Day 1 - We are here!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone!!!  Ni Hao Finally got on.  Blogs are banned in China which makes it very frustrating to keep this updated.  So this will not be updated as much as we like but we will try our best. 

Everyone is a buzz here in China so far the trip has been awesome.  Amazing the hospitality and the sights we are seeing.

Day 1 Wednesday 5th October we left Auckland and headed for KL.  Was a good flight.  Then in KL had a 5 hour stopover before heading to Shanghai.  By the time we boarded this flight everyone was very weary with the waiting and sitting around at Starbucks.  The students managed to visit an artificial rain forest and get some sleep on the hard seats.

On arrival in Shanghai at this huge airport, it was empty.  We had it to ourselves.  Baggage arrived with two bags that had been broken into but nothing missing.  One other suitcase no handle.  Got through the formalities and were met by our guides.  Lorraine and Shelly.  Lorraine is Chen Ken and Shai Li.  Back to the hotel which is 32 stories high in the old part of Shanghai, west bank called PuXi (poo shay).  The new side is called Pudong east side.  Pudong was only recently developed since 1990 as Shanghai is known as the Chinas Manhattan. 

Everyone is spread over 10 floors of the hotel and the accommodation, although 3 star is excellent.  Although very tired we all worked through this for activites in the afternoon. The itinerary was:

• Visited the Shanghai museum - saw the arts and culture of China but also saw an exhibition on Te Maori.  Pottery, clothing, coins etc of the various dynasties
• Visited the 'Bund' which is the river bank to view the skyline. As much as we are tourists the locals think we are a side show.  The blondes are a photographic marvel to the locals wanting to get their photo with them.
• Then to No1 (Nanjin Rd)shopping street in Shangahai - our first experience of the bussle and hussle of the millions of people.  Shoulder to shoulder shopping.  Also the first set of beggars and shop side sellers hassling us and the kids with 'you buy' and our answer 'Bu Yaoh' no I don't want it.
• One impression-very clean - NO rubbish or graffitti-  little grey suited people sweeping all the time to keep it clean.  Othe things the smells-Yuk! going past various places and the smell of rancid oils.  Had to shop around for a bargain too.  Also one shop frontage had a big aquarium with sharks and turtles swimming in them.
• Lunch and dinner typical chinese meals.  Very nice - light and tasty - many of the students not very adventurous with the food.  Unusual tastes.  One thing is the after tastes are not left in your mouth.  All adults encouraging the students to eat and drink.  Weather warm and muggy but we are on the go all the time.
• After dinner we went on a river cruise and saw the lights of Shanghai.  The Chinese love their lights.  Whole skyscrapers with light shows - it was amazing.

Post this one and try and get a photgraphic gallery up for you to see.  Will post Day 2 Thursday 6th October asap