Local Stuff and Riverside Promenade (4/24-29/2012)

Tuesday, April 24, 2012
We had some business at the bank, and decided to go out for dinner afterwards.
First we tried an Italian restaurant where we had eaten just after it opened in the fall. It was an empty shell.
Then we tried to find a recommended Japanese restaurant in the SML Center. The whole third and fourth floors were blocked off.
We ended up in Tianzifang at Glismatten, for Swiss fondue.

Sort of Americana and Swiss country decor.

Thursday, April 26, 2012
Today went to another flower market on Shaanxi Nan Road, the Yongjia Market:

Obviously for westerners.
Count the roses:

There are at least 75!
Even the motorized bike has flower petals/pedals...

Walked home on Yongjia Road.
The Sony girl:

A couple fish heads and lots of swim bladders:

Yes, they eat all this, too.

Friday, April 27, 2012
Went to IKEA, and walked home.
Over on Tianyaiqiao Road:

I think these sculptures represent Singaporeans:

Saturday, April 28, 2012
Started the day on Anfu Road. Another group sculpture:

In front of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre.
Kent at Gallery Su:

We know a Su, ha ha!
Breakfast at the Sunflour Bakery & Cafe:

They are supposed to have the best croissants in Shanghai. Today they were a bit overbaked.
Walking back along Wukang Road, a Mediterranean-style villa:

The Midget Apartment:

Built in 1931 in French Art Deco-style.
Ferguson Lane:

60 Gallery: Blue arm holding fish:

Bronze youngsters by Zhang Ning:

Girl with big legs by Natalie Decoster:

Now on Tai'an Road, "Just Married:"

Just married with a Porsche!

Willow Garden:

1924 Spanish-style.
In the Huangpi Nana Road Metro station, a Casio ad:

Realistic broken glass!
Back at Grand Gateway, Michelia figo/Banana Magnolia:

Sunday, April 29, 2012
Celebrating our anniversary today!
Having our usual luck at finding restaurants, we ended up at the wrong end of the Binjiang Dadao/Riverside Promenade, along the Huangpu River on the Pudong side. (By the way, Pudong means the east side of the Huangpu River, and Puxi means the west side of the"Pu.")
A different type of building:

GMAC office.
Binjiang Dadao/Riverside Promenade:

Snail in the azalea:

Granite benches:

Whoa, the Gloucester Fisherman found his way to Shanghai!

A 10-string mandolin player?

Checking if Kent has a fever.
Cone sculptures and lighthouse facsimile:

Tobacco Hotel?

Chinese fast food:

The new Shanghai Tower in the middle here:

Soon to be the tallest building in Shanghai and the PR of China.
Grill on the bike:

Crowded even when wet:

A McDonald's ice cream shack:

with the Oriental Pearl TV tower behind it.
View across the river to The Bund, and a dragon boat:

At last, the Tavola Restaurant:

The famous Italian restaurant from Beijing! We were late for our 11:30 reservation, but it didn't matter since they had no record of our reservation! Had a nice brunch.
Continued along the Riverside Promenade.
Okay, Garden club ladies, I need help identifying this sage or mint-like plant:

The Taigong Line cross-river ferry:

A bell:

Bell detail:

Found an interesting plant:

Mucuna nigricans:

which totally covered this gazebo:

Later we were to have aromatherapy massages (we chose invigorating essential oils) of the neck, shoulders and back.