Welcome 2 June 2008 Facebook dateline: Shanghai

From: Margret

Sent: 2/06/2008 1:37 a.m.

21 May 2008 - A Facebook report from Kingi. Dateline: Shanghai Hey everyone, Shanghai is awesome, the people here are really nice. We are staying at a really nice hotel in the middle of the city with an amazing view of the bund and Pudong (famous Shanghai city area). We got a complimentary room upgrade and it’s huge with many rooms and a balcony all the windows have great views. Day one: We arrived into Shanghai International airport then hopped onto the Maglev train and floated on magnets into the city at 300kph one truly memorable experience. Then we navigated the city’s subway systems to come out near our hotel the Broadway mansions hotel. Day two: After a great buffet breakfast we caught a taxi to the Dongjiaddu Cloth Market.  Taxi’s are EXTREME the traffic is crazy but so cool. It's 10Yuan to catch a taxi and 2Yuan a km so our total taxi was 17Yuan that’s $3.50NZD at that price you will never need a sober driver. Dongjiaddu Cloth Market are a must practice your haggling always start at half the amount they offer it to you. Don’t be afraid to walk away, lots to choose from and never pay more that you think its worth. Start your activities here as it will take a few days for the items of clothing to be made. Day three: Breakie once again, found some free *wink* wireless internet from the balcony no internet banking that’s for sure. Relaxing for a while today then we might hit the town again. Update Lights.... Light and Action. The city lights here are amazing, in the last few days some more of the city lights have come on. They have two major city buildings the Aurora Tower and the Citi bank tower that have huge screens across the entire building. Now that’s a truly big screen experience. Two days ago the bund was all closed off with military soldiers closing this huge river front part of the city off. No traffic no pedestrians, just a large group of organised people. After talking to some fellow hotel guests we found out it was for the Olympic torch. After an hour or so they all left and the normal Shanghai morning traffic continued. Six storied malls are normal over here, so big there is a consistent queue for the lift. KFC is great they still have corn on the cob; its 62Yuan ($12NZD) for 6 pieces of chicken, 6 Hot n Spicy wings and 3 sides. McDonalds is also great! It’s about $10NZD for two supersized combos mean! With Giant take home cups. We went for a walk yesterday around the bund at night pretty place and into a local food street that was cool, and then got a 1 hour foot massage each for $10NZD. Now that’s money well spent. Tonight we have been relaxing and trying out all our new clothes. Heading back home tomorrow and I heard that the maglev train runs faster during the day so bring on 450kmph YEAH! Kingi Margret