DAY 8 - 26-01-2009 GREAT WALL

Got a bus 3 hours to a more remote part of the wall. The landscape changed dramatically as we drove. It got a lot colder aswell, there was ice on the inside of the bus window. Mountains eventually appeared and we drove higher and higher untill we started to see the wall.

I got proper wrapped up; 4 pares of trousers; 7 tops. Started walking and started sweating buckets.

We walked about 10km along the wall of which about 6km of that we were followed by 5 or 6 local farmers trying to sell us a book.

The weather was perfect, clear blue skies, no wind, sun shining bright but still well below freezing although it didnt feel cold on the move.

We walked through 36 towers along the wall.

Its a stunning sight to see: Mountains stretching out either side and one of, if not the, greatest structures man has ever built snaking its way across the ridge of a mountain. I cant even begin to imagine the logistics of how they constructed it 700 years ago - Head bending stuff.

Walked for about 3-4 hours and arrived at the next hostel.

- BEIJING SHIMIYNSU MATAICHANG -

- hostel is cold and I mean very very cold.
- the heating works but is insignificant in this cold weather.
- radiators and air con on full blast and doesnt take the edge off the cold.
- at dinner: all sitting in full thermal gear, hats, gloves in the dinning area eating.
- played a few games of cards with John and Rachel
- made some home made hot water bottles with coke and water bottles and boiling water
- went to bed fully clothed and still cold.

Early start tomorrow - getting up @ 5:40am to catch the sunrise over the Great Wall.