Shanghai, China

Shanghai is a bustling city of 24 million, and the financial capital of China.  As we entered the port, the third largest in the world, we saw several military and fishing ships along with lots of industry. Docked along the Bund (waterfront area) across from the iconic Oriental Pearl TV station, which is in the modern Pudong side of the city. At night, the tall buildings in Pudong and the boats in the harbor are lit with colorful fluorescent lights.

Shanghai means "going to the sea".  It is located where the Yangtze River delta and Huangpu River meet the East China Sea.  Our tour on day 1 included the beautiful Shanghai museum, located near the People's Square, and a stroll along the Bund promenade.  We also walked down Nanjing Road, the main shopping district in downtown Shanghai.  It reminded me of Times Square in New York.  Very busy, with lots of shops and street vendors.  Several shops sold exotic (strange!) fried meats.

Our ship was christened on March 8 in Shanghai by its godmother, Mrs. Yi Lou, a banking executive. The CEO of Viking, Torstein Hagen, and his daughter Karine were on hand for the outdoor ceremony that included dancers, classical singers and the breaking of the aquavit bottle against the bow of the ship.  Passengers were treated to a Chinese dinner in the Sun Chateau (next to the docked ship) and watched the ceremony of TV screens.

Arriving at our dock by the Bund on a cloudy morning

The old colonial side of the Bund

carved white jade at the Shanghai museum

Exhibit hall with ethnic clothing of China

Scroll of Chinese writing (read from right to left)

Beautiful Chinese painting

Very old Chinese pottery

Beautiful ceramic piecdes

Posing with some Chinese gentlemen

Ancient bronze food vessel, beautifully decoraged

Bronze vessel

Shanghai museum had an impressive collection of ancient Chinese artifacts; building made to look like a food vessel

Walking down the Bund, the pedestrian walkway by the river

Fried chicken feet and other exotic delicacies in a Chinese food shop

Viewing area for the christening of the Viking Sun on March 8, 2017. Godmother is Mrs Yi Lou