Greetings from James Blog at the historical water village - Zhou Zhuang.
The Lunch time waitresses.
The Greengrocers.
The main entrance gate to Zhou Zhuang.
Commodore Steve Burgoine and James enjoying a break - I think we would have been suited to an Emperor's lifestyle.
A Canal Tea shop - I will never make tea in a mug with a tea bag again. Here in China they treat tea with such respect and serve it with style.
A Lady Street Sweeper.
Just to prove we were there.
A servants bench where they would sit and wait to be called by their Master.
Rush hour!
The Receiving Room - fascinating to visit the old homes - I loved the design with open courtyards between all the principle rooms. Also there is a corridor at each side of all the rooms so that the servants could transit the house without being seen.
Punting in the canal.
A Lady Street Sweeper.
Just to prove we were there.
A servants bench where they would sit and wait to be called by their Master.
Rush hour!
The Receiving Room - fascinating to visit the old homes - I loved the design with open courtyards between all the principle rooms. Also there is a corridor at each side of all the rooms so that the servants could transit the house without being seen.
Punting in the canal.:
Lots of viewing points.
An old traditional kitchen.
Nothing like a personalised number plate.
Lots of lovely wide streets to explore.
Making bed quilts and pillows to order - any tog, any size, any shape!
Making dumplings.
The Local Theatre in full swing.
All sorts of transport!
The taxi stand.
A full view of the stage.
Fancy a ride?
The local Lunch served by the lovely waitresses.
Japanese Tour Group.
Grannies making children's shoes.
Gas delivery!
They love their fish and chose to order in the restaurants.
Commodore, Susan our Tour Guide and me. What lovely weather we enjoyed. A perfect day for an outing.
A Clam Omelette - first time for me - a bit like an Egg Custard only with more salt and less sugar.
One of the many canals.
The best way to see the town.
Waiting for a taxi.
One of the toll gates we had to pass through going out and into the City.
On reflection..........................................it was a good moment.
Lots of bridges to cross.
Interesting designs and very practical.
We were in our 'blues' uniform for the China Ports - here is Joseph - Assistant Front of House Manager looking dapper. P&O Cruises passengers love to see their Officers on Parade.
Anyone for Barley Sugar?
An atmospheric shot.
The local Pork Store.
The is way MORE than a Cruise and way more than a GRAND VOYAGE...................
Lots of viewing points.
An old traditional kitchen.
Nothing like a personalised number plate.
Lots of lovely wide streets to explore.
Making bed quilts and pillows to order - any tog, any size, any shape!
Making dumplings.
The Local Theatre in full swing.
All sorts of transport!
The taxi stand.
A full view of the stage.
Fancy a ride?
The local Lunch served by the lovely waitresses.
Japanese Tour Group.
Grannies making children's shoes.
Gas delivery!
They love their fish and chose to order in the restaurants.
Commodore, Susan our Tour Guide and me. What lovely weather we enjoyed. A perfect day for an outing.
A Clam Omelette - first time for me - a bit like an Egg Custard only with more salt and less sugar.
One of the many canals.
The best way to see the town.
Waiting for a taxi.
One of the toll gates we had to pass through going out and into the City.
On reflection..........................................it was a good moment.
Lots of bridges to cross.
Interesting designs and very practical.
We were in our 'blues' uniform for the China Ports - here is Joseph - Assistant Front of House Manager looking dapper. P&O Cruises passengers love to see their Officers on Parade.
Anyone for Barley Sugar?
An atmospheric shot.
The local Pork Store.Good Day all!
I thought I would give you a weekend supplement with the blog! In Shanghai Commodore Steve Burgoine and I were invited to join some of our good friend day trippers on an excursion to Zhou Zhuang. This is a heritage Water Village which is about a two hour drive from Shanghai. Here you will get an opportunity to explore a Chinese equivalent to Venice! It was great fun and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.
The is way MORE than a Cruise and way more than a GRAND VOYAGE...................
Let me have your thoughts - would you like to go here for a day trip? What is your idea of a great day out? I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
James.
'Learn to love what is simple and beautiful in this life'
'Learn to love what is simple and beautiful in this life'
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13 comments:
It sounds and looks wonderful, so interesting and authentic; a real experience. I'd love to do this trip and all the events you have described thus far!
I'd like to do any of the day trips you've described.......this one looks interesting. Off the beaten track and different. I just love to go anywhere new!
And there is always somewhere else still to see (even for you!)
Hi James
Love the photographs. Didn't recognise the Commodore in his civvies ;-)
Have to say that all your ports have interested me! I'd love to do any of them. Like I say every time - Maybe one day - It's Saturday night, so the lottery will be on soon! Hope the OH did it this week!
Elaine (aurorabore)
hi james
certainly looked like a superb outing. nice to see the commodore out and about. that traffic looked a bit hairy, was that on the way out or back?! we all look forward to each of your thrilling instalments. MJ
Seeing all these wonderful Chinese photos reminds me of the Benny Hill Chinaman sketch (no longer politically correct) when he said through his slanty eyes:
All you Engrish you rook da same!
Sorry, you had to be there, or is this a Carol Thatcher moment I am having here?
James,
Your blog is fantasic. I read it everyday. Your pictures of Hong Kong and Shanghai were fantastic. I love all the pictures you have included. You are Number One on the list of Best Cruise Blogs as far as I am concerned. Thanks for taking the time to give those of us land bound an opportunity to see and hear about such exotic parts of the world.
All the best,
Sharon
James thank you as always wonderful photos and descriptions, having been lucky enough to have visited some of the ports on an Aurora RWC its brings back such happy memories. Look forward to tomorrow blog
Zhou Zhuang for a day trip? As wonderful as it sounds James it's a bit far from the north west of england to be there and back in one day!!! Seriously though it looks tremendous, the photographs bring out the atmosphere of the place. It's a part of the world that we have never been to; but one day on a P&O grand voyage we will. Yourself and the Commodore look as good as ever, last time we saw you both was in Venice of all places, September 2007 and you haven't changed a bit. Our ideal day out is today, just off to the Lake District, a family walk around the lake, stop for coffee, lots of conversation and enjoyment of the scenery. A bit like Zhou Zhuang.
Thank you so much for sharing your days out with us.
Best wishes
Stephen and Margaret Ackers
What wonderful photographs and what an interesting looking place. Nice to see you and the "boss" out and about.
I look forward to reading your blog every day and get serious withdrawal when you miss a day due to the signal.
Thanks so much for sharing everything with us.
Gill
wonderful photos James, you are so good doing the blogg almost everyday, it is the first thing I do when I get up in a morning, switch on and look to see if you have done a new page. Only six weeks to us joining the Arcadia, cannot wait.
Best wishes,
JLincoln
Hi James Your pictures are wonderful and make it so alive for me. My husband and I think we may be on the 2010 Grand Cruise all being well,my dream is to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of my bucket list things to do.Had a text from Maggie and David today the seem to be having a good time look out for them regards Evelyn in Scotland
James
I am very jealous. You seem to be having a whale of a time in the Far East. The Caribbean on Ocean Village semms just so pedestrian in comparison!!
Carry on having fun! Regards to all on Arcadia!
Ian
Hi James,Again many many thanks for the wonderful photographs.Lovely to see both you and the Commodore out and about.Please give him our best wishes.A day out? Well, anywhere if you were our guide for the day,I know it would be special!!
Looking forward to the next installment.
Norma & Peris
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