Day 15 and into 16

Firstly, the continuation of last night. After posting last night we spent a little time chilling before the evening approached, then we headed out for one final walk on Shanghai. We wandered down to Nanjing Road (the pedestrian walk) and followed the lights and crowd to The Bund. 

But the time we reached The Bund all of the night lights were on display. We enjoyed the opportunity to see it again, to savour the experience amongst all of the people who were also enjoying the evening. We could see the cruises along the river, see the different buildings close up and the flower walls lit up on display.

We then wandered back along Nanjing Rd, stopping to eat some street food. We shared a scallion pancake and some noodles and then Ian tried a Royal Court Beef Pancake (I may have snuck a bite). We finished our evening walk by grabbing our last two ice creams to enjoy back in our room before we crashed for the night.

Day 16 dawned … our final day in China. Today we were on our own until after lunch when Mr Chen (not Mr Son … we have had his name wrong the whole time) and our guide Filipino would meet us to transfer us to the airport.

Today (to now) has been a day in 5 parts. 

First - wake up, shower, breakfast, pack, checkout. We're getting good at this now after more than 2 weeks on the road.

Second - Shanghai Library East Hall. Getting over to the library in Pudong was pretty simple once the Concierge called us a taxi. Watch the meter inch forward as we tunnel under Huangpu, 25 minutes, 8km for under $10. Then into the grand edifice that is the library, opened in 2022 with 115,000 m2 over 7 floors. Yes. Those figures are correct. Space and money were not constraints. It is in effect the equivalent of a State Library, with major archival and research collections. Part museum, part gallery, lots of tech, lots of study spaces, even a children's area, and maybe 500 fiction items (that we could find). But no soul or character, which we are so used to finding in the libraries we work with.

Third - A wander across the road from the library to Century Park. A lovely open modern park with lush gardens and inviting open spaces. We meandered from one side to the other over 45 minutes  - a mural wall, rose garden, man playing music, bridge,  island, Olmec Head (why not?). A beautiful peaceful way to say goodbye.

Fourth - Search for and find a taxi back to our hotel (tick). Meet Filippo our transfer guide and happy Mr Chen (tick). Drive the hour to the airport for check-in (tick).

Fifth - Just because we can, and because the check in staff slapped a notice in front of us as we were given our boarding passes, we booked into a lounge located 40m from our departure gate. So 2 hours in comfy chairs with lovely food and drinjs to enjoy. And a final discussion about China highlights. 

More on that over the next few days but a flight awaits and we will be in Singapore by midnight.

This has not been proof read or edited as I dash to get this posted before I have to switch to airplane mode!