Day 16 - Beijing - 15th December 2008

Was up until 12.50am trying to fix my SD card and hard drives and woke at 6.20am to join the 10km Great Wall Walk at 6.40. Luckily, everyone in our room was going on the hike so Christa woke everyone up when it was time. When we got to the Wall at Jinshaling, it was freezing and snow was actually on the road and countryside, so quite pretty. I got my wish to see snow on the Great Wall so that was great. Some locals joined us as we started our hike but I knew what the game was so I was actually quite rude and told the guy who latched onto me that I didn't need a guide and to go away. I know I was harsh but I really just wanted to enjoy the hike without having to be hassled with buying something later which is what happened to some of the others. Although the start was freezing and I bought a "Great Wall" beanie more out of necessity than anything else, we quickly warmed up as we walked, expecially with the uphills.

This hike was sensational as its not over-run with tourists like Badaling where I went last year and much of it hasn't been restored at all so it seemed a lot more authentic. It took us about 3 and a half hours to complete with a couple of rest stops. Some of it is pretty rough but that just added to the fun. At the Simatai side there was dam and the water was actually frozen on the low side and covered with snow and we could see someone's footsteps going across.

We got back to Beijing around 5pm and we decided to go looking for a place for dinner along with two new friends, Nicola from California (but English) and Davia from Ottawa, plus myself Christa and Ivan (from Texas but originally Columbian), our other room-mate. Found a good restaurant , 47Y each.

After dinner came back to one of the tea shops and we all made a purchase. I bought some Lychee Black tea and took some photos of teapots for Daisy to choose.