On Thursday we set of for the Great Wall - by public bus! This proved difficult at first as it wasn't signposted as to where you were supposed to get on the bus. So after alot of bus drivers talking to us in chinese and women conductors flapping there arms at us and shouting we finally found where we needed to be. After an 1.5 hr journey and me paranoid that I was getting Swineflu and popping paracetamol no end... we finally arrived at Badaling (the most commercial part of the wall but the easiest to access + and the safest!).
To say this is one of the most famous landmarks in the world it is also the least English signposted tourist attraction in China we have seen- even in the sticks there is better signage. We were pushed towards the cable car entrance at first which is where we got onto the wall. After alot of pushing and queue jumping with the Chinese tourists and a lad from Holland who we met nearly getting into a fight... we finally after 30minutes found the right entrance...
On arrival you are met by all the commercial tourist crap, mugs with your photo and even gold medals inscribed to say you climbed the wall. Once we got onto the wall itself it was pretty impressive but there is no escaping the crowds - luckilly most of them get the cable car so the first part of the wall is quieter. Despite this part of the wall being touristy don't be conned into thinking it is easy to climb - it is very tiring and has very sheer steep slopes that you can easily topple over on - although we did see a few Granny's who were doing a lot better than us. I don't think I would go in High heels like alot of the Chinese Tourists do though...
Our overall thought of the wall was that it is an impressive sight and we are lucky to have seen another of the most famous sights in the world - there was a feeling of slight dissapointment due to the crowds and the circus parade at the start. Also nothing beats the Taj Mahal! we were a little unlucky as the weather was quite misty to get the most out of our camera.
We arrived in Xian yesterday and are hoping to see the famous Terracotta warriors this week as well as a few other bits and bobs. we are not quite sure what to think of Xian yet as 2 minutes of the airport bus Jordan caught 2 lads trying to pick his pocket in the subway when we had all our backpacks on (good job as they would have got thumped) - Jord gave them what for and I gave them a few universal words of dissaproval myself. Obviously we feel better as this time we didn't get robbed but again it's another reminder that you have to keep your wits about you at all times.
Anyway thanks for all your messages and we look forward to updating you with our next chapter...
Love
Team BlueFlash xx
OMG! How steep is the Great Wall of China - i think Mount Kilamanjaro might have been easier for u to climb. It looks amazing though, however slightly disapointed as wanted it to look like the 'Yellow Brick Road' from Wizard of Oz, but still amazing. U 2 must be super fit now, from walking up all those steps (our family would have no chance!)
Loving reading all ure blogs and can't wait to see pics of Terracotta warriors - i would love to see them. Jord see if u can nick an axe or a sword to fight off any more pick pockets (cheeky blighters).
Anyway will not keep u any longer from your adventures,however just remember: One World One Dream
love u both loads
The EEC xxx