Shanghai is WOW!

Day 1: 10 October 2005

We have arrived in Shanghai. We flew with Virgin and it was ok but I thought it would be better. Bit of hype around the brand, I guess. I also think that our plane was a bit old.

Customs and immigration were no problems at all. Then there was the highlight of the day, THE MAGLEV TRAIN. In 8 minutes from the airport to central Shanghai. Speed was 431 km/h or 269 mph and it was bloody wow. I was so excited, just like a little kid J. It makes the Heathrow “Express” and defiantly the so called Stanstedt “”Express”” look like a third class alternative – we should be ashemd to call our trains in the UK express.

We took a taxi from the train station to the Magnificent Plaza Hotel.We probabaly got ripped off cos the taxi driver did NOT want to go on the meter. First offer was 250 Chinese money and we settled at 150 Chinese money.

The hotel is alright and has a certain charm to it. They also have English speaking staff at the Front desk. It is located a bit off main tourist/shoppin area but that suit us just fine.

After a nap, we went off for a walk to get something to eat and drink. People do stare, I am blond and blue eyes and boyfriend has dyed a strip of his hair with a green/blue-ish. The area is wow and it was great just to go and look around. It is just so different (in a good way). I also found Cola light, Pepsi seems to have a bigger market share but I need my Diet coke/cola light. The price was 3 Chinese money (or 3 pence) for a 600ml bottle. Nice!

Awvee Storey:

Definitely a stor(e)y I never heard about. Didn't know who this guy was (happens a lot during the pre-season). Turns out to be a walk-on from Arizona State who played in 9 games for the Wiz last season. Awvee was the man of the match for the Wi