Barbara J. Hamby

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A Day at Sea - En Route to Shanghai

Sea of Japan

May 24th was spent at sea. The morning was the second foggy one we’ve had on the trip. The ship’s horn penetrating the fog is a pleasant sound in the cabin. If you happen to be walking near the bridge, however, deafness threatens.

After breakfast, I attempted to locate the site of a lecture scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Another woman and a man and I were the only people who appeared there. Since the lecturer was obviously absent, we began searching the ship to find him. We finally gave up and went our separate ways. Later I discovered that, due to numerous time zone changes, all three of us were confused about the actual time. I went back to the lounge at the authenticated 9:30. The other woman who had been lost with me tapped me on the shoulder to let me know that she was there, also. I didn’t see the man who had searched with us.

We heard a talk about China and, specifically, Shanghai. Shanghai is the third busiest port in China. As I sit here writing this on May 25th, with the ship berthed in Shanghai, I’m watching ships/boats of all shapes and sizes go by. The barge loads look like grain of various kinds, coal, sand, gravel, etc.

We learned about the variety of architecture in Shanghai (I’m looking at a shore lined with skyscrapers as I type). Buildings are of many styles and colors. Our speaker assured us that toilets have been improved immensely in the last two years. Toilets in any hotel or building in downtown areas are open to the public. Bring your own toilet paper, however.

He told us the exchange rate is approximately eight yuan to the dollar, and that most vendors won’t take dollars. Some will take credit cards. I didn’t expect to do much shopping in Shanghai. I had bought a few trinkets in Vladivostok.

In the evening, I attended a musical show about Paris. The singing of old familiar songs, the elaborate costumes and dancing were all excellent. I could sing along quietly on I Love Paris and a few other numbers.

Overnight we traveled, surrounded by ships/boats going both ways. We arrived in Shanghai at 2:00 a.m.