Beijing: Sunday, September 4, 2011:

We arranged a 6am alarm call as we have an early breakfast because we have an 8am start.

This is THE trip of the holiday because we are visiting The Great Wall of China. I have to admit this will be a Bucket List moment.

What I have learned so far:

• apparently China is shaped like a rooster with Beijing at the chicken’s throat however Tibet is at the chicken’s butt – which might please the authorities;
• The main population is Han and the population of Beijing is around 18 million;
• The average wage is around the equivalent of £300 per month;
• Gung Ho! = Communism;
• 1421 was the year China discovered America;
• A Chairman Mao quote: “You can’t be a real hero until you’ve conquered the wall.”

We visited an original jade carving factory before going onto the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Way.

There was some spectacular scenery – all pointy hills which look like dragon’s teeth.

The Sacred Way and Ming Tombs were very calm and peaceful with large stone carvings. There were also large insects chirruping in the trees.

We ate lunch at an enamel factory, The Golden Palace, with Beijing Beer and fire water. Having said that it was probably the best meal so far.

We visited the first Badaling section of The Great Wall Of China which was very steep but I had to leave Karen behind as she was not feeling up to the climb.

I clung tightly onto the rusting handrail as I made the first ascent. I chatted to a guy from the Sudan before getting to the first turret on the wall.

I took a picture for a chap from Washington DC and almost dropped his camera – but luckily I had a hold of the strap so it did not crash to the ground.

On the way back down took a pic for a group of tourists from Hong Kong and they returned the favour for me. There were also monks in orange robes visiting the site.

It is a sense of achievement even to scale the first bit. I heard that an old guy sprained his ankle and had to be helped down.

Back to the hotel for a bath and a western buffet before a quiet night in watching a few films.