Leaving home at 6 am for my 2 pm flight from LAX, a real slow boat to China. Should just drive from SAN, but too late to revise. Will be at Le Meridien late Wednesday night via the Eagle, AA, the MagLev, a taxi and the kindness of strangers.

The Thursday trip to the water town of Zhujiajiao via the bright pink express bus from somewhere near People's Square will meet in the Meridien lobby at 8:30 am. Trip is one hour, fare is 12 CNY each way. We'll arrive early before the crush, take an early gondola tour of the city with the female gondoliers, visit sites, lunch, whatever and and return. There is a minimal charge to see the sights of the city, and for the gondola. Bus runs every 1/2 hour until 9 pm so we can be very flexible.

We may want to do Thursday dinner post-Merdien lounging, and if anyone is interested I have been advised the House of Blues and Jazz has some really good talent, happy hour, food. Supposedly attracts an older crowd (like maybe 35? 50? 80?) Irish-run with live music out of New Orleans. Thurs is supposed to be open mike but I can't see that on the website and it appears the house band is Cuban this month. Just a recommendation from a friend, who is not a club kid, but a quiet,thoughtful 50 year old. who travels cheaply even when his company is paying.

(chchkiwi, I'm anticipating something like Carli's in San Juan, but a bit livelier, just because it's Irish.

晚安,

lili