I don’t really remember dragging myself up and throwing on my clothes for the day, but I do remember the nice greasy breakfast of eggs and bacon they placed in front of me when I got downstairs and how it coated my stomach in such a way that I was able to feel somewhat perky and functional for the rest of the morning. What a lifesaver.
I slept all the way to the Great Wall which took about an hour and a half from our hostel. When I woke up we were at the base of a small mountain where we hopped on a chairlift that brought us up to station 6 of the Great Wall (I think there were 24 stations in total each about 200-300 meters apart). We all made a silent commitment to hike all the way to the end and back.
Cam and I - Our first steps on the wall. Look closely and see how far the wall weaves into the distance.
When we started making the trek along the wall my hangover vanished almost instantly. I think it was a mix of the clean, crisp air and the incredible view and also the fact that I had no choice but to muster up some gusto. Hiking that thing was certainly no easy task with the narrow corridors and steep stairs.
The boys up ahead.
Cam making his mark on one of the corridor walls.
A view from up high.
Mandy and I - nice face Shan.
Cam making it to the top. It was a steep climb.
It took about three hours to hike to the end and back and by the time we were done my legs were literally shaking, but what an accomplishment.
I think we all agreed that one of the best parts was sledding down the side of the mountain at the end. We each got our own little rickety sled with a joystick in the middle to break with (or to avoid completely if you are Will). We started at the top and rode down the small steel half pipe that was just barely wide enough to fit down with the sled. As I passed each turn I gained more and more speed, watching the signs that read “slow down” whizz by. It was a fast ride, fun and a bit scary. You can YouTube it online and see for yourselves – definitely something to try in a lifetime.
At the bottom we were greeted by the tour guide and a lovely lunch of kung pao chicken, braised tofu, grilled beef and a variety of vegetable dishes that everyone chowed down on. We met a few other young travelers at our table who were teaching Phys Ed. Classes in China and a quiet couple who just seemed to be enjoying listening in on the conversations.
We were all very relaxed on the ride back to the hostel:
A nice rest after an exhausting afternoon.
That night was the eve of Chinese New Year so our hostel café shut down for a staff annual party. Luckily, Cam with his magic charm worked his way in with everyone and by 10pm we were all enjoying food and drink with the staff and owners of the hostel. Music played and all the young girls drank too much, dropping glasses and spilling wine everywhere. Everyone just laughed and carried on the drinking and conversation.
At midnight one of the most spectacular displays of fireworks I have ever seen (or probably will ever see) happened all around the city and we were right in the middle of it. Literally, you stepped outside and no matter which direction you turned a gorgeous display of sparkling colour was being set off. It was as if every business and every home in that massive city set off their own show at the exact same time, and BOOM.
It seemed to go on for hours, what sounded like World War Two outside our hostel doors. When it finally started to calm down, Mandy, myself, David and his mom all settled on the sofas with some whisky and tea and we chat about life, love, travel, and home until it was time for bed - an incredible New Years experience to say the least.
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