Shanghai

Our tour left at 7:30 this morning after a good sleep. We seem to be getting used to the time change. South China is known for its silk and textile production.

We walked along the Bund, a boardwalk along the river where we saw a HAL ship and many barges moving goods. Beautiful flowers grew on the side of a wall and the architecture is unique.

Approximately 40 miles from Shanghai is a large mulberry growing area so they have a silk centre here. They described how a silkworm grows and produces a cocoon, how they are harvested and how the silk is extracted from the cocoon. Then, of. Israel, we had time to shop. Silk duvets of medium weight for queen or king sized are $200. Duvet covers and sheet sets, etc can be upwards of $800. They will ship your purchase home for you by DHL; ship to your last destination in China for you to take home on your own at no charge or you can take it yourself. They compress a duvet and two pillows to the size of a small briefcase. We bought a scarf and two pairs of boxer shorts for sleeping.

Lunch followed by a visit to a silk embroidery shop that also made silk rugs. So much beauty! We got a small blue and white picture of flowers and a bird.

The Shanghai Museum was next with visits to the bronze gallery, the pneumismatic gallery, furniture, ceramics, clothing and calligraphy galleries. Then a stop at Nanjing Road, the centre of commerce (shopping). We walked the one km pedestrian street and spent the last of our time enjoying a well-deserved margarita before meeting our guides at 4:30.

An early dinner followed complete with duck and steamed buns with pork belly and our favourite noodles. A brief (30 minute) bus ride brought us to the Acrobatic show similar to Cirque du Soleil. Very well presented. Looking forward to a quiet day tomorrow as we will have the day free until we leave for the airport.Read more