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Wednesday started bright and early at 6.00 am. After breakfast and clearing our rooms by 8.00am we were then in for a round of photo calls and a video session with ITV Midlands. We were also caught on camera by BBC Scotland - no doubt focussing on the two Scots, Debbie and Francis for local interest. Eventually the team were bused in squads to the airport where we were given very preferential treatment by Virgin. With trollies loaded high we were escorted through Terminal 3 at Heathrow to three dedicated check-in desks where we checked in very quickly (however, more about this later!) We were then taken to Gate 1 where we had drinks and nibbles and guess what? Yup even more photo calls and video. Our new found Steven Speilberg (alias Katie) joined the ranks of those anxious to have us as a recorded moving image; and with her new camera zoomed and panned with the best. Eventually we boarded - this is where the super check-in seems to have failed. We found we were allocated seats all over a spread of 10 rows. Initially we were concerned, however, everyone soon made new friends and except for Katie moving to join Heather who found a vacant seat beside her, everyone settled down and got to know their new neighbours. Christopher was sat next to Jane the deputy Head of Delegation and he was very kind and showed her how to use the on-board entertainment system. With a library of films, tv and games on individual tv screens no-one was short of something to do. (Editor's note - do see 'Surf's Up' if you get the chance. Surfing penguins have to be seen to be believed). After a flight of just over 10 hours we landed in Shanghai and after being labelled - (with a large 3 for some reason) we were escorted through the airport by hoards of volunteers. Then onto buses to a neaby office to have drinks and some strange biscuits and to collect our accreditation (labels with our photos on). Finally, a journey of just over an hour to our hotel and our first Chinese meal.  Travelling to downtown Shanghai is a real experience and the traffic was extraordinary. However, our driver had a way of pushing into the lane he wanted often accompanied by furious horns from the other drivers. The skylines is growing more like New York each time I come with more new skyscrapers reaching even higher into the hazy sky. At the hotel a few tried chopsticks - some with more success than others. Fortunately, knives and forks were also available for those too tired or too hungry to work at their chop-stick skills. After the meal everyone retired to their rooms for a nap before the evening. All our luggage had been taken from the airport without our help at all and was in our rooms when we checked in - great service. |
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