Shanghai, China – 1-2 February 2018

It’s a nice civilized departure from work on Thursday 1, February. I’m off to Shanghai for just over 24 hours before flying to Harbin on Friday night. Why you ask. Yes very valid question - I have 2017 vacation days to use (yes it’s true) so decided to meet Susan in Shanghai rather than Harbin.

The line at security is ridiculous! Clearly the staff are on their lunch break (it’s just after 1pm). Thank goodness I arrived early for my flight.

As the gate is a bus ride away I decide to head to a Cathay lounge rather than the Qantas lounge. On arrival the food selection (or lack off....) made me realize why I don’t do this very often!

I’m flying from the satellite terminal so head off to get the bus over. Between a child kicking her legs against the back of her chair and the 5 or so older Chinese ladies it’s far from a quiet trip! Thankfully it’s a short one.

On arrival at the satellite terminal my flight is showing final boarding - excellent, no mucking around! On walking into the plane it’s nice and toasty, aah I miss the heat.

So Mr Pilot if you are going to announce we will be taking off on time and if we don’t you’ll come back to us – tick-tock tick-tock - why no announcement?? The two ladies in the same row as me use this delay to use the bathroom. Great......

We finally push back from the gate 16 minutes late – let’s hope there are no delays on the runway.

33 minutes past our departure time the pilot makes an announcement - 7 aircrafts in front of us so more waiting waiting waiting.
We land into Shanghai at 5.42pm, 12 minutes later than scheduled. Not too bad considering. It’s a cold 5 degrees. Yes I have lots of warm clothes to help me through this.

Even though we park in what seems like Hong Kong it’s a quick walk to immigration where I’m straight through with my APEC card. I’d previously researched options to get to the hotel and decided on the Maglev train to the center then taxi from there. I had taken this train once before many many years ago. I have a 12 minute wait to the next train then it’s an 8 minute, yes that’s right 8 minutes ride to the center (talk about high speed!!).

Within seconds of departing the station I realize I’m sitting backwards - thanks but no thanks! When we reach speeds of 300 km per hour I need to be forward facing!

As soon as I leave the passengers only part of the train station I’m asked if I want a taxi - thanks but no thanks. I’m going to get one from the taxi line.

On-going down the escalator I’m pleasantly surprised to see the taxi line directly in front of me and a double bonus of no one else in it! Ye ha. Result. Brrrr it’s fresh. As soon as I get off the escalator I’m asked again if I want a taxi. Thanks but no thanks. Would be surprised if anyone would agree given the taxi line is right here but I’m sure it does happen. 

I hand my taxi driver my phone with the trip adviser translation of the hotel and we’re off. It’s a quick 30 minute drive to the hotel - traffic is definitely on my side.

“Checking in” is very straight forward. Susan had already added my name to her room so there is no explaining I need to do. Passport and APEC card handed over; key given and I’m off.

The hotel has two towers, our room is in the opposite tower. Thankfully the walk in between is inside.

Walking into the room I’m immediately drawn to the amazing view. Hmmm not sure if I’ll go and meet Susan and her two colleagues, staying here all night will work just fine  

 

I follow Susan’s instructions and head to level 36 in the other tower. WOW the views are even better - feel like I’m up close and personal with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Cocktail ordered.....aah I’m on holiday.

Susan, Brian and I head out of the hotel - yep still cold! We wander around the area a bit before deciding on a restaurant for dinner. Within seconds of sitting down I realize it’s like NY in the winter, stripping off your clothes as soon as you get inside. Nothing like heating - Hong Kong you need to take note!!! The menu we are presented is in Chinese which isn’t helpful at all, although the photos are very clear. English menu located - we are set. I choose Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) and an eggplant and bean dish. Both super tasty!

I’d seen on the door the restaurant closes at 10pm; without telling us we need to leave they clean up everything - ok we get the message. Everyone else has well gone.

It’s a short hop, step and jump back to the hotel where Susan and I enjoy the amazing view.

Friday 2 February I wake at 7am. A nice change! It’s a chilled start to the day - Susan’s office is directly across the road from the hotel so doesn’t need to rush off. I’m on holiday so clearly in no rush!

 

Wowzers it’s hot! Walking out of the room into the hallway I’m hit by the heat - crazy considering its 4 degrees outside!

I’d been tasked to see if we could get on an earlier flight to Harbin this afternoon / evening so head down to concierge; unfortunately it’s not to be unless we leave at 12noon - I’d be happy with that but wouldn’t work for the worker.

Breakfast is an amazing spread! I’m in no rush so enjoy taking my time. 



Susan had mentioned yesterday she’d had this amazing hot chocolate in IFC, at a place called Fuel. I’m super familiar with that as I go basically every day in HK for coffee. Yes thanks, I’ll go there for coffee!

IFC (yes it’s named after the same building in Hong Kong) is directly across the road. I decide to take the above ground walk way - need to get my steps in. Before leaving the hotel I’d looked at my weather app and seen it’s sunny so the sun glasses are out.

Aah it’s like I’m in Hong Kong - the setup down to the pink roses are identical. The coffee doesn’t disappoint.

I have about an hour in the room relaxing before packing up.

After dropping the bags with concierge I head towards the water - last time I was here (Easter 2017) I walked and ran along the Bund, today I want to see Shanghai from the other side.

While it’s cold, around 10 degrees, it’s lovely in the sun. I’m definitely not the only person bundled up and out exploring Shanghai.



I wander along the river front taking in the sights of Shanghai. There is a constant stream of boats going up and down the Huangpu River.

       


At one part of the my journey I come across a film set - poor actors and actress being out in this weather! Thanks but not thanks. Moving is best.



I keep thinking how I’d love to run along here - needs to be at least 10 degrees warmer though!



I decide to head away from the water and into the financial district (well that’s what I’m calling it). The architecture of some of the buildings is amazing.

 


I spy IFC and my pace picks up. Part of my legs are starting to get cold and need to be inside a warm shopping mall. On entering I notice a line up (like waiting to enter a night club....) to enter Louis Vuitton. Wow how the other half live.



I had seen the CNY display earlier but didn’t have my phone so decided to get a photo now. There was a local tourist doing the same. I worked out she was asking the guard to take a photo of her, he wouldn’t so I jumped in. After taking a few she then wants a photo with me. Famous in IFC Shanghai! 

 

I notice shops I hadn’t seen when I was here for coffee earlier; all are shops that are well and truly out of my budget. Time to l leave.

I wander in the direction of the hotel via the above ground walkway. Eeks alive, there are piles of snow in the corner. Too cold to snow today Dorothy!



I’m getting a bit peckish so go into the mall kind of next door to the hotel. A few items catch my attention but they are quite big meals so I decide to pass. Aah finally something that seems small - soup; now the fun of finding out what flavour. After a few hand movements and English words one of the staff gets out their phone. The word pumpkin is said by their phone. Ok thanks. I decide against it - will eat with Susan later on.

While my legs have thawed a wee bit being inside I’m really just wandering around the mall for the sake of it; time to head back to the hotel to chill (well thaw out!) before Susan finishes work.

Once Susan arrives she changes and we order the car to the airport. Goodbye Shanghai; it’s been a pleasant stay. I’ll be back.