The Great Wall

Today was a long day, but a lot of fun. We started off early this morning and took a 2 hour drive to the Juyong Pass of The Great Wall of China. It was truly impressive seeing the Wall wind through the mountains.

This was the start of our climb. The boys and my Bob made it up to the tower at the top of the picture. The rest of us went almost to the top but didn't journey to the left. The steps were very uneven. Some of them were 1 brick tall. Others were 2, 3 or 4 bricks tall. 

Bob and Twila. The tower behind them is where the boys and Bob hiked.

At the top! This portion of the wall actually ends about 100 yards past this tower.

Ice cream to celebrate the climb. The boys got medals at the top with their names and date engraved saying that they climbed to the top!

 We, of course, spent about half the climb having to stop so the boys could pose for pictures with the Chinese tourists. Robert and I even got pulled into a few.

 

We visited the Jade factory to shop and for lunch. The pieces on display were magnificent! Here are a few. The first 2 cost approx. $10,000.

Jade Boat

Lunch wouldn't be complete without a fish head in the middle of the table.

On our drive back to the hotel we went past Olympic Village. This is The Cube. 

The Nest

Interesting sculptures all over the city

 

We leave very early in the morning to fly to Zhengzhou.