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Tokyo-Taipei (well actually it’s Tokyo – Osaka – Shanghai – Guangzhou – Hong Kong – Taipei… phew!) – UPDATED

Sunday, May 28th, 2006

Well, I said some sad goodbyes in Tokyo. I am not sure when I will see anyone again. Saya and Dom – good luck with the weddings… yes it’s not a typo – did mean weddings… there are more than one… Well it’s a cross-cultural union – you have to include everybody!

And to Minami – Good luck with everything, and thanks for everything too…

I seem to find myself here in Shanghai… The crossing was fine and quite smooth. Not so much fun without Craig and Victoria though or the team of identically shell-suit clad, Chinese team of some sort of sport (one thing is for sure they weren’t the national table-tennis team – they were terrible at it!). If you guys are reading… I missed you!

It’s still an entertaining voyage though: Mr Bean showing after 9.45pm, the table tennis table at reception, the Japanese-style bath and 2nd-class sleeping arrangements, the free breakfast, the haunting sound of the staff’s after-hours karaoke in the bar, and the feeling even 4 days after you get off that you are still on board! Woah… there I go again. Hope it didn’t last too long for Craig and Victoria – it took me about 4 days to get my land-legs last time!

I can feel China in my lungs again… splutter, splutter. I had a pleasant walk round today to a park near HuiHai… lots of people seem to be in their pijamas today, it must be a Shanghai Sunday thing. There was lots going on in the park: singing and playing music, fitness machines put to good use, ear-piercing and Chinese chess.

I also saw 6 people from the boat today by chance, 4 of which are in the same hostel as me… It’s a small world after-all…. And I met up with the girl I shared a room with when I was last in Shanghai… well she didn’t leave here at all… she was job searching then, and found a job and apartment searching now.

I leave for Hong Kong on an overnight train tomorrow morning, one night there and then I fly to Taipei… I’ll update this entry when I get further on. Will get some last photos of Japan on too. I’ll also make an entry for one of the main reasons I was in Tokyo… Hino Sensei’s Martial Arts classes!! ooh they were good!!

Over for now…

As promised, here are some last moments from Japan…

Leech!And a couple of the leech's mates... For the zooligists… turn away Granny

Minami, last day in the parkDom and Saya, last day in the park

Osaka port, very early!Don't remember it being as grey as this...All aboard! The express to China!Japanese-style

Catch me up in Taipei.

The Suzhouhao Odyssey

Friday, April 21st, 2006

On the night before I left Shanghai I went to the Bund, towards the east of Shanghai on the riverfront. On the other side is Pudong where Shanghai used to grow all its veg. Now though, the greens are grown elsewhere and room has been made for a special zone… The bright lights came to Shanghai!!…

Pudong pow!Pearl Tower`s big ballsBright lights

Got the bus to the ferry port the next day with my copious luggage that I have sworn I will shed as soon as I get to Tokyo. Naturally got off the bus too early and walked for ages to get there by which time I was a rather Sweaty Betty indeed!… wet through.

Shanghai's feeding timeFeed me now!

Shanghai’s estuary was like an artery. It was loaded with freight ships. Lines and lines of them for 40 minutes never-ending supplies to feed and build the city. Really incredible. [read on]