I swear that one lady at Hóngqiáo Market was like what the hell is this local doing ;) Sadly, I don't think there will be any photos of us bargaining.

We are so sorry that we couldn't make this trip, but we had to attend a trade show in DUS with clients that weekend. We did, however, run into GoingAway and SeeYa in the International RCC in SFO as we were heading east to FRA and they were heading west to PVG.

Glad to hear that everyone had such a wonderful time.

So, where to next year?
 

Any thoughts on continuing this next year. Maybe someplace warmer?

Pictures are here

FYI, my camera can't focus when the zoom is on (it was sent for repair following this trip) so you can look at the pictures and zoom in on your own but I couldn't do it.

It's great to relive the journey. And the wall - oh my goodness - that was some hike! It was up, up and away.

For a quick look - you can get a sense of our 'walk' on Page 3 -- the picture that starts with "337". There is a little white box to the right of the trail that shows where we stopped. That picture was taken after we had already passed through a few of the guard towers.

At the time, none of us knew how far we were going (or at least I didn't) or where the break was between restored and non-restored.

I'm afraid it may be awhile before I post my pics of Shanghai.... in fact, I still owe pics for the Venice Do some months back. :eek:

Problem is that I need to decide what website to use to store my photos. The one I used to use (Photoworks) rudely deleted all my albums (which I had spent a lot of effort editing and captioning) a few months ago. Yahoo is free, but their editing facilities are clunky. So, I'm open to suggestions.

Deb,

Awesome pics. I hope you liked M on the Bund. It is one of my favorites. The shot of you guys having drinks at the top of the Jinmao brought back memories too.

All of should have, and I hope did, take a look inside the foyer of the old HSBC building in the Bund that has its Lion pictured in one shot Deb took. It is an amazing restoration of a mosaic covered for decades with plaster and rediscovered. The building is known now by its current owner's name, The Pudong Development Bank. How's that for irony? :)

Thanks again Deb. Now I really need to get over there.

Mike

Yes, we went into the bank. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pics inside. :( Hence no photos of the magnificent foyer. (And we were not allowed to wear "slippery dresses" inside either.... though that particular restriction didn't seem to pose a problem for us, unlike the one on photography! ;) )

great to see the pics debbie.. you don't seem to post the ones i took of you !

next year.. let's plan same holiday weekend, but sort destination out later this year, as i am not totally confident where sean and i will be living in feb 2006 !

FYI Chinese New Year is January 29, 2006.

I've never had a problem with Shutterfly - they willingly accept large picture files and uploading is pretty speedy.

Well here is my suggestion for 2006... a short flight from Beijing or Seoul will get you to the Harbin Ice Festival. Had an excellent write up in the SCMP (HK Sunday Paper) today, and here are a few pics from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4154387.stm and a review from someone who went there this year.. http://www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2005_hb_if.htm

And a fine suggestion it is!!! But, given that PVG was just a "touch" cold this year......are we certain that want to attend an "ICE" festival?? ;)

Best wishes, Dave

harbin
 

they speak very nice chinese up there, but it is cold.

somewhat off topic, as of last year, the mu pvg-lax flight stopped in harbin one or two days a week. i'm not sure if this is still the case.