Shanghai -- Chinese Acrobats Part 2

Then, the most romantic routine of the show....
 

I could have watched them 'fly' all evening....

 

 

Then, the most fun routine of the show....
The part where they need a "volunteer from the audience"....
And, of course, they came to our group....
And .... they picked Rodney!!!
 

It was the silent 'comedy' team who spun the plates! 

 

Rodney was having a good time, until..... 

At one point, you could read his lips as he said,
"Oh, crap..."!! 

 

They didn't actually throw the knives,
but, instead stabbed them in ;0) 

They took good care of him!!
And as they escorted him off stage,
they slipped a souvenir key chain in his hand! 

Now this is what I call acrobats!!!!

 

 

 

It's amazing to think of the determination and dedication these team members must have working all their young lives to make it to this stage!!!

Sunny was so excited that one of our group members made it to the stage!!!
She wanted her picture taken with a celebrity!!
See, it turns out that the show is aired on
CCTV (Central China Television)!!!!!!!

Shanghai -- Chinese Acrobats Part 1

We were all very excited about getting to see an
acrobat show!!
Had no idea it would be at the Shanghai Ritz-Carlton and absolutely no idea I'd get to see (and hear!) this beaut!!!!
 

Time for the show!!

Juggling and jumping while on unicycles

The columns of hoops were turning as they dove through!!

 

 

Talk about strength and flexibility!!!

 

 

Spinning and tossing yo-yo type things

 

The comic relief team....
Rolling out a table at a time, by the time he was done, he had 18 plates spinning all at one time!!!

This girl built the pyramid a layer at a time...

...stood up and played the clarinet... 

...then climbed up and back down this rocking contraption!!!

As expected..... contortionists

 

This kid was talented!!
Spinning on one hand, then his head....
His routine was a waking up and getting ready routine,
so by the time he was done, he was ready to go to school!!

In Part 2-- the most romantic act and Rodney ON STAGE!!!!

Shanghai -- Private Garden

We crossed that nine zigzag bridge to visit this private garden in the middle of the city. 

The girl sits on one side, the boy on the other.....
looking longingly at each other over the water. 

Inside the garden shrine

 

Beautiful fall colors

 

The walltop dragon was impressive!! 

Actually, all the architecture was impressive!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were surprised at all the weeping willows.
Sunny told us the Chinese name for weeping willow means "don't go".... They would break off branches to give to soldiers heading to battle to say "don't go, come back". 

 

Rodney had bonsai tree envy seeing this one!!

Of course, I had to share a few Chenglish signs
 

 

Yep......