Not sure how many 'parts' this report will ultimately number. Guess it depends on my ability to stay awake and type!

Shanghai was everything we had heard/read and so much more. The city is growing so fast that 'guide books' quickly became outdated! Recent October issue of Departures Magazine featured China and was pretty helpful. Flyertalk.com also had interesting information. Best help I received was right here from Marcie and Joanna about the market!

WOW! The shopping at the Xing Xang market was unbelievable. For starters, I knew we were in the right place when we opened the cab door and had a dozen guys come up to us with 'catalogs' saying....hey ladie want to buy lewwweee weetoon?! Totally amazing.

As you walk down the aisles of this huge huge outdoor flea market type place, all these kids (the stalls all seem to be run by these kids...all of whom have the same level of workable English) call out to you saying "Laaaadieee, laaaadieeee, want to buy a pocketbook...... I felt like I was in the middle of this bad Jerry Lewis movie. Hey Laaaaaddddddieeeeee...........

The 'badgering' is really not difficult to deal with (India was much tougher for me)and it clearly becomes a bit of a game. Anyway, a tremedous profusion of knock off pocketbooks, watches, sunglasses, polo sweaters, you name it. Some of it is awful copies but most of it is pretty good...and some of it is exceptional!! Thank you again Marcie for the Tommy Bahama guy (stall #A044)!!! Perhaps cause it's winter, there were not a lot of Tommy Bahama nor Polo type things, but we found 'Marcie's guy' pretty easily!

And if you want something that you don't see...no problem. I had a picture from a magazine of a Chanel pocketbook I wanted and these kids would all come up to me, look at the picture and say "Just a moment, I go get it for you....just a moment". Sure enough a few minutes later, the kid would materialize (you could keep walking,,,they always found you!) with what you wanted. Sometimes, the 'copy' was not a good quality, but when you asked for 'better', they dug it up out of somewhere!! As I said, this was quite an experience. Bloomingdales it isn't...but soooooo much fun!!!!

We probably went to this market three or four times and always came away with lots of goodies! As I said, it was so much fun!

Taxis were VERY inexpensive and pretty easy to find. Forty five minute taxi ride to the airport cost about six or seven dollars! Taxi drivers do not speak English (Can't even say Laaadddiiieeee!) but are very polite and can read your card written in Chinese directing them to wherever you're going. You pick these cards up at your hotel.

Shanghai Museum was amazing. Gorgeous building and awesome, tremendous collection! Spent several hours there...could have been there for days. The museum gift shop is wonderful too!!

OK, need some coffee...or maybe a nap! More later!

Loving your reports Bonnie - brought back great memories -

Hey laadddiiieeee, I am loving your report!!

The one I have been waiting for - SHOPPING! Do need a few more details on items purchase. A Channel bag just doesn't satisfy me. Louis? Yurman? Rolex?
Seriously, I am loving all your reports.

Bonnie.. I am in stiches with
"LEEWWWEEE WEETOON"..
love your report so far..thanx..

Soooo glad you're enjoying the report. It is fun to share....and writing about our trip helps fend off the 'post trip blues'!

Betty, I have to confess, I'm not the best of shoppers. Much to my sister's disappointment, and my husband's delight, I just don't do well unless the merchandise is practically handed to me :eek: . Having said that....the Shanghai market was a ton of fun! The interaction with the people and the 'quest' was a blast!

Mostly it was LV, Prada, some Chanel, some Dior, Polo, some Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfinger, Coach, some Tommy Bahama, etc. I really didn't focus on jewelry or watches, but they were there in profusion! A ton of DVD's...King Kong was big last week! Also lots and lots of pashminas and silk scarves. Pashminas were pretty and quality was good, but the scarves weren't great.

A lot of the knock offs were of not very expensive stuff to begin with...so it really didn't make sense to me to bother with those. Of course I did manage to purchase a Chanel and a Bottega Veneta purse, a few sweaters and in Hong Kong a Chanel watch and some clothes at Shanghai Tang. I know. Crazy. Went to Hong Kong to buy at their branch of Shanghai Tang!! :rolleyes:

As I've said over and over...it was all soooo much fun! I'm ready to go back tomorrow! Hey, that's not a bad idea...I can just roll this jet lag into the next one and not even feel it! ;)

Great reports, Bonnie! Tell us more! Indulge me by describing your most fabu meal! Big time foodie here. LOL

Hi Bonnie,

Great to read your posts. I've been to Shanghai twice on business and couldn't believe the scale of that city. I was told that 50% of the world's cranes are in use in Shanghai. Did you get to visit the "bund"?

And i am a big fan too of the Hong Kong branch of Shanghai Tang.....it's such a cool store. I've always wanted to have a suit made up there but never got myself organised enough.

ian

Bonnie, Love your story of the market and your Jerry Lewis metaphor; I could just hear them!!

Food. AAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. So many meals, so little time. I think our favorite was in Hong Kong at Spring Deer. Or maybe it was Paris at Chez Andre. Anyway, neither are what would be described as one of the "Top" restaurants. Both are simply local favorites with locals.

Chez Andre just a few blocks from the George V. A cute little bistro filled on Christmas Eve with local families. All clearly having a great time in what seemed to be their favorite restaurant. Quickly became ours too! Wonderful Cabernet, of course perfectly coarse fresh bread and a simple salad to start. Why can't I ever make that perfect vinegrette dressing at home??? Must be the olive oil. Anyway, we were a bit jet lagged from the flight from the states so had a simple dinner. I had steak tartare with pomme frittes. Be still my heart. It was devine!!! And Jack had wonderful veal. Some wonderful cheese and espresso for desert.....so good!

Sorry R...I actually have to leave now for dinner here. Promise to continue later.

By the way, the most incredible fois gras....served on Air France. Really. It was to die for!!!! Really wanted a doggie bag for that!

Bonnie your reports are terrific. What a great trip. More, more, eat fast, hurry back!

Bonnie: I know you have to eat, sleep and have a life but so enjoying your posts - constantly looking for another -

Bonnie, the shopping & 1st meal sound fantastic. I agree about the shopping - the hunt is half the fun. Looking forward to your next report & your return trip to Shanghai is when? :)

One more restaurant story. Probably our favorite restaurant experience was at Spring Deer in Hong Kong. We were there 20 years ago. Hasn't changed. Located in Kowloon on the second floor. You walk in and it kinda looks like you're at a really tacky wedding. Probably about 25 big round tables seating 12 each with awful very bright lighting. Clearly we were the only Americans/westerners there. Filled with huge multi generation happy families. Everyone without exception, stared and smiled at us. Long story but the bottom line is that by the end of the night several of the tables/families had introduced themselves to us. If we had stayed any longer, and had been lucky, they would have all invited us to join them for dinner. Such incredibly warm lovely people!!!! We ate shark fin soup and Peking Duck (of course!) It was so awesome!! The duck was actually only the skin part. Carved expertly and soooo quickly by this guy who then presented us with this magnificently displayed platter of enough Duck to serve way more than just us! Ate the duck with paper thin pancakes, hoisen (but better) sauce and fresh cucumbers and scallions. We had such a special experience, and were surrounded by all these beautiful people. What a treat!

One more restaurant story...and I promise to post in a day or two. The restaurant Yu in the Intercontinental Hotel at New Years....multi course... multi fun!!

Hey Ian ~ Just learned there's a Shanghai Tang in New York. I'm certain it isn't as much fun, though!!

Bonnie, We will be in Hong Kong on the wc in Feb. and Spring Deer sounds like the kind of place we would love. If you have the address please post it, and are they open for lunch. Yu is our all time favorite in Hong Kong so we do agree with you, Thanks in advance
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Doris

Doris ~ Spring Deer is at 42 Mody Road (up one elevator flight). Telephone is 2366 4012. Easiest directions are to walk out of the Peninsula Hotel, turn left and take the first left (I think that's Nathan Rd). Walk up that street a few blocks to Mody Road. Turn right and it's a block or two up. Not sure if it's open for lunch...but Yu is!

Am really looking forward to hearing about your experience in Hong Kong...actually on the whole WC!! What a dream! :app: