Well we had a day at sea in the fog we were due to dock in Shanghai at 4.00 pm. At around noon we dropped anchor out in the ocean. Captain Dag came on the loudspeaker explaining the pilot had not arrived and we could go no further. It was raining and there was heavy fog. About an hour later the pilot arrived in a helicopter and was lowered down to the deck by cable - lunchtime entertainment!

We started moving again and arrived around 6.00 pm. We are still waiting for clearance it is now 10.00 pm. We all had to have our temperatures taken and then all those with visas had to present themselves to the officials - just a lot of red tape. No problem really as I doubt anyone is planning on going ashore tonight anyway, the fog has cleared up but it is still raining. Just a good thing we came in the night before.

Meanwhile out of our balcony is the most incredible view. The city is bright with colored lights and a space needle is right in front of us brightly displaying colored lights. It looks like a disneyland scene. This is the area that is modern and just built in recent years on ground that used to be swamp land. It is stunning. Cant wait for tomorrow to venture out into Shanghai - keep your fingers crossed for the weather to clear up.

Ngaire, Shanghai is suppose to be such an interesting city...1/2 so old and 1/2 so modern and Westernized. I hope you have a sunny glorious day!

Wow! Sounds like something else indeed! Have a great day, or given the date/time dif, hope you had a great one!

I can't find a webcam to stalk her! I did find a great one with the view of the space needle she mentioned in it but it hasn't been updated since last year :(

Me neither, Karen. Oh well...

Sorry, I just cannot resist the pun: my immediate reaction when I saw the title of your post was "Ngaire's been Shanghied" (But then I'm sure no one would dare drug or deceive a sweet gal like you.) When I finish typing I'll cross my fingers (per your request) to get your weather to clear up.

That's interesting when I was there a month ago we had to dock an hour out of town. We were told that they were rebuilding the docks. Maybe Serenity is bigger. The fog was so bad you really could not see anything. I wish you better weather.

Amanda's father is from Shanghai. He often talks about the city - I'm really looking forward to visiting the city one of these days. Hope you get to give us an update later!

Masaki

Well I just finished being Shanghied. We parked right in town directly across from the Pearl Sky Tower it is right outside our window across the river Chip. Based on our experiences I think the Chinese Government is in control of where you park not the cruise ships. Probably nothing Crystal could do.

We had another great weather day. Cloudy in the morning clearing up with sun by noon. It was cold though about 40 degrees I wish I had bought gloves. Taxis are SO cheap though it only costs a few dollars to go from place to place so that helps.

I love this town and the people. Very friendly we did a lot of laughing with shop keepers today. This is really so unique with the old and new mixed together. There is a tramway under the river that connects the old area with the brand new area and the sky tower. It is really fun - has colored lights, lava flows almost disneyland as you travel from one side to the the other. The Tower gives a truly incredible view of the city which is HUGE - with high rise apartment buildings stretching as far as you can see.

There is a market place called Yu Yuan Gardens that has gardens, a unique Chinese tea room, shops, just fantastic to walk around. Then a pedestrian shopping area called Nanjing Road that is also fun. Then tons of local shops everywhere - tiny places selling almost nothing just fascinating everywhere you look. Even if you dont shop it is fascinating to see the people and types of things offered.

We decided to get a cab back to the ship - he got lost. Another adventure in a hotel going to the roof top to locate the ship. You should always take the name of the pier but I did not do that. Some people never learn!!! Just made for a new adventure it was wonderful to see everyone try to help you I found the Chinese to be very nice and very friendly.

We had a truly great day, my feet are DEAD, my face is bright red.

We leave tomorrow morning and have two days at sea as the Chinese will not allow us to stay until tomorrow at 4.00 pm as planned. OUr next port is Beijing and there I disembark the ship so wont be able to report back in on Beijig until I return.

It has been fun posting during the cruise. I loved reading Chips so much I hope you have enjoyed my posts as well.

I have! Thank you, Ngaire.

Ngaire:

Your posts are terrific. I can just imagine your predicament with the taxi driver. How clever to think of going to the top of the hotel to spot the ship!

We were in China two years ago on a HAL ship and the officials were so hard to deal with - they were always causing delays and changing the docking locations. You are so lucky to be docked in the center city - I think they call it the Bund.

Hopefully when you leave the weather will be clear so you can see the scenery on the river as you cruise back to the Yellow Sea - it gives new meaning to the song "Slow Boat to China!"

They make great reading. It seems as though the Chinese bureaucracy are really tough. And I thought that standing up to our immigration people was tough. When you put everything together it should make a great point of reference for future cruisers. Well done ! How is Voyager, by the way ? Please leave me some berries and lamb chops !!!

It really takes me back like I was there again. I really hope that everyone will post from ships. That way we can all go in a sense. Hopefully Radisson will go to laptop connections in the staterooms so you can sit there and post things as you see it.

The docking thing is strange beast, we docked right at the terminal in Hong Kong. It all evens out in the end. I'm happy you have good weather

I'm looking forward to joining you in the fall Ngaire. The Crystal tours were very expensive and you spent hours riding around in a bus. I tended to go out and wing it by myself. It will be much better to go with someone who knows where they are going.

Ngaire, as I will probably never make it to this part of the world, I love hearing your reports! Thanks so much for taking time from your busy day to update us.

Hey Karen, why don't you and your husband do the Alaska run in Sept. I hear the internet doesn't work very well up there and you would truly be free.

We LOVE your posts!! Up on a roof trying to locate your ship...that's GREAT!

Thanks, Ngaire for your posts, especially on Shanghai. We can't wait to go in September and see China and Japan. Marilyn

Ngaire,

I am enjoying reading about your Asian adventure! Enjoy the remainder of your trip.

Ginny S.

Did the taxi driver laugh as hard as I did at the rooftop search for the ship?? <img border="0" alt="[jump]" title="" src="graemlins/jumpjoy.gif" />

Hi Ngaire
I see you are on the board right now & just wanted you to know the rooftop story has made me laugh all day. I do hope there is a photo of this incident taken by someone. It really is too funny for words.

The mental scene that I have drawn for myself with you up on top of a rooftop of a hotel, craning for a view of your ship keeps making me laugh. Thanks for keeping us posted!

Masaki

Chip,

We all enjoyed hearing from you on your last cruise and the cam with you waving in the computer room.

So glad to hear that your pup is well.


JPar Judith

Ngaire,

Please keep us up to date when you can.

Love hearing from you.


JPar Judith

Chip, why don't you join us on MINT? Not that far away, not port intensive (unless you like to fly through the canopies) We have a pretty big group on this cruise! It is now 2 for 1 with 2 cabin upbgrade!

Forgive me, when is that? November? Maybe I should shave some off the Vancover to Hong Kong and do that. Sounds like more fun if there are that many people going

Anyone going on that trip in Sept.? Larwence said he was and then he said he wasn't.

It would be fun to do the MINT with everyone on the board.

Chip, I ended up defecting from the Pacific crossing in September to join MINT...

Well I'm going from Vancover to Tokyo, not doing Hong Kong, now and going on MINT if I can get on still. The year of cruising I guess.