Rainy day adventure in Shanghai and flight to Chengdu

 Morning started with heavy rain and a wonderful, fresh breakfast spread. Everything in this hotel is thoughtful, well-served and elegant. All this for only $100 a night for two. Things are much cheaper even in Shanghai.

We really wanted to see the Bund, beautiful river side promenade, so we decided to take a cab and borrow umbrellas with the idea to walk around there and walk back. Once we got there, it was pouring like monsoon rain and we could not see anything. Anupam used his Chinese skills to ask the driver to take us back J Later, Jagdish and I went for a walk in the rain (because I had to do this) few pictures are attached.

Ride to the airport was an adventure chinese style. Wei sent the van with the driver and the assistant and all of us with all our luggage packed in like Indian (Chinese) style. Airport is another adventure (I am writing this from the airport). Due to the weather, the flight is delayed indefinitely. Luckily the airport is nice and spacious and food is good, so life is wonderful.  Wei’s assistant, Viki was very helpful and spoke fluent English. Greenie admitted that Viki’s English accent (or lack of) is much better than hers ;-)

So far it feels like we are in California except for the rain, water and green stuff all over. The freeways, the buildings, the shops (Starbucks every half a mile) are all the same, just newer and cleaner.

 

Dancing in the rain

Riding to work

 

 

 

Packed Chinese style

 Greenie learning to use the cell phone

After 5 hours of delay, just made it to Chengdu. It is just as fancy a city as Shanghai, main road lined with all brand name hotels, stores and car show rooms. Our hotel is a local new hotel. It is an upside down design, lobby is on 29^th floor and rooms are below it. We are told this is a new trend.

Chengdu is a capital city, over 4,000 years old and has rich history. I am not sure how much we can see in one day. It is known for Giant Pandas and good food. It is a valley of fertile planes surrounded by mountains.

Good night from the land of Giant Pandas.