19.9.2013
Today we met our guide, Kevin, at 9 am after our first "Asian" breakfast.  I stuck with "congee", which is a rice stew like concoction made palatable for me by the addition of sugar.  Also some watermelon and their strange yellow sweet bread as toast.  Some pretend orange juice (yuk) finished things off.  Keeps body and soul together but that is about all.  Kevin whisked us along the streets at a great rate. We did so much today it is hard to remember everything.  A rather hot day and a long walk through the busy thronging streets until we reached the museum.  It is the mid Autumn Moon holiday here and everyone seems to be out enjoying the break.  We waited in line for an hour before going through the security check and being given another hour to explore the museum.  A beautiful well done museum with rooms devoted to jade items and furniture as well as many other rooms.  We were delighted to discover that there was an exhibition of French Impressionists showing Renoir, Degas, etc.etc. A beautiful display but we didn't have a great deal of time left to savour it.  Collapsed into the café and had an icecream before rejoining Kevin.  Took numerous taxis (which are all Volkswagons to Bill's interest) and walked many kilometres.  Saw the Old Town, the French Concession, the famous "Yu Garden" (you haven't been to Shanghai if you don't visit it says Kevin), the Bund etc.  Kevin took us to a fabulous old restaurant for a dumpling lunch. Later we also went to a tea house for the tea ceremony and sampled many different types of tea.  Fascinating and a welcome cool sit down.  We also saw the building and the room where Mao etc sat to plan the birth of the Chinese Communist party.  Kevin is a most informative and knowledgeable guide. Plied us with endless facts on the history of Shanghai, its various areas and buildings. Back to the hotel for a much needed rest and a shower before meeting Kevin for dinner.  A short walk to an excellent restaurant on the 18th floor of a 5 star hotel.  Many dishes, lemon chicken, prawns with peas, cabbage and lettuce salad, (delicious and different), bok choy, tomato soup, fried rice, and strange purple squares of something (but tasty) followed by watermelon and cantaloupe.  An excellent meal.  A long and fascinating day chock full of new experiences.