Jahhhk's Travel Blog: Shanghai Day 2 (18 October, 2008)

Jinxgirl, Caleb and I woke up before Jinxgirl's parents did so we had fun taking turns with the Pokemon DS game. We went downstairs for a breakfast buffet, careful to stay away from milk products. Despite the fact that China has already claimed to have removed all tainted milk products, Caleb and I decided to play safe and drink orange juice.

After breakfast, we met the tour agent downstairs for a day of city sightseeing. First, we went to the Oriental Pearl Tower. It is one of the many high rise buildings in China. We went to the middle bubble which is at 263m height. We could see the whole of Shanghai from there! Jinxgirl took snapshots of the scenery until her camera ran out of battery. Undeterred, she borrowed her mum's camera and continued to capture photos of the scenery.

At the giftshop, we were allowed to choose a souvenir each. The three of us decided on the same thing: a key chain with a unique 3D design of the Oriental Pearl Tower! Isn't it marvellous?

After we left the tower, we visited Tianmai Jadeite. we were given a tour of the jade pieces and taken through the history of jade. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to photograph anything (sigh). After the tour, we went into a small room where the sales lady showed us how to tell the value of jade and even allowed us to try on some of the pieces. I wore a jade pendant from my horn while Caleb used his bangle as a mini hula hoop. Jinxgirl fell in love with a jade bangle which everybody agreed suited her. After much persuasion, her parents bought it for her. 'This is your inheritance, so keep it carefully!" Jinxgirl's mother told her in a mock stern voice.

We had a scrumplicious steamboat for lunch. The best part was the choose your own sauce mix & match counter! Caleb, Jinxgirl and I had fun perfecting our sauces. Jinxgirl added about 5 spoonfuls of mashed garlic to her sauce!

With our stomachs filled, we headed to the Botanical Gardens, one of the only outdoor places in Shanghai that did not smell bad due to smoke and pollution. We engaged in a tea sampling session upon arrival. Jinxgirl gave most of her tea away as she disliked the smell and taste of it.

After doing so much, we headed for a Foot Reflexology Centre. We had our feet( or, in Caleb's and my case, hooves) massaged. It felt really good and the debris trapped in my hooves were finally flushed out!

We ate Hong Kong duck, char siew and shao rou for dinner. It tasted so-so. The day was topped of with an exciting ERA acrobatics show. It was really colourful and the stunts performed seemed really daredevil and impossible. Tired out by the excitement, we all headed back to the hotel to get some rest.

Jahhhk out