The Final Chapter – for now

Kudos to Holland America Lines. Disembarkation was a breeze. We had a leisurely breakfast and time in our stateroom before exiting the Westerdam for the last time into the Shanghai port. No big crowds and no long lines. Taxis were a breeze, too.

We had quite a long ride to our hotel near the Bund. The SSAW Botique hotel was in the perfect location! We could walk to the Old Town, The Bund -a river walk right downtown and the shopping/dining district Oh, but before I go there. Imagine my surprise when we exited the taxi, looked behind us and there stood Marley, Leah, Ned and Carol. What is the likelihood that we’d book the same hotel in such a large city? Actually, two other sets of new friends showed up as well. We must have found the hotel deal of the week!

The weather, cold and bleak, cut down on the walking and created a need for more taxis. We found the dining district and enjoyed lunch at a tapas bar. We wandered the streets for a while then taxied back to the SSAW. After a short rest, we began our walk. We walked past the old district, not spending much time there since we had visited just last year. We found a lantern festival on the way to the Bund. We enjoyed the great views, some snacks and yes, we purchased yet another suitcase for our journey home. No more heavy bags to carry! We had dinner at a delightful restaurant next to our hotel and shared some of our food with a young British couple celebrating his birthday.

The next morning we moved our clocks back 13 hours, relived those 13 hours again as we flew non-stop to NYC. After 24 hours of travel, we found our way home and on our way to our cabin for some spring break time with our daughter and her children Yep, just like that —-China to Cosby, TN!

Until later!