China, Korea and a little bit (of Japan) on the side

One thing I did on New Year’s Day was to make sure I didn’t wear anything black as it’s bad luck.
I only did it out of respect for local customs.
So I donned blue jeans, green sneakers, a grey T-shirt, blue puffer and a red beanie.
No sooner had I walked out the door of the hotel and I realised that everyone had something black on.
Even at the airport, it appeared nobody followed this one at all.
At least I tried. 🤣
 
In the cab on the way from Pudong to Shanghai, I developed a dry cough.
As I type, it’s 3.30am and I’ve been awake since 1am. Also got a really weird and ugly rash on my right hand. It’s not itchy or giving me grief, but still.
I don’t feel sick…yet. Hope it stays that way.
 
In the cab on the way from Pudong to Shanghai, I developed a dry cough.
As I type, it’s 3.30am and I’ve been awake since 1am. Also got a really weird and ugly rash on my right hand. It’s not itchy or giving me grief, but still.
I don’t feel sick…yet. Hope it stays that way.
Fingers crossed for you
 
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Got back to sleep at 7.30am after dealing with an issue at work.
Apparently I’m irreplaceable. But nobody is are they?
Slept until 11am.
Woke up really ordinary.
My cough was now starting to affect my throat.
But I had to get out today as I really wanted to see The Bund.
Temperature today was very similar to a Melbourne winter day. Around 13 degrees, sunshine and only very light winds.
I headed out and braved the crowds and I mean crowds.
I knew it would be busy, but holy heck.
Feeling very ordinary now and muscles started aching which is never a good sign.
Hoping it’s not Covid. Although the only time I have had that, the symptoms were so mild it was more like a very very minor head cold.
One thing I have learned with the Chinese is they will not move for you.
Someone can be standing in your way and totally aware of it but they stay put.
I worked out you pretty much have to push your way through. Not two hands and shove and but just push on. They don’t bat an eyelid when you do this.
Got to the waterfront and it was heaving.
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Decided to head back to the Crowne Plaza.
I wasn’t good at all.
Bought some Gatorade and laid in bed for a few hours.
Stupid selfie.

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Took some Panadol and ibuprofen and after a couple of hours felt a bit better.
To my delight I could pick up 7mate on my iPad and watch both the men’s and women’s cricket vs Sri Lanka and England respectively.
Around 5.30pm I decided I was well enough for a beer and maybe the booze would kill the virus.
Went back to the bar around the corner and they put the women’s Ashes on for me.
Phoebe Litchfield’s cover drive is a thing of beauty.
I’m coming off a sparkling 30 from 40 balls in the last innings before my trip.
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Those crowds on the Bund are a bit overwhelming. It’s unfortunate as I really enjoyed taking my time going into all the amazing buildings along the Bund and savouring the Art Deco architecture and design. Some were truly stunning.
Hope you are feeling better now.
 
And that's on CNY weekend where the theory is most people in Shanghai are returning away from the bigger cities to smaller cities and towns to visit family.
 
Those crowds on the Bund are a bit overwhelming. It’s unfortunate as I really enjoyed taking my time going into all the amazing buildings along the Bund and savouring the Art Deco architecture and design. Some were truly stunning.
Hope you are feeling better now.
I think I’ll go back tomorrow and take that in.
If I’m well enough.
 

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