Shanghai - Day 5

Monday, August 4

Today was forecast to be sunny and hot, and they were right. It was about 85C when we set off in the bus at 8:30 to drive to Zhujiajiao Ancient Watertown about 40 minutes away in the countryside outside of Shanghai. Our tour guide for the day was Jack, a young guy who was very personable and funny. There were 12 adults and 2 children in the Walker touring party today.

Jack explaining about the Watertown as we start the tour

When we arrived it was a lot hotter and as we followed Jack around everyone was looking to be on the shady side of the narrow walkways. This was made difficult by the electric motor scooters coming from both directions, beeping their horns to let us know they wanted to get through. Although we were walking alongside a canal it certainly wasn't Venice, but because it was a Monday the place wasn't very crowded.

Window shopping as we walk along a canal

 

Along the way we saw the main pagoda in the town, as well as going into many buildings to see how the people lived and also the crafts that the people used to do in those buildings, some of which are still practiced to this day. In one of them there was a model of the whole town, but not from 1,000 years ago when the town was first occupied, it was a more recent model.

The pagoda at Watertown

A model of the Watertown

 

Despite walking through magnificent gardens and grounds, with lakes and water features in between buildings and rookeries, the temperature was climbing but it wasn't much cooler in the buildings, so the ladies were madly fanning themselves while the guys poured water into their hats. We came across a field planted with rice and surrounded by old farming equipment, and we were all glad we weren't farmers in this part of the world!

An oasis at last

We managed to find a cool spot while we waited for a boat to take us on the canal to lunch (and save our legs), and Rachel and Nick kindly bought icy poles for everyone which definitely hit the spot. Five week old Imogen couldn't have one but her mum Clair took good care of her - Imogen didn't complain at all she is such a good baby.

On our way to lunch

 

Even the locals were having a quiet day in the heat and made the most of "siesta" when they could.

 

After lunch we had some free time to shop, and after a few bartered purchases everyone was happy to head back to the hotel to cool down with a shower in air conditioned surrounds. We had 2 hours to recuperate before we were off to another dinner before a Chinese acrobatic show.

We were all hanging out for some good dumplings and we weren't disappointed with tonight's meal. It was at a well known restaurant that specializes in Xiao Lon Bao and other dumpling treats, and they were fabulous. Noelle gave us a special treat - a photo op of her holding baby Imogen!

Fortunately the Acrobatic show was in the same complex, so we just had to go up 2 flights of escalators to reach the theatre where the show was. It was an excellent show, with amazing feats of balance, juggling, strength, co-ordination, flexibility, gymnastics and some comedy. The audience participation segment was a highlight, as Angus (Clare's husband and father of Savannah and Imogen) was picked from the audience for the knife throwing act. He was a real trouper and didn't flinch at all, but the blind fold helped. It wasn't until after the show that we showed him a video and he could see how "dangerous" it was - not! That was why we were all laughing so much at his expense of not knowing they were faking throwing the knives. It was a great way to end another fabulous day of family bonding as we experienced more of the Chinese culture.

 

 

 

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