March Of The Dumplings Continues
<img alt="shanghaiteaplantation.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/shanghaiteaplantation.jpg" width="450" height="338"
After an impressive introduction to Shanghai, I naturally expected to hit a few low points. Bizarrely enough though, they all happened in one day - the day I decided to book a day trip to Hangzhou, a popular tourist destination two hours from Shanghai.
The Gray Line tour company promised stops at Six Harmonies Pagoda, a local tea plantation and time to enjoy the grandeur of the fabled West Lake with its majestic causeway, gardens, pavilions and more. Sounds wonderful, right?
Not so much.
The tour guide clearly hated his job and the other two tourists booked on the tour -- an Israeli father and daughter team -- were an odd, complaining pair. Then, the stops on and off the van seemed to be more about the quick photo opp than actually learning about the place we were visiting. The only exception was the tea plantation (pictured above) which offered a respite complete with tea tasting and lovely scenery, but also included a hard sell from our "tea master" to buy, buy, buy.
Bye-bye.
Thankfully, things took a turn when I returned to Shanghai and Amelia booked us a table at one of the city's legendary restaurants, M on the Bund.
The name wasn't a lie. The lavish Art Deco dining room was most certainly on the Bund, as evidenced by the spectacular view from our roof terrace perch...
<img alt="bund.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/bund.jpg" width="450" height="338"
And if that wasn't yummy enough, there was the food...
<img alt="shanghaimanti.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/shanghaimanti.jpg" width="450" height="338"
This reinterpretation of Turkish Manti Dumplings wasn't exactly typical Chinese fare, but my plate of tender, plump babies stuffed with flavorful lamb and drizzled with jus and creme fraiche was a tasty treat nonetheless.
In fact, the whole dinner was a treat, from the vista to the food to the company. Now I just had to keep the momentum going.
I had another excursion planned for the next day. Could be cause for concern, but I had learned my lesson. No more Gray Line for me. Instead, at Amelia's insistence, I had agreed to fork over the yuan for a private driver and Ritz-Carlton-recommended guide in order to visit one of the famed water villages outside of Shanghai -- one not firmly planted on the tourist maps and most certainly not on any mainstream Gray Line tour.
Still, after the day's experiences I was nervous. Would Xi'tang simply be another disappointing photo opp or an authentic glimpse into China?
More to come, but until then, here's a sneak peek...
<img alt="shanghaiwatervillage.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/shanghaiwatervillage.jpg" width="300" height="400"