Monday 21st May 2018 Beijing, China

Another early start today, got a bit more sleep last night ?? Greg doing better today.

We had some lovely company for breakfast this morning, a young woman from Melbourne who worked in the tourist industry and was here for work and a Russian ballet dancer in the Bolshoi ballet.His English was excellent.  We learnt he is in Beijing for two ballets, one has just finished and another starts tomorrow night for 6 nights.   He has been with the company for 13 years, starting when he was 18.  I asked if he was going to the Wall, he said he went 8 years ago and couldn’t see what the point was, it was only a wall.  (Our tour leader is of the same opinion) He said others were going today but he was going to the Spa for some Chinese medicine.  Best breakfast conversation, sad to leave, but the Wall awaits!

On the bus at 7.45pm, off to see a small section of the Great Wall of China, but first a stop at a Jade craft centre. A waste of an hour, but what can you do?

We arrived at the Wall around 11am. After a brief talk we headed out.  There was a hard section, very steep and an easier section – which was pretty steep too, lots of steps, we took the easier option.  It was raining heavily before we got there, but it eased and then stopped for most of the time we were there.  It was very misty too, so you could not see very far.   I was just happy to be there, something I have wanted to do for a long time.  Fortunately there were not too many people there.   On the way back down we were able to just ‘be’ with the Wall in the one spot for about 10-15mins without anyone else around.  I really enjoyed that time, it was peaceful contemplating who had been there before.  As people started to approach we continued to head back down and then the rain started as we were nearly back.  We spent about an hour and a half on the Wall, we both enjoyed it.

The Great Wall of China

My preference between the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China was the Warriors.   Greg had no preference.

Then we had another big lunch, lots of shared food, so it was easy just to take what you wanted.

On the way back we drove past the 2008 Olympic Village.  We were able to get out of the bus for 10 minutes and take a few photos from an overpass.

Then it was off to the zoo to see the Pandas.  They had 8 altogether.   We were there when they were eating bamboo they had been given so were fairly active.  They were cute, lots of photos were taken.

We had an hour in the hotel before dinner, which was only a 5 minute walk away.

After dinner a few people were going to walk to Tiananmen Square to see it under lights, we decided to join them.   It was a brisk 30 minute walk, which we enjoyed.   It was a beautiful evening, very mild and clear.  A big change from earlier in the day.   On the way, they showed us a street market they had found the night before that sold Scorpions to eat.   It was interesting watching them being prepared.   Three were put on a skewer alive then cooked over a grill.   I asked Greg if he was interested in trying one, but he thought not.   ?

We headed on to the square, we knew we were close but not sure which way to go next so I asked a Chinese man if he spoke English, he said a little (they are very modest), he pointed  out the direction for us to take.   When we were near the square we had to go through security before we could proceed further.   We spent about 15mins there taking photos and a group shot on my phone.   Then we showed them how to airdrop photos. ??

On the way back Greg and I headed to the market on our own to have a better look at it.  Greg decided he did want to try the Scorpions, he bought one skewer, we took a few photos, as we do.  They were crunchy and had a cumin salt on them.   They just tasted like a snack you would have at a bar with a drink.  Wasn’t expecting to be eating Scorpions this holiday. ??  Afterwards we wandered around the market for a while then headed back to the hotel.   On the way we dropped into the Waldorf Astoria and had a look around for 5 minutes, our hotel is only a few doors away.  Surprising really as it is nowhere near in the same league!

Was a great day, very interesting and memorable.  Tomorrow is our last day in China before we head to Hong Kong for a few days.  We visit Tiananmen Square (I am looking forward to hearing some of the history from a Chinese persons viewpoint) and The Forbidden City.

*It is much cooler in Beijing, which is a relief, low 20’s and no humidity.