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csnews · 6 years

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Scientists to team up with whale-watching crews

Rodrigo Pérez Ortega - February 3, 2019

One recent foggy morning, Kate Spencer stirred the calm waters of Moss Landing Harbor when she arrived aboard the black, 33-foot boat she “drives” to work.

After picking up her six passengers, Spencer, owner of Fast Raft Ocean Safaris, steered the whale-watching boat to the center of the underwater Monterey Canyon while continuously glancing at her fish-finder radar. If the device spotted a large school of fish –– most likely anchovies –– that meant whales could be nearby.

Next to the radar, the boat captain kept a camera at the ready.

Scientists who study the behavior of whales say photos such as Spencer’s carry valuable information. So the scientists are now turning to whale-watching businesses and their customers for help gathering critical data needed to keep whale populations healthy.

“There’s so much that we don’t know about whales that any data is welcome,” said Jeremy Goldbogen, an assistant professor of biology at Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove. “Even if it’s just a photograph of a fluke with a time and a place, that would be fantastic.”

Since ancient times, Monterey Bay has served as a popular stop for hundreds of whales migrating along the California coast. The giant marine mammals now attract tourists from all over the world hoping to witness the whales filling their bellies with krill and other sea life.

But the majestic creatures face a slew of troubles once they get here: collisions with ships, urban and maritime noise, entanglements with fishing lines, and the effects of climate change –– which is making the oceans warmer and more acidic, reducing food supplies.

Worried about the whales’ fate, scientists are trying to collect as much data as they can to understand how the behavior of whales has changed over the years. The researchers say they also need to learn a lot more about how the whales feed and interact with each other in the bay.

In this first-ever collaboration with scientists in local waters, whale-watching crews and their customers will use GPS locations and photographs to document their sightings. This will help researchers determine how whales move and keep themselves fed, revealing how healthy they are. It will also aid the scientists in coming up with recommendations for improving conservation efforts, such as better management of fisheries and identifying the best locations for shipping lanes to avoid deadly collisions.

Ari Friedlaender, a marine biologist at UC Santa Cruz, recently began reaching out to whale-watching crews and is now organizing workshops with them to establish the best way to log whale-sighting data.

“The whale-watching industry is really critical for us because the crews have all of this knowledge about where animals are at different times in the year,” said Friedlaender, co-founder of the California Ocean Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting marine mammals.

Humpback whales were hunted to near-extinction in the Pacific Ocean during the 1800s and throughout most of the 1900s. But ever since the humpbacks received federal protection a half-century ago, their numbers have been steadily increasing.

The last several years, however, have been a tough time for whales migrating up and down the West Coast. The worst year was 2016, when officials discovered 71 whales entangled in fishing gear –– the highest number ever recorded. Although 2017 was a better year, with 31 reported entanglements, preliminary numbers for last year indicate that 45 whales were found entangled –– 35 of them in California waters.

In 2017, scientists estimate, the number of blue whales killed by ship collisions on the West Coast was almost eight times higher than the acceptable threshold under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act. For humpback whales, the number of collisions was twice that threshold.

Goldbogen and Friedlaender began aggressively studying the whales of Monterey Bay two years ago, setting out on small, inflatable boats to look for the animals. When they find one, they carefully attach a “tag,” a device with suction cups that not only records video but also the depth, speed and even the heart rate of the whales. The tags fall off within 24 to 48 hours.

“You just put this on their back, and the whales basically do the job for you,” Friedlaender said.

The recordings provide a “whale diary” for scientists –– revealing how each whale moves, what it eats and how it communicates with other whales, he said. The research team also takes aerial photographs to gauge the size of the whales, an important measurement of health.

The team conducts this research only a few times during the year, however, because it’s expensive and several months are needed for a seven-person team to analyze the data gathered from each diary.

But a small flotilla of whale-watching boats ventures out into the Monterey Bay every day.

“They’re passionate about what they do,” Friedlaender said of boat captains like Spencer. “They’re out on the water all day looking at animals, understanding these animals.”

Spencer, a Pacific Grove resident, said she often recognizes individual whales and takes photographs when they show off their flukes, which serve as “whale fingerprints” because they are unique to each animal.

A former scientific illustrator, Spencer has led whale-watching tours in Monterey Bay for 18 years. During this time, she has developed a special relationship with whales, while gaining a wealth of anecdotal evidence on how the animals behave in the bay.

On one recent tour, Spencer spotted a male humpback with a gash on its crooked dorsal fin. She dubbed him Notch 12 years ago and has spotted him nearly every year since — and his name has affectionately morphed into Nacho.

“I’m watching the whales every day, getting to know the personalities of every individual, watching them grow up and start having calves,” Spencer said.

Several customers on recent whale-watching tours expressed excitement about the new collaboration.

“I think it’s so incredibly important,” said Heather Gillette, 48, an entrepreneur from Woodside. “I think it’s cool to leverage all of the different people who witness all of the whale activity, taking that knowledge and putting it all in a central place to track the whales or identify them.”

By gathering the data from whale-watching crews that have been diligent about keeping records over the past three to four decades, scientists will be able to look back to determine what species of whales are in Monterey Bay at different times of the year and how that has changed over the years.

Although the crews didn’t have GPS or fancy digital cameras until recent years, they logged their whale sightings with pens and paper –– records that scientists hope to soon digitalize.

Friedlaender said that these historical logs could reveal arrival and departure patterns of migrating whales, allowing researchers to determine how those patterns correlate to the abundance of prey or water temperature changes.

“We can start to show that over time those things have shifted,” he said. “That can be a really big red flag –– an indicator of change in the ecosystem.”

Scientists suspect that humpback whales have spent their time very close to shore in recent summers. While this is great for tourists, Friedlaender said, it might not be a good sign for the bay’s health. It could be an indication that their food is closer to the shore, meaning that perhaps there’s not a lot of food in the middle of the bay because of overfishing –– or warming waters.

The new data might end up proving that the scientists’ theory is right. And that could result in new policies for commercial fisheries being put into place.

The whale-watching businesses will also benefit from the data compiled by scientists because it will help crews provide their customers with more complete life histories of the whales they spot.

An example of how photographs from the whale watchers can be used for research can be seen at Happywhale.com, a website where people can upload whale-sighting images and coordinates. An automated process will then identify the whale.

“When you start talking about hundreds or thousands of photos, there’s real value there,” said Ted Cheeseman, a local conservation biologist who developed the website in 2015. “And what’s great about Monterey Bay is that there are so many whales and so many whale-watching vessels.”

Spencer, who has contributed nearly 7,000 of her photographs to Happywhale.com, said the site gives whale-watching customers a chance to know that they’re contributing something to the protection of the animals.

“It’s neat that I can look up the whales that we saw, like Nacho,” Gillette said. “When we do whale-watching again, I would want to say, ‘Oh, that’s him –– he’s back this year!’”

For Gillette, however, the collaboration between scientists and whale-watching businesses is about much more than just being able to know more about her favorite whales. A wildlife enthusiast, Gillette said she knows that conservation projects can work, pointing to the recovery of the West Coast’s humpback whale population. And she finds that inspiring.

Said Gillette: “I feel like despite all the changes in the environment, there are a lot of efforts like this one that are actually paying off.”

#news #wild #cetacean #whale #research #whale watching #long article

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paponikablog · 5 years

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About a three-hour drive from north Korea's capital, Pyongyang, lies what might be the world's most isolated ski resort. Masik Pass offers 11 runs and 4 lifts plus a gear rental shop. The attached luxury hotel features 120 rooms, complete with a swimming pool, sauna, bar and karaoke room.

Snowmobiles were imported from China and chair lifts from Austria, after a Swiss company refused to sell them, which North Korea called a “serious human rights abuse”. The resort has four and a half stars on Trip Advisor from genuine, happy tourists. Most of its visitors, however, come from within North Korea. While the country is almost exclusively portrayed as a poor, starved relic of the past, recent reports from defectors have begun to paint a much more nuanced picture. In reality, Pyongyang cafes are filled with patrons reading from tablets and teenagers making phone calls, some driving BMW's and Mercedes. The key to understanding who is really in charge, whether a revolution will ever occur, and what daily life is like, is to see how North Korea - both the state and the people within it - make money.

After Swiss cheese, bad haircuts, and empty buildings, North Korea is best known for seemingly wanting to end the human race in a giant nuclear explosion. When Kim Jong un-finds his country unusually hungry or one of his yachts, in need of repairs, the country turns into that annoying kid on the playground who will not shut up until you share your hot Cheetos. Insults are hurled, threats made, and missiles launched.

Inevitably the U. S. sees no choice but to respond, agreeing to ease sanctions or grant food aid in exchange for a return to normalcy. Now, with their mouths freshly fed, Kim and his compatriots will suddenly turn from murderous dictators to charming, levelheaded, although admittedly, stylistically eccentric diplomats. Then the six, twelve, eighteen months later, like clockwork, we’ll all have Deja Vu. But while Kim’s seeming obsession with nuclear toys attracts nearly all the media attention, in reality, it's just one of many strategies the world's most secretive regime has for accomplishing its much larger goal: staying alive. The fundamental challenge for North Korea is that it cannot truly, verifiably, and permanently give up its nuclear capabilities Without becoming, at best irrelevant. At the same time, it cannot truly thrive with the level of international sanctions that come with threatening to sink an entire U.S. state. Thus, all three generations of leadership have been forced to master the art of negotiation: to extracted just enough aid to stay afloat well never actually giving up its one and only source of leverage.

Before founding the democratic people's Republic of Korea Kim Il Sung was an unlikely leader. Having fought alongside Chinese communists and later in the Soviet army the first Kim with well-prepared, militarily, but lacked the softer skills considered necessary to oversee a communist Republic. His education was poor, Korean mediocre and understanding of Marxist theory deemed insufficient. Despite this initial hesitation, he was eventually selected to lead the new state, although, with much oversight. Soviet advisors drafted north Korea's constitution and approved all its major speeches in advance, making it a near-perfect puppet state, or, in gentler terms, a “Soviet Satellite Regime”.

By the end of the Korean War, Kim Il sung had become a national hero and icon - praise which fueled grander ambitions. His devotion to socialism soon morphed into a strong sense of nationalism - a desire to be more than Moscow or Beijing's puppet. Many Soviet officers were purged from government positions and for several decades, North Korea intentionally positioned itself between the Soviet Union and China, realizing it could play them off each other. Whatever Moscow gave or promised, Beijing was sure to match, and then some, and vice versa. Both countries knew they were being played, of course, but preferred this to the far worse alternative: ceding influence on the other. This dynamic of reluctant support, in fact, has more less continued to this day. Conventional wisdom portrays China as North Korea's only ally, or even puppet state. The reality is North Korea hasn't been a true puppet state for many decades, and with China, it has less a marriage and more an opportunistic relationship. China’s strategic interests overlap with north Korea's continued existence, not necessarily success or prosperity. At the base level what Beijing wants is nothing – stability. By far, its worst-case scenario is a dissolved or failed North Korea, after which, up to 25 million, unskilled, culturally dissimilar refugees will flood into some of its most economically weak North-Eastern provinces. Even worse would be the accompanying advance of American forces on China's doorstep.

The north, in other words, acts as a nice buffer from U.S. troops stationed in the south. As long as the North doesn't push tensions too high, China is happy more less maintaining the status quo. Ideally it would like to see Kim Jong unfollow its own example of economic reform and opening up, making it less dependent on nuclear threats for survival, and potentially justifying a retreat by American forces. Realistically, though, China also knows its influence is limited. China is indeed North Korea's largest trade partner, by a mile, but it's easy to overstate the leverage from trade with a country whose propaganda can offset almost any internal challenge.

In simple terms, Beijing could destroy North Korea - militarily or economically. It almost certainly also has a plan for regime change should it ever be deemed necessary. What it lacks is the fine-grained ability to influence it. And because China wants stability first and foremost, it has no reason, currently, to use its blunt weapon, leaving it with limited leverage. So, while there exists a clear power dynamic between the two nations, neither is likely to do anything too dramatic.

When Kim met with Xi Jinping in 2018, the supreme leader was seen obediently taking notes while the Chinese president spoke. China has historically condemned its missile tests and voted in favor of UN sanctions. And yet Xi recently made the first visit to Pyongyang by a Chinese leader in 14 years. North Korea, for its part, understands the need to, at a minimum, not anger the closest thing it has to a friend. It's all too familiar with the cost of losing an ally. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, North Korea suffered a devastating famine which ultimately killed somewhere between 200,000 and three million people. Before this, food was distributed via its Public Distribution System - PDS - which had formers surrender their harvest to the government, who then allocated it amongst the population. This model worked well during the 50s, 60s, and 70s even making Chinese towns on the border jealous. In the 80s and 90s, however, the system came violently crashing down. 450 grams of food rations per day in 1994 became 128 grams by 1997. Soon only six percent of the population received any food from the government who promised to feed it. This, arguably, was the most pivotal moment in the nation's history, alongside the deaths of its first two leaders. The PDS has never fully recovered, leaving most of its 25 million people to fend for themselves. Officially, Capitalism doesn't exist here - private property and trade are both highly illegal. In practice, however, it can be seen everywhere - from those in poverty all the way to the highest levels of the regime. Almost everyone is assigned a government job, and yet 62% of defectors surveyed in 2010 say they had worked unofficial, gray market jobs. Married women can register as full-time housewives rather than work an official job - giving them the freedom to start a private enterprise. Across the country, women can be seen in roadside markets selling food, and homemade or imported goods like Russian cigarettes and Chinese beer. Ironically, Because of this women's rights are surprisingly strong in North Korea, where they tend to make many multiples of their husband’s income.

As expected, the government is aware of this illegal activity and could, in theory, eliminate it entirely. But having never recovered from a now-three decade-old famine, most of the population has come to depend on private markets for basic survival. Additionally, the majority of this trade is conducted purely for material, not political, reasons. The poor simply wish to get by and the rich only seeking more luxurious life - not an end to the regime.

So the state simultaneously manages my markets through selective enforcement and also sometimes even encourages it. The “August 3rd rule”, for example, allows one to pay a fee and be exempted from official work - essentially profiting from instead of cracking down on private enterprise. Still, there are limits.

North Korean bank notes were ordered to be exchanged in 2009 with a limit of 100,000 won per person - wiping out many family savings and causing the closest thing North Korea has likely ever seen to a protest. This taught north Koreans not to trust their own currency. So, today, most unofficial transactions involve a foreign currency - usually the Chinese yuan. And just as individuals resort to capitalism - so do government committees and departments.

For decades, many offices have been given limited or no resources, forcing them to generate their own. Anyone with any authority, therefore, is likely to use their influence to start a business, sometimes using the national military as workers. Those who bribe the right people and play the game well can become fabulously rich - even by international standards. These newly wealthy families drive luxury cars, own cell phones and eat western food in Pyongyang, which some jokingly refer to as the “Dubai” of North Korea.

In this way, and many others, North Korea is two very different countries: the north Korea seen by the outside world, and the one that lived by the vast majority of its population. The North Korea of tall buildings and bright lights you see in tours and pictures, and the one, only minutes away, of sprawling fields and flickering, if any, electricity. The famous monument to socialism, and the private shops selling Western clothes only blocks away.

And finally, an unwavering ally, on the surface, who, in reality, is, at best, ambivalent. For now, the system works. Inevitably, though, someday in the future, like the Soviet-era machines on which its factories run, North Korea will simply stop working - for any number of potentially trivial reasons.

In truth, it’s remarkable how long it has worked. But, for the time being, this tapes together, occasionally in need of kicking, jury-rigged machine keeps slowly, inefficiently chugging along.

For all its strangeness, the genius of North Korea, the reason for its survival - is its relative self-sufficiency. It knows how little say a small nation like itself has in the larger world.

#PapoNika PolyMatter

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altiqalifestyles-blog · 5 years

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Discover Macau with Altiqa Lifestyles

Like Hong Kong, Macau is a Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of China. It is in the western side of the Pearl River estuary in Southern China. The region is enclosed with sea tides coming and other stream of river joining the Pearl River. Macau is peninsula framed by waters of rivers, Zhu Jiang and Xi Jiang. Thus, Macau is physically attached to China. Hong Kong being its immediate neighbour. Cantonese, a Chinese dialect and Macanese Portuguese are two official languages of Macau. English is more commonly spoken. After it was handed over to China, Mandarin language is becoming more popular. Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal, and this attracts rich tourists from world over. A lot of wealth is accumulated in Macau to such an extent that International Monetary Fund (IMF) has envisaged that Macau will surpass Qatar in 2020 to become the richest place in the world. Gambling Revenue to the government accounts for 50 per cent of its robust economy. It stretches to two islands viz.Taipa having International Airport and Coloana famous for its sober ambience. Macau is an autonomous territory. Area: 32.9 square kilometres Population: 653,100 Currency: Macanese Pataca Symbol: MOP$ 1USD=8.07MOP$ Also called as Macau Pataca Though MOP$ is Macau's official currency but most of the money in circulation in the region is actually HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) It was formerly a colony of Portuguese Empire as Ming China leased it as trading post to Portuguese on annual rent to be paid in silver and gradually, they got perpetual occupation rights of Macau in 1887. This remained under Portuguese till 1999 when it was returned to China. The territory has become the resort city and top destination for gambling tourism and gaming industry. At the time of handling over, a pre-condition was mutually agreed upon that political and economic systems as prevalent under concluding years of Portuguese Regime will remain unchanged for next 50 years from the time of handling over to China. So, during last waning years of Portuguese Rule, they had opportunity to build massive projects like Macau International Airport, Cargo Terminals, Raised Infrastructures for Trade and Entertainment Industry. Following transfer, Macau liberalized casino industry to allow foreign investors to start a new period of economic development which accumulated wealth in Macau. The per capita income of Macau is one of the highest in the world. The life expectancy rate of the residents of Macau is the fourth highest in the world. Transport: It has highly developed roads system. Territory's first rail network, Macau Rapid Transit will connect 11 metro stations throughout Taipa, Cotai and Macau City Centre. Ferry services operate at Inner/Outer Harbour Terminals for Hong Kong and Mainland China. Daily helicopter service to Hong Kong and Shenzhen is in place. Health Care: Apart from well-equipped hospitals with foreign qualified doctors and technicians, there are numerous health centres which provide free basic health care to its residents. The following are important places in Macau which are major attractions for tourists, business people and general public: 1 Senado Square 2 Na Ticha Temple 3 A-Ma Temple 4 Saint Austin's Church 5 Historic Center of Macau also known as Centro Historico de Macau (World Heritage Site of UNESCO) 6 Macau Tower 7 The Cathedral of Nativity of Our Lady Due to mixture of Chinese and Portuguese Cultures, there are year round celebrations and holidays. Macau Grand Prix in November, Monaco Grand Prix, Macau Arts Festivals, Music Festivals in October, Macau International Marathon in December, Roman Catholic Rite & Journey which travels from Saint Austin Church in February and A-Ma Temple celebrations to honour Goddess Matsu in April are major festivals of Macau. Another festival of Dancing Dragons at the Feast of Drunken Dragon is popular among tourists and residents of Macau. Discover the beautiful Macau on an International Escape with Altiqa Lifestyles.

#Hong Kong #Macau #altiqa lifestyles

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travelsewhere · 5 years

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Before visiting myself, there were few countries I knew of with as good word of mouth as Georgia. Everyone I knew who had been loved it and couldn’t wait to recommend going. I’d wanted to visit for years and was finally able to make it happen last October. Building my itinerary, I noticed the coastal city of Batumi and was genuinely curious why it had never been mentioned to me when people raved about the country. I guess they simply didn’t get the chance, as my one day in Batumi sightseeing assured me it was well worth the trip.

For a first stop in Georgia, Batumi probably seems a strange choice. I’d say even more so given that I actually flew into a totally different city. But as far as gentle entries into a brand new country and culture go, it couldn’t have been smoother. I’ve since learned there are many places you’ll want to see while in Georgia and the Caucasus. But allow me to show you how you can go about spending a day in Batumi if you get the chance.

A Little Bit About Batumi

Just so you have an idea of where I’m talking about here, let’s do a little rundown on the city of Batumi. Found in the country of Georgia – one of the Caucasus nations that tread the line between Europe and Asia – Batumi sits in the southwest of the country by the Black Sea. As the capital of the Adjara region it’s an important regional centre, but also one of Georgia’s main beach getaways.

In terms of tourism, the main draws of Batumi are its beaches, resorts and casinos. Designed for leisure, it tends to be popular with Russians and Turkish tourists coming along the coast, as well as quite a few Ukrainians based on personal experience. It’s sometimes called the “Las Vegas of the Black Sea” for that reason, although that seems a little unfavourable. That being said, there does seem to be a lot of development going on as more and more high-rises get built. A lot of this makes it seem like not my kind of destination and yet I remember Batumi fondly. Hopefully it doesn’t change too much.

Seafront Boulevard

The perfect place to start your one day in Batumi is with a stroll along the Seafront Boulevard. Running right along Batumi’s long, sprawling coastline, the boulevard is the city’s primary leisure and recreation space. No matter where you are in the city, you can just head to the boulevard and then follow it as far as you like. You name it, the park along the boulevard has it, from tennis courts and outdoor gym equipment, to bikes and golf cart rentals, plus of course bars and restaurants.

Two of the most prominent landmarks in the boulevard are the Batumi Boulevard Fountains and the Batumi Summer Theatre. The fountains fill a large square leading towards the city’s Old Town, with plenty of interested and assorted statues surround the large pool. The theatre on the other hand is a great big wooden structure that made me think of Vikings and something you might find in Norway.

Batumi Beach

To many, Batumi is first and foremost a seaside getaway, which means you have to at least go see the beach when you visit. Running right along the promenade you’ll spot quite a deep rock beach that gently runs down to the calm waters of the Black Sea. Batumi is one of Georgia’s main beach destinations and in summer it sounds like the beaches can get quite busy. Not so much in October when I was there, even though the weather wasn’t too bad. Still, there were sun lounges out in certain places near beach clubs and a few people out lounging or going for a dip. Having seen the far side of the Black Sea with Bulgaria’s coast, it was interesting to see the contrast.

However the beach did get a fair bit busier when it came time for the sunset. From Batumi Beach you have an uninterrupted view of the sun as it falls down below the horizon and plenty of space to watch it from. With clear skies, I was treated to a great sunset during my Batumi visit, but couldn’t help get distracted by the person paramotoring about in the sky. So after you’ve seen the beach, remember to come back that evening to watch the sunset.

Miracle Park

As you follow the waterfront boulevard around, you eventually reach a space by the city’s harbour entrance, Miracle Park. An interesting space, you not only have views over the water, but also your best chance to see many of Batumi’s towers in one place. With the city’s old white lighthouse firmly in place, you can see a range of more modern towers. This includes the distant Batumi Tower with a small Ferris wheel built into it and the nearby spiraling oddity that is Alphabet Tower, with the Georgian alphabet up its side.

It’s also here at Miracle Park that you’ll come across Batumi’s Ferris Wheel and the moving sculptures of Ali and Nino that slowly merge into and through one another. Miracle Park is basically an unusual menagerie of attractions, but I do imagine you get some good views from the restaurant at the top of Alphabet Tower or from the Ferris wheel.

Theater Square

Certainly one of the prettiest squares in the city, the square also does a great job of encapsulating Batumi’s many different sides. The standout landmarks are naturally the Batumi Drama Theatre that gives the square its name, as well as the golden Statue of Neptune taking pride of place at its centre. Both give the square a classic feel like you’re somewhere in Italy. That fades though as you look to one side to see modern skyscrapers one way, slightly more soviet apartment buildings opposite that and Georgia’s own take on French belle epoque architecture.

Quick food/cafe recommendation while we’re here: Coffeetopia Batumi here on Theater Square is a great place to take a break. A little more expensive than typical Georgian standards but good food and a nice view from the outdoor tables.

Astronomical Clock

The attraction in Batumi that immediately caught my eye and kept me coming back was the city’s striking Astronomical Clock Tower. With its golden zigzag design on the tower, it’s easy to spot most places in the Old Town. But the tower only gets better as you get closer, from the elaborate clock to the golden statues around it. The attached building looks like a palace almost, although it was really the National Bank, and boasts a stunning stainglass window as well. This beautifully ornate tower has the ability to completely distract you from the rest of Europe Square that lies behind you. It even looks great when its lit up at night, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Europe Square

Not to be overlooked, there’s more to Europe Square than the sight of the Astronomical Clock. There are other grand and curious buildings here that really draw your attention, as well as a fountain and museums to check out. One really noteworthy landmark in Europe Square is the tall Statue of Medea rising above everything. Medea was a figure from Greek mythology who helped Jason and the Argonauts steal the Golden Fleece. Yes, that tale is said to have taken place in western Georgia and may relate to a method that the native people had for prospecting for gold back then. That may explain all the golden flourishes you see everywhere, including the tower of the Astronomical Clock!

Batumi Piazza

To be honest, I still don’t know what to make of the Batumi Piazza. When I arrived, the grand yet unbalanced architecture around this small square quickly drew me in. Basically a hub within the city for drinks and dining, the Batumi Piazza is really just a brief curiosity if all you’re doing is sightseeing. Much of the buildings around it seem to be quite new and come across as quite refined, but the significance of the square was mostly lost on me. If you’re staying nearby then this could well be a great place to get dinner or a nightcap later on in the day.

Streets of Batumi Old Town

For me, one of the best things to do in Batumi was simply walking around the city’s Old Town. Away from the major roads, the Old Town is really quite a peaceful place and comes with plenty of character. Many of the buildings and homes feel like they’ve had quite a life in a vintage-kind-of-way, but rarely look rundown. What’s more, so many of them had grape vines sprawling over their balconies or draped along wires, giving things a relaxed, communal vibe.

This was my first experience of the relaxed nature you find in many Georgian cities and it’s something that is hard to put into words. All I know is that this air of calm makes you immediately like Georgia more and more.

Religious Buildings of Batumi

As you explore the Old Town of Batumi, you’re sure to come across various religious buildings. While Georgia is very much an Orthodox Christian country, you’ll still find the City Synagogue and Central Mosque among the many orthodox churches. The two churches most worth seeing are the St. Nicolas Church across from Batumi Piazza and the Holy Mother Virgin Nativity Cathedral. Only a little more than a hundred years old, the gothic revival architecture of the cathedral makes for an unusual sight in this part of Batumi.

Cable Car to Anuria Mountain

While it’s positioned by the sea, Batumi is also surrounded by quite a mountainous landscape. With hills directly overlooking the city, you just know you have to head up there to see the view. That’s easily enough done with the Argo Cable Car that runs from on the waterfront along from Miracle Park up to Anuria Mountain. A ticket for the cable car costs 15 GEL, roughly 5€, and gently takes you to the city’s outskirts and beyond. The views from the cable car are already good, but they don’t quite compare with the Argo observation deck at the top. Yep, another reference to “Jason and the Argonauts“.

With a restaurant and small historic church on top of Anuria Mountain, there’s a few things to see up here other than the sweeping city views. You can see the entire skyline of Batumi and you realise just how much bigger it is than you think. Looking down to the downtown area, you spot each of the main towers of the city and get to look out at the endless expanse that is the Black Sea.

6 May Park !

A really pleasant place to spend the end of the day at is the peaceful 6 May Park. Found near the city’s Zoo and Dolphinarium, the park centres on Nurigeli Lake and is a popular spot with locals. With fountains, park benches and nice lake views, the park becomes especially pretty as the waning sun starts to reflect across the lake’s surface. The park is also only a short walk away if you decide to head back to the beach to watch the sunset over the water.

Visiting Batumi, Georgia

You shouldn’t have too much finding your way to Batumi. The city has its own international airport, which I know Wizz flies to from various places. Then there’s a modern train connection with Tbilisi which I had the pleasure of using when I left. Worth knowing is that the train station is a fair way from the city centre, so plan ahead. The other option, which I used to get there, is Georgian Bus who have buses direct to Batumi from Kutaisi Airport. The minibus was nothing fancy but I didn’t have to wait long for it to leave and it made good time. Recommended!

Given its popularity with beachgoers, Batumi has loads of hotels and resorts to pick from. Like most things in Georgia, they’re affordable and usually good value. For an affordable option near 6 May Park, I’d recommend Daisi Sunset Hotel as they were welcoming and found it quite comfortable.

Before I go, I’d like to mention a few great opportunities I had to try Georgian food. Just round the corner from Daisi Sunset is Kiziki, a highly rated Georgian restaurant in Batumi. If you want to try khachapuri, a flatbread with lots of cheese and egg that’s the most popular Georgian dish, go here. Another great choice closer to the city centre is Laguna, where I had some delicious but piping hot pelmeni dumplings.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Batumi or anywhere in Georgia? Does one day in Batumi sound like to do? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. Of course, this will come at no extra cost to you.

Now, if you’re looking for a complete guide to Georgia, then you should really look at this Lonely Planet guide. I’ve often travelled with Lonely Planet guides and they can really make life easier.

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How to Spend One Day in Batumi, Georgia Before visiting myself, there were few countries I knew of with as good word of mouth as…

#Caucasus #Georgia

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puriholidayresort-blog · 6 years

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A Sea Facing Resort In Puri For Perfect Beach Holidays - Hotel Holiday Resorts

In today’s busy life when everyone is so stressed out by juggling so many responsibilities holidays bring in that much needed respite. If you want to maintain a balanced life and not get affected by the problems that inevitably come your way then periodic break from work will help you to slow down and spend some time with your loved ones and feel relaxed and totally rejuvenated to attend to the task at hand. For those of you looking for a break during the coming holidays Puri in the eastern coast of Odisha can be the ideal place. Firstly the place is extremely well connected and has a lot of options when it comes to staying there.

You can go there directly by train or can fly down to the nearest airport in Bhubaneswar which is just 60 kilometres from the city. While you are driving down you can visit the Buddhist monastery in Dhauligiri and stop at Pipilli to pick up lovely applique wall hanging, bags and garden umbrellas. Being a coastal area there are plenty of coconut trees and enjoy sipping this organic drink sold on the roadsides which is absolutely delicious.

HOTELS AND LUXURY RESORTS IN PURI:

The city of Puri on the shores of Bay of Bengal is an old city which has a lot of historical as well as religious significance attached to it. Though the city is a well-known tourist hub it is also a major pilgrimage and is considered to be one of the four most sacred cities or Dhams in India. As thousands of devotees and tourists come to the city on a daily basis the hotel industry has come up in a big way. It’s easy to find all kinds of standard and luxury hotels in and around the city but for those looking for an affordable luxury Hotel in Puri nothing can be better than Holiday Resorts. This sea facing beach resort offers the best of amenities at a price that is well affordable and moreover the guests can opt for the privilege membership card to avail some excellent discounts on the room tariffs, infood and also in the spa. The hotel is highly recommended by trip advisor and so the room occupancy rate is quite high. If you want to get a room as per your requirement then it is better to go for online booking much before the arrival.

SEA FACING RESORT:

As the sea beach in Puri is its greatest attraction people enjoy staying in Holiday Resorts as the view is great and with a private beach you can have a wonderful time at any time of the day and even during the night. As holidays are the time to leave all responsibilities and look forward to complete relaxation, you can do so in the hotel as all facilities are under one roof and the staffs are well motivated and efficient. Coming to the basic facilities starting with food you are going to love the restaurants. The resort has two multi cuisine Restaurant in Puri with all kinds of Indian, Continental, Chinese and seafood on the menu and one of them has a bar where you can order your favourite drink. For those who favour confectionery items there is a bakery shop which is well stocked up and here you can order cakes to celebrate any special occasion. When it comes to fun and relaxation you will find plenty of options. There are swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi and a wellness spa that offers all kinds of massage including one for those affected by jet lag. For the children there is an exclusive playing zone where they can have a great time making friends and remain busy while the parents get some free time. The hotel has some other necessary facilities like a travel desk and there are gift shops to browse when you have some free time in hand.

LUXURY PARTY HOTEL:

Not just a great place for you to stay in, you can arrange all kinds of social and official parties in Holiday Resorts without any difficulty. There are Banquet Halls, Conference room and the garden is great for outdoor parties. Those interested in destination marriage can go for a beach party.

For more details Puri Resort Booking just move on www.puriholidayresort.com

#Hotel in Puri #Restaurant in Puri #Party Hotel in Puri #Luxury hotels in Puri #Puri Hotel Booking #Puri Beach Resort #Puri Resort Booking

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jimdsmith34 · 7 years

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Shanghai: Insider Travel Guide

(CNN)Welcome to the future.

This is the best of Shanghai, home to more than 20 million residents, 6,000 high-rises (and growing) and a constant chorus of jackhammers.

It’s a city striving to set all the benchmarks for the modern world.

The commercial hub was developed by far-sighted European traders 160 years ago and it remains the destination for people who can’t wait to experience tomorrow today.

Our best of Shanghai guide shows you how to enjoy the sprawling city’s — past, present and future. And, yes, there’ll be enough fun even for visitors who suffer from vertigo.

Beijing: Insider Travel Guide to China’s fascinating capital

Hotels

Luxury

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund ()

The Waldorf Astoria occupies one of Shanghai’s oldest buildings: the restored 101-year-old former Shanghai Club.

With giant chandeliers, neo-classical ceiling carvings and original marble floor tiles shipped from Sicily a century ago, the interior feels more like a royal palace than a hotel.

Most of its 260 rooms are located in the newly built 24-story tower. Many deliver unobstructed view of Lujiazui’s skyscraper forest.

Rooms are decked out in nostalgic American style, with modern plush touches such as large walk-in closets, Herms bathing amenities and digital TVs embedded in the mirrors.

The hotel’s historic Long Bar (34 meters from end to end) mixes the city’s top-notch cocktails.

Park Hyatt Shanghai ()

Currently the highest hotel in mainland China, the Park Hyatt provides the best angle to view Shanghai: from the top.

Occupying the upper part (79th-93rd floors) of the 492-meter Shanghai World Financial Center, all 174 rooms enjoy stunning vistas overlooking Lujiazui high-rises, the Huangpu River or the Puxi downtown area.

Interiors follow a streamlined Chinese style with earth-tone furniture and outsize bathrooms that include a one-square-meter walk-in rain shower.

The hotel lobby is on the 87th floor.

On the 93rd floor, Music Room bills itself as the world’s highest nightclub.

Mid-range

Hengshan Picardie Hotel ()

Located in a protected historic building, this best of Shanghai hotel is for travelers who want to trade Lujiazui’s gridlocked avenues for the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession.

The 15-story, 259-room Picardie sits opposite Xujiahui Park, one of the best locations in town to observe China’s unique park culture: you’ll see massive exercise groups at dawn and a public dancing spectacle at dusk.

It’s also a quick stroll from Shanghai’s traditional bar district on Hengshan Lu, the shopping district of Xujiahui and Metro Line 1.

Hotel Equatorial ()

One of the first hotels in Shanghai built to receive international travelers after the Chinese economy opened up to world trade, the 520-room, four-star lodging is in the thick of things.

It’s a few steps away from Nanjing Xi Lu (ground zero for high-end shopping) and the fabulous Jing’an Temple, a 780-year-old Buddhist shrine.

Two metro lines and the Yan’an Lu elevated highway are right outside, so guests can zip to any part of the city quickly and without hassle.

URBN Hotel (URBN)

This 26-room boutique hotel in downtown Jing’an District was once a post office and now claims to be China’s first carbon neutral hotel.

The renovation, which was completed using 100 percent locally-sourced and recycled materials, has won numerous awards for its sustainability and design.

Located on a local street, across the road from one of Shanghai’s best little tonkatsu joints, URBN is popular with visitors looking for innovative design and a green feel, with rooms over-looking a courtyard and bamboo garden.

The food and beverage options are also none to shabby at URBN, with its Downstairs restaurant serving up delicious weekend brunch options accompanied by a mean Bloody Mary.

Pentahotel Shanghai ()

For starters, the check-in desk is attached to a bar. Right behind the front desk, there’s a pool table.

Pentahotel’s lobby also includes a caf, a games room and a restaurant.

Guests tend to chill and socialize in Wi-Fi-covered areas.

All 250 rooms are fitted out in a minimalistic style with views over downtown residential buildings.

The hotel is near three metro lines.

Budget

Jinjiang Inn ()

This no-frills hotel chain provides all the basics for a short stay for the price of a few drinks in a ritzy bar.

Location is superb for the price. The 159-room inn is within walking distance of many tourist attractions, such as Old Town, People’s Square, Huaihai Zhong Lu and Xintiandi.

It’s also at the south end of Yunnan Nan Lu, one of Shanghai’s original food streets with some of the city’s yummiest shengjian (fried dumplings) at Da Hu Chun (, 71 Yunnan Nan Lu, near Jinling Dong Lu).

The budget hotel brand operates at some 85 branches all over Shanghai, from commercial zones to airports and railway stations.

Jinjiang Inn (Huaihai Zhong Lu branch), 293 Yunnan Nan Lu, near Huaihai Dong Lu; +86 21 6326 2200; rooms from RMB 289 ($45)

Shanghai: The city that changes the way you see the future

Dining

Fu 1088 (1088)

This Shanghainese restaurant is housed in a 1930s colonial villa.

Instead of a dining room, guests eat in private rooms furnished with antiques.

On a menu of tweaked Shanghainese specialties, diners will find everything from traditional hongshao rou to creamy huangyu (yellow croaker) noodle soup served in a mug.

Modern dishes include goose liver poached in sake.

Shanghainese food critic Shen Hongfei () recommends the crab with egg white, a delicate, creamy dish brought to the table in an actual eggshell.

Jesse ()

With its curmudgeonly waiters and tiny, crowded dining room, the original Jesse location on Tianping Lu isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience.

Rica Lou, dining editor at Ganlan magazine, calls the original Jesse her “hands-down favorite Shanghainese restaurant.”

It’s the creamy crab roe potato soup that wins her over every time.

Shen Hongfei votes for the Shaoxing-wine-marinated crab, a best of Shanghai dish that’s popular with locals.

For an appetizer (or dessert), the xin tai ruan is a sweet dish of red jujubes stuffed with soft, glutinous rice cake.

Two of Jesse’s signature dishes, the eight treasure duck and green onion fish head, require 24 hours notice.

Yi Long Court ()

This Peninsula restaurant cooks some of the best Cantonese dishes in Shanghai.

“It’s so rare to see such classic Cantonese food,” says Shen Hongfei.

“It’s flavorful and light and it’s almost like the food prepared for the managers of Thirteen Factories [an 18th-century foreign trade zone in Guangzhou].”

One of Shen’s favorites at Yi Long Court is beef with oyster sauce, which is “a long-lost classic Cantonese dish.”

To make the most out of the meal, book the eight-seat chef’s table, prepared by executive chef Dicky To.

Xin Da Lu ()

Peking duck is the star at this Chinese regional restaurant.

The Hyatt recruited two Beijing master chefs and lugged a seven-ton brick oven from the capital especially to roast the ducks to crisp and lacquered perfection.

The open kitchens allow diners to admire the shining fowl roasting over a fire of fruitwood logs before they’re brought to table, sliced and served with sugar for dipping.

Xin Da Lu, Hyatt on the Bund East Building, 199 Huangpu Lu, near Nanxun Lu; +86 21 6393 1234 ext. 6318

Hai Di Lao hot pot ()

Tea, fruit plates, Wi-Fi, board games, shoeshines and even manicures are provided to customers for free.

Enthusiastic staff keep waiting diners upbeat.

The restaurant chain boils hot pot 24/7.

The meal itself embraces a staggering choice of vegetables, meat and seafood that diners cook themselves in a bubbling pot of broth placed in the middle of the table. Hot pot soups range from super-spicy to plain and diners get to DIY their dipping sauce.

The hand-pulled noodles are prepared tableside with a kung fu-style noodle dance.

The brand hosts a virtual dining service in two locations in Shanghai and Beijing.

Fu Chun Xiaolongbao ()

Xiaolongbao is Shanghai’s favorite snack food and everyone in Shanghai has an opinion about where the best xiaolongbao in town can be found.

There are many excellent options around town, but many visitors unfortunately usually end up at tourist traps in Yu Gardens, or at chains such as Din Tai Fung.

A very respectable example of the specialty can be had from Fu Chun, in the downtown Jing’an District.

Popular with locals, this place is perpetually busy with diners ordering Fu Chun Xiaolongbao (RMB 6 for six dumplings) and Crab Roe Xiaolongbao (RMB 16 for six dumplings) in ample quantities.

Fu Chun Xiaolongbao, 650 Yuyuan Lu, near Zhenning Lu; +86 21 6277 0701

Qibao food street ()

During public holidays, massive crowds of travelers swarm Qibao Old Street for a view of the canals, or to snap that atmospheric photo of morning haze dancing around the neighborhood’s scenic bridge.

But for locals, day trips to the water town are about one thing only: food.

Numerous hole-in-the-wall restaurants along the 400-meter-long street sell an extensive assortment of local snacks, from xiaolongbao to stinky tofu to tuang tuan.

Ultraviolet in Shanghai — 1 table and 22 courses

Nightlife

Flair

Flair is the crowning glory of the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong.

The rooftop bar’s interiors were created by Japanese design gurus Super Potato, but the real draw is the terrace.

Standing approximately 250 meters in the sky, this is the highest bar terrace in the city, with tiered sofa-seating that looks onto the financial district’s skyscrapers.

Drinks cost RMB 80 and up for cocktails. Sashimi is flown in daily from Japan.

When the skies are clear, call ahead to book a table and ask if there’s a minimum spend that day.

M1NT

This plush club/bar/restaurant remains a favorite of the city’s beautiful people.

It takes up the 24th floor of a building between People’s Square and the Bund and affords staggering views toward Pudong or Puxi city center.

Shark tanks run the length of the entrance, while uniformed waiters and bartenders shake up pricey drinks (RMB 80-120 for cocktails).

The door staff often turn away non-members when it gets crowded, so it doesn’t hurt to dress up or call ahead to book a table (minimum spends of around RMB 5,000 often apply).

The Apartment

Since opening in 2010, The Apartment has become one of the most popular bars in Shanghai.

It takes up two floors plus a roof garden in the center of the former French Concession and attracts a crowd that’s upscale without being pretentious.

In the daytime, the rooftop is a leisurely place to eat and sip wine — drinks cost RMB 50-80.

At night it gets rammed with cocktail-sipping, well-dressed Chinese and foreign guests, and stays that way until 4 a.m. or so.

JZ Club

This dim, smoky room is the go-to place for jazz aficionados in Shanghai.

Inside, it’s like a Parisian bar from the 1950s: a cluster of small round tables spilling out from a low stage, with a long bar at the back and a gallery up top.

There’s live music here every night, from Gypsy jazz to swing and blues.

Drink prices are around RMB 50 for wine and RMB 70 for cocktails.

This best of Shanghai nightclub fills up on weekends so come early — or very late — if you want a table.

Cashbox Partyworld ()

The best of Shanghai sports many flavors of karaoke bar (or KTV, as they’re known), from seedy to five-star.

Cashbox is somewhere in the middle — fun, inexpensive and hugely popular with a young crowd.

The Fuxing Park branch is next to a couple of Chinese clubs. On weekends, it swarms with well-dressed youths.

Guests book private rooms that seat eight to 20 people. Bring your own drinks or order beer and spirits from the house. Rooms run around RMB 200 per hour, depending on size and number of guests.

Cashbox Partyworld, 109 Yandang Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu; +86 21 6374 1111

No. 88 (No.88

This chain of bars is wildly popular in many of China’s second- and third-tier cities and since they opened their first Shanghai incarnation it’s become apparent that the formula works wonders in the big smoke as well.

Simply take some insanely gawdy decor (think a cross between Willy Wonka’s factory and a pirate ship), add flashing lights, tipsy people looking for a good time, an emphasis on bottle service and a setlist of top 40 remixes and you can’t lose.

No. 88 Bar, 2/F, Wujin Building, 291 Fumin Lu, near Donghu Lu; +86 21 6136 0288

6 ways Shanghai is different than the rest of China

Shopping

Taikang Lu ()

Crowds of tourists, artists, hipsters and fashionistas pour into the tiny longtangs (Shanghainese alleyways) of Taikang Lu to experience Shanghai’s bohemian charm.

The area represents a traditional Shanghainese residential form, shikumen (“stone door houses”), and is now a half-commercial complex selling everything from tailored qipao to French wine.

Souvenirs are overpriced, but the ambience is worth sampling.

Locals still live in some of these buildings — travelers can see elderly people chatting each other or middle-aged women hanging laundry outside.

Taikang Lu between Sinan Lu and Ruijin Er Lu

Dongtai Lu antique market ()

For anyone visiting Shanghai with time for only one market, this outdoor antique bazaar is a good bet.

It’s in an enclave of hanging laundry, locals washing vegetables in the street and kids playing tag.

Just don’t forget to bargain hard. Many of the “antiques” aren’t old, but they’re fun.

Stands sell 1930s-style posters featuring glamorous smiling Shanghai ladies, or statuettes of Chairman Mao playing table tennis (RMB 50 after bargaining).

Tianshan Tea City ()

This 23,000-square-meter, multi-level complex is completely devoted to Chinese cha.

More than 150 stalls sort, sell and brew tea from around the nation, but green tea (and all its variations) reigns supreme.

The market also sells a range of tea sets and kettles, from common porcelain to top-level Yixing clay teapots.

Friendly tea sellers will provide professional tips.

Shi Liu Pu Fabric Market ()

This three-story fabric market has almost every type of fabric, from cashmere to silk. Stalls are manned by experienced local tailors and seamstresses who speak fluent English.

Tailored clothes come at reasonable prices. Qipao (from RMB 250), shirts (from RMB 120) and suits (from RMB 300) are among the most popular items.

Some shops accept urgent orders and can deliver final products overnight at (amazingly) no extra charge.

Delivery service is available, but the stores need to be informed beforehand.

Super Brand Mall ()

This 10-story Lujiazui building is the top shopping mall experience in Shanghai: it’s loud, crowded and larger than a major university campus.

Spread over 247,425 square meters, this Thai-financed mall was the largest in Asia when it opened in 2002.

It reports an average of 200,000 visitors daily. The mall sells most of the mainstream fashion brands available in Shanghai.

Its dining scene is impressive: nearly 60 restaurants, from hot pot chains to Hooters.

Hongqiao Bird and Flower Market ()

A perennially interesting market, traditionally selling pets, flowers, home wares and more, a recent fire means the live animal section of the Hongqiao Bird and Flower Market is currently under renovation.

Despite the fact that you won’t be able to pick up a 100-year-old turtle or talking parrot here (for now), it’s still worth a visit in order to wander among the many-hued blossoms of the real and (seriously high-quality) fake flowers on display, or check out some of the unique housewares, which run the gamut from gaudy to graceful to gargantuan (see if you can fit a life-sized white unicorn with an asking price of RMB 22,000 in your luggage!).

Hongqiao Bird and Flower Market, 718 Hongjing Lu, near Hongsong Lu

Attractions

Bund ()

The 1,100-meter waterfront known as the Bund forms Shanghai’s backbone.

British and French colonized the strip in the mid-19th century to develop international trading — the Bund became one of the most prosperous ports in Asia in the early-20th century.

Nowadays the buildings, mostly built between 1901 and 1930 in various styles, house high-end boutiques, restaurants and bars.

A must-do on the Bund stroll is to pass through the revolving door of the former HSBC Shanghai office (today’s No. 12, Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu) and check out the original ceiling and wall paintings. Upon completion in 1925, the Brits declared the building the most exquisite structure in the eastern hemisphere.

Just off the Bund, next to the Peninsula Shanghai, is the Rockbund, a newly developed pedestrian street with more restored colonial structures.

Shanghai World Financial Center Observatory ()

Almost half a kilometer up in the air (474 meters to be exact), the 55-meter-long Skywalk 100 observation corridor spans a gap in the 100th-floor summit of the Shanghai World Financial Center.

As the world’s highest observatory, Skywalk 100 provides a powerful perspective: Jinmao Tower (420.5 meters) is right under its nose and the view (on a clear day) extends beyond Zhongshan Park in Puxi.

Walking through the deck is an almost hallucinatory experience: the observatory’s angled glass walls can make visitors feel as if they’re leaning over the edge.

And it has see-through glass flooring.

A slightly less vertiginous option is the Skywalk 97. It’s a mere 439 meters high, with a glass roof that opens up.

Xintiandi ()

This restored compound is one of the most popular attractions in Shanghai.

Only 15 years ago, the area was an ordinary shikumen residential area.

It’s since been converted to a business district populated by high-end bars, restaurants, shopping malls and the ubiquitous symbol of global gentrification: Starbucks.

The location is good for a lazy afternoon walk.

It also hosts some of Shanghai’s best foreign restaurant selections.

The Shikumen Open House Museum is another highlight.

Ironic background: the Communist Party of China was founded on this block — 91 years later it’s capitalism, not communism, that does the talking.

Visitors can nevertheless tour the room where the first party congress was held.

City God Temple ()

The City God Temple, or Cheng Huang Miao, is a 600-year-old Daoist temple in the heart of Shanghai’s Old Town.

It houses the Cheng Huang God, the deity that protects local people.

The phrase also refers to the temple fair and commodity market near the shrine.

Although the temple can still be busy with pious religious followers, more people now come for the shopping.

Endless stalls sell everything Chinese, from chopstick gift sets to Peking/Sichuan opera mask bottle openers.

It’s also the headquarters for Shanghainese snacks, from stinky tofu () to five-flavor bean ().

The best time to visit the market is around Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year when the whole area is blanketed with festive decorations.

City God Temple, 249 Fangbang Zhong Lu, near Anren Lu; +86 21 6328 4494

Happy Valley ()

Heaven for thrill-ride aficionados, the 900,000-square-meter theme park contains nearly 10 different scream machines, including various roller coasters and free-fall rides.

Highlights include a 30-meter-tall, 1,200-meter-long lakeside wooden roller coaster and 60-meter-high free-fall drop machine.

The super-speed log flume creates a splash as high as 15 meters.

People’s Park ‘marriage market’ ()

The “marriage market” is less tourist attraction and more about a view into unique local culture.

Every Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of parents gather at People’s Park, regardless of the weather, with the hope of finding an ideal partner for their high-time-they-got-hitched offspring.

Parents simply clutch single sheets of paper that present their children in a few simple phrases — age, height, education, job, salary, whether they studied abroad and whether they own their own apartment.

Female candidates outnumber male by far, so enthusiastic parents have a passion for chatting up any young single male in the area.

People’s Park ‘marriage market’, Gate 5 of People’s Square Park, 75 Nanjing Xi Lu., across from the Grand Theater. Take Metro line 1, 2 or 8 to People’s Square station, take Exit 9 to the ground level and turn left. The marriage market takes place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from about noon to three.

Walking Tours

Former French Concession

Planned and built by French colonists in the early 20th century, this neighborhood — roughly bound by Ruijin Lu to the East, Yan’an Lu to the North, Zhaojiabang Lu to the South and Huashan Lu to the West — is more Parisian than Chinese.

Its quiet, tree-lined streets now teem with boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Best locations to observe lingering “Frenchness” include Anfu Lu, Wukang Lu and Yongkang Lu.

Or follow the route designed by a French Concession native.

Several agencies in Shanghai provide multi-lingual tours around the former French Concession.

Contact Luxury Concierge China or Newman Tours.

Shanghai Art Deco Walking Tour

Shanghai’s art deco heritage is unsurpassed in Asia.

Having spent 16 years in Shanghai, architecture buff Spencer Dodington has a matchless knowledge of the city’s art deco history, which he imparts on customized tours.

“These lovely buildings got me hooked on the uniqueness of Shanghai 1930s architecture,” says Dodington.

“It’s really different and interesting compared to Texas, where I’m from, but it’s also different from other cities with their own art deco, like Miami and New York.”

Check out Dodington’s favorite art deco structures in Shanghai or join his multi-lingual art deco tour through [email protected] or +86 135 0166 2908.

Tours of Jewish Shanghai

Approximately 300,000 Jews escaped Europe and fled to Shanghai between 1933 and 1941.

They lived in the infamous Shanghai Ghetto (now Hongkou District) and made up one of the largest overseas Jewish communities at the time.

Led by Israeli Dvir Bar-Gal, these four-hour tours take in some of the most fascinating elements of Shanghai’s Jewish history.

As the tour progresses, the story of Shanghai as a melting pot of opium dealers, colonialists, business moguls and Holocaust survivors is gradually unveiled.

Photos: Driving China’s spectacular 24-bend road

source http://allofbeer.com/shanghai-insider-travel-guide/ from All of Beer http://allofbeer.blogspot.com/2018/02/shanghai-insider-travel-guide.html

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allofbeercom · 7 years