Arriving in Shanghai

29 April 2012

Last night it was a bit rocky and rolly….

 Last night it was a bit rocky and rolly but not enough to stop everyone having a really good sleep.

On deck this  morning it was cloudy and there were ships everywhere. We had entered the main shipping channel to and from the Chinese ports. Our boat slowly made its way up the Huangpu river towards the port of Shanghai. There was industry on each side and shipbuilding yards in abundance. Seeing the number of cargo boats emptying and filling along the river side made you realise that China is definitely thriving.

These sights were a real contrast to those seen leaving Japan. It's grey and cloudy too - not sure how much is the weather and how much is smog. Getting closer to the central area of Shanghai, there is a low cloud hanging over the top of the skyscrapers making it hard to see how high they really are. It's so exciting to be coming up the river so far and to see the Bund approaching.

The ferry started to pull into the new ferry terminal just kilometers from the northern end of the Bund. You can literally step off the ferry and walk into the centre of town!

Immigration is very smooth when you get off a boat. Straight through passport control and out into the street.

Shanghai is absolutely swarming with people. It's hot and sticky and a National holiday so everyone is out. The Bund is thick with people - there is a great buzz and celebratory atmosphere in the city. What a welcome to China.

I'm spending tonight in an incredible piece of art deco architecture on the northern end of the Bund. I love the mix of architecture in this city - there are the futuristic buildings like the SIPG tower, fantastic examples from the 1930s deco era and some brilliant old Chinese buildings that are still standing. All along the river the city is lit up at night, even the bridge has changing coloured lights - purple, red and green.