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Published: October 5th 2012
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The last thing Peter said on to me on Tuesday was that we must make an early start on Thursday to avoid the traffic. Alarm set early I waited outside the hotel for my guide to arrive. 15 minutes after our agreed meeting time Peter called to tell me that he had over slept and would be with me in an hour or so!
Sat in stationary traffic but pointing in the general direction of the great wall Peter provided me with a plotted history about the wall and the significance it has played over the years. Originally built to keep the Inner Mongolians out of china the wall spans an incredible 8000 km with 4000 watch towers. During difficult times up to 1 million soldiers were positioned across the wall to protect China.
Peter had suggested that we (he) avoid the busy sections of the wall. There are several areas that have been fully restored and are tourist traps attracting up to 40,000 visitors a day. Cafes and traders selling everything from pieces of the original wall to the tradional glass snow storm depicting the wall in a blizzard. We were heading for an area called Huang Hau
Cheng, roughly translated means yellow flower city. The fields around this section of wall are covered in a yellow flower in the summer months. Peter pointed out a shack on the side of the road, a restaurant that was 'low price' but very good quality and suggested popping back for lunch after our walk. What was the house speciality I asked, thinly sliced donkey meat was his excited reply. Unfortunately I had already prepared a small pack lunch consisting of a squashed banana, three boiled sweets and a buiscuit so I had little choice other than to decline the invite.
As we approached our final destination I could see the wall stretching over the mountains and hills. Peter pointed out the mountain that I would be walking over for at least three hours. 'I thought you were walking with me?" I asked "no no I drop you off and collect you the other side" so much for his guiding service.
The walk was the most amazing experience. The steepness of climbs and the stunning views were incredible and I only met four other people. I passed through seven or eight watch towers each having been the accommodation block
for up to forty soldiers. Half way through and at the very top of the wall I stopped for lunch looking over uninterrupted views of the mountains and hills with the wall snaking all over it.
I arrived at our meeting point very hot but relieved to see the car again. Peter had kindly bought some of his left over lunch back for me in a doggy bag! Too much dog in that bag for my liking, I refused yet again.
We started the long slow drive back to Beijing mainly in second gear, although third, fourth and even fifth would have worked just as well. Peter put on his selection of 'English' songs for my enjoyment. A lasting memory will be him singing along to Moon River impersonating Jonny Mathis in a deep Texan voice - absolutely hilarious.
We returned to the city centre and said our goodbyes.
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Mum and Dad
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STILL NO McDONALDS?
Another fantastic experience. Hope you bought me the snow storm of the great wall. I hope you deducted Peter's fee for not walking with you on the Great Wall. You might have been kidnapped and never seen again. So pleased you enjoyed it - Sparrows Den will never be the same again. Off to The Warren for "the wedding" - very wet and windy here. What's the weather like with you and keep Blobbing. Really look forward to your Blobbs every day. Luv Mum and Dad xxxx