China Day 19, 24th May 2019, Yichang to Beijing

Arose this morning to that damn alarm at 6.30 am, who the hell kept topping up that glass last night; that’s right it was Pete from Gympie. 😉 Oh well time to make the best of it. Dress and up for breakfast and the lovely Jenny again. No need to pack as bags were dropped downstairs last night; I think? The boat had moared at the Three Gorges Dam town of Sandouping and it was then off the boat and on to the  buses to the dam site. About a half hour trip to get there (along with the other 50 buses) and then through security, back on the bus on the other side and up to the bottom of dam site and a walk up the hill to the observation and information area. OK now it is an impressive construction and with its 32 turbines each producing 700KW of power supplies 3% of China's power; however BORED. We ended spending nearly 3 hours here with our guide Max, an absolute waste of time but you cannot get out of it, a cruise requirement courtesy of the Chinese authorities I believe. A drive-by was adequate in the scheme of things or maybe just a few more hours kip on the boat would have been more beneficial.

Anyway it was then on the bus and on our way to Yichang where hopefully our bags have been transferred and will be awaiting us. We arrived at the depot to see our Wendy Wu guide Amber waiting for us and after collecting the bags it was across the road for a meal as it was 1 pm. Amber took us to a swell little place in a mall where we ordered fried dumplings and spicy dumplings in soup and a sweet fried bread thing you dipped in a typre of molasses. Oh and a beer of course. The spicy dumplings were great and we supplied great entertainment to the cooks who watched us eat the whole meal, laughing to themselves about our use of chopsticks I think. We then met up with Amber again ( who ate at KFC and not with us) before going for a tour of the local fresh markets and the park area along the Yangtze river which flows through the city of 8 million people. She advised us that other than the river cargo trade ( there is another dam here and ship lock ) the other industry of Yichang is Trumpchi car manufacturing.

After this she took us about 30 minutes outside the city to the Sanyou Caves where three famous Tang dynasty poets visited and left inscriptions. A pretty place and park area in a valley and small gorge that we spent some time in wandering around in the cool of the shade as it was a hot and humid day in Yichang and surrounds. Loved the rock part where they had made sculptures of famous poets signature stamps. It was also a place of defense against the Japanese a couple of times so quite an interesting area. Once this had concluded Amber and the driver took us to Yichang airport for our flight back to Beijing and who should meet us there but Wazza and Shazza. They had spent the day in Yichang as well with another Wendy Wu guide and were being dropped off early for the Air China CA1824 Flight also; about 5 pm for our 8.25 pm flight. Once through security we settled with a coffee ( first non-alcoholic drink with these two I think) and a chat about the cruise and all things in life generally. A lovely few hours, extended further by the flight delay due to “airpockets” ( Sharon misunderstood the explanation from the information desk). Finally on our way to Beijing around 9.30 pm and arrived to find our lift waiting for us as required. No subway after 11 pm and Taxi’s not the most reliable we were advised. It was then back to the same hotel as before for our third stay there and a nicely turned down bed awaited our arrival. By now after 1 am so definitely time for a good sleep.

China Day 22, 27th May 2019, Beijing and The Great Wall

Woke up at 6 am this morning feeling quite excited as the weather looks great and we’re going to see the Great Wall of China. Our guide Chris had rung last night and bought the pickup earlier to 7.30 am as he said would be a busy day on the wall due to Sundays weather and many attractions being closed on a Monday in Beijing. Ready, breakfasted and waiting when Chris arrived and introduced himself, shaking my hand. Then proceeded to tell me he was not feeling well and had an upset stomach; where’s the hand disinfectant !!!

Got in the car (Volvo XC60) and on to the Mutianyu section about an hour by car from Beijing. Not feeling confident at this stage when Chris asked the driver to stop as he was feeling sick; then we had to stop in a little town at a pharmacy for some medicine. If I get something out of this I’m not going to be happy Jan!! Of again and about 5 minutes down the road, Chris motioned the driver to stop and jumped out. Next the usual sounds ( certainly wasn’t going to look) and then he’s back in the car and say’s “ medicine very good, work quicker than expected, tummy feel much better”, thanks for that Chris.

Anyway got to the wall and out we get and off up to the start of the track. Chris obviously wanted us to take the chairlift, but no way, we were walking up. Did it quite easily actually , arriving at Gate 6 and was surprised Chris made it up as well.

What a sight, just magnificent. The sky was blue, clear and not too hot yet as only 9 am, so glad we gave it a miss yesterday with the lousy weather. Chris left us and caught the chairlift back down, leaving us for 3 and half hours to walk the wall and meet at the restaurant below at 12.30. We then walked this unbelievable structure for the next three hours, taking in the views, admiring the structure itself and just contemplating how fortunate we were to be here. One of those little moments in life when it’s just WOW, no need for any other comment.

We had certainly done the right thing leaving a little earlier as by 11 am the crowds increased but certainly not to what we had experienced elsewhere. Apparently according to the guides and what I had read, this is definitely the section to do from Beijing as less locals do this section and it is the prettier of the two. Can’t complain as we were definitely happy.

Decided not to take the toboggan  (long lineup) or chairlift back down but walk it again and pleased we can say we did. Met Chris at the bottom and we had lunch by ourselves before jumping back into the car and heading back to Beijing. Chris was dropped off at a bus stop somewhere and the driver eventually dropped us off at the hotel around 2 pm. A great experience and well worth the private transport if you think about it. Certainly no tip for Chris but a little something for the driver.

Rather than sit around we headed off to do a little shopping, so caught the subway to a place Jane had found and it ended up being where we had dinner the 2^nd night with Alec and Helen. Had a good look round and a coffee with the best little warm chocolate mud cake at Moka Bros., before heading back to the hotel by 5 pm as we were to be picked up at 6 pm. Grabbed a jianbing and beer on the way for dinner and even had a look at a little local made sports car which I can have delivered to Brisbane for 650,000 RMB, might have to decline.

Our car picked us up at 6.20 to take us to the 7.30 pm Acrobat show by the China National Acrobat Troupe. We spent a fun filled hour watching the show called ‘Treasure’ with all the usual display of juggling, fans, spinning tops, jumping hoops etc. Was really enjoyable and would heartily recommend it as not too long and good fun by very talented people in a well choreographed production.

Of course Jane was hungry again so we wandered the night streets looking for something and ended up with a frozen yoghurt. Was fun taking in the local sights at night though and eventually jumped on the subway back to the hotel after 10 pm for a well earned rest. Fantastic day and the Great Wall was definitely a highlight of our trip.