the hop on, hop off report

Last weekend we went on a double-decker “hop on, hop off” tourist bus. I’d never been on one before.  A friend works for Big Bus Tours so we decided to check it out, and it was great!  Our ticket even offered a second day– but it was so hot and gross out we didn’t take advantage of it (sadly).

We went with another couple, a woman grew up here and a guy who’s been here about six years. Most likely the info. in our headphones wasn’t news to them, but we all enjoyed the bird’s-eye view and the breeze.  When the bus was in motion.  When the bus was stopped we enjoyed sweating puddles on our seats.  We started in People’s Square, wound our way through the Pudong area’s tall buildings, and ended at the boats near the Bund.  The last part of our tour was a boat cruise along the Bund, watching all the twinkling lights.  It was lovely and I thought about how perhaps I should have gotten into the light bulb business.  Oh well!

I enjoyed being able to see several different areas without having to figure out the transit in-between myself–that was a nice change.  Again it struck me how traveling above-ground in a vehicle is a luxury.  I’ll be curious, when I go home to visit, if I maintain this feeling.

It was a fun (though very sweaty) day!  I recommend the tour when you come visit.

Pics below.  Enjoy!

P.S.  In the slideshow you’ll notice in escalator shot near the Pearl Tower.  Nothing says Shanghai like escalators!  They are everywhere.  Another missed business opportunity. . .