The day started with a minor glitch – the breakfast people did not have our room number on their list so they were going to charge us . This was soon sorted. We had another huge choice of food, cereals, Asian food, English cooked breakfast, breads, meats, salad …... We chatted to a Christchurch couple who we kept on meeting up with throughout the day.

By 8.30am we were in the car on the way to the Great Wall (not to be confused with the famous 'concrete wall of Broads' or our ‘fancy fence’ in Tipahi St’). As we were driving, ‘Even’ (our lady guide) gave Chris a jade bracelet, and told us we were going via a Jade factory (hmmm…) – but it was actually very interesting and the place that had made the medals for the Olympic Games. There were lots of colours, shapes and sizes (and prices!!) but (fortunately) no real pressure to buy. Chris however bought a Heritage ball, which is a whole lot of concentric balls floating inside of each other and carved from one piece of jade. It appealed to her mathematical heritage.

We learned that yellow and red used to be restricted to the Imperial family so no one else could use these colours. Therefore the old part of Beijing is mainly grey – with colour only added since 1949. On the road there are lots of old ramshackled bikes, tuktuk equivalents, small 3 wheeled vans, electric bikes, etc.  

In the new part there are hundreds of high apartment blocks each holding over a 1000 people. At most bus stops there are people in orange who work as volunteers assisting others with their transport needs . This started with the Olympics and has continued ever since. There are lots of people moving from the country to the city for work or on holiday and the volunteers are very useful for them as well as for foreigners.

The Great Wall at Badaling was very touristy but still a neat place to visit. The first climb had heaps of people but these thinned out as we hardy explorers ventured onward (ever onward). We overheard a young American (who was struggling) saying he wondered how the "old people could cope’ as it was very steep in places. JB answered ‘you mean people like us???". The steps are all different in height and some are very worn. In some places the steps are nearly thigh height.

We passed on through about 5 towers and finally decided to stop (because of the time) at an ancient old toilet block !!! We took HEAPS of photos, as the views are spectacular. Mao said ‘you have to climb the wall to be a hero’. Well we passed the tower where this was quoted so we must be super-heroes!! There were interesting sites all the way including a large collection of padlocks symbolizing the many couples who were married on the wall to commemorate 2000.

There were tourist places everywhere but no real pressure to buy. They did thin out as we got higher but then you would go around a corner and find more sellers. Even had sent us on our way with a set time and meeting place - she and the driver just waited at the bottom .

After our epic and courageous climb we had lunch at the People’s friendship shop. This consisted of soup, chicken, pork and Chinese veggies and rice with beer or cola. They also had some good Western toilets!! Actually the toilet facilities in Beijing have been generally very good and well sign-posted. I felt uncomfortable that the driver and guide couldn't eat in the same area but they may prefer to relax away from us anyway. There were heaps of souveniers here as well that were well priced although we weren't interested.

We then went on to the Ming Tombs, or at least the Changling part, as it is the most complete tomb. The tombs actually take up a huge wide valley surrounded by mountains. The buildings surrounding the tombs are impressive, built from huge pieces of timber all dove-tailed together i.e. no nails anywhere. There were lots of gargoyles, dragons and stone animals protecting the
entrances. All the old trees are propped up to preserve them . Inside the buildings are lots of treasures. These include the Imperial crowns. One was made of fine gold hair weaved intricately into something akin to a hair net. Most contain lots of jade and the Empress also had lots of pearls inlaid in her head-piece. At the end of each tomb is a large hill covered in trees where each Emperor is secretly buried. Nobody knows exactly where and as each hill is so large and entry is strictly forbidden (and surrounded by a high fence) they will probably remain this way.

On the way back we had a photo stop at the Olympic area where the Bird’s nest stadium and the Water Cube are located. Nearby is the 7 star Olympic Hotel. We decided after some deliberation that we would not stay there!!

We were then taken to the local Tea shop for a tea ceremony. We were given 5 different teas (for free) and their medicinal qualities were explained. Chris was not that enamored (an understatement) and JB still prefers his gumboot tea. However it was quite fun and we managed to avoid the ‘hard sell’ afterwards.

We then had a slow drive back through city traffic.

After a 2 hours break we were picked up for the Acrobats show – as recommended by Graeme Hill. ‘Even’ saw us into the theatre then finished work for the day, but our driver waited for us when the show finished .

We saw a lad dressed as Michael Jackson tap-dancing and juggling or bouncing up to 9 balls, various balancing acts, the best being a girl who balanced and spun umbrellas and then squares of material she had been wearing. At one stage she balanced one umbrella by it’s handle and spun 3 others with her feet on their edge!!!. There were girls balancing on bikes – up
to 16 on one moving bike at the end!! There was also a tumbling act, 7 boys doing various balancing and acrobatic feats on 2 vertical poles, and a girl doing a slow balance act on one arm which she maintained for over 5 minutes. The highlight was a slack wire act. The performer even stood on his head with no arms while the wire swung from side to side. The whole show was brilliant and the performers were all so young.

At the end our driver was waiting diligently to return us to the hotel. We then we walked over to the food mart. Here they cook anything (I mean ANYTHING) that moves. If it doesn’t move I think they cook that as well in case it does !! We instead ended up (bravely) eating McDonald’s.