8th Apr, Shanghai , the Financial hub of China!

Its a long drive with Isabel, our guide , the many levels of flyovers , the diversity in the architecture (European, Modern, Traditional)  of this city ,makes it well worth the drive to the hotel. A quick freshen up , cuppa chai & we are off . The Bund, sounds familiar , well it has been derived from the Hindi word Band aka Embankment / Dam. A walk along the bank of the Huangpu River , with its beautiful historical , typically colonial buildings is striking. The sun set , makes it an ideal time to take the River cruise & see the city , near & far , shimmering in the evening lights.

Dinner time & we go to one of the most popular Malls at Zhong Shan Park, bang opposite the station. Shopping galore toh hai , however the three levels of various cuisine restaurants , is the killer! Havent seen anything like this ever !! Wow ..... we are loving it . We walk the length of all the floors , hunting for the best Hot Pot Restaurant ,till we reach the Dollar Shop. Shanghai , famous for it's Hot Pot, is an affair to remember. Hot Pot is for Chinese , what Fondue is for  Swiss/ French!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_pot

Highlight:

Inder, wanting to go back to the hotel after dinner , by hoping onto a Motorcycle Taxi instead of a Cab & if it wasn't for Dad & Mom, we all surely would hopped onto the Bikes , for a hair flying cold windy ride !!!!! Sighhhhh .... next time ke liye , else , Hire a bike at Goa shall be the call now !

More than half hour of explanation , on how 2 soups for the Hot Pot have to be Veg, when Mom got her Veg Soup, the second dip into the soup & out came a crab piece ! Well , that she didn't eat anything there , was expected!!! Ouch!!!! And best is Anish ka experience , where he ate Hotpot on one of his trips & he hits upon a turtle, seems , they put a live turtle , which then emits medicinal values into the soup &  should be eaten too!!!!! Babare !!!