Sightseeing Great Wall of China - Badaling area

We managed to book a trip through the Dong Fang Hotel manager. It was a very early start and we knew it would be cold up there. Think it was minus 2 or 3 degrees when we left at 7.30 am. It took us until about 9 am to collect all the other tourists at different hotels around the city. At least we had a good look at the city from the coach. I'll never cease to be amazed by the number of bicycles and the way they manage to negotiate the traffic and the hugely wide junctions. All through the city of Beijing I was trying to take note of landmarks and road names in the hope that I would remember them for another day out. (By the way, it did not work)
Unfortunately on these trips it is a Government requirement that we take in one or two stops on the way. The first one being the Medical Centre where Chris and I were of the same mind. All we were there for was so we could have our blood pressure taken and be diagnosed with something we didn't have and then be offered some pills or powders of the 'natural' ilk to cure us. We decided not to be 'cured'. Our next stop was the Jade shop. More like a huge department store where you were followed around by at least one salesperson and almost forced to have your hand covered in a plastic bag so you could try on a bangle. I must admit the Jade was beautiful but oh so very expensive.
Next was lunch at the restaurant behind the Jade shop. A very good lunch too - but we still had not seen what we came for.
At last, we were off again to the Great Wall. This was the experience I had dreamt about since Chris first told me about the trip and I was determined to make the most of it.
When we finally stopped all I could think was 'How on earth do we get up there". Soon found out. The way up was on what I can only describe as electric sledges which were all individual. We were fastened in, just like on the rides at the fun-fair. It didn't look too safe but it was fine.
I was busily looking down and thinking 'this does not look too sturdy' whilst Chris was having fun with his camera.
Finally reached the part of the wall where we would begin the walk. We had a couple of hours and spent ages snapping as many views as we could - it was totally mind-blowing. Just a word of warning, this stretch of the Great Wall is very, very busy and it is difficult to make a lot of headway in some parts. There are so many budding photographers blocking the way - should not say anything as we were two of them.
It was freezing all day and the wind did not help. Chris ( photo above) looked as though he was suffering with the wind. He refused to buy a Davy Crockett hat before we set off! I was not too bad though looking extremely windswept. Regardless, I was in a place I never thought to see and the whole experience was brilliant. The sky was - dare I say it - China blue and as clear as a summer's day. Not a cloud to be seen. The thought passed through my mind of how dreadful it would be to go all that way and not be blessed with the great weather that we had.
Walking the Wall is quite strenuous so be certain you are properly shod before setting off. It's not the amount of walking but the fact that the Wall is up and down and quite steep in parts. Some of the steps are shallow but others are very deep so you can't get a rhythm going with your strides. My gosh, I knew I had calves by the time we finished.
Unfortunately the walk had to end and we returned to the coach extremely cold but exhilarated by all that we had seen.
Our guide was good enough to have us dropped off in the city as there were 4 of us on the bus wanting to try the traditional style Chinese dumplings. Being tourists where she left us was not really what we wanted - more of a fast food chain in the style of MacDonalds - never mind - we did try!
Tired as we were, the thought of more Chinese food drew us towards Wangfujing Street - how we found it I will never know, it appeared from nowhere. More food! It was fascinating and so very different. Just had to try more dumplings - deliciously deep fried which were a vast improvement on the 'fast-food' type. Had to try the Banana fritters as well - pleased I am not a calorie counter.

Repairing my Nissan Micra and notes for Breakdown cover

During the two awful weeks of freezing weather my poor little Nissan Micra has had to sit outside, totally unprotected. It never failed to surprise me by starting first time every morning. That is until, what should have been my normal 10 minute journey into work, took one and a half hours. Not due to icy roads, but due to flooding along my normal route. She certainly did not like that stopping, starting and crawling along in first gear. She responded by flashing a light at me. Thought at first it was the oil and topped up, but, I was wrong. Having read the hand book found it was something to do with the emissions. Now what do I know about such things? Zilch! Rang the local garage who were very helpful and gave me the number of a garage who could do the diagnostics.
When I spoke with them and asked if she was Ok to drive before I took her in to them was told 'Oh yes, 9 times out of 10. By the way, I was the 10th. She just would not start on the day I was due to take her to the garage. Anyway, as I had the incorrect level of Breakdown cover (which will be rectified on renewal, due shortly) the garage came and towed her away. Must admit they were really good and explained to me about the problem she had. It was the Throttle Body that had gone. Now normally, this part is in two pieces and the faulty separate bit could be replaced for about 100 pounds. Not so with the Nissan Micra, it is a full unit and cost more like 300 pounds with vat. Well, I couldn't just put a plaster on her and hope for the best so she had to have the part. She's OK now and hopefully will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
A week later:-
Next few days were strange driving. Always so reliable and now worse than it was before the expensive salve. She has gone back to the garage. Sure he thinks it's just because I'm a woman and don't know what I'm talking about. I have had difficulty starting it, if left to idle she cuts out. Have to pump the gas to give her any sort of revs. Doesn't like being in traffic and queueing - cuts out. She judders when idling and is much noisier than before. I am not happy. They will ring me tomorrow and let me have the verdict. I hope she plays up for them as well.

Beijing Sightseeing Day 2

After a very unsatisfactory non-sleep, was really looking forward to the day. Bath, breakfast and into reception to meet our new found friends. ' Ni hao' was as much as I could manage for a greeting but felt proud enough to have learnt a few words in preparation.
I'll never forget how easy it was to catch a taxi in Beijing. Spot it, arm out and in. How cheap they are out there compared to England! This was a visit to the Forbidden City and I still think about all the sights seen on the way. My mind can continually track back and re-live every amazing moment. I am almost sure that this is the trip that will stay with me for the rest of my days. Anyone can be a tourist, but this city is really special along with its people. This is when I regret not being more knowledgeable about the places we visited. So much history to delve into and analyse. You can see from the photo how many tourists there were. It was really difficult, if not almost impossible, to take clear photos, but we just took as many as we could for the experience.
After the Forbidden City we took a cab to Beihai Park. Absolutely gorgeous, even in the winter. I saw the most amazing displays of Chrysanthemums and wanted to take them all home, being an avid gardener.
The next stop was what we had all heard about and were impatient to try - the best Roast Duck restaurant in town. This was wonderful, the service was so good and the food even better. I can still taste it.
Our next venture was spur of the moment, a ride on the pedi-cabs down the hutongs. I couldn't stop laughing - probably nerves as it was quite hair-raising crossing the roads with this driver who pedalled like mad and very cleverly avoided the police. Apparently it is an offence to ride these on the main roads. We didn't care, it was new and exciting. Everything we did on this day was really memorable and even though it was only the second day we felt as though we had already seen such a lot.
We made the decision to book a trip to the Great Wall for the next day, through the hotel as the coach picked up outside.