Eastern China

We have spent the last week near or on the the coast, just south of Shanghai. Here is a map to help:

Access to internet had been poor; relying on wifi has had it’s limits.

Hangzhou and its West Lake is a jem. Hangs down. But Shaoxing was well with a stop for its stunning 800 year old ivy-covered Bazi bridge and old world Yangtze Delta town feel, at least in its historic section. If you look closesly at the top right picture below you still see skinned chikens hanging up to dry with the laundry!

We have been travelling by bullet train…muy rapido…often 300 km/hr+. There has been little countryside between the cities…they transition one to another. Hundreds of very tall, auster apartment buildings cluster together at the edges of city cores. There is construction everywhere including some fine restoration of old neighbourhoods and city cores. All top name stores are everywhere and fashion is alive and thriving in this part of China at least.

We spent Saturday in Ningbo a throbbing metropolis enjoying the parks and people-watching: singing, instrumental gatherings, dancing…even a gentleman writing calligraphy on the ground.

Top right: man had collection of very large snake skins which he used to cover the bottom part of a small wooden drum to creat a simple violin structure which he then played. Different skins,different tones. 

We have been sampling the specialities as we go along. Rice wine from Shaoxing is considered the best in the country. The darker the better the quality. Tastes like a cross between a good brandy and sherry! Yumm.