And the third key word is Change. The income is thirty times what it was 20 years ago. There is construction going on everywhere preparing for the World Expo which will be from May1-Nov. 31. Our guide told us if a taxi driver took a year off work, he would not know his way around when he returned to work.

The average age for men to get married is 30 years, because men are expected to have the four "c's" first...condominium, career, car and credit (or cash). Only 10 % have cars....the license plates themselves cost $6,000. All schools have basketball courts as it is the number one sport. Number eight is the lucky number.

The tours were very interesting, high and fast although what we will probably remember Shanghai as is "Rolex City". One can not walk down the street without offers to buy Rolex watches, Coach purses, and Mont Blanc pens...what a hoot!!! Ken had a blast but when he found out someone on the bus got a better deal on the watches, he was on a real mission at the next stop. I even got into the wheeling and dealing and must say it was fun. I think the whole bus left being some yuans!!!

We were to leave Shanghai that eve and onto to Halong Bay. Yet, for the first time in the Captain's 40 years at sea we were delayed by fog. Yep, after my big blog on no delays on cruises opposed to flying and we get delayed. We were not able to get out until a day later and in turn are missing our stop in Halong Bay. The passengers are getting a bit of Cabin fever because the weather hasn't been warm enough to be out on the deck but I was lucky. I won a free day at the spa so I spent my day in the baths and enjoyed the delay thoroughly. Our next stop is Hanoi and then onto Bangkok. With the turmoil going on in Bangkok I'm not sure what will happen but we do know the Cat. will not put anyone in harm's way.

Hope to hear from y'all...I'm missing everyone but not enough to come home yet!!!! I love getting messages sent to the cunard sight but to be sure I get the message copy it to my rappazinj@earthlink.net account as I do check that every few days.

Thanx,

janet and Ken


qv@cunard.co.uk#4152