Joining a group tour, we first went to a Jade Factory where we
learned about the process (Our bus did have a little knock with a tricylcist on
the way!). Then we had the "opportunity" to buy souveniers. In-fact all of the
places that were included as additional parts of the tour seemed to have an
opportunity" for souveniers from the establishment concerned! I was amazed at a
gigantic Jade ship - like something you would imagine in a fantasy novel -
retailing at over £0.5m! There were plenty of outstanding and intricate examples
of Jade workmanship
After a cursory visit to a Ming tomnb, it was time for the
climax - the Great Wall! We went to the Mùtìyanù part of the wall, rather than
the Bādálĭng part. Bādálĭng has far more tourists because Chairman Mao had
visited it, and it is regarded as an honour for Chinese people to go
there.
Mùtìyanù is much quieter, very beautiful, and most
importantly, it has a tobbogan run to get back down to the main entrance! Jorgos
and Theodore from Greece (pictured), who were part of our group, were very much
interested joining is for the toboggan run for getting down for lunch, rather
than a walk or take an aerial car! We were late for lunch due to Taboggan
queing!On the return from the Great Wall, we got to experience a tea ceremony and go to a Silk Museum. Again, sales opportunities but interesting all the same.
Later that evening, we went in search of the night market.
What a sight it was. Cooked right in-front of everyone were skewers containing
sea horses, scorpions, snakes, grasshoppers plus a lot more! Ivan and Tomas
(very Western names!) who guided us there were keen to point out the unsanitary
conditions at the market (fresh and raw food in the same place). It did all look
a bit risky. I may try some of these foods when I am in a less dirty
environment!
Thomas was from a very well-to-do background, so Stu and I got
suckered to going to a rather well-to-do place for food where you get your own
room to eat in! China has gone through much change in the past few years, and
Thomas proudly spoke of China coming from a difficult position to becoming the
land of opportunity. This is something I know has happened in history before -
so we will see what the outcome is for the Culture of China! Ivan, we was
Thomas's lecturer and a buddhist was less vocal on the matter. However, we had a
good interesting and elightening evening, but bailed early to avoid spending at
the rate they were willing to! Another example of the warm welcome we received
from Chinese people since I have arrived.