What a long day, complete with a blister!
Up at six to make a fast getaway from the dorm I spent the night in last night,
sleep was minimal because of the comings and goings by the other girls. Tour eventually arrived at 8 am after being told to be ready for 7.30.
Full minibus with eight others from the UK, Italy, Manila, and the US so again a mixed bunch. First stop a jade factory, which was interesting in it, but these people, put a lot of emphasis on the selling aspect of everything spending more time than I think is necessary. After the jade, a hurried visit to the Ming tombs where I would have liked to have spent more time as they were rather nice, but because of time spent at the jade factory, we were limited.
Then off to the great wall, driven by the idiot driver who could not keep his hand off the horn regardless of the conditions. I did not consider him a driver suitable for a vanload of tourists. Certainly, they all seem to drive like that here but there have been one or two drivers who have been very professional. The scenery stunning regardless of the drive, the flowering trees, the stonewalls denoting what I’m not sure, but they looked good in the flats of the mountains. The days have been lovely here, with blue skies and the usual smog but not to the same extent, as I have seen. The Chinese mountains have a character all their own, with smog and jagged tops. It was possible to see the wall from some distance so it was quite exciting seeing it come closer.
Arriving there was the typical overkill of shops selling to tourists, quite colorful, but impossible to get any decent photos because of the crowds. Mutianyu was supposed to be the least visited………
Took the cable car up, more like a ski lift really, but quite neat to ride in as you did not have any others to rock the boat so to speak!! Interesting watching people come down a luge run, it looked like fun but they had an age restriction on it and I exceeded it considerably. Oh well another day!
Loved walking the wall, pestered someone to take a picture of me, up there. Exploring the watchtowers, meant one had to be careful in the nooks and crannies as obviously the needs of nature had overtaken some, Yuk!
After the wall, we had the usual Chinese luncheon; I find I have acquired a taste for eggplant!
A Chinese tea ceremony, but been there done that. The next port of call was at the Olympic physio building where we were all given a foot massage, the first I have ever had, oh the relief. It was the best my feet and legs had felt in a long time.
By the time, I made it home to the hostel, it was way past dinner, so treated myself to a restaurant meal; I must say I am starting to get into the habit of that. Meals seem to be between $5-8 so well within budget for the day. I also had the pleasure of the first of the Main Tour room to crash for the night, after a dorm room the night before, 5cm of foam on a hardboard base! It did not make for a good night, even after taking all the bedding off the other bed in the room
Tomorrow will definitely be a quiet day:)