Wander

The End

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 04:39:18 +0000

It was an amazing adventure and now it's over. This site will be preserved where you see it for now. Feel free to browse the archives. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

In terms of the site, I'm proud that it stood up just fine. Some things didn't work – video and audio – but that's a technical difficulty I'll resolve for the next big adventure.

Bon voyage,
Greg

Cat=Blog

Familiar building?

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 03:54:36 +0000

Familiar building?

This building looks oddly familiar. Where could I be right now? ;)

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geo:lat=-27.402479

geo:long=153.109085

Entering Hong Kong

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:01:00 +0000

At some point before arriving in Hong Kong I remembered to look out the window and check out the countryside. The difference between Shanghai and here is dramatic. Here it is clearly obvious we're in a tropical climate. For the first time since I left Australia two years ago I'm seeing palm trees and banana trees growing in the wild.
For some reason it feels reassuring, as does the tropical heat I can sense through the window glass. I'm looking forward to it...
cat=Blog
geo:lat=22.437981
geo:long=114.192757

Shanghai last days

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 18:37:00 +0000

My train to Hong Kong is booked for Sunday. It takes about 26 hours but after 6 days on a train, one day is nothing.
I'll decide on Hong Kong accommodation tomorrow - probably spend two nights there and book a flight to Australia for mid-week.
I haven't found anything I want to buy in Shanghai, so it looks like I'll be doing all my shopping in HK. If you're in Australia and want me to get you something while I'm here then please email me your requests now!
cat=Blog
geo:lat=31.205410
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Nextage

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:47:21 +0000

Nextage

2nd largest department store in the world and the biggest in Asia: Nextage. It's really big. From what I could figure out, the fountain outside was timed to music by the Backstreet Boys.

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The Bund at night

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 15:04:08 +0000

The Bund at night

One of the many spectacles of Shanghai one must see before they die, apparently. Admittedly, it's quite spectacular in person. This view is from M on the Bund - a slightly posh bar, but in "western" money it's not expensive at all. Dinner at People 7 was indeed puzzling.

cat=Photo

geo:lat=31.235004

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Old Town & the French Concession

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:57:57 +0000

Not much to say today, really. Well, maybe a little.
I became quite lost for no good reason while looking for my nearest Metro station (I had two maps). Once I found it, I hopped on as far as the river and wandered down to Yu'an(?) Gardens and Bazaar near Old Town. I gave the gardens a miss because it was raining (as usual) and checked out the bazaar/markets instead. I figured I'd look for some souvenirs and such but nothing really took my fancy.
I then wandered over to the French Concession and wandered down the main drag. I was two-thirds of the way down (trust me, it's a long way) and was about to cross a street when a German girl wandered up and gave me a nod. We crossed the street with the rest of the rabble and she said hello. It turned out Natalie (her name) had just arrived in Shanghai to live and study and was looking around this area for a bit of sightseeing. We joined guide books and wandered down some old lane ways.
Being German, she's going to the Oktoberfest this weekend. I don't think Mark & Jasmine and I had made any decision about that as yet. I helped Natalie find the hotel where she would collect her tickets and said goodbye. I then arrived 15 minutes late to home and Jasmine was locked out because I had her key. Oops!
Tonight we're off to People-7, a restaurant that is apparently quite puzzling.
cat=Blog
geo:lat=31.205410
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Shanghai Museum

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 05:57:12 +0000

Shanghai Museum

An elaborate collection of jade, porcelain, furniture, calligraphy, and painting. Not bad. The building is very impressive from the inside and out.

Shanghai weather maintains its foul condition. This summer wandering seems to have rain as its theme.

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Nanjing Lu (facing West)

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 05:17:49 +0000

Nanjing Lu (facing West)

Shanghai's pedestrian mall is damn big. All the Chinese are very interested in my Swear shoes. Anyway I'm in the shopping district looking for maybe some cheap clothes and shoes. Wish me luck.

(Oh, I did retrieve my bag and camera too, for those who were worried)

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geo:lat=31.238882

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Compliments of the Shangri-La

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 05:40:40 +0000

Compliments of the Shangri-La

I left my camera (and bag) at a friend of a friend's place the other night in Shanghai, I think. Will retrieve it soon. Today I'm in Hangzhou. . 5-star accommodation overlooking the lake. It's a stretch for me to call it backpacking.

cat=Photo

geo:lat=30.254679

geo:long=120.158165