On Tuesday morning, Kirk and I took the high speed train from Beijing to Shanghai. After a harrowing experience at the train station (when NONE of our credit or debit cards seemed to work), we were able to get sufficient RMB from an ATM and buy our tickets. In the flurry, we didn’t notice that the 9:33 a.m. train trip would take 5:30 (still pretty fast), but the 10:00 trip would take 4:30 and get us in 30 minutes sooner for leaving 30 minutes later. Here’s a shot of the monitor (in the Executive car!) showing the speed (only 264 Kp/h) at one point. It was very smooth.
Anyway, it was a fantastic trip; a beautifully sunny day and we got to see 1500 km or so (at 300 km/h), as well as the world’s longest bridge. This is a bridge (a viaduct) built for the high speed train, which extends more than 100 miles! Here is an example of the views.
Got into Shanghai and took the metro for the 45-minute (11 stop) trip to the hotel. The cost for the two of us was about 90 cents (total)! Here is the subway map so you can follow along. 🙂
Then to the Westin Bund. A very nice hotel. Here is a view from the room and of the lobby at night.
Last time I was here, I met a lawyer from Italy, who had moved to Beijing and set up shop. He acted as guide last trip and was very helpful. I made arrangements to meet Roberto Salvi (now practicing in Shanghai AND Beijing). After a walk along the riverfront, we went to dinner at M on the Bund, a fabulous place.
A breakfast meeting this morning and then off to the airport. more to come…