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Leaving
the Ming Tombs the bus traveled further into the Tianshou Mountains
toward the Great Wall of China at Ba Da Ling. Everyone was excited
to finally be heading toward the Great Wall. If the truth be known
I think everyone on the trip had dreamt of one day walking the Great
Wall as I know Anne, Carol, John and I had. Within minutes our dream
would become a reality, or would it be a nightmare!
Anne,
as expected, lived up to her "eagle eye" reputation by
being the first to spot the Great Wall snaking its way along the
mountain tops. Spotting it she yelled it out to the bus and everyone
turned and looked. Everyone was amazed at the sight of it meandering
its way along the very top of the mountain ridges up and down and
through the mountains. I don't think anyone fully realized yet that
it was raining now and not just drizzling. That realization would
come when we arrived at the drop off point. Mei, our escort, advised
us to either buy a light blue plastic rain coat or an umbrella as
it was raining steadily. As soon as we left the bus we practiced
our bargaining skills and purchased a large black umbrella for three
US$. It was a throwaway umbrella, but it came in handy while we
were at the Great Wall.
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BA DA Ling section of the Great Wall is one of the best preserved
sections, and the site President Nixon visited on his historic trip
to China in 1972. Entering at the BA DA Ling gate you have a choice
to either to go left or right. To the right the wall you walk further
along the wall as it climbs the hills more gradually. To the left
the wall climbs at a much steeper angle. Arriving at the gate it was
pouring and the wind was very strong. They wanted us to line up for
a group picture at the entrance, but everyone yelled "forget
it" and we were quickly through the turnstile and headed up the
steps to the top of the Great Wall. |
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Looking
to the right we saw the more gradual ascent of the wall to the top,
but we also saw a sea of light blue plastic raincoats. It seems almost
everyone had opted for the easier climb and, therefore, it was much
more crowded. Carol, John, Anne and I opted for less crowded but steeper
left side, however, Alicia, the youngest of the entire group, accompanied
the rest of the group to the right. Those that went to the right got
to see a bit more than we did as it was the normal route for most
tourist. For example, there was a camel on the wall that people could
ride and pet and other things like that. To the left we got nothing
but the Great Wall, but we weren't unhappy with that. If only it would
have stopped raining it would have been perfect, but we managed anyhow. |
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Anne
by a tower |
Anne
with the Great Wall behind her |
Never
mind the rain and the driving cold wind. Anne and I were finally
realizing a lifelong dream. We were walking on the Great Wall of
China. Of course we wished it was a sunnier and warmer day, we'd
have enjoyed the walk more, but it was still thrilling.
I
know you've heard and read much about the Great Wall and probably
seen many pictures also, but visiting it you're in for a number
of surprises.
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I
guess the first surprise is the shear size of the wall. It's immense.
The wall stands over thirty feet tall and is constructed in sections
with each section separated by guard towers. Supposedly the towers
were strategically positioned so that archers could protect the
wall half the distance to the next tower. That way archers in both
towers could protect the entire length of the wall between the towers.
They advertise that the wall is wide enough for ten soldiers or
five horsemen to walk abreast of each other. The only thing is that
there is no way five horsemen could have ever negotiated the wall.
It was just too steep. At times it was almost as if you were climbing
a ladder, there's no way horses could have ever made it up such
steep inclines.
Pictures
from the steeper left side ...
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Me
standing on the Great Wall of China |
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Someone
sitting and resting
on the way down |
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Anne
at the top |
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John
at the top |
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Views
showing just how steep a climb it was to the top
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Anne
and I on the
Great Wall of China |
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I
guess I have to fess up ... I didn't make it to the top of the Great
Wall as did Anne and John. Neither did my sister Carol. I guess
you might say we ran out of gas and decided to wait while John and
Anne continued the adventure. Let there be no mistake, this was
a tough climb for anyone to make especially in the wind and rain
and Anne and John deserve credit for having made it. Anne did a
good job taking pictures with the digital camera so we have her
to thank for the pictures taken at the top.
Maybe
one day we'll be able to go back and it will be a sunny and warm
day. Wouldn't that be wonderful!?!
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John
wearing my hat |
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Alicia
wearing my hat |
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Me
and my new hat |
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Leaving
the Great Wall we took a few minutes to stop and shop at the hundreds
of vendors for souvenirs. We bought some T-shirts of course, some
postcards and I had to add a hat to my collection. Getting back
on the bus everyone just couldn't wait to try the hat on.
Now,
let's continue onto the next page for our last day in Beijing and
a visit to the Temple of Heaven ...
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