Day 1, Tuesday
Arrival at Pudong Airport from Frankfurt. Flying with Lufthansa creates nostalgia: overhead TV screens every tenth seat row, some crappy movie -- that's the old days. Take the Transrapid Maglev train to the city -- ah, good old German engineering! It's a surprisingly shaky ride, though. But what to expect, at (allegedly) 430 kph. After being ripped off badly by a taxi driver (as of 10/2007: never use a dark-red coloured taxi in Shanghai), I find myself in the city centre. Have lunch with Monica in a nice Korean restaurant near her work. Spend the afternoon in Shanghai Museum (really good!), and the evening at Monica's and Christian's place.
Day 2, Wednesday
Take the morning to visit some of Shanghai's remaining old quarters behind the Bund, and the more touristic areas around Yu Yuan Garden. Have lunch with Monica in a nice Taiwanese vegetarian place. In the afternoon, stroll through the former French Concession, including Fuxing Park. Chinese parks are cool, with all the dancing, t'ai chi, and gambling that is going on.
Day 3, Thursday
Out and about: take the train to Hangzhou, mainly to see the famous West Lake with its artificial islands, bays, and dozens of little sceneries. While the train ride is very smooth and easy, thanks again to Monica for organising the tickets, my hostel, and for generally helpful tips. I'm lost in translation in the hostel, absolutely nobody speaks English. How exciting! I walk around the lake, that takes about half of the day. It's a really nice place! For dinner, I treat myself to specialty 'Beggar's chicken' in the 'oldest restaurant of China', the Louwailou. Next morning, I catch a train back to Shanghai.
Day 4, Friday
Arriving at noon back in Shanghai, go for lunch with Monica and Christian to a Macanese place -- again, very nice food. In the afternoon, go with Christian along Nanjing Lu to the Bund, take in Shanghai's skyline. Take the ferry over to Pudong, and get impressed by the building projects over there. Pay 80 bucks to go up Oriental Pearl Tower, but get rewarded by the view over the city (smog clouded though). After that, stroll through the biggest of Shanghai's shopping malls. In the evening, meet up with Monica, and walk along the Bund, for some nice "Shanghai by Night" views. We have dinner in a Chinese Noodle place, which is pretty nice.
Day 5, Saturday
Very lazy day, basically nothing happened.
Day 6, Sunday
Go for a walk around the neighbourhood with Monica and Christian. Through several parks (boating tour!), and shopping malls, always on the hunt for the ever elusive bargain.
Day 7, Monday
My last full day, I spend it trying to shop for souvenirs, presents, and the one or other item for myself. Go for a last walk through the city centre. In the evening, Christian and me attend the Shanghai Oktoberfest. Sweet as! A giant beer tent, an original Bavarian band, many drunk Chinese -- and most importantly, free beer (and food). Next morning: Departure to NZ! On the way to Auckland, enjoying Air New Zealand's in-seat on-demand entertainment system... Much better.
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