As has become our custom, the day started in Starbucks.... Sam had had a particularly refreshing shower today, having discovered, thanks to us, the bath towels in the cupboard, so she no longer had to dry herself on the bath mat....
After our very Chinese breakfast, we awaited the driver sorted out for us by the eternally lovely Cun for our long-awaited trip to the Great Wall of China!!! Much to our delight, he drove us 90km to Mutianyu and not to the more touristy site of Badaling.
The afternoon was simply perfect.... After a warm lunch, we jumped on the chair lift and up to the Wall itself. On this bitterly cold but brightly sunny January day, we were almost the only people there and as the day closed we were lucky to get this World Heritage Site to ourselves! I would like to say here that we marched between the powerful ramparts imitating warriors from times gone by; in reality we puffed and panted our way along the incredibly steep ramparts, wondering how on earth we are going to make it up Tiger Leaping Gorge in three days' time!
We walked maybe a mile, photographing the snaking wall set against the hazy mountains, before watching the sun set. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
If the luge run had still been open for a toboggan down, that would have been the perfect finale but the day was so magical, it hardly mattered.
A leisurely drive back to the City and dinner at a Lonely Planet recommended restuarant - ok and filling but not a patch on those recommended by our Chinese friends!