Hong Kong day 1&2

Walk and dinner at YMCA
Day 2
Thought about buying a Hop on Hop Off ticket to visit areas of Hong Kong but in the end decided to buy local Octopus card which allowed us to travel on public transport and buy drinks by swiping.
Caught Star ferry to Hong Kong island then bus to Peak but by mistake the bus we caught actually went to top of Peak rather than tram at bottom. The ride on the bus was actually better as you wandered around streets and no queue. View was amazing as the day was only a little smoggy. Caught tram down then went on bus to Repulse Bay and had a walk around. It was very hot but only a few people in water.
Next stop was Stanley Market which Kathy says is completely different from when she visited 30 years ago. Had a drink and then grabbed a bus for Aberdeen. Had a quick look around a jumped on a ferry for a ride around bay. The harbour is filled with large and expensive yachts and fishing boats. Caught bus back to Central and ferry back home. Very tired but went to Irish pub for dinner and walk around harbour to see the light.

Shanghai Day 3

Visited pet and flower markets and poster museum. Pet market sold crickets used for fighting. Some were match head size and some much larger. The locals study them before purchasing.
Then went down to markets at
580. Couple of beers at local restaurant and then out too dinner. Shanghai is an amazing city as much of it is only ten years old and very modern.
Last night in China and off to Hong Kong tomorrow. Dragon Air flight leaves at 1:00 pm and leaving hotel at 10:00.

Shanghai Day 2

Water Town
Jade Budha
Acrobats  ERA
Unbelievable and amazing acrobats. In one section a motorbike rides inside a sphere. This gradually increased to 8 bikes. This was one of the highlights of the trip. Park Hotel is fantastic and in an amazing location.

Shanghai Day 1

Took a walk to local market to purchase new watch fo Kathy who lost her watch at light show. Crossing the road is always a nightmare in China as drivers obey very few rules.  Had to cross ten lanes which can be tricky even with pedestrian lights as motor scooters will still come at you from all directions and cars turning left do not have to stop at crossings. The scooters even use the footpath in the middle of the city.
Finally got the watch Kathy wanted and returned to the hotel.

Yangshuo / Chongqing

Left Yangshuo and flew an hour  to Chongqing. City very crowded with population of 32000000. Boarded our boat the Victoria Grace for 3 day cruise down the Yangtze River. Cabin is compact but very comfortable with small balcony which is just big enough to sit on.

Yangshuo Day 2

Free Day because of rain causing our bike ride to be cancelled. Walked around shops then out to nearby suburb. Suburb was mainly 4 story housing appartmemts. In the markets we saw live ducks, fish, turtles and chickens. Also saw dogs hanging up ready for eating. Others saw live dogs and cats ready for slaughter.

Yangshuo

On ferry on Li River to Yangshuo. This is a four hour journey on a 3 level ferry probably about 30 m long. Lots of large rocky outcrops many 100 s of metres high. At about 9am 7 ferries leave and head up the river. Half an hour later more ferries. All along river are little temporary  shops set up on riverside and boats.
Got some more credit on my phone today from China unicom but had to get girl in shop to put it on my phone because all the instructions in Chinese.
Went to an open air  show  which has about 500 performers. Produced by the person who did Olympic opening ceremony. It was a very spectacular show but very slow. Raining so.had to.wear plastic ponchos.
Sleep in tomorrow as we have a bike ride at 10 and that is all that is planned.
Go the Swans.