Shanghai Express

Carlee and friends from Enochs and Johansen High School on evening cruise at the Bund on a balmy Shanghai night.

We survived the overnight train ride, in fact it was pretty relaxing. There were four to a room in sleeping cars and it reminded me of Harry Potter, only we boarded at Platform 10. There were two low bunks and two high bunks and a little bit of room for carry-on luggage to be stowed. We were served boxed dinners and beverages in our room. The train ride is something I would do again. It would be kind of fun to go across the United States on a train.

We went to the Bund (the muddy place), which is a walkway area along the river. There was a huge thunder and lightning storm that drenched us for a good 30-40 minutes. All of a sudden there were umbrella peddlers everywhere. We bought umbrellas and then found a little cafe where we had a delicious lunch with braised eggplant, rice, and chicken/peppers. It was still raining, but we had to hurry back to the place to meet our bus. The water was pouring down steps like waterfalls and it was at least 3-4 inches deep all across the elevated walkway. It was great because the water was warm. Shopping at the famous Temple Market was followed by the best dinner we've had so far, and then on to Shanghai Illumination Evening Cruise. They had Kenny G music playing and there was a light breeze with no rainfall. The evening lights of Shanghai on buildings and structures were very technologically advanced.

Having lots of fun, but now I'm tired and I want to go to bed!