The latest train journeys in China......

The last time I wrote we were about to catch the train to Shanghai, well I thought it was (only) 15 hours - but it turned out to be 19 hours - and no sleeper - just a hard seat - well it was ok for a few hours but after a while you just start to ache all over.

Suri got talking to a nice student chap from Japan and this helped to pass the time, the previous train journeys in comparison were far better, this one just went on and, and on and ..... it was good to see the sun rise at least we could see some scenery, though this time particularly as we approached Shangai seemed to be heavy industry and power stations.

We eventually arrived in Shanghai, and went to the hotel we had planned - but it was full, so was the next one we tried

We thought we were going to have difficulty - what after the long journey and all we were both pretty knackered..... anyway the next one was ok - so we went up and showered and then went off to see the famous Bund... I have to say it was a bit of a let down, there were road works along the length and in the evening the laser light show was somewhat pathetic - but there again maybe I expected too much. Oh and crossing the road was just crazy bikes and cars everywhere going in all directions - completely disregarding traffic lights and pedestrians - the car definitely has the right of way here........

We tried out the boat trip on the river which was ok - probably the best thing to Shanghai as far as I am concerned.

We decided to have a complete rest the next day - as we were somewhat exhausted and we had both caught a cold which didn't help.

The final evening was spent looking around the shops - on the East Nangin Road, this was ok but for the constant pressures from people to buy watches, handbags, jewelry and flashing skates which seem to be the rage here - why they thought we would buy flashing skates I do not know argh !!!!!!!!

As you may have worked out - we did not take to Shanghai. A bit of a let down.

As we left this morning we experienced our first bit of rain since the trip started, fortunately it stopped as we walked out of the hotel - this was after a tiny row with the hotel receptionist over something called money.....

Anyway we caught the train to Suzhou, about 1 hour away and completely different, canals and parks n gardens say it all. We are having another night here tomorrow - so wil report back again.

David - thanks for sorting out our little problem...

More Soon - hope you are enjoying it - we certainly are..