I'm writing this from Zhongshan International hotel. On paper, mind.
We had a civilized start to the day, getting up at eleven and walking round the corner to get some greasy bread stuff from the street sellers and a donut kebab from the bakery. Then a train from Shanghai South Station at one to Hangzhou (pronounced hang-joe).
There is a lake called West Lake which you can bike around - we decided to do it today in order to try to be respectable for the return train trip tomorrow. There is a city cycle hire scheme but we hired from the hotel for £2 per hour, which is pretty dear out here. The bikes were ok, though mine had massively low handlebars.
The lake is beautiful. Mountains on every side, fountain displays for the thousands of tourists. It was very busy. It was great fun cycling around it, and the Chinese roads didn't feel that dangerous, I think because everyone always expects trouble. The roads in Shanghai are about twenty times worse; I don't think I'd ever be brave enough.
We took a quick break for a drink. A Starbucks in fact. I had a Coffee an Jelly Frappucino, which I can not recommend. The Chinese are very fond of putting jelly in drinks, and it's normally ok because they don't use this much!
After cycling round a chunk of the lake, we locked our bikes up (to some extent!) and made our way up a hill/rock. Lloyd had been here before and it turned out that he had a plan. At the top was the obligatory pagoda and huge rocks that people were climbing. Properly climbing. We made our way up the for awesome views of the city and the lake. And the fearless climbers jumping from rock to rock with zero equipment. This was one of the best moments of the trip so far, I didn't intend to take so many photos. We cycled back in slightly more traffic, but mostly in cycle lanes. It was getting pretty dark and the bikes had no lights, but cyclists and motorcyclists don't seem to worry about using lights even if they have them in China, so no big deal, kind of.
We went back to our very nice £40 per night hotel and showered before dinner. My room had a basket containing, amongst other things, a vibrating condom, and his 'n' hers Viagra. 'Viagra'. We had dinner in an establishment labelled as a 'Chinese Restaurant'. Amelia ordered expertly. There was a dish which was sheets tofu, dried and put in a simple sauce. It was just like struddle. If you don't know what that is, you're not meant to.
A nightcap at Marisa's hotel. An Erdinger myself, repulsive cocktails for the others. The beard is growing well.
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