The airport in Shanghai is nice and modern, with lovely touches i.e. an ATM machine even before you get to customs and immigration. The Avarian Bird Flu Desk (one of three forms you fill out) wasnt a delay, the delay was at Immigration (fifteen-twenty minutes), and at baggage (another fifteen-twenty minutes). Customs was a mere formality once I signed my form. Outside of arrivals was a representative of Viking River Cruises to direct me to a waiting spot where we all waited for about 45 minutes to an hour to get everyone and their luggage accounted for. Seems one couple was missing some of theirs.
Follow the flag to the bus. I have the feeling Ill be hearing that a lot on this trip. They had already pre-checked us in to the hotel, the Shanghai Pudong ShangriLa definitely lives up to its five star rating. King size bed, marble topped work table, sitting area, bathroom with both shower and bath and inlaid marble on the floors. Hell, just leave me here for the two weeks.
Was hungry for some real food, and too lazy to walk across the World Mall next door so I ordered in some Thai Duck Curry. Got to hand it to this place a ten page section of their in-room guide is devoted to whats available from 11am-1am for in-room delivery. That and a glass of the Macallan Elegancia 12-year-old, a little CNN and it was time for bed. Nice to get in later in the evening when you can go to bed not long after arriving and resync your body clock to the local time.
Gave Marty and Eric (Gowins, from the Antarctica Trip) a call. They had gotten in earlier and had dinner across the street in the mall Thai as well. They mentioned how crowded it was, and I had noticed that on the streets as well. They were ready to call it a night so we agreed to meet at seven the next morning in the caf for our breakfast before our eight oclock meeting with David our tour guide. Apparently the company gives all their guides English names. The one who met us at the airport was Dick poor fellow.
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