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Hongpan April 25


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Korea6 April 24


Japan10 November 23


Taiwan5 April 23


Korea5 November 22


Korea4 May 22


Cape Otway April 21


Japan9 October 19


Frangland July 19


Korkong April 19


Japan8 October 18


China4 April 18


Japan7 October 17


Taiwan4 March 17


Japan6 October 16


Europe May 16


Japan5 November 15


Korea2 March 15

Even More Trips

HongJapWan March 2014
Sichuan March 2013
Tokyo3 October 2012
China2 August 2012
Japwan March 2012
China November 2011
Korea September 2011
Taiwan March 2011
London3 June 2010
Japan May 2010
London2 February 2010
London September 2009
SE Asia December 2005

Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - Page 6

Day 16 - Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Expo of urban decay

In 2010, Shanghai had a giant world expo. There was much controversy as you had to line up for hours in the sun. That was until people figured out that if you turned up with a disabled person you were shown straight to the front of the queue.
Pretty soon everyone was turning up in wheelchairs, and the rule had to be changed, and genuine disabled people also had to wait in a queue.
The site is over in Pudong, every other country ripped their stuff down as soon as it was over, but China left there giant pavillion. It is however now shut.
Thats ok with me, the real interesting thing was seeing all the supporting hotels, restaurants, water front parks and amusements etc. that have fallen into a total state of disrepair, with no one at all to be seen.
On the actual expo site theres some work going on, I understand apartments will soon be built. Presumably once thats done and people move in they will fix up the water side again. At the moment you can walk in the buildings, windows are missing, furniture is still there in some cases, parks are over grown, the decking has holes in it through to the water. It was great!

It is far from everywhere, perhaps somewhat ashamed of what the site has become the subway station nearest has been closed, this doesnt defeat me though, I am happy to walk in the blazing sun.
I was however happy to find a ferry across the water, as walking back again along the same path would have been a bit boring.

Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - The China pavillion. Now closed. Yet tour busses still come to examine the closed. People still try and sell key chains and t-shirts. Perhaps they do

The China pavillion. Now closed. Yet tour busses still come to examine the closed. People still try and sell key chains and t-shirts. Perhaps they do better business now than ever, as theres not much else to do!


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - This arena is right on top of the closed subway station. I think this still operates though, presumably they open the station only when theres an even

This arena is right on top of the closed subway station. I think this still operates though, presumably they open the station only when theres an event on.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - Its me in the abandoned water front area. You can see one of the holes down to the water below in the foreground. It is a spooky place being there on

Its me in the abandoned water front area. You can see one of the holes down to the water below in the foreground. It is a spooky place being there on your own, big ships going past constantly.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - The ferry caters pretty much just for scooters, they are not allowed to use the enormous bridge which looms large overhead.

The ferry caters pretty much just for scooters, they are not allowed to use the enormous bridge which looms large overhead.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - The view from the ferry was impressive. The fare to cross without a scooter, about 9 cents.

The view from the ferry was impressive. The fare to cross without a scooter, about 9 cents.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - The ferry captain likes to get close to big ships going past.

The ferry captain likes to get close to big ships going past.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - This is looking down from the central atrium of the NEW WORLD ZILAM DEPARTMENT STORE. I dont know what Zilam means.

This is looking down from the central atrium of the NEW WORLD ZILAM DEPARTMENT STORE. I dont know what Zilam means.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - My lunch, surprised? A sandwhich with the crust cut off. I was starving and this place had seats. I regretted my decision immediately after when I tur

My lunch, surprised? A sandwhich with the crust cut off. I was starving and this place had seats. I regretted my decision immediately after when I turned a corner and found 20 better choices for lunch with available seats.


Still walking

Last night in Shanghai, this time tomorrow I will be on the plane.
So what to do except go on a giant walk?
I discovered that Chongning road wich changes names a few times but starts near Zhongsan park and snakes around to the Shanghai railway station is interesting and busy for the entire journey.
The start is the excellent cloud 9 mall, which I visited last time I was here. It has at least 50 huge restaurants in it. Last time I must have gone on a weekend as there were big lines everywhere, tonight I could take my pick which was exciting.

Something I forgot from this morning, at breakfast I sat next to a salary man from Japan. He asked me a lot of questions then told me he was jealous that I can freely move around the city.
It seems that due to this island dispute going on between China and Japan, and also another one between Japan and South Korea, he cant function in China anymore.
He has been working here most of the time for a few years, but now no one is prepared to do business with him.
He is very upset with the mayor of Tokyo who has 'bought' the small island at the centre of the dispute. I have been following this story but I dont understand who the mayor has bought this island from.
Anyways Japanese salary man is heading home this weekend.
I am heading home tomorrow, unfortunately. But my flight isnt until the evening, so I have a full day to watch the clock waiting for it to be time to go to the airport. The airport should be fun, I have only ever arrived at Pudong, not departed, so its like going to a new airport for me. One of the most exciting things for me to do.

Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - This building towers above the giant Cloud 9 mall. I dont think it was there a year ago.

This building towers above the giant Cloud 9 mall. I dont think it was there a year ago.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - For dinner, I had Korean style BBQ. No carbs! I will probably have noodles for lunch tomorrow. Ordering was fun, the waitress talked me out of more ve

For dinner, I had Korean style BBQ. No carbs! I will probably have noodles for lunch tomorrow.
Ordering was fun, the waitress talked me out of more vegetables. She then tried to talk me into more meat. But that was foolish of her because I had no desire for chicken hearts or tripe.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - You leave the paper on to cook. Theres a range of sauces you can use but I decided to go au naturale. I left the food un sauced too.

You leave the paper on to cook. Theres a range of sauces you can use but I decided to go au naturale. I left the food un sauced too.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - My epic walk home passed many buildings. This is a KTV karaoke bar. There was a similar large place that was apparently a snooker club. I am not convi

My epic walk home passed many buildings. This is a KTV karaoke bar. There was a similar large place that was apparently a snooker club. I am not convinced these places are constructed just for snooker and singing along to lady gaga.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - The only time I have ever seen helmets. On a busy street corner a pop up late night child care roller derby park.

The only time I have ever seen helmets. On a busy street corner a pop up late night child care roller derby park.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - This sign depicts a new subway line under construction. Look how many lines it interchanges with! Now I have reason to come back again.

This sign depicts a new subway line under construction. Look how many lines it interchanges with! Now I have reason to come back again.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - These guys were pretty good. Especially the girl drummer. She looked absolutely hopeless but actually played really well. Like a hybrid robot / animal

These guys were pretty good. Especially the girl drummer. She looked absolutely hopeless but actually played really well. Like a hybrid robot / animal from the muppets.


Back to China - Shanghai - Nanjing - Hangzhou - 2012 - The blue ring of pedestrian overpass blinds oncoming traffic in every direction.

The blue ring of pedestrian overpass blinds oncoming traffic in every direction.