Our 6km section from Jinshaling to Simatai is considered to be one of the best of the Great Wall experiences with few people and spectacular scenery 150 kms and 3 hours from Beijing
Our trip though didnt get off to a great start - our provisions for the day (dry biscuits and cakes) had been painfully sourced while Henley's decision to take an extra batch of metamucel the previous night was threatening to put himself, us and the surrounding countryside at risk as his stomach started gurgling prior to arriving in the car park - good timing H !
Arriving at the wall the group set off at its own pace - those under 50 (everyone except us) setting off at an Olympic pace and those over 50 (us) walking well behind and like those cowboy and Indian movies in great danger of being knocked off one by one by the 3 traveling hawkers that had now attached themselves firmly to us !
The first 10 towers (all up hill) included some stunning views of the wall and the countryside while simultaneously sapping our energy levels !
After stopping mid way for a break we started back up to a caucophony of screaming Chinese voices - apparently our entourage, not unlike classy street girls (not that I would know anything about that) in following us had entered the territory of rival hawkers !
Eventually we could take no more, i succumbed and brought what will most likely be a t shirt 3 sizes too small, Marysia told another to quieten down and Kev using years of skilled negotiation experiences and simply told the third to P O quick !
This worked for about another km before we picked up another hawker and finally just gave up !
The 2nd half of the trek included one tower section with what appeared a near 50% climb - while we thanked the gods for an around about detour we were soon cursing again as we rejoined the wall
Our amazing trek ended at tower 22 but the pain didn't as our descent required 30 minutes of downhill walking on narrow steps that fully tested any knee weaknesses !
Trek over we basked in collective pain and the fantastic memories while taking in another of Beijing's famous sights - the views out the window of our bus while stuck in 3 hours of gridlocked traffic !
Testing testing 1 2 3. I am trying to get this bloody thing working, I am not as computer savvy as Kevvie so please bear with me.
ReplyDeleteRegards Bobbert
So the thing seems now to be working so all I need to say is keep safe have a great trip and tell Kevvie that an Osso Bucco will be waiting for him on his return. Say good day to the group for me. And no I am not a robot just a Bobbert.
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