Day 80 - Day 82 Wednesday April 3 to April 5, 2024, Shanghai, China

Arrival: 10:00 Departure: 11:30 (April 5)

April 3

As we sail towards Shanghai one can notice the large buildup of industry along the Huangpu River. This river is a tributary of the Yangtze River one of the most polluted rivers in China. A port lecturer on this part of the journey explained that seven main oil refineries and five steel mills are located along the Huangpu River.

Shanghai is the largest city in China with 29.2 million people in the metropolitan area. It is located on the Huangpu River. It is also the largest container port in the world. We are docked at the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal for the two nights.

Before departing Canada, we were made aware that Chinese authorities required a VISA if you planned to take a tour other than one offered by the ship. Our old passports included Chinese VISAs that did not expired until 2025 so we brought them with us. Prior to arriving in China documentation was completed that allowed us a temporary 15-day VISA so we did not need our old passports anyway.

We arrived at 10:00 and we tied up by 10:30. Everyone is required to have a face-to-face inspection at the cruise terminal.

While we waited on the ship a Chinese individual came on board for us to exchange USD for Yuans. We are required to provide our original passport, photocopy of our passport and Oceania World Card to the officials. The photocopy was stamped but we still needed to take our passports with us which we were not comfortable with.

It is 11:32 as we wait to be called. We have decided that for the two full days in Shanghai we would only take ship tours. This was my first time in Shanghai, but Janice had been here once before.

Our ship tour was to the water town of Zhouzhuang about an hour outside of Shanghai. Janice acted as a guide helper holding up the sign. Bridges connect one area from the next with shops and restaurants lining the narrow streets. The traffic was busy as we made our way back into the city.

We decided on a night walk along The Bund, the waterfront area situated near Insignia. Earlier in the day our guide mentioned it was a three-day holiday where families pay homage to their departed family members.

The buildings surrounding Insignia come to life so to speak as they flash different colours every minute or so. The lightshow continues until 22:00. While walking past a night cruise ticket booth we decided on a night cruise. They do not take VISA, so we paid by cash except now we do not have sufficient money for a meal. Our dinner consisted of soda and chips. Yum Yum.

Ok the cruise is over so let's try and grab a drink at a hotel that is close by. Janice was able to use Apple pay to purchase a drink and tacos. It is now time to make our way back to the ship. WE have enough money to get home. Tomorrow I will need to go back and get money exchanged from the person who has come on board.

April 4

We booked two tours this day one early in the morning and a night tour. The morning tour took us to the 88 the floor of Jin Mao Tower for pictures of the city below. The second stop takes us the monorail line that runs between Longyang Road Station on the Shanghai Subway Line 2, to Pudong International Airport, and the journey takes no more than 8 minutes to complete the distance of 30 km (19 miles). We just climb on board the train reach the airport then just stay on the train for the return trip back to Longyang Road Station.

Janice decides not to take the night tour but there were some interesting photos of the same buildings lit up at night from the same 88th floor.

April 5

Insignia was to leave at 11:30 today so Janice and I walked around the area near Insignia one last time. We also had some Yuans we needed to spend. We found a Chinese 7 Eleven store (sorry no egg salad sandwiches) but bought some chocolate for the staff.

A seaday follows our departure as our next port is Hong Kong 815 nautical miles away.