Shanghai Nights
Trip Start
Dec 28, 2005
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40
55
Trip End
Sep 01, 2006
After a sad farewell to Yantai, my fabulous home for the last three months, Mhairi and I climbed aboard a sleeper bus, where we would be trapped for the next 12 hours (apart from a brief food and toilet stop - actually the worst toilet so far - luckily for your sakes it was indescribable!). Bed wasn't too bad - although very short, thin and with a really hard built-in pillow - cue bad neck ache - but managed to sleep most of the way there! Arrived in Shanghai early in the morning and made our way to Captain Hostel (same one I stayed in before), where the socially challenged receptionist told us there were no beds, only to 'remember' a few minutes and head scratches later that there were - albeit camp beds crammed into a room on the top floor , but still beds - better than sleeping on The Bund. Feeling quite awake despite it being about 5 in the morning, we dumped our bags in the room full of snoring men (pretty sure they put us in what was originally meant to be a male dorm) and headed out for a stroll along The Bund - this was an excellent idea as we found ourselves thoroughly entertained by all the early bird locals doing their exercise - this included knee circles, walking backwards and slapping your body all over!? After that we gave in to drowsiness and hauled ourselves off to bed. Later that day, we went to Shanghai Art museum, which was fabulous and wandered along the main shopping street imagining we were rich - so much excellent stuff! That evening we made friends with people in our room, had some drinks in the hostel bar (amazing view of the Bund!!) and then had a big night out at a bar/club called Windows, where we had an excellent time - and we were actually treated to some great music, danced til we nearly dropped! Lots of 'gangsta wannabes' in there 'giving it all that'! Brilliant! The next day was spent recovering - got up very late, ventured to this crazy crazy market which was way too crazy (such humid weather - hard to bear!), had an excellent meal (our last together - sob sob) and then watched the football. Had to leave early the next day for my flight to Hong Kong. Was so sad to leave Mhairi after all our fun in Yantai, but we are hoping to travel together again in August so til' then - miss you Mhairi! And "bye bye" China!
