Hawai’i – who would've think?...

Hawaii is the only state in the US that once was a kingdom…

Who were the Hawaiians? There are 2 standing theories about the provenience of the people of Hawaii. They either came from SE Asia, especially from Tahiti (to whom they resemble in looks, language, and ancient skills), or from the Americas (because of the commune features shared with the Incas). As a support to this theory it has been demonstrated that in those days they could sail through the Pacific, all the way down to the Horn Head.

The history of the kingdom of Hawaii is written at the Iolani Palace museum in Honolulu, on island Oahu of Hawaii.

Iolani Palace – a beautiful establishment, built in 1882 in a Victorian Style, is unfortunately an almost empty palace, due to the ignorance of early American conquistadors, who either stole, destroyed, or auctioned every item that belonged to the dynasty. However, the lobby of the palace can tell the whole history of Hawaii.

The first king of Hawaii, who had the vision of unifying all the (8) islands of the archipelago, was King Kamehameha I, who after fighting his own father in-law (ruler of one half of the Big Island), was able to bring together, under only one kingdom all his people. He established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810, and during his kingdom he developed friendships with the major Pacific colonial powers, preserved the independence, and guaranteed peace and prosperity.

In 1819 King Kamehameha II was groomed to be heir to the throne at the age of five. He was the eldest son of Kamehameha I and his highest-ranking wife (out of 28). He was succeeded by Kamehameha III in 1824, IV in 1855, V in 1863.

The Kamehameha dynasty got to an end, with the last king who didn’t have any direct heirs to the throne and refused to name a successor. So, in this case and in concordance with the Constitution of that time, it felt on the legislature to name a new king. Therefore, after the elections Kamehameha V's cousin, William Charles Lunalilo, was named the sixth king of Hawaii , in 1873.

King Lunalilo reigned only 13 months and left no heirs to the throne. That’s how another dynasty came to an end, and in 1874 new elections took place.

King David Kalākaua won the elections, though he run in the previous ones too, but lost in favor to former King Lunalilo. Raised and educated in the western European style, Kalākaua started his reign off with a tour of the Hawaiian Islands, to improve his popularity.

In 1881, King Kalākaua left the kingdom and went on a trip around the world – becoming the first king to do such a thing. He also wanted to study how other rulers ruled. In his absence, his sister and heir, Princess Lili'uokalani, ruled as regent and oversaw the building of the Iolani Palace in Honolulu.

The King first traveled to San Francisco, then sailed to the Empire of Japan, China, Siam, Burma, India, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Romania, the French Third Republic, Spain, Portugal, UK, and back through the US before returning to Hawaii. During this trip, he met with many crowned heads of state, including Pope Leo XIII, Umberto I of Italy, Victoria of the United Kingdom, and Carol I of Romania.

Apparently, even though the history never states it, King Kalākaua and Carol I met in 1881 and had a great amiable relationship. Probably they saw each other just once during their lives, but when Kalākaua visited the Kingdom of Romania he was decorated by Carol I with the Order of the Crown of Romania – “Through Our Selves” (“Prin noi inşine”) – the proof lies next to some other decorations, in Iolani Palace’s Gallery in Honolulu, just across the world…

Another proof is one of the letters Kalākaua sent to Carol I – it is written in French and is displayed along with other three letters addressed to important western personalities, on king’s desk, in the top floor of the palace…

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The excitement of finding something from back home so far away from home, is replaced now by the questions of “Why the history didn’t note this aspect, in a corner of a notebook?”, “Why aren’t we taught what proud to be Romanian means, anymore?”…

Even if we didn’t conquest lands, we've got far enough… Don’t you think so?!

From the islands

The blessed people of Hawai'i say that any person of this world must have the
permission to believe.

This is all these stories give you.
Please follow this link: gohawaii.com/stories

Mahalo nui loa!
(Thank you very much!)

Creation

A trip to Rome, Italy is always a fascination. That place is filled with so many of the world’s creations, so old, and so beautiful, that only the trip itself gives you the feeling that you will walk along the steps of the greatest people in the history. And only this gives you chills!

Being in the “Eternal City” obliges you to visit one other ‘eternal’ place – the Vatican City – the womb of Christianity. As a person who believes in anything saint, you have to visit this peaceful place, at least once in your life… if not for the Holiness, at least for the priceless pieces of art, gated in this incredibly small and rich country.

To get inside might be a test of endurance – hard, but not impossible. The Holy See is surrounded by a tall and thick defense wall, and early in the morning the wall is surrounded by thousands of people waiting to get and see what is the ancient wall defending. The visiting hours are daily from 10:00-15:30 (with some exceptions).

... After winning over the infinite line of tourists that want to see pretty much what you don’t know that you will see, you get inside. You pass through Security, and when you thought you’re actually the winner, you find out there is another line you have to defeat – the one for the entrance tickets (Regular 13 €; Reduced 8 €; Special 4 €; some times Free). With the ticket in one hand, you make the next step – start the trip through all the incommensurable values of all art history – from antiquity, renaissance, modern era, and all the way to the contemporaneous one. Through an interminable journey with emotional stops in front of unique pieces of art, by Raphaello, Michelangelo, da Vinci, and also thousands of more or less famous painters and sculptors, you flow down the corridors of the Vatican Museum – the place where tens of generations of priests gathered and preserved the most important proofs of the human creation. The trip is long, exhausting, it lets you stunned in front of many of the pieces, it takes all your powers if front of such beauties...

Nevertheless, the peak of the trip is the Sistine Chapel – the place where beauty meets genius, myth and faith. Getting there is unexpected. No matter how much you would know about this place, is impossible not to amaze you, when you first bump into it. Everywhere in the museum there are sings announcing that you are heading to the right direction, towards the most known and visited place in Vatican... At one point you even get to walk some small stairs, being pushed by tens of people hurrying up, God knows where (?), and suddenly you find yourself in a new room. It is different form everything you’ve seen before. You look... still having in your head all those veritable art proofs you’ve just seen... But nothing compares to this. At one point you realize you’ve even forgotten why were you walking through Vatican. And then…, you clearly see it: you’re there! You finally made it, there! Of course, after a whole morning of facing art, this amazes you more, all close to tears. You are overwhelmed. You don’t know where to look. You don’t see it. A moment later you remember it should be in the middle of the ceiling, between all those faces, and bodies.

And then…

The Creation.

Why go to Paris only on Valentines Day?

GOOD TO KNOW: Paris, in February, it’s cold!! There must be a hot someone next to you, to warm your heart! Still, “the city of lights” can be romantic, even on a horrible weather. There are enough romantic spots, whether needed all over the place.

Here’s my list:

Le Butte de Montmartre – the neighborhood, there’s no need to go to Sacre Cœur, thou if you take all the stares up to the basilica you’ll have a free spectacular view of the city. Steal a kiss at the carrousel. Remember how Amélie Poulaine (« Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulaine », 2001) found her love there and follow their steps. Montmartre is mystic, bohemian, and deserves to be walked and admired. There is also a tourist little cart.

Pigalle – is a metro station between Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur. This is the Red Quarter of Paris. If you look for a kinky Valentines “the girls” work day and night, sex-shops are everywhere, some porn cinema, and even an Erotic Museum. As a friend of mine says: “At Pigalle you find only things, which when you keep them in your palms, they give you sounds and pleasure” – in this area you can find sex in any shape and musical instruments from all over the world.

Opéra Garnier – it is a gem of the architecture, has 2200 seats, beautiful interiors and magic shows. Can be visited when no rehearsals. One tour is 7 €. Palais Garnier – Place de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris, Mº Opéra, RER Auber, Bus 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 31, 39, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81, 95.

Arc de Triomphe – for 4 € you can climb the staires to the top deck to admire the Charles de Gaule l’Etoile square with its 12 boulevards rising from the arch. At 5pm the lights on the boulevards, on Champs Elysée, at La Défense (the financial district), and at the Eiffel Tower are switched on. At least 10 minutes every hour the Eiffel Tower blinks giving a dreamy sensation al over the city.

The Ice Skating Ring from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower – especially at night, when the city is lighted. The view is magnificent. Ice Skating is sexy and free. Take the stairs, not the elevator – 4€.

Cruise on Seine – the best cruise boats are Les Bateaux de Pont Alma (5€). They have the best narrations (on English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Chinese) on the history and the traditions of Panames*. Such a cruise is most romantic in the evenings, when the 24 bridges and all buildings on each side of the Seine are beautifully lighted in the dark. The Bateaux-Mouches worth’s especially when it comes to romantic dinners on board.

Île Saint Louis – has nothing especially on it, but that gives the whole charm and romantic feeling of the old city. Get lost on this island, you’ll feel like on a different world, but also feel the real Paris.

The Quays of Seine – walk on any side, next to the water or on the sidewalk. A bottle of [French] Champagne is recommended, or better (it warms you up!) a bottle of red Bordeaux. Red wine is an aphrodisiac and 2001 was a very good year for red Bordeaux!

Pont des Arts – is the bridge where lovers meet. Start your walk in the evening, on the left bank, cross the walking bridge of lovers, admire the Seine, enter the Louvre’s interior yard and go to Napoleon’s Garden, where the pyramids are. In the night everything is lighted, and you might have the chance to hear talented musicians playing their instruments.

Rue de Rivoli – lies along Louvre. It is a commercial street, not really Champs Elysée, but if shopping can be romantic, that’s the place to be!

Cité Universitaire – this is the oldest campus in Paris. Established at the beginning of 1900s, the campus has 35 villas belonging to different countries, showing different architecture and style. The parks between the buildings are extremely romantic and bring you back to college years.

Going out:

Café Mabillon - Mº Mabillon, line 10, 164, boulevard St Germain. You find it between Odeon and St Germain, in the bohemian center of Paris when the café is vivid, especially in happy-hours from 7-9pm. The tables are full inside and outside, even if it is summer or winter because of the brilliant cocktails (4,50 €/cocktail) they do. Friendly advice: Don’t mind the annoying waiters – usually they’re not customer friendly because that’s a rare species in Paris!

Chez Papa (St Germain area) - has a great atmosphere, especially when there is live jazz music during dinner. Waiters are always nice with their clients. And at birthdays sing "Joyeux Anniversaire" for every 'aging' person in the house.

Latin Lover (rue d’Harpe – St Michel area) - very gay bar, with very gay waiters, and also with really crazy cocktails. Worth tryin'!

Bistro des Artistes (6, rue des Anglais – just across from Notre Dame Cathedral) - hided from the tourists' view, and still in the most touristic area of Saint Michel, the bar brings in more Panames than foreigners.

Bario Latino (Mº Bastille, line 5) - look for Bossa Nova night. Good food, nice cocktails.

Noura (Mº Vavin, line 4) – The best Lebanese restaurant in town. Moderate prices, delicious food, extraordinary Lebanese wine.

Au Pied du Chameau (Châtelet area) – Moroccan restaurant with traditional belly dancing shows.

Bistro (Mº Jaurès, line 7) – Typical French bistro with delicious raclettes and fondus.

Dans le Noir ? (rue Quincampoix, 75004, tel +33 (1) 42 77 98 05, Châtelet area) - offers an unforgettable experience. In this restaurant all waiters are blind. The guests have to be guided to their table by the assigned waiter and then to eat in perfect dark. This unusual exercise awakes in everyone of us some strange primeval instincts. More surprisingly is the fact that we learn in a dinner time how to rely on other senses than our sight. (www.danslenoir.com)

Bonus: France is under 26 friendly

*Paname - nickname for Parisian citizen

Catri's guide to Paris..., France

Remember that Paris is a very touristic city. Therefore, despite the traditional French nationalism you will find help. And if you don’t, and get lost on its streets… enjoy it! That’s where most of its charm lays...

FROM THE AIRPORT: From CDG take RER B and will take you in 30min all the way to downtown in Place St Michel. One metro ticket can be used for one trip and transfers. The tickets look the same for metro, bus and RER (just in the city!) – for trips that will take you out of Paris (i.e. Versailles) you need to buy different tickets. In the bus you can buy tickets from the driver.

ORIENTATION: Wherever you find (airport or metro station), get a free city map. In metro stations there are some small pocket maps which are actually the most complex plan of the Parisian metro and RATP – extremely helpful whereas Paris has 14 metro lines + 5 RER lines (a rapid train which travels as an express in town and as a connection between small neighborhoods out of the city) + ‘n’ bus lines… At the metro stations you also find tourist maps.

OBJECTIVES:

• M° St Michel -- Place St Michel -- Saint Michel Fountain (ground 0 for gay ppl, meeting point for everybody). Try the cafés in the area.

Routes:

1. rue de Harpe (facing the fountain at your left) – just get lost on those tight streets with tones of ethnic restaurants. Advice: they are a little pricey and the food is not always extraordinary (I had a good meal just about once!), but is nice to see the night promenade, especially when the Greeks break plates and sing to pretty ladies… Local bars on the other hand are precious (e.g. Bistro des Artistes – 6 rue de Anglais 75005 Paris; M° Maubert Mutualité, line 10; www.bistrot-des-artistes.com or Latin Lover – rue d’Harpe – St Michel area)

2. rue Andrés des Artes (facing the fountain at your right) – plenty of lovely bars. If you walk down this street and follow its curves, you’ll end up on rue de Buci which ends at Caffé Mabillon (164 Blvd Saint-Germain 75006 Paris; M° Mabillon, line 10) – Happy hours 7-9 pm – DO NOT MISS the best cocktails in town. Plus, right now you are in the Odeon – Saint Germain de Press area – walking distance. Try Chez Papa restaurant (St Germain area) – it’s a nice restaurant with live jazz music.

3. turning your back to the fountain, cross the street, then the bridge and you are right in front of Notre Dame – I was always fascinated by the transparent, multilingual confessionals. You can go up the cathedral’s tower (7€), but it takes allot of time. There are other free options to see the Parisian panorama. – Facing the cathedral, in your left, across the street there is Shakespeare & Co bookstore (full of romantic history) and further down the oldest tree in Paris.

4. go around the fountain, on Blvd Saint Michel and walk down to the Latin Quarter (Rîve Gauche), Sorbonne, Jardin de Luxembourg.

This involves shops, restaurants, bars and clubs.

• Îlle de la Cité: Notre Dame -- Hotel de Ville (City hall) – in winter they always have an artificial ice skate ring Conciergerie (the jail where Marie Antoinette was decapitated) Palais de Justice the Cathedral St Chapelle. These buildings are one next to each other.

• Îlle Saint Louis is the second island of the Seine and is there just to walk through, but is the place that gives the quintessence of Paris.
• walk along Seine’s quays and its beautiful bridges (there are 35 in total).
• at the end of Saint Louis cross the bridge and visit the Institute du Monde Arabe - the architecture of the building is amazing. Look at the windows’ shade mechanism.
• Rîve Gauche – the left bank of the Seine: Institute du Monde Arabe, Cart Latin, Place Saint Michel, Sorbonne, Jardin de Luxembourg (designed by the same architect that imagined the Cişmigiu garden in Bucharest) – there you’ll see the building of the Senate house, Panthéon, Eglise de Mont (this is my favorite white cathedral which looks better than the next door Panthéon)
• up on the left bank: Musée d’Orasy, Assemblée Nationale (the Parliament)
• trip to Eiffel Tower: start at Pont Alexandre III (the most beautiful bridge on Seine) walk the esplanade + Les Invalides museum, walk around the right side of the Invalides to Ecole Militaire (on the area you'll find the Romanian Embassy - a very nice building), on your right you'll see the Mure de la Paix (hint: is made of glass) -> Champ de Mars - ideal for nocturne picnics in the summer (somewhere on the right side is the Romanian Restaurant Doina – the only Romanian restaurant in Paris) -- > you’re facing the Eiffel Tower
• the Eiffel Tower (10€ to the top) – first go all the way up (I know you won’t resist it!), but when you go down please stop at the first floor (2^nd for US ppl) and don’t miss: the movie in the cinema (it is only 7min long), the hologram of the tower (next to the cinema), try a hot chocolate at the bar or a full dinner at Jules Verne Restaurant. And if you visit it in winter DO NOT MISS the ice skating ring!
• when you leave the Eiffel Tower you have 2 choices:
• 1. in front is Trocadero – is nice to be visited in day time or at New Years Eve
  2. IT'S A MUST! Go down the stairs at the river, at Pont d’Alma, on the right from the Eiffel Tower and take the Bateaux de Tour Eiffel (5€ for students, 10€ for adults). Don’t waste your money with some other cruises (unless you want a private dinner cruise), because this is the most complete in cultural/historical information and the most beautiful one. It takes 1hr and it worths every Euro cent. I repeat: do not take another boat! It’s a pity. Oh! The cruise is lovely at night when all the city lights are on.

• the right bank of the Seine: rue de Rivoli (waaaay cheaper and stylish than Champs Elysée) -> (go along) Musée du Louvre -> Napoleon's Garden (the one with the pyramids) -> Jardin de Tuillerie (if you cross this park you arrive in) -> Place de la Concorde -> (and here's where it starts the famous) Champs Elysée -> Arc de Triomphe -> (now you can go on top of the arch and admire the 12 famous boulevards - 3€ for students)
• another beautiful route is to cross the street at Musée d’Orsay over the lovers’ bridge (the only pedestrian bridge over the Seine), it’s an wooden one which will take you over the Seine directly into the Louvre’s courtyard (more romantic in the evening)

• Châtelet Les Halles is some sort of mall – can be checked out, but more worthy seam the small streets and little bars around it. Is nice just to get lost. In the same area you’ll find Centre Pompidou - the contemporary art museum will stick to your eyes because is made only of glass and metal tubes. However, in front of it you'll find Brâncuşi’s workshop.

• here you MUST try a memorable experience – Dans le Noir restaurant – has only blind waiters, and the clients have to dine in the dark (51, rue Quincampoix, 75004, tel 1 42 77 98 05; www.danslenoir.com) – it’s a parallel street with the Centre Pompidou – turn your back to the Centre and walk forward, it is the last street before Blvd de Sébastopol.
• also try Au Pied du Chameau (Châtelet area 20, rue Quincampoix 75004 Paris; www.aupieddechameau.fr) – Moroccan restaurant with traditional dancing show.
• don’t miss a tour in the Opera Garnier (7€ for a walking tour), then go around its right and enter the Societé Generale Bank, behind the opera – it is the most beautiful bank premises in the world! Behind the bank you’ll find the Galeries La Fayette and Printemps. Shopping!!!
• behind Printemps there’s Madeleine and in front of it Place de la Concorde
• go to Gare du Nord, then to Montmartre (M° Anvers), climb to the top of the stairs of Sacre Coeur and admire the free town scape, take the funicular and then get lost again on the streets
• another MUST – take line 14 to Gare de Lyon – the most beautiful metro station in Paris, then go up in the rail station and look for Le Train Bleu. Built in 1900 once with the Eiffel Tower and the Opera Garnier this restaurant seams depicted from the Titanic. Go up the stairs, enter the restaurant (have lunch or not), then walk to the end of the hall in the left. On the right side is the Big Ben Bar (you won’t see it above the door, but is written on the menú) – is more of a salon. Stay at least for a tea – is one of my most loved places in Paris…
• check out the Marais neighborhood – the Jewish neighborhood at M° Saint Paul
• try the Hägen Daaz ice cream and desert places along Paris (my favorite are the one in front of Louvre & la Comédie-Française, and the one on Champs Elysée) – don’t mind the prices, they’re the same everywhere (in the world!).
• if you get to Montparnasse, go to the top floor deck for the view, but it will cost. In the area don’t miss the Lebanese restaurant Noura - is the best in town! I bet you’ll love it... (Mº Vavin, line 4)
  
• there’s Père la Chaise cemetery – home of Jimi Hendrix, Victor Hugo, etc., but I never went there. Is like taking a trip to Bellu in Bucharest.

  Out of Paris:

• Chateaux de Versailles (RER C – make sure you buy the right tickets!) about 6€. Buy the 12€ ticket so you get to see as many as possible rooms. The gardens are paid separately, but in winter look very sad… in the summer on the other hand there are beautiful music and water shows.
• La Défense – the financial quarter. Check out Arc de la Défence – looks more modern than the Arc de Triomphe, and has a nice restaurant on the top. If you have one day for shopping and you’ve seen everything that was to see in Paris, take RER A (make sure you buy the right ticket!) to Val d’Europe – as soon as you exist the metro station you are in Marne la Vallée – an outlet mall/village European style. Closes at 5pm!
• 2 RER stops away is Disneyland Paris – useless to say, you need a whole day there. (40€/pers)

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall was built more than 2 000 years ago. The construction started between 7^th and 6^th century BC, now stretching on some 6 000 km (4 000 miles) from east to west of China.

It was enlisted as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987.

They say it can be seen from out of space, but I wasn’t able to see it from the plane…

When I first reached it I was already exhausted – Chinese guides took care of this! Ours got there late, in the after noon, because the summer heat was too high, [even there], making the air impossible to breath.

I took a moment and a deep breath when I first stepped on it. Its ends cannot be reached by the human eye. You ask yourself where it starts and where it ends, when, where, why and especially how they started its construction?...

Once I began to walk, with every step, a strange feeling raised in me: the feeling that I wanted to stop climbing, because I had no straight for doing it, and, in the mean time, that I wanted to continue as far as the feet could take me. I wanted to reach the end. But, again, which end? And after the End, what?! With every drop of sweat my forces were ending far too soon…

Even if I reached only five check points, at the end of my ‘Walk on the Wall’ I looked back and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The beauty of the wall is immeasurable. The immensity of the Wall left me speechless and breathless. It is an extremely exhausting experience, but when you finally get there… it’s amazing!

The only thing I could think about was: “How fortunate I am!” – I never fought my steps will take me so far, on this side of the world, on this masterpiece of the mankind, on this beautiful land that looks so pure.

That was the ultimate experience! It's exhausting! It's great! It's unimaginable! There, I really felt like on top of the world!

Practical tips:

ü The Great Wall of China lies 70 km northeast from the capital. If you don’t have a solid plan for Beijing, book rooms at Leo Hostel (52 Da Zha Lan Xi Jie, Qianmen, Beijing, zip code 100051, China). When you first arrive in the city get to the hostel – they have very good tips and trips concerning the Great Wall.

ü Don’t go there without a bottle of water. You risk to dehydrate!

Shanghai, China

My first thought when I decided to visit China, was that I’m going to be very pissed with all that crowd of little Chinese who’s wearing funky haircuts and is crazy about Mickey Mouse. I was worried that I will spend my time with people that are speaking an impossible language, and that I will be bored to death, while millions of fake little red items will pass in front of my eyes. Eating with chop sticks was the last threat on my list…

The only relieve was Evelyne and her presence there.

When the plane landed on Pudong, Shanghai‘s International Airport, I smiled thinking that it looks [ironically!] small – like a local airport, where only a few jets take off and land everyday.

But after I stepped on Shanghanese land the wideness of Asia knocked me out. On the ground, actually, everything is enormous – first the line at the Custom, then the airport, which presents very modern facilities like any other international airport in the world. The good news is that immediately after the serious Custom Agent is giving you the non-penetrating look, plus the red entry stamp on the passport, things start flowing easily.

Shanghai (meaning "On the Sea") has 12.3 million people, who can see the sun rising in the same time as all their compatriots (China operates as one time zone), but has 8 hours ahead the Greenwich Mean Time. Also, there is no daylight savings time adjustment in the summer. Rich country! What can I say!? … In fact there are only 60 million millionaires in China.

Currency: Money can be changed inside the airport and within all the banks in the city. The national currency is 1 Yuan or 1 RMB (1 € ≈ 10 RMB and 1 $ ≈ 8 RMB). The bills are all having the portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong. They represent 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 RMB and the coins have values of 1 RMB. Smaller divisions are called Fen.

Transportation: Inside the airport can be found the train station for Maglev – the fastest train in the world. The Maglev Train runs 30 km between the airport and Longyang Road Metro Station, in the city, in 7 minutes, reaching a maximum speed of 431 km/hour. Tickets can be bought online or from the two stations. Prices (RMB): One Way Ticket: 50, 100 (VIP); Round Trip Ticket: 80, 160 (VIP)

In the city, a large net of buses and trolleys can be used, plus 4 lines of metro, connecting the main squares and junctions. Under or over ground passages for pedestrians can be found in the most crowded boulevards. Street Assistants are helping people to cross the streets and manage successfully to make a more fluid traffic.

In Shanghai, 70% of the cars out on the road are taxis. The licensed ones are charging 10RMB + 2RMB/km on daytime (5a.m.-11p.m.) and 13RMB +2.6 RMB/km on nighttime (11p.m.-5a.m.).

From the rail stations, trains are leaving to different parts of the country. Tickets should be booked in advance. However, there is always a English Speaking Office on site.

Highlights:

Nanjing Lu – “the Champs Elysée of China” is the most prosper shopping street in the country. The 1 033m long pedestrian road is crowded with tourists and locals on daytime. In the night is the living room of beggars and homeless. Still, after 10pm it becomes one of the few relaxing places in the city for a quiet promenade under the lights of the well known brand shops.

Yu Garden – situated in the downtown, south of the Bund is a 400 years old, most beautiful garden at south of Yangtze. Now, all 30 traditional pavilions and pagodas are transformed in vibrant bazaar packed with souvenir shops and restaurants. Main attractions are the Temple of the City God and the golden fishes from the lake aside.

People’s Square – the down town of Shanghai is the shelter of the municipal Museum, the city Theatre, Peace Cinema and People’s Park.

The Huangpu River – crosses the city and flows into the East China Sea. Cruise boats are riding along the river for a “blink-blink” view – on one side lies the Bund (the landmark of Shanghai), with old impressing buildings, and on the other (the new side) – all the lighted skyscrapers. Every night, from 7-11p.m., all the tall buildings in the city are lighted and can be admired better, because the air is breathable at that time of the day and the warm summer nights are perfect for long walks.

The Bund – the 2km boardwalk that lies along the Huangpu River is the birthplace and the symbol of East. This is the most famous sightseeing spot in Shanghai, which has always been closely linked with the development of the city.

The financial district Lujiazui – skyscrapers everywhere. This is a 28 km² area, with a population of 540,000, into a financial, commercial and trade zone, which can be fund just opposite the Bund, across the Huangpu River.

The Jin mao Tower – the tallest tower in Shanghai, is “a must” for any tourist. The building of its 88 floors and 421m was ended in 1998, and since then can be visited every day. I missed the top observation deck, but I checked Cloud 9, the highest bar in the world. That’s a beautiful way of admiring the view, even if is not a 360° tour. Drinks are not expensive, but surprise, surprise they ask for a 110 RMB minimum charge to clients present after 8pm. So, don’t be surprised! Anyway, they have great deserts.

The Oriental Pearl Tower – the television and radio tower that was build in 1994, is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui. It has 468 m and 14 floors that host 9 television channels and 10 FM radio channels. I never went there. This is one of my reasons to go back to Shanghai! But I found out that the admission fee is 50 RMB, that is opened from 08:40 to 21:30, buses 81, 82, 85, 870, 871, 872 stop there, and that 4 and a half hours for visiting are enough to get an idea.

The Tongji University Campus – is huge. The atmosphere is very Chinese. International students can get housing over the summer in the foreign students dormitory. There are double rooms with bathrooms and air conditioned system. That’s a blast, once you see the rooms for resident students. So, appreciate what you get there.

Tip: On top of the building there’s place for watching the city over the night and the sunrise at 5a.m.

Nightlife: – Dinner, in China, is around 6p.m., because the dark falls always around 7p.m. So, parties take place from 9p.m.-2a.m. The only clubs that are opened until 5a.m. or early dawn are the ones for expats. Bars’ street in Shanghai is Maoming Lu. Bars are just next door. Price lists are posted on the sidewalk. Make your pick, step in and enjoy! Chinese know how to party!

Anadolu – the only delicious Turkish restaurant in Shanghai. Wonderful atmosphere, beautiful Arabian music, extraordinary service, the best chicken döner! They also serve delicious kebabs and Turkish pizzas. Where? On Hengshan Lu

Café de Montmartre – typical French food in the middle of nowhere. Where? Xiangyang Nan Lu, next to the Xiangyang [‘Fake’] Market

Crepperie Française – delicious St Maló style galléte with Bretagne cider. They provide even forks! The cider is autentic and expencive! Where? Xiangyang Nan Lu, next to the Xiangyang [‘Fake’] Market

Yu Garden – traditional dim sum restaurants, on traditional pavilions

Bar Rouge – on the wonderful terrace of Bund 18, at the 6th floor, offers both a stylish bar and a large outdoor terrace with a breathtaking view over the financial district, Pudong and the Bund. Where? East ZhongShan Rd, at 10 minutes walking distance east of Henan Zhong Rd. station, Metro#2

Buddha Bar Shanghai – psychedelic atmosphere on bars’ street. Where? Maoming Lu

The House of Blues and Jazz – live shows, too small drinks, perfect atmosphere, international environment. Where? Maoming Lu

Mint – expats disco. Hosts a wide selection of house DJs throughout the week. Where? Tongren Lu

Mural Bar – French owned, happy hours, Latin treats, ladies nights, free drinks, excellent dishes, extraordinary interiors, dancing atmosphere. Michelle, the owner, is always between his guests, trying to make them feel well and helping them getting around the city. (www.muralbar.com)

Pegasus – expats kids disco. First impression: international high school party. But, Friday is an open bar night; general entrance 50 RMB.

Rojam – disco with Chinese flavor. Two rooms for different styles, cheep drinks, a lot of well dressed, happy, young, fashionable Chinese. They party better then in other mega cities. Ladies night are every Monday and Wednesday.

People:

Despite my being afraid of Chinese aggression, I was very impressed by their kindness and hospitality. Because Shanghai is a free zone from the '30s, the locals are used to foreigners and treat them normal. They have their own fashion style, but they know all the trends and brands in the world. They listen to good music and the Chinese pop sounds very nice. Many of them understand and speak very good English – especially taxi drivers, sellers and hotel stuff. Still, an interpreter is needed.

In services area everybody uses white (always clean) gloves. What impressed me the most is how they treat their clients like royalties! In a shop, one doesn’t have to do anything – they close in every button of a coat. They make sure that all the personal services are extremely well accomplished. Sometimes they are better then in the West and the final smile looks more real then in our society. The difference is made by employees’ attitude towards the client. Unfortunately, tips are forbidden by law.

The city is best to visit in spring and autumn. Summer is too hot and humid, and in winter, temperatures can drop below zero.

Places I've been and I love

Visited Lived in Wanna go to

1. Ro: Bucharest, Vama Veche (2001- _)
2. Hungary: Budapest (2003)
3. Austria: Vienna (2003)
4. USA: New York [NY], Niagara [NY]('04,'08); Honolulu [Oahu, HI], Lihue [Kauai, HI], Lahaina [Maui, HI], Hilo [Big Island, HI]; Los Angeles [CA], San Francisco [CA], San Diego [CA] ('07-'09); New Orleans [LA]; Las Vegas [NV] (2009); Washington, D.C.; Boston [MA]; Miami [FL], Key West [FL] (2010)
5. France: Paris, Normandie, Cote d'Azur (2004-2005)
6. Czech Republic: Prague (2005)
7. Italy: Milan ('05, '06,'10), Venice (2005), Rome (2007), Florence (2007), Verona (2010)
8. Germany: Köln (2005)
9. Monaco: Monte Carlo (2005)
10. Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam (2005)
11. China: Shanghai, Beijing (2005)
12. Switzerland: Lugano (2006)
13. Spain: Barcelona ['06,'09,'10,'11], Granada, Seville, Ceuta (Africa), Ibiza; Madrid, Toledo (2006); Bilbao (2010); Tarifa (2011)
14. Turkey: Ankara (2006)
15. Vatican City (2007)
16. Mexico: Baja, Mexico City, Playa del Carmen (2009)
17. Bulgaria: Balchik Castle (2010)
18. UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai (2011)
19. UK: London (2011)
20. Morocco: Tangier