YuYuan Gardens, take 2

After kicking up a fuss Marisa-Style at the school about their ignorant and completely unprofessional program, Sandra, Winfried and I were told we could go to YuYuan gardens in our own time, buy a ticket, give them the proof we actually went there and then they would refund us the money... all 30 RMB (2 pounds)... but its the PRINCIPLE that counts! :)

So off to YuYuan gardens we went – it was a magnificent little piece of tranquillity in the midst of the Shanghai madness. Leafy trees, old pagodas and big orange fish (koi?) in ponds...

Actually, pictures speak louder than works... so here goes!

Best 30 RMB + cab fare I've spent so far!

Of course not outing is complete without a little shopping, so we stopped in the many galleries and museum shops contained within the gardens and bought (in order of MADNESS)

Marisa: pendant made out of bit of an old Chinese ceramic vase, small signed Cherry blossom water-colour painting

Winfried: painted enamel spoons, small signed water-colour paintings

Sandra: 2 pairs of earrings, small signed water-colour painting, BIG ASS HUMONGOUS HANGING water-colour painting.

Jealous, moi? Perhaps... Sandra's 6ft fish were quite unequivocally DA BOMB. I'd show you a picture, but then I'd be jailed. Not a good idea in China... or anywhere really.