Shanghai - Paris of the East (one of them, at least)

I read that Shanghai had, long ago, been known as Paris of the East. Though later discovered that many cities have claimed this title.  This particular Paris of the East surpassed all of my expectations. It was beautiful, friendly, full of interesting architecture, delicious food and more shopping than I had contemplated. Perhaps I simply hadn't done enough background research on the city before going, but I was happy with this surprise.

The start to our trip was good. A flight attendant on our flight from Vancouver to Shanghai happened to be the mother of a colleague of mine. That colleague mentioned we would be on the flight and her mother made sure we had wine waiting for us when we boarded. Easily the closest I have ever been to first-class treatment. 

Wine selection for the flight over. 

A rainy walk down East Nanjing Road - a portion of which is pedestrian-only.

Among the many things for sale: any type of dried meat conceivable. 

From a balcony overlooking the Bund and Huangpu River. 

Walking along the Bund. Unfortunately it was a smoggy day, so our view was hazy.

The stately Pudong Development Bank along the Bund. 

The Bund Bull, just across from the Pudong Development Bank. Designed by the same artist of the Charging Bull on Wall Street. Supposedly the government asked that this bull be younger, stronger and larger than the NYC version. It is also more red in colour. 

More ornate architecture along the Bund. A pipe organ-themed building. 

At the Yuyuan Bazaar

At the Yuyuan Bazaar

We even found a micro-brewery in the French Concession area.
Sadly, we discovered shortly after taking this photo that it was closed that day. 

In the French Concession. These brick-style buildings and lane-ways reminded me of the Halifax Brewery Market. 

Hard to make out, but this person is on a ladder that has two rungs hooked onto a seemingly live power line and suspended in the air, while his coworker holds the bottom steady.  Maybe a longer ladder would help? Or a cherry-picker?

Posters at the Propaganda Poster Art Center.

Anti-capitalist poster at the Propaganda Poster Art Center.

Poster at the Propaganda Poster Art Center.

One of my favourite things about Shanghai? The abundance of food stalls that popped up near our hotel everyday.
Cheap, convenient, delicious.

And of course bubble tea at every corner.
Will thoughtfully took this photo as he waited for me (again) to get bubble tea. 

Vietnam

This trip happened back in November of 2016, but I'm just getting around to putting up photos now. 

Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos of Ho Chi Minh City, which was our first stop. One of my highlights from HCMC was a street food tour through Saigon Street Eats. A friendly guide took Will, myself and 6 others to street-side "restaurants" in a residential area away from the tourist district we were staying in. The guide gave us tips for ordering, what to look for when choosing a street stand and introduced us to some local dishes that I've never seen at Vietnamese restaurants in Canada. The food was amazing! Thankfully I took a couple of photos from that experience.  

Our first stop, where they make salad rolls and banh xeo (a delicious, savory egg-crepe dish)

A seafood restaurant from Saigon Street Eats

Our next stop was Hoi An, a town located about half-way up the east coast of Vietnam. A portion of Hoi An, known as Old Town, is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Architecture influenced by Vietnamese, French and Japanese culture has been well preserved. It's very touristy, but still beautiful, and a relaxing spot after HCMC. 

Quon Cong Temple - Hoi An

Afternoon rest while touring Old Town for a classic Vietnamese coffee. 

Hoi An from a bridge over Thu Bon River

Hoi An from across the Thu Bon River at night

This photo isn't the best quality, but this is the view from our guesthouse balcony and shows some of Hoi An's European architecture

From Hoi An we took a day tour to the Marble Mountains and Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain), both near Da Nang. According to our tour guide, the Lady Buddha on Monkey Mountain is the largest Buddha in Vietnam. 

We only explored one of the Marble Mountains, but there are five in the area. The Marble Mountains used to be a key source of marble (surprise!), but most marble is now imported to the area where it is carved into statues or furniture and re-sold. Stores selling marble statues lined the roads near the Marble Mountains.  

Buddha on one of the Marble Mountains.

Buddha and dragons on Marble Mountains.

Peaking through the wall at a Buddha in a neighbouring cave

Viewing the other Marble Mountains from ours.

Exploring the caves of the Marble Mountains.

The Lady Buddha on Son Tra Mountain.

Next up was Hanoi! One of my favourite places in Vietnam. 

Amazingly narrow and beautiful architecture in Hanoi

The Hanoi Opera House.  Unfortunately we didn't plan ahead and weren't able to catch a performance here. 

The Night Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter

Beer Corner in Hanoi's Old Quarter, where you can sit outside with "fresh beer"  on tiny plastic chairs and people watch. 

From Hanoi we took a day trip to Hoa Lu. Hoa Lu is a former capitals of Vietnam (from 968 to 1010 AD). On that same tour we went on a boat ride along the river and cycled around neighbouring rice farms.  

The entrance to Hoa Lu

Characters on an old wall in Hoa Lu. 

A tributary off of the river in front of Hoa Lu. This photo doesn't do justice to the beautiful surroundings. 

Our river ride.

Somewhat hard to tell, but this rower is rowing with his feet, as were most of the rowers guiding the boats for our tour group. 

Coming out from under a tunnel that the river carved through a hill. 

They also happened to be filming a movie (it looked like a historical movie) on the river. 

Cycling along rice fields and rivers.