Pudong

Shanghai's financial district lies on the opposite bank from the Bund and is called Pudong. So that was today's destination. We started by walking to the Bund, which is such a nice place for a stroll, as well as offering views of Pudong.

The Customs House

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, built in 1921

The Three Musketeers

Fairmont Peace Hotel and the Bank of China

In the middle here is the 100 storey Shanghai World Financial Centre, or, if it was in London, the bottle-opener.

We decided to make the crossing the cheap way, via the local ferry. This felt the least safe thing we did all holiday. Third world transport in a first world city - everyone just crowded on and stood or sat wherever they could.

When you are in among Pudong's skyscrapers, well everything else seems small. Awesome.

Now, one of the must-see sights in Shanghai is the view from the top of the Shanghai World Financial Centre. Having loved the experience from the Shard, I thought this would be much the same. Started off showing a model of the city and how it lights up - which was really neat.

But then you get up to the 100th floor, and well, its disappointing. Hard to get good views of the city for the crowds and frankly just cleaning the windows would have been nice! The smog doesn't help either.

Looking down on the Jinmao Tower

The "skywalk"

Yes you can see down below you as well

 The Jinmao Tower isn't exactly small, but one looks down on its art deco styling.

 Lights starting to come on over the City.

 But we didn't want to hang on until the city was fully illuminated, just not a nice enough place to hang around in, so down we went on the superfast lift...

 ...and back in amongst all those skyscrapers towering above us.

 After taking dinner in Pudong we then headed out to the Promenade and the view across to the Bund. This was much nicer than going up the tower. Wonderful views and a warm evening. Just beautiful.

Back at the hotel for our last night I managed to persuade Jean and Thibault to let me by them drinks at the hotel bar. After a quick shower. In this heat and humidity one always wants a quick shower.

In the first place, I just felt that when staying in such a swanky hotel one should do a bit of swanning around in it. And sitting at night in a large, almost empty bar which is artfully decorated to recall 1930s Shanghai just seemed a suitably decadent thing to do.

But also I just wanted to thank the young couple for letting an old man tag along with them for the last few days and being so considerate. They just made such a sweet couple. Which sounds dreadfully patronising but its not meant to be. They just were. And while one might feel awkward playing gooseberry in the circumstances, actually it was very nice just being around them. They exuded happiness and contentment and charm. I guess I have known Thibault for getting on for 18 months, but this was the happiest I had seen him. There was an extra spring in his step and he never lost the smile from his face. And one could just enjoy the  feeling of well-being by their mere presence. As I did. So thanks.