That we had to get up before 5am, pay through the nose (though it’s still cheap compared to prices back home!) for a private car and spend 90 minutes driving here was all forgotten the moment we saw stepped foot onto the Great Wall.

It was compounded by the fact that we were the only ones here — in fact, the first ones here for the day — and could not see anyone in either direction. At least for a time.

We decided in Mutianyu as Badaling — the most popular spot — is always busy, no matter what. Simatai, the closest unrestored area, was a bit too far and even though it is “the real deal” it doesn’t have the look of the Great Wall. It’s more like walking on rubble so our choice in the end was probably the best compromise.

The day we visited was also the day I feel extremely ill; luckily though, I started feeling sick while in the car on the way back. I made it back to our hotel, barely, but since we’d assigned little else for the rest of the day nothing was lost. I thank my body for holding out long enough to avoid an extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing incident.

The colours in this series of shots I took are great — the pinky-orange of the sun hitting the bricks makes for beautiful colouring. Shots I took later, as buses of tourists began to arrive, are far duller as the sun began to hide behind clouds.

We really had everything working for us on this day. The ride up on the chairlift was brilliant — our feet skimmed along the treetops — and amazingly silent. We had the Great Wall all to ourselves (which, in China, is no easy task!) with an incredible sunrise. The ride down on the toboggan, which must have been at least two kilometres long, was great fun too. Perfect.

Day Thirteen – 13th Nov 2008
Beijing
18:45 (written for Day Twelve – 12th Nov 2008) – Emperor’s Guards Hotel, room E

This morning we woke early—6:15am—to catch our 7am ride to see the Great Wall. We had a private car waiting for us. The trip to the section we wanted to see—Mutianyu—took 90 minutes and the entire trip we couldn’t even see the sun properly, it was a barely-visible red disc in the sky.

When at last we arrived, we bought tickets for the chairlift; it seems we were the first to use it, as it wasn’t running. It also seems we were totally under dressed, as the staff wore thick, long coats just like many here in China. We would find out later there was an enclosed cable car but I enjoyed the view above the treetops; Justine’s eyes were closed the whole time.

Our willingness to leave early paid off, we were the first on the wall and for the next hour or so it was virtually deserted—in “Golden Hour”, no less. Or it would have been had the sun come out to shine. There were a few moments where we had sunlight but they were few and far between and it hid behind clouds after 9:30am.

I knew parts of the wall were steep but didn’t expect to have to climb for so far for so long. All up we walked for two-and-a-half hours and were exhausted afterward. Luckily there is a toboggan ride down from the wall which is long, running over a number of rickety bridges. I went as fast as I dared but caught up with the girl in front a handful of times.

Back in Beijing, I began to regret eating street food as food poisoning began to set in. I braved the amazingly chilly weather (wearing 2 t-shirts, a hoodie, a scarf and hat) and took my chances in a war against my stomach, which it ultimately won.

We headed to the Temple of Heaven Park, which included a few temples, a large round… thing and nice scenery. We weren’t really impressed. Me less so as I felt terrible.

I spent the rest of the night in bed, feeling sorry for myself, while Justine gloated and over-mothered me. Still, it’s nice to know she cares.

Photos taken today: 402
Photos taken to date: 3712