Thursday 28 March Shanghai

It was difficult getting started this morning - early breakfast, bags out for collection and on the bus at 8.30. Again, breakfast was chaotic with several hundred Regent passengers along with other guests all looking for the coffee, eggs and waffles!!  After check-out we travelled to Shanghai’s Old Town, where we could meander the narrow streets, pass traditional shops and take in the local sounds and sights. Some French ladies on the tour had Pearl necklaces made during the half hour we had free - they are very elegant and I’m sure chose well.  Then, for a completely different experience, we went to the nearby Yu Yuan Gardens, an oasis of tranquility that dates to the 16th-century Ming Dynasty. Highlights included intricate rockeries, dragon walls and beautiful pavilions.

From there on to the Jade Buddha Temple. While the original temple was destroyed during a revolution, the temple’s two precious statues of Buddha were saved. A new temple was built in 1928 to house the statues, one of a reclining Buddha on a redwood bed, the other of a sitting Buddha decorated

with semi-precious stones.  Both statues were carved in Burma out of white jade, a rare form of nephrite mineral known for its creamy texture.  The Jade Buddha Temple is an active monastery with dozens of resident monks. Was definitely a very peaceful place.  George opted to remain on the bus at the Temple, too many steps and thresholds. 

Lunch was at a huge restaurant with upstairs and downstairs filled with Regent passengers.  The food was delicious with about 10 different dishes served on a ‘lazy Susie’ as our guide described it!  

Got to the ship around 3.30 pm, we have the most incredible view across the Yangtze River of skyscrapers of all shapes and sizes.  And when it got dark the lights were like fairyland.  I’m actually totally blown away by the buildings and obvious wealth here.  As I said to someone yesterday the Melbourne Metro would have been built in 10 days instead of 10 years if the Chinese had a part in it but guess they’d be hampered by environmentalists in Australia anyway.  Would find a pink tailed possum somewhere!!!!

The Mariner has 700 passengers, the rooms are smaller than on other Regent ships we’ve been on, and it could do with a bit of refurbishment.  We ate in Chartreuse French Restaurant last night, one of the specialty restaurants.  I chose well, absolutely delicious food, George was not so impressed as his snails were not served the traditional way.  Cant remember how I used to do them at home when we had a garden!!! Fell asleep starting this last night so a late edition today!  Forgot to say that the highlight of my day was seeing a very positive win by the mighty Pies over Richmond.  Thanks for kicking those goals, Beverley!!!