Captain Glen welcoming everyone to the shoreside event speaking Chinese/Norwegian and maybe English

World Cruise Shoreside Event at the Shanghai Science and Technology Musuem

Centerpiece

Dancers

Rick, our cruise Director

Dancers

Dancers

Ships entertainment crew in costume

Elise and Josef welcoming us home after the event!

Zhujiajiao the Venus of the East

Women selling eggs and chickens and veggies

local food for sale 

ancient pharmacy over 100 years old

couldn't resist this little cutie as he watched us go by on the gondola

Silk Factory

Bill freezing and two mother's helping him dress!!!!!

Monday March 19, 2012
Tour to the Ancient City of Zhujiajiao

Last night was the second and last shoreside event for the World Cruisers.  It was held in the Shanghai Science and Technology musuem.  It was really something.  Captain Glen dressed as an Emporer and spoke Chinese/Norwegian/English don't know what the hell he was saying but it was hysterical.  He is such a great sport.  The evening started off with music then they went from Old China to new China.  They had acrobatic dancing the warrior dancers it really was something.  The last dance was a person dressed as a robot and doing a laser light show.  It was awesome.  There were plenty of hot and cold appetizers along with white, or red wine, soda or beer.  It was a lovely evening.  When we arrived back on the ship Elise (World Cruise Hostess) and Josef (Hotel Director) hugged us and welcomed us home.  They gave us a hot towel and of course wine or champagne.  As we were gone for 4 hours and hadn't eaten any thing but hot and cold canapes they had a big buffet set up in the cove and you could take your plate right into the dining room.  Our table was taken so we sat in the next table and even though it was not Chetan table he brought our drinks.  He told me about the special dessert last night but I didn't want it.  He then said they had chocolate mousse on the buffet but I said "No I am too tired"  next thing I knew there he was with the chocolate for me!  Bill headed to the cigar lounge and I headed to bed!  Must have been all the wine!
Today we had a tour of the ancient city of Zhujiajiao.  It was almost 2 hour ride outside of Shanghai.  They call this the Venice of the East.  It was a lovely lovely ancient town.  But there was a lot of walking up the steps down the steps.  We did see some unusual foods and people selling all kinds of things.  We even got a ride in the gondola.  After this we boarded the bus and headed back to Shanghai for lunch.  We went to a local restaurant and I didn't know most of what the food was.  Our guide yesterday Jason was so awesome he was a teacher and he really knew his English.  Our guide today Charlie although he was nice did not know English as well so he didn't explain what there was to eat.  I had some lomein it was the only thing I knew.  They had a sweet and sour fish the whole fish!!!!!  All kinds of food.  We were going to Prego for dinner tonight anyway so I just waited.  The soup was the hot and sour and I couldn't tell if it had shrimp so I didn't have it
After lunch we went to a silk factory and saw how they make the silk from the silk worms.  It was very interesting.  Unfortunately, I didn't buy anything the one thing I wanted they were out of stock and everything else was so expensive and I have to carry it home!

We left this morning around 8:45 and got back to the ship at 4:30 I was exhausted and cold.  It was very cold today.  Next stop I am wearing my long underwear!  Bill was freezing and it took LiAnne (the ship's photographer) and our friend Becky to help him get the hood closed on his winter jacket!!!!!
We did get a few great pictures and it was a lovely tour.  Will not forget this day!
Tomorrow is a well deserved sea day then on to Dalian and then 3 days in Beijing
Well folks I am exhausted from all the walking and the great dinner in Prego Veal Parmigaian, gnocchi......
So Good Night and God Bless