Line 13 at West Nanjing Road Metro

Central Part Shanghai Metro at 20th December 2015

The Brits Abroad here in Shanghai have built themselves quite a reputation for having a fun time and their Brits Famous Christmas Party in the first week of December at the Four Seasons Hotel in Puxi was no exception.  I got there by metro, passing the new metro exit at West Nanjing Road that would soon take you on line 13 all the way to the at Richard’s office.  Last weekend 27 new metro stations were opened up on the Shanghai Metro. Lines 12 and 13 which had previously terminated just inside the northern ring now dived down to the far south of the city crossing over each other mid-town at West Nanjing Road – a stop where you can find a branch of Marks and Spencer and the British Consulate General – and adding to the ongoing connectivity of this vast city.

The Four Seasons Hotel Puxi

Foyer Drinks

It was a bit of a grey miserable polluted day, but once I got inside the atmosphere changed and we were into serious party time.  We started with a drinks reception in the foyer to the ballroom,

Bright Red Antlers were de Rigueur

although some arriving an hour late were rather surprised that there was no champagne left for them….  I mean this is the Brits Abroad, just like their compatriots back home, they are not going to hang around, when it comes to downing a glass or two.  We all had a goody bag with antlers to wear, so much nicer than a hat and some looked very good in them too.

Marinated Norwegian Salmon

Traditional Turkey

Platter of Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce, Mince Pies & Chocolate Brownies

For my meal I had chosen marinated Norwegian Salmon, Traditional Turkey and a Platter of Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce, Mince Pies & Chocolate Brownies.  Now I’m not sure that I have got this 100% right, so forgive me if I haven’t, as I didn’t know the couple in question, but I believe that the menu was arranged with the Executive Chef a long time ago.  He and his wife were themselves Brits Abroad members, but he tragically died in a diving accident whilst on holiday over the summer.  If that was indeed the case, it was lovely that the hotel could deliver the menu without him and a fitting memory to all who knew him and much sympathy for his wife who had to go back to the UK with his body and then return to Shanghai to pack up their lives here.  It is hard to imagine what she has had to endure.

There was a charity raffle and I won a box of crackers which were donated to Richard’s Work Christmas Dinner and a party game – each table had to blow up 8 balloons, stuff

The Conga

them inside a pair of tights which a nominated person had to wear and dash to the stage to win and then sing……..  There was dancing too – inevitably The Conga, and a bit of standard bopping.  I was amused to see the quality of the heels worn – of a stature most impressive, especially those worn by those a little bit vertically challenged.  I am glad I’m relatively tall and don’t or won’t climb up onto those things any more…….

However the best bit for me was watching the reaction of the waiting staff, whom I think had never quite seen anything quite like it before.  They started being mildly amused, then there was laughter and broad smiles when the tights with balloons were on the ladies’ heads.

When The Conga started I watched as one of the waiters quickly disappeared behind the scenes to appear a minute or so later with several colleagues who stood and watched the action.  The mouth covering by one of the waiters, trying to be polite, said it all.  I’m glad they enjoyed the day too.