Overland '05

Day 11 - Mon 9 May 05, Shanghai, China

Out of the hotel by 8:30 after collecting my laundry. It's slightly clearer today so headed over to Pudong via the metro, it's the easiest way to get around in air conditioned luxury. Had a look at the Pearl Tower, but decided to skip going up it, in favour of the Jinmao Tower (it's taller). The viewing platform is on the 88th floor, it cost me 50 Yuan to go up, and the lift travels at 9 metres per second.

Got some great views of the city and even managed to get a photo of the boat I came in on! After that it was back on the metro to get to the Maglev line to the airport - I had no business at the airport, but the Maglev travels at 431kph, and that's a good enough reason in my book.

Onwards to the Shanghai Museum which took me a couple of hours to get around. There is a park surrounding the museum, and the park staff travel around in fours on an electric golf kart ensuring that people do not walk on the grass.

Rolex watches are 'on sale' on the streets here - I've lost count of the number of times I've had to refuse the amazing offer! I'm going to get a tee-shirt printed.

There was a woman on the metro this afternoon trying out her new mobile phone, trying to work out which of the ring tones she liked the best. I thought it was a windup at first, and started looking for the camera - If she'd tried that on the London underground she'd have been lynched.