China – Day Three

Beijing, China

Today was another fabulous day for weather. After the first day when we arrived when you couldn’t see more than 200 yards down the road for smog, i think someone has smiled on the honeymoon the same was as they smiled on the day of the wedding with wedding catering options. First stop, and for me, highlight of the whole tour was the Great Wall of China. Not a cloud in the sky again and mild considering its nearly winter made for some amazing views. The section of the wall we walked had been restored and made for some hard hiking. The pictures don’t do justice to the steepness of the slopes, but for a clue take a look at the expressions on Amy’s face. Only about 150 photos this time, a mere mornings work. The experience however, was breath taking. Coming down from the wall meant running the gauntlet of hawkers. I’m now becoming quite practiced at, as our tour guide Noa calls it, sphinx faced. Dark glasses I also find help. This did not stop Amy searching for pressies though. But credit card in hand, I smiled and said ‘yes’, it is our honeymoon after all. We have got some lovely stuff which will be spread around the family. Noa bought us a lovely scroll which was very kind but explained the earlier confusing question about the colour scheme in our house. After the wall we went to the Cloisenne Factory. An opportunity to see how our Plumber make some beautiful glazed and enameled pots, animals etc. And of course to wow you with their showroom and tempt new wives into spending. Husbands too fancied splashing out in this place and we bought some lovely things for the Christmas Tree and yet more pressies. From there it was lunch and then onto the Ming Tombs. Very similar architecture to many of the other places we had seen accept here they had dead people. Not that we could see and in fact they had on show some ancient artifacts belonging to a Ming Emperor. These weren’t for sale. Last was Sacred Walk which I think was the main approach to the Ming Tombs. Linking all these things together is a little difficult considering the dashed nature of the tour. This was great with pairs of huge stone figures lining the walk. We did do this at a jog as the light was going and we hadn’t yet eaten. Dinner was at the most exclusive Chinese restaurant in Beijing, and it was said probably in China. The location was hidden in a little back street set back from the road but inside it opened into a huge restaurant. They brought many dishes out and in all I think there were five courses. Now over my earlier tummy troubles I decided to sample everything, including the local beer. Very nice, but I now feel a little tender again. I do think though that the food down at the Swan in Hatchend is just as nice. Finally home at 2145 after a 0700 start. Tomorrow is an 0600 start as we take the train to Chengde, so thank god for Thailand to come.