World Tour of 2013
With Brigit and Sophia (Sonya)
Shanghai, China March 22, 2013
Bidding Korea farewell the Pacific Princess steams in a south-westerly direction across the Yellow Sea for the port of Shanghai. The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Its name comes from the sand particles from Gobi Desert sand storms that turn the surface of the water yellow.
Shanghai is one of the most populated cities in China. The permanent resident population in Shanghai increased to 23.47 million by the end of 2011. The average density of 2059 people per .38 square miles (3854 in the urban areas). Compare that to Archuleta County, Colorado (where Brigit & Sophia live) with an average density of 9 people per square mile. Shanghai has a huge floating population, probably numbering 2 million.
A city rich with opportunity and adventure -- mixed with a little mystery. Much has been written on Shanghai's history and for those interested in reading brief overviews of Shanghai's interesting history:
http://gochina.about.com/od/shanghai/p/SH_History.htm
http://english.eastday.com/e/zt/u1a4029727.html
http://www.nytimes.com/fodors/top/features/travel/destinations/asia/china/shanghai/fdrs_feat_145_5.html?n=Top%2FFeatures%2FTravel%2FDestinations%2FAsia%2FChina%2FShanghai
Shanghai's attractions are legendary, from exquisite temples and superb museums to the Bund's elegant 19th-century European architecture. With so many tour options we settled a narrated drive around Shanghai to experience all the colorful sights and sounds of this ancient city.
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive from the dock to the Jin Mao Tower in the Lu Jia Zui financial area. At 88 stories, this stunning skyscraper designed in glass, stainless steel, aluminum and granite reaches almost 1380 feet tall.
Jin Mao Tower
Jin Mao, which means "Golden Prosperity Building" in Chinese is a splendid combination of traditional Chinese architecture (tiered pagoda) and modern technology.
While the first 50 floors are reserved for office space, conference rooms, banquet halls, and a recreation center, a five-star Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel occupies the top 38 floors, making it one of the highest hotels in the world.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Next we visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, one of the world's tallest TV and radio towers ` 1500-foot structure. Designed with eleven steel spheres strung through a series of columns, this architectural wonder rests on a grassy field, which gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.
People's Square
En route to the People's Square, we drive over the Nanpu Bridge, one of the world's longest arch bridges. Located on the original site of an English colonial race course, People's Square is the site of Shanghai's municipal government headquarters, museums, exhibition halls, and shops.
The Bund
We continue along the Bund, one of Shanghai's most recognizable landmarks and formerly the financial center of colonial Shanghai. A one-mile stretch along the bank of the Huangpu River that features dozens of late 19th century European-inspired architecture, the Bund is also home to restaurants, shops, and contemporary businesses.
Thank you all for sharing this incredible journey with us.
Lots of love to you all!
Talk to you soon. Love, Brigit and Sophia
With Brigit and Sophia (Sonya)
Shanghai, China March 22, 2013
Bidding Korea farewell the Pacific Princess steams in a south-westerly direction across the Yellow Sea for the port of Shanghai. The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Its name comes from the sand particles from Gobi Desert sand storms that turn the surface of the water yellow.
Shanghai is one of the most populated cities in China. The permanent resident population in Shanghai increased to 23.47 million by the end of 2011. The average density of 2059 people per .38 square miles (3854 in the urban areas). Compare that to Archuleta County, Colorado (where Brigit & Sophia live) with an average density of 9 people per square mile. Shanghai has a huge floating population, probably numbering 2 million.
A city rich with opportunity and adventure -- mixed with a little mystery. Much has been written on Shanghai's history and for those interested in reading brief overviews of Shanghai's interesting history:
http://gochina.about.com/od/shanghai/p/SH_History.htm
http://english.eastday.com/e/zt/u1a4029727.html
http://www.nytimes.com/fodors/top/features/travel/destinations/asia/china/shanghai/fdrs_feat_145_5.html?n=Top%2FFeatures%2FTravel%2FDestinations%2FAsia%2FChina%2FShanghai
Shanghai's attractions are legendary, from exquisite temples and superb museums to the Bund's elegant 19th-century European architecture. With so many tour options we settled a narrated drive around Shanghai to experience all the colorful sights and sounds of this ancient city.
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive from the dock to the Jin Mao Tower in the Lu Jia Zui financial area. At 88 stories, this stunning skyscraper designed in glass, stainless steel, aluminum and granite reaches almost 1380 feet tall.
Jin Mao Tower
Jin Mao, which means "Golden Prosperity Building" in Chinese is a splendid combination of traditional Chinese architecture (tiered pagoda) and modern technology.
While the first 50 floors are reserved for office space, conference rooms, banquet halls, and a recreation center, a five-star Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel occupies the top 38 floors, making it one of the highest hotels in the world.
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| Views from top of Jin Mao Tower with Pacific Princess in the distance |
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| Views from top of Jin Mao Tower |
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| A top the Jin Mao Tower oysters are opened and we receive pearls from Shanghai ~ The Pearl of the East |
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| We make our wishes at the Wish Tree at the top of Jin Mao Tower |
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| Looking down the Hyatt's atrium, which starts at the 56th floor and extends upwards to the 87th. |
Views around Shanghai
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Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Next we visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, one of the world's tallest TV and radio towers ` 1500-foot structure. Designed with eleven steel spheres strung through a series of columns, this architectural wonder rests on a grassy field, which gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.
People's Square
En route to the People's Square, we drive over the Nanpu Bridge, one of the world's longest arch bridges. Located on the original site of an English colonial race course, People's Square is the site of Shanghai's municipal government headquarters, museums, exhibition halls, and shops.
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| We present Kelly, our tour lovely guide with a crystal from our heart to hers |
The Bund
We continue along the Bund, one of Shanghai's most recognizable landmarks and formerly the financial center of colonial Shanghai. A one-mile stretch along the bank of the Huangpu River that features dozens of late 19th century European-inspired architecture, the Bund is also home to restaurants, shops, and contemporary businesses.
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| Viewing the Bund |
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| Young brides have their pictures taken on the Bund |
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| Across the river sits the Pacific Princess (middle ship) |
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| People's Heroes Memorial at the Bund |
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| Quite a number of Chinese people stopped us to have their pictures taken with us, as we have the look typical of the West |
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| Delighted to meet these two adorable Chinese woman, we present crystals hearts to each of them on the Bund. There was no language barrier here when the only language spoken and understood was from the heart. |
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| Before returning to the ship we stop along the Bund for a traditional dim sum meal, served by wait staff in mouthwatering small plates of dumplings, spring rolls and tarts. |
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| A stop at the florist to bring back flowers to our room on the ship |
We return to the ship in time for a delightful evening performance of
talented Chinese acrobats
The Pacific Princess sets course for our next port ~
Hong Kong, China and we bid
Shanghai ~ The Pearl of the East goodbye
Thank you all for sharing this incredible journey with us.
Lots of love to you all!
Talk to you soon. Love, Brigit and Sophia
*****
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