Well, after a very long flight we arrived in Shanghai on Friday night. Greg met us at the airport with his driver so it was a very easy commute back to the apartment. The apartment complex that Greg has chosen is really central however the actual apartment itself is a little down at heel which is really amazing given that the complex was only completed in 2005. Four years and it looks really tired – amazing how things deteriorate here! However, it is an area that we will probably live in when we eventually move here - it is great for the metro and it really feels like we would live the Shanghai life – unlike being in a big compound with only expats around. So we will probably look for something in this general area when we move here in August. For a look see and where we are living, Google Oasis Riviera Shanghai and it will give you a general idea of where we are in relation to downtown Shanghai.
We started on Saturday morning with a very nice breakfast at the little café here at the complex and just spent the rest of the day unpacking the 72kgs of luggage I brought – mostly stuff for the kitchen. Why you ask when everything we buy back in Australia is from China? BUT, things like good crockery and cutlery, sheets and towels are really pretty expensive here. We then went on a trip to the Carrefour (the big supermarket for those that don’t know it) to do a bit of a shop and set up house a little bit – Greg really hadn’t bought anything substantial so we bought all the staples. Then on Saturday afternoon we went on the metro to Nanjing Road (near the famous Bund) and, after a short stroll to The Bund Hotel, met up with our friends the Evans who were on a homeland tour here in China. We all then went back to our apartment for dinner. The kids (and adults) really enjoyed spending time together.
Sunday we had a nice day just checking out the area – again a trip to the Carrefour. Apparently two trips in two days to the Carrefour is unheard of – it’s so busy so its not a happy experience (although I really enjoyed it – but I am sure the novelty will wear off :) The local expats that live here couldn’t believe that we had done a Carrefour twice in two days! But, given that this experience is new we really spent some time just soaking it all up. The kids were starving then so we sought out – yes - the local Maccas - for lunch. Can I just say that Chinese McDonalds is SO much better than in Australia (amazing but true)! It is actually very tasty. I will leave it for you all to experience it when you visit. Afterwards we went to the apartment complex over the road (Yanlord Riverside Gardens) which is a complex that we really want to get into to. Afterwards we had a lovely catch up with our niece Rebecca and her husband Scott. They have been living her for a few years now so we drilled them with regards to living here in Shanghai – when you hear an expert it does sound exciting rather than daunting. It’s so great to have them here with us – and that we can live this experience with family.
On Monday Greg was back to work so the kids and I were on our own. We caught a taxi to an area of The French Concession and met Robyn, Hugh and Xiao En and had a look around a hutong that has been transformed into a wonderful arts and crafts area with great restaurants. It was a really nice alternative to the huge shopping malls that abound here and being a Monday it was lovely and quiet. Apparently it is teeming with people on the weekends. We will definitely go back there.
Bye for now.
Libby
(Posted by Aileen, as China has blocked Blogger this week!!)
We started on Saturday morning with a very nice breakfast at the little café here at the complex and just spent the rest of the day unpacking the 72kgs of luggage I brought – mostly stuff for the kitchen. Why you ask when everything we buy back in Australia is from China? BUT, things like good crockery and cutlery, sheets and towels are really pretty expensive here. We then went on a trip to the Carrefour (the big supermarket for those that don’t know it) to do a bit of a shop and set up house a little bit – Greg really hadn’t bought anything substantial so we bought all the staples. Then on Saturday afternoon we went on the metro to Nanjing Road (near the famous Bund) and, after a short stroll to The Bund Hotel, met up with our friends the Evans who were on a homeland tour here in China. We all then went back to our apartment for dinner. The kids (and adults) really enjoyed spending time together.
Sunday we had a nice day just checking out the area – again a trip to the Carrefour. Apparently two trips in two days to the Carrefour is unheard of – it’s so busy so its not a happy experience (although I really enjoyed it – but I am sure the novelty will wear off :) The local expats that live here couldn’t believe that we had done a Carrefour twice in two days! But, given that this experience is new we really spent some time just soaking it all up. The kids were starving then so we sought out – yes - the local Maccas - for lunch. Can I just say that Chinese McDonalds is SO much better than in Australia (amazing but true)! It is actually very tasty. I will leave it for you all to experience it when you visit. Afterwards we went to the apartment complex over the road (Yanlord Riverside Gardens) which is a complex that we really want to get into to. Afterwards we had a lovely catch up with our niece Rebecca and her husband Scott. They have been living her for a few years now so we drilled them with regards to living here in Shanghai – when you hear an expert it does sound exciting rather than daunting. It’s so great to have them here with us – and that we can live this experience with family.
On Monday Greg was back to work so the kids and I were on our own. We caught a taxi to an area of The French Concession and met Robyn, Hugh and Xiao En and had a look around a hutong that has been transformed into a wonderful arts and crafts area with great restaurants. It was a really nice alternative to the huge shopping malls that abound here and being a Monday it was lovely and quiet. Apparently it is teeming with people on the weekends. We will definitely go back there.
Bye for now.
Libby
(Posted by Aileen, as China has blocked Blogger this week!!)
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