Today looks like another foggy cool day. Visibility outside is limited to about 200 yards or so.
Sonia, we typically reserve guides in advance and pay for them in advance, although some cities we get a guide when we arrive. In the case of Janny in Shanghai, we reserved her in advance due to her rating as #1 on TripAdvisor, then just met up with her at the port. She decided where to take us based on what we requested. Since it was Saturday, we didn’t go to any of the markets for buying things (like the silk market), but we did go to other interesting markets like the cricket market, bird market and marriage market. She decided on the restaurant based on our request for authentic Shanghai food.
Julie, we were allowed to go into the temples in Japan and China, although just into the entry area. The part further back (by the statues, etc.) is reserved for those performing the ritual rites in the temple.
Patti, I usually ask people if they are OK with me taking a picture and putting it on the blog. There are a few times when people say no pictures and I respect that. Also, when you are out and about walking in a port, the general rule is that if you take a picture from a distance, you don’t typically have to ask for permission (although never point your camera in the direction of an embassy, they’re very protective of photos being taken), but if you take a picture close up, I ask for permission. For example, in my pics from Shanghai, the lady with the two small kids in the back alley I asked for permission to take their picture. But the kids at the park I took from a distance and just used the zoom function to bring it in a little closer. And at the marriage market, I would ostensibly take a picture of Krissie and Janny, but was doing that to get the others in the background. Regarding tai chi, you see it pretty much everywhere in the morning, on sidewalks, in parks, all over. Janny said that it is typically neighbors that meet each morning, that it is usually the retired people that do it. Regarding the marriage market, the kids are so busy with their work and the rush of everyday living that they often don’t have time or the venues in which to meet other young singles. So the parents help out with the process. I told Janny we called that helicopter parenting in the US and had to explain the concept to her of swooping into your child’s life to help them when needed.
Susie, yes, I am aware of the use of characters at the end of the roofline indicating the importance of the owner. Nine characters is reserved for the emperor and it is always an odd number. I don’t think any of the buildings we saw yesterday had any more than three? I remember in Beijing seeing a lot of buildings with seven and nine (in The Forbidden City).
Just watched Disney’s Rapunzel on the stateroom TV this morning while getting ready for ping pong (and Krissie getting ready to go walking). I’d never seen it before and enjoyed it. Typical Disney princess formulation (although with a more modern twist), works for me.
We did well at trivia this morning with 17 out of 20, the winning team had all 20. The questions we missed: Olaf V was crowned king of this country in 1977 and had a 34 year reign. Norway (we said Denmark). In the Middle Ages, the Via del Corso was a racing track in which city? Rome (we said Madrid). His forces overtook the Sung dynasty in 1246 and went on to conquer China. Kubla Khan (we said Genghis Khan). Other tough questions we got correct: Published in 1904, Master of the World was the last novel written by this French author? Jules Verne. The trinity site in this state was the location of the first atomic explosion. New Mexico. The sister of Englebert Humperdink wrote the libretto to this fairy tale opera in 1893. Hansel and Gretel. Michigan State and San Jose State both have teams named after this city in ancient Greece. Sparta. A single one of these is actually an unopened flower bud from this thistle-laden plant, whose heart and leaves are edible. Artichoke. Three feet of original bricks cover the start and finish of this venue. Indianapolis Speedway. The interior of the Star of David forms what geometric shape? Hexagon. This word has its roots in the Greek words for father and chief and refers to the head of a family or clan. Patriarch. This is the most populous democracy in the world. India. She was born in Norfolk, England in 1961 and her fairy tale life came to an end in Paris on August 31, 1997. Diana Spenser. This cold induced condition can progress dangerously from cold to gangrene if not treated. Frostbite. He was the first African American to serve as both Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Secretary of State. Colin Powell. This antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Penicillin.
Today is Sunday and it’s a sea day, so that means Sunday brunch, fabulous again as always:
Life is short, eat dessert first. The other food was outstanding as well:
In the afternoon, I opted out of trivia and watched a movie in the Casino Lounge instead: War Horse. It was excellent. I wonder why War Horse didn’t win the Academy Award for best picture rather than The Artist, which was interesting but not in the same league with War Horse. The Artist seemed to play to Hollywood vanities about Hollywood, but wasn’t a truly great movie. Just my opinion. The only other nominated best picture movie I’ve seen is Moneyball, which was good, but again not a best picture winner in my book. But neither was The Artist (in my book) and it won, so what do I know…
Tonight’s entertainment was a combination show with Jim Coston (banjo player) and Paul Baker (West End singer), both of whom we have seen on previously evenings.
Tomorrow is sea da #2 of 2 on our way to Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Seeing the silent movie film 'The Artist' did not interest me either. I have also seen War Horse and highly recommend it. An stupendous film directed by Spielberg, based on a children's book story. I think he captured the essence of the celebrated stage production. -- Thanks for explaining about the Guides... Nice to have a local person showing you around (and nice for them too of course).
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