Departed about 8.15 for the Great Wall - what everyone had come to see - something else to tick off that 'bucket list'. Those who obtained pharmacy medication for coughs much better today. Stopped at the Jade Factory – given talk and demonstration of different types of jade and how jade is carved and how to tell real from fake. Much shopping. I’d have liked a samovar for 888,000 Yuan about AUD125,000, (no mere necklace for me) but no one would buy it for me. Got to the Great Wall – quite awe inspiring. Several elected to stay at the bottom. Gary and Cath did the shorter steeper climb to the top and, Bill (aged 82), Barbara, Hughe, Helen M, Helen L, Joan, Jan C. and Tony went to the top of the other path. In the words of Mao – you are heroes if you climb the Great Wall. I only got to the third station – enough for me. Joan passed me like I was standing still (wait, I was!) Everyone quite pleased with their efforts no matter how far they climbed. Saw someone carried down on a stretcher. Went to the Cloisonné factory and shop then lunch at their restaurant. Instead of beer we had rice wine liqueur – 57% alcohol. (Didn't try it with sprite) - would maybe been not so Spot-on. Many bottles bought to take away $8 for six. After this we went to the Sacred Path of Ming Tombs . Most elected to travel by golf buggy type vehicle but six of us walked the 2km – very pleasant. In the evening, we went to the Kung Fu show – quite spectacular and symbolic. Met up with Margaret and our groups got to chat. Then to dinner and back to the hotel at 8.00.
My samovar - so near and yet so far
Helen M on her way up - she went all the way to the top after having got
1/4 of the way and went back for asthma spray
Kay and Jude on the second stage
Me after we'd come back down
Sacred Path to the Ming Tombs (the easy way)
Jan C wins 'best hat'
Sacred Path to the Ming Tombs
