Sat March 10.........ShanghaiWe were docked in a container port about an hours drive from the city, so a bus tour was necessary to see anything. First appearances were not promising. We passed literally hundreds of high rise apartment buildings were the people were living. Most of them, we were told, are one room apartments with a rental of approx. $30/month, paid to the government. Later on, nearer the city centre, were better quality, more expensive places, owned by the rich which, of course, is the same the world over.Our first stop was at a temple in the "old city." The temple was beautifully done, lots of Bhuddas etc, but the area was rather shabby and dirty, not all picturesque.We were then taken to a really beautiful Chinese garden with lots of old buildings, all about 500 years old. This was well worth seeing. The only problem was it turned very cold with an icy wind that made all us pampered creatures suffer. Near by was a great indoor market, very interesting but we had no time to wander around on our own. We then drove into the city centre. This was really magnificent, with lots of spectacular tall buildings, restaurants, and theatres. Most impressive.We could have left the tour bus then and, wandered around, then caught a later bus back to the ship, but it was too cold.In the evening, on board, a group of Chinese acrobats put on a marvelous show.Seven young girls and one boy, incredibly talented.Mon/ Tuesday.........Hong KongWe docked in Hong Kong harbour at the ocean terminal on the Kowloon side right in the shopping area. Oh my! It has changed so much since we were last there 20 years ago. There used to be a nice grassy park by the clock tower in front of the Peninsula Hotel. Now there is a huge convention center and an International Hotel which dominates everything, although it is extremely well done and pleasant.We walked a long way into the city to the Jade Market which is in the old Chinese area and more interesting. Very tiring day though. On board ship in the evening we were entertained by a troupe of Chinese dancers. Quite spectacular!On the second day we took the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island, then a bus ride over the Peak to Stanley Market. Quite a nice small seaside town with a great market full of well priced goodies. We had lunch there in an Indian style cafe, then the bus ride back to the city. Many spectacular high rise apartments with signs of a lot of wealth both in property, and goods in the shops.We couldn't resist buying a couple of copy watches, Rolex and a Gucci. These are very good quality copies of the real thing and it is now highly illegal to sell them.Buying them was a very secretive business.I guess we saw a lot and did a lot in the two days we were there, and finished up exhausted like most people on the ship, but it was fun.