Potato!

It was our last full day in China and it was going to be a busy one!

We set our alarm for 7:30 but didn't wake up until nearer 8am! We quickly got dressed and ran down for breakfast.

Now while I think on: From the very first day Justina and Muriel (Willy Wonka) have been the ladies to go to for a sweet or some chocolate. Normally everyone was happy to accept when the bags were handed our through the group UNLESS it was a protein bar. They weren't flavoured so just tasted like cardboard. Justina tried all ways to get rid of them but nobody would willingly accept them. So she played dirty! 

When half of the group were up the hill Justina placed her leftover bars in peoples bags! Once I got into my room yesterday I realised I was one of the lucky ones she had 'picked'. I was gutted, after everything I had done for her on the trip! 

I made it my mission to get it back to her via Tina. 

I took it to the restaurant last night and asked Tina to place it under her pillow!

When Justina came in to the breakfast room I thanked her for my gift and she thanked me for hers!!

After breakfast we headed to meet Mr H so he could drive us to Tiananmen Square.

Out of respect I won't tell you what we learnt that day (you'll have to ask me or one of the gang) but I will give you a brief explanation on what it is. 

Tiananmen Square is the fourth largest city square in the world.  It is located in the centre of Beijing and 'leads' into the Forbidden City. It was the site of several important events in Chinese history but outside of China it is best known for the 1989 protests and the famous student/tank photograph.

The square was very busy. We queued to go through security next to several other tourist groups. As always people were fascinated by us! Neal believed that it is because we were dressed in summer clothes and the Chinese are 'living in Winter'.

Other tourist groups had matching hats or jackets so they wouldn't get lost. 

Stony shared several stories before taking us through to The Forbidden City.

Again, I'm afraid I can just give you a brief outline.

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households.

It was built in 1406 to 1420 and consists of 980 buildings and covers 180 acres.

This man was taking a photo of his wife, who was trying to join onto our group! This wasn't the only time this happened. Every time we went posed for a group shot people would join on and take their own photo!
Absolutely fascinated by us!

After our tour we walked back to meet Mr H, who took us to our early farewell dinner.

Rice

Dim Sum

Sweet and Sour Pork

Spicy Chicken and Peanut

Cabbage

Stuffed Aubergine

Spicy Beef

Spicy Potato

 After lunch Stony and Mr H took us to a hútòng. In Beijing, hútòngs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. 

Unfortunately the locals don't particularly like it when tourists visit the area so we made sure we were in and out.

Our journey back to the hotel was the last time we were going to see Mr H and time to say bye to Jan, Jayne, Chris, John, and Jessica as they were heading to Xi'an on the train at 6.

The rest of the gang were heading to The Pearl Market to do some shopping before tea. 

Phil and Chris managed to squeeze in a visit to the Olympic Village.

The girls returned from the market weighed down with bags.

I forced my shopping into my bag before heading down to meet Stony at 7:30. 

He took us to the restaurant from the first night.

We were placed in our own private dining area at the back of the restaurant.

Rice

Potato (How do you pronounce that Justina? Becca?)

Sweet Potato and Popped Corn

Spicy Peanut Chicken

Pork 

Beef

Cucumber and Egg

Broccoli

After the meal we said goodbye to Stony. He headed back to the hotel as he was up at 3am for an early flight.

We headed for some beers and one last dance on the square.

Muriel was straight in with the 'right/left' dance much to the locals delight. 

I still don't know how we aren't on youtube yet. EVERYONE was fascinated by us.

So much so they had the song on loop for us and applauded us at the end.

Thank you Beijing.

Why have I got a manky camelback?

The cockerel, chickens, ducks, dogs and EVERY OTHER ANIMAL IN THE WORLD kept the camp awake for most of the night. But that was it! Our last night in a tent DONE!

 Tonight we would be sleeping on the basic, small, hard beds from our first night in Beijing and I couldn't wait. 

Now I don't mean to brag but I was so warm in my sleeping bag last night that I actually managed to take my arms out!!

As usual we packed our bags before heading for breakfast. Mr J obviously wanted the campsite packed up ASAP. He started taking the tents down even if we were still getting ready.

Hot Water

Tea

Watermelon

Oreos (all different kinds)

HUGE puff cakes 

Porridge 

Egg Fried Rice 

and NOODLES!!

Mr H had been called off unexpectedly so Mr J had to do two runs up the mountain, to drop us off at our starting point.

I went up with the first group and as we waited for the rest we did our own warm up, 'forward an inch, up an inch and all the way around', and discussed 'manky camelbacks'

Once they arrived we started our CLIMB towards 'The Beijing Tower'. 

We were barely 10 minutes in to our walk when an old man burst out of his home and started shouting at us. Obviously he was speaking Chinese so we had no idea what was going on. All we could figure out was that he wasn't letting us through.

Stony got straight on the phone to Mr J who must have talked some sense in to the old man.

Once we were on our way Stony told us that that man wanted to check that we weren't going to start a bush fire. (Damn! There goes that plan!)

In true Stony style the walk was tough. It seemed to go on for forever. Due to the haze and the trees we couldn't even see the tower so we had to trust Stony when he said, 'almost there'. I lost track of how many times he said 'almost there'. 

The walk was STEEP, you really had to pull yourself up using your sticks, hands or trees. We had regular stops in order for us to catch our breath or strip off. 

It was really tough and as Phil pointed out there wasn't even a picnic to look forward to.

At one point Kate took at step back and almost fell straight in to a spider's web! 

(I don't have a picture of this spider but it was BIG and bright green)

 As always the group pulled together and there were reassuring messages and warnings passed through the group from the guys ahead (loose rock, low branch, wow moment etc).

Finally we made it and found out that you couldn't even get in to the tower.

'The Beijing Tower' was set on top of rocks which we used as seats. If you wanted to get around or should I say over to the other side you had to hold onto a metal railing.

We made sure we took plenty pictures, some more daring than others. 

After a few minutes R&R Stony suggested that we start our descent. The climb 

down was just as hard. We walked in single file and took our time. The first person to fall was Jayne. Although we only knew because of Lorraine's cries. Shortly after that Ali fell, then Becca and finally Phil.

My mistake, Mr Lee built steps for us today not yesterday!

Once we were flat we walked through a farm where Lorraine experienced 'lovely pink apples' for the first time.

Mr J & Co were waiting for us just outside of the farmers house. They took us to Mr J's house where dinner was served and we said our goodbyes.

This the one meal I haven't written down but I do know it was a mix of all our favourite dishes (minus chips).

Once we had finished lunch, Muriel stood up to deliver a thank you speech which she pretended she had written on toilet paper. 

Stony translated for us. Mr J told us he was happy we were there and that he looked forward to our next visit to China. He also told us that we were always welcome to stay with him. 

Once we had hugged everyone goodbye, including Mr Lee, we boarded the bus. As the bus pulled away kept waving until they were little dots.

Two minutes into the journey Stony received a phone call from Mr J to tell him that someone had left a water bottle and he was on his way to drop it off. 

Once he arrived at the bus I broke my heart!! I couldn't stop crying!! Phil made it worse by telling me we had also left Neal behind! I literally cried myself to sleep.

I slept all the way back to Beijing. When I woke up the sky was really dark, turns out it was the second highest pollution rating. 

A few of us decided that as a treat, after checking in, we would go and buy some new clothes before dinner.

If only it was that easy. When we left on Monday we brought our bags down to the lobby, they piled them up in the corner and blocked them off. That's where they stayed until we came back. Everyone's but ours. Nobody seemed to know where our bag was. As you can imagine Becca and I weren't happy. UNTIL the security man came in and told us he had moved it to a special place because he didn't want anyone to steal it. 

After running to H&M for some clothes I had the nicest shower I have had since 2012.

We met in the lobby at 7 and waked up to the restaurant with a beer in our hands. 

It was a traditional Peking Duck restaurant called, 'Four Seasons, People Happiness' (according to Neal).

It looked lovely and judging by the amount of people waiting outside it was going to be nice. We had two tables, Stony sat on one, Neal sat on ours. 

The waiter gave us all a china 'tray' with:

 Sugar

 Pickles

 Garlic

Traditional duck sauce 

Cucumber 

spring onions

A few minutes later he came back with several dishes and a whole duck which was carved in front of us.

Dates on Ice

Broccoli

Pak Choi in Soy Sauce

Popcorn Chicken with Strawberry Sauce

Spicy Beef

Pork

Onion Bread

Pancakes

'Popped' Pancakes

The duck was served at separate times and each plate was to be eaten in a certain way. 

1st plate: Dip the skin in sugar, and the meat in the pure garlic sauce.

2nd plate: make the pancake with a rule of three.

3rd plate: as you wish

The waiter showed us the correct way to construct a pancake.
(Depending on what you put into it)

When you are left with the head all you can eat is the brain which just tastes like pâté.

 The meal was hăochī.

As soon as I realised it was time to say goodbye to Neal I burst into tears. He went around the group and took photos with everyone individually. 

He thanked us and said we were all his family. Last night he had dreamt that some of us left the camp, he didn't know who it was as all he could see was the back of us but he woke up sobbing. 

It was awful saying goodbye to Neal. We all had a soft spot for him and you could see how upset he was.

On our way back we stopped at a shop to buy a dressing gown before buying a beer and having a dance in the square.

On our way back to the square we bumped in to my follower from the first night, he was polite enough to say hello this time!

I am so pleased to say that they were doing the 'conga' style dance. I was desperate for Muriel to come back from the toilet so we could join in. What I didn't realise was that she was already in the middle, dancing. Much to the locals amusement. I have no doubt we are on youtube or the Chinese equivalent somewhere.

The song lyrics are something about going left and right, you kick out to the opposite side.

Kick right x2

Kick left x2

Jump forward

Jump back

Run x4

REPEAT

As always by the end of the night it was just Becca, Phil, Chris, Kate and I. We popped to the supermarket on the way home to get some supplies and took our usual place outside of the hotel until 1am.

27 Towers

I made sure I was up before Muriel so I could enjoy the #2 tent first. Phil guarded the track for me.

We were moving to our last campsite today so had to pack our bags and tents up. 
Once again I used the 

"Becca' method for my sleeping bag. At breakfast, Justina presented Tina (her daughter)
 with a badge, 

'I went on a short trek & I whinged all of the time'.

Hot Water

Tea

Watermelon

Oreos (all different kinds)

HUGE puff cakes (which were delicious with Peanut Butter)

Porridge 

Egg Fried Rice 

and NOODLES!!

As we gathered at the lunch table, waiting to start our morning yoga session, Lorraine farted. Yes you may think I am being childish for writing this and I know you won't find it as funny as we did/do.

 What made it funny was the fact that she tried to ignore it and carried on talking. 

We LOST it.

Lorraine was on top form today, it wasn't even 9am and she had already had her 'favourite part of the day', mounting Phil during yoga!

Mr Lee was joining us today. We had missed him yesterday as he was needed in camp.

We walked through the woods and arrived at our first tower of the day. It had two levels to it, but the steps up were steep and narrow. 

Once on top, there were no walls to stop you from falling or jumping.

Those of you who know me well will know that if I am high up, I have the urge to jump. It's the same if I drive fast, I suddenly think what would happen if? My Grandma Betty was the same.

We had been discussing how weird this makes me yesterday. 

As I was looking over the edge,  Neal came over to me and said 'If you jump, I jump'. (HELLO, FPOTD)

We had passed through 3 towers before we arrived at the wall that you see in the pictures. 

Thank God we did have Mr Lee with us as he built us some steps so we could easily enter one of the towers. The wall was beautiful. New grey stone meeting old 'sand' stone, which stretched for miles.

It wasn't long before we came across our first shop.

The man sold souvenirs, art work, drinks and snacks. We spotted boxes of Moet but unfortunately they weren't for sale.

We decided this would be a perfect chance to go to the loo, so I jumped down on to the other side and really did have a 'wet on the wall' (Lindisfarne).

I suffered from stage fright so Becca and Jessica sang 'TLC - Waterfalls.

Shortly after the shop we stopped for lunch.

 We had already climbed through several towers but we weren't as high as we were going to be. We couldn't see the highest tower, our aim, for towers!! All we could see was the wall climbing up and up.

The wall was steep! There were so many steps. In some sections it was almost vertical, flat stone, with the odd ridge. You really worked your calf muscles. 

At one point we climbed up to a tower and up an inner stairwell before being faced with 108 steps. 108 steps, differently sized steps.

I suddenly had a burst of energy and attempted to run up.

SUCCESSFUL.

This was my method for the rest of the walk. FInd a steep part and RUN!

Mr Lee was quite entertained. 

At the steepest section there was a 77 year old man, smoking his pipe, sitting at the top shouting 'GO GO GO' (in Chinese, but I can't find it on google).

We were so pleased when we finally reached the top and looked back to see how far we had travelled.

27 towers!

On our way down to meet Mr J&Co we started a sing song. Whitney Houston, Sound of Music, Abba.

Even Stony joined in.

That was a really nice moment. We had had a very difficult day but somehow we were still on top of the world!

Laughing and joking.

At the bottom we were welcomed by the team, FREEZING beer and WESTERN toilets!!!!

We bought a medal to say we had walked the wall and after a beer or two and a team poo, Mr J and Mr H took us to our camp for the night.

We managed to get on the bus before Mr Lee and spotted his bag. We had always wondered what he carried in his little pink bag.

Water, tea, cigarettes and snacks.

The campsite (family friend of Mr J) was 10 minutes away at the foot of a mountain, with the wall above us. 

Tonight we were camping IN the chicken coop, next to the dog kennels, opposite a fish farm. 

As always, Justina led the cool down and once our tents were sorted we sat down for our last snack table of the trip.

4 PLATES OF CHIPS!

(Mr J must look at us and think 'what a bunch of fatties')

Muriel 'deeting' up

Neal came over and sat with us and we taught him about the £ and tried to build the shield.

Tonights dinner was served in the sitting room, under the watchful eye of Chairman Mao.

Rice

Spicy Cauliflower

Tofu Skin

Spicy Tofu

Aubergine

Garlic Shoot

Sausage/Chicken

Muriel's salon was closed today but thankfully Tina opened hers. French plaits for everyone.

We attempted the TV Quiz again (Multiple Scoregasm, 5 Skins (WINNERS), Quiz on my face) before ending with Charades.

I did a very good Bambi impression but I think Chris would have to win for his 'Austin Powers the Spy Who Shagged Me'.

Mr Lee fast asleep

Would you rather?

Becca and I got up to use the toilet in the middle night and heard some very LOUD, HEAVY snoring followed by bursts of laughter?! Interesting.

Zǎo ān (Good morning)

As the camp woke up we quickly established that the 'mystery' snorer was MURIEL (the laughter was coming from Tina). We were leaving camp today so we needed to pack our bags and empty our tents before breakfast. I left Becca to fold my sleeping bag up! I hate that job.

Hot Water

Tea

Watermelon

Oreos (all different kinds)

HUGE puff cakes (which were delicious with Peanut Butter)

Porridge 

Egg Fried Rice (YUM!)

Once again our morning topic for discussion was poo and how you do/should wipe. With all the actions we were doing, John thought we were talking about swimming!!

We had a group photo (which no one seems to have) and saluted the sun before hitching a ride back into Gubeiko. 

We bagan our walk in the middle of a market. 

Meat, fish, animal heads, honey, clothes, turtles, A DENTIST, this market had everything.

The locals were fascinated by us. Waving and coming right up into our faces to say hello.

The man in white is the DENTIST!

Phil paid 20CNY to smash a golden egg. He won a VILE 'gold, diamante' keyring but as a way of welcoming him to China he gave him two. We immediately attached them to our bags.

As we walked through the market/village we passed several temples and houses covered in the double happiness sign, which suggests that a wedding has recently happened. 

Once we passed thorough a large grey gate way we began out climb.

UP, UP, UP AND UP!!

We were walking on top of the wall on a very thin path looking back into Gubeiko and our campsite.

We stopped for lunch early and then continued towards the '24 Windows Tower'. This is the last tower before the military zone where we were not allowed to enter!

As we sat in the tower, Stony told us about one of the first times he ever did this walk. A local farmer used to guide them through. One particular day they had carried on right after the 24 Window Tower and bumped into a guard pointing his gun at them. The entire group was arrested and all of their photos were destroyed. 

Thankfully after 6 hours+ they were released.

It was time to climb off the wall and walk through the trees and hills towards our home for the night. 

Rumour has it that the hills we walked through have been hollowed out for the army to use as storage for their weapons.

Lorraine decided that Phil should be Philip John, an American sofa specialist who also leads SAS exercise classes and occasionally helps out at Garden Centres. Our afternoon entertainment was Lorraine voicing American commercials.

"Come on down to Philip Johns...."

On our walk through the woods we came across a fresh grave. Stony told us that it is illegal to be buried in China, you have to be cremated. However you can 'get away' with it in the country.

We also came across an old farm house which has been empty since 1988 and, wait for it....

AN ICE CREAM MAN!!

He was near the end of the trail with his ice box full of cold Coca Cola, Sprite and ice creams!

I could have kissed him. We weren't even hungry but we all bought an ice cream. It was possibly one of the nicest ice creams I have ever had.

Our camp for the night was another 30 minute walk away but spirits were high.

Our tents were in Mr Jong's daughter's back garden, right next to the chicken/duck coop. Guess we would have an alarm clock tomorrow.

The fly from Justina's eye

Justina led the cool down and once we were all unpacked we gathered on the snack table for beers and prawn crackers covered in sugar!

I decided to take part in another ice bucket challenge and threw a bucket of cold water over my head to rinse my hair. When I returned to the table Muriel opened her own salon and took Ali off for a hot rinse. On her return Mr Jong took great pleasure in smelling Ali's hair (Aussie), Muriel decided it was only fair to offer everyone else a sniff of her hands!

As I was sat at the table, writing in my diary I cam across the beer song either Helen or Laura had taught us in Peru. We decided we would bring it back for the China gang. 

(Who has the video? Can you send me it?)

Do, the stuff that buy me beer.

Ray, the man that buys me beer.

Me, the girl that drinks the beer.

Fa, a long way to the bar.

So, lets have another beer.

La, ger a different type of beer.

Tea, no thanks I'll have a beer.

Which will bring us back to beer, beer, beer, beer.

Mr Jong & Co loved this song. Which is why we sang it over and over again.

Dinner was served in the courtyard:

As we sat at the table everyone said Nǐ hǎo, I went one better and said, Wǎn shàng hǎo (Good evening). Mr J was very impressed.

Hot & Spicy Soup

Rice

Potato & Cucumber

Tofu Skin

Lotus Flower

Eggplant and Beans

Sausage/Chicken/ Spicy Nuts

After dinner, Stony briefed us about tomorrow.

Apparently if we thought today was high we were in for a shock tomorrow!

During 'My Favourite Part of the Day', Neal reduced Lorraine and Becca to tears. He told us that this was the happiest time of his life and he was honoured to meet us and learn from us.

(I love Neal!)

  After a quick toilet break and we were confident that Willy Wonka (Muriel/Justina) had the sweet goods the evening entertainment began.

Would you rather? followed by Who am i?

Jan: 'If you were on an island and your friend died, would you rather eat them or starve?'

Best Who am I? Lorraine, Dita Von Teese

During the game, Mr Lee came to tell us that we could see the Lunar eclipse. (crap photo)

 Silence fell in the courtyard as we all watched. 

WOW!

After the Lunar show we finished our game of Who Am I? before the majority went off to bed.

As always the last ones standing were Chris, Becca, Phil and I. 

Tonight, Kate also joined us for our chinese lesson.

Lets go - Zou ba 

HELP! -  Jiùmìng!

Goodnight -  Wǎn'ān

I don't want it-  Wǒ búyào!

Quiet - Ānjìng

Delicious - Hăochī