So finally Shanghai. More of a Metropolis than
Beijing, we stayed in "Motel 268", which sounds better than it is (roof terrace,
views across Shanghai and UK plug sockets). It's in the "Bund", a very well
to-do area of Shanghai where the financial district (one of the British
concessions) was until it was handed back to the Chinese. Walking along the Bund
at night, it's very strange to see the old western architectural influences on
one side of the river (right side of photo), and then to see the stamp of new
China and financial success on the other side.
Later that evening, we found ourselves in a local
restaurant, and Stu demonstrated that he really had mastered chopsticks by now.
The dampener was that the member of staff pushed pass our table dragging a huge
vat of stinking waste from the kitchen! A different venue tomorrow
methinks!
Update on Tibet - I am back to getting in contact
with loads of tour companies again. It seems CITS (Chinese International Tourism
Service), who we have already had good dealings with, may offer
something.
