Hello Shanghai

So, here is a bit about my trip to Shanghai!

Took the early flight on Saturday morning from Dalian to Shanghai. Man, Shanghai airport is big, and I think this was just the domestic arrivals. Strange thing was that there weren't many people around the airport. I thought there would be a lot more. Maybe they built it big with the anticipation of growth in the air travel sector in a few years. Just like Dublin Airport, eh?

So, I met Mei at the airport and we took the Maglev Train to Shanghai. Man, that train is cool! It floats on a magnetic field, so there is no friction. The train reached a speed of 430km/h on its 30km journey, which took just 8 minutes. The sheer speed was breathtaking and the way the train banked into the corners was class! Look how Budley is enjoying it!

Here's a pic of me with the Maglev Train:


We then took the metro (subway) to Mei’s area. The subway is also very modern and clean although not as extensive as those in London or Paris. I was on the metro and I thought I heard some familiar accents. There was a lad and a girl from Northern Ireland, Belfast to be exact. The guy was working in Shanghai and the girl came over to visit! They were sound people and good craic! Allegedly, there is going to be a big Asian GAA tournament on in Shanghai soon!

So, upon leaving the metro station, my first impression was: man this place is hot and man there are a lot of people and big buildings. The weather was a lot hotter than in Dalian, which was heading for autumn. The temperature was well into the 30’s!

We decided to hit for town after dropping stuff off in Mei’s apartment. It was nigh on impossible to get a taxi in Shanghai. They are lining up in Dalian to take you! There are too many people and cars in Shanghai and not enough roads, so they don’t put on more taxis. Mei said they also charge extra to get a normal driver’s licence because of the congestion!

We were going to o to some forest park outside the city but we couldn’t find the tourist bus to take us there, so we took the metro to Central Park instead. We hired a peculiar 4 wheeled bike, which you can see below:


Mei didn’t want to cycle it, which suited me fine. I haven’t cycled a bike in over a month, so was glad to use my cycling legs again! It was good craic going around the park, scaring Mei by pretending to veer into other people, the lake, the side of the road etc.!!

So, we then decided to hire a boat on the river. We got this electric thing. They wouldn’t let us have the peddle-boat. First they said it would be too hard to use and then they said there was a technical problem. I don’t believe it. But nothing we could do. So, we slowly made our way down the river. Quite enjoyable sailing away in the dusk. Well, until they asked us to turn back. Captain Birdseye here didn’t see the rope partition across the river, which you were not supposed to pass. I couldn’t slow down or turn fast enough. SO, e ended up getting our propeller tangled in the rope! The guy on shore came out in his electric boat but could do nothing. So, he got on the radio to his mate in the speedboat, who came on the scene! The boys were messing around at the back of the boat but couldn’t free the rope!! SO, they ended p cutting it! A bit embarrassing to say the least!!

After that escapade, we headed for the river front to see the Shanghai skyline at night. It was pretty impressive, except for the throngs of people! Here’s a lovely picture of me in font of the skyline. You can see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower on the left. Nice building!


We finished off the evening in Nanjing Street with a local Shanghai dinner. This street is full of neon lights and shops and restaurants. And of course, crowds upon crowds of people! See pic below