Yesterday I posted the "postcard" versions of my last visit to The Great Wall of China. Today I share with you a lighter side of our climb.
Now get this, to get up ON to the wall, we had to take a closed cable car. So I really wonder HOW this donkey got up here... and WHY?
Beijing, 2007
I suppose this foursome needed a break from the sweltering heat... you can see their t-shirts are wet... A game or two of cards in the relative coolness of one of the watch towers may have been clever. Have cards, will travel?
People who know me know I'm not very good about carrying my cell phone, so I was amused when a call came in... Imagine having to tell a business associate, "Uh... I can't check my files right now; I'm on The Great Wall." Perhaps that is what these men were texting to their friends.
After a few hours of walking the wall, super steep in parts, we were ready for a cold drink, so we were happy to see this entrepreneurial vendor (probably not licensed) with a cooler of drinks - but climbing the extra steps, down AND back up, was not so welcome.
And going down OFF the wall was an adventure. We could have opted for another easy lift down, but instead we chose the toboggan ride. What a howl! A security person had a veritable fit when I took out my camera on the way down to take this shot of the back of my friend Gloria ahead of me.
And this shot, today, is my contribution to Weekend Reflections hosted by James. Go ahead and click on the link for many more interesting takes on the theme.
You can see larger images by clicking on the photo.
What a great adventure this must have been! And love the creative idea of tobogganing down from the Great Wall!
ReplyDeleteOh good heavens, I would never, ever have expected such a thing. Seems almost too irreverent, in a way.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I wonder why the guard had a fit?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wild ride, great adventures you are having.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment on my blog and the information about Lama Tsering Wangdu Rinpoche, he gave me many gifts he is such a generous soul and one was a dvd showing his monastery in Kathmandu.
I became a follower of yours so I can see more of your adventures.
Joanny
LIVE DREAM LOVE
http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com/
Such a wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing it. I would have loved to see someone getting the donkey on a cable car.
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic - I'd love that slide. And the donkey! They obviously know something you don't!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like loads of fun! Your pictures show a lighter side of the wall.
ReplyDeleteNeat series. I really like the perspective of the third shot. The reflection is a good one. Hey, they're all good ones!
ReplyDeleteOh very nice shots. Toboggan ride down sounds fun - I can't imagine how you manage to take the photo! Poor donkey, probably was up there because it had to take a load up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving us a virtual tour of the Great Wall.
ReplyDelete;-D
What a great walk! All else can wait. :)
ReplyDelete@tapirgal - He was not a guard, just someone tasked with making sure the ride was safe... and he wanted me to keep both my hands firmly on the handbrakes. :-)
ReplyDelete@VioletSky... I agree... it's totally tacky!
ReplyDeleteA toboggan ride DOWN the Great Wall... oh, what fun! I was there in the 1980s and can't remember how we got down... probably had to climb down all those steps again. Or maybe we took a bus to save our legs? Fabulous shots! Just fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAnother great set of images, of a wonderful place so faraway. The surprise shot on the toboggan is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI am ashame to say I have not been to the land of my ancestors.
ReplyDeleteToday, my husband, a water engineer was giving me a lesson on Philipines.
These are some unusual shots of the Great Wall and I'm glad you posted them. I've never been there and the images are new to me. As to the 'postcards' on the previous post they are just wonderful.
ReplyDelete@LadiFi... I too went for the first time in the mid-80s and can't for the life of me remember how we got off the wall before all these modern contraptions. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Best regards from Argentina
Elisa
Absolutely delightful post. And you're so brave, tobogganing down instead of getting lifted! I love all these shots. And I had an answer as to how that animal got there but decided not to mention it as I didn't want to make an ass of myself!
ReplyDeleteRe your comment on Florida Fotos: Yes, you probably were on the 408. I was driving. Lois Anne took the photo. I think. Let's just say Lois Anne took the photo.
I'm sure all of your figures about China are right. But it seems just about everything we buy is made in China. Everything.
Hope your weekend is going along well!
Hi again! Re your comment on Ocala DP: Yes, Haley is our dog...she's 11 1/2 and is as sweet as can be. I read your comment to her and she sat up, ears perked and said "Arf"! That means she was pleased. She would have said "Woof" if she didn't like it!
ReplyDeleteFrancisca
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing by my blog and leaving your kind comment!
Best regards from Argentina
Elisa, Argentina
Wonderful! I have never seen this "side" of the Great Wall adventure. The cable car idea scares the heck out of me, I have to admit. But hey! If a donkey can do it.... :)
ReplyDeleteThe toboggan slide sounds...er... I'd have to see a few people go down first before I decided if I'd go or not.
Funny about your cell phone. You made me smile.
Now these have got to be the most unusual photos of the Great Wall that I have ever seen. Love them! Especially the toboggan descent!
ReplyDeleteWho knew there were such fun things at the stately Great Wall of China!?!
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting! I was also there in 2007 , it stinks though since some people urinated everywhere LOL! I hope it's better now. Happy Week ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteI love the wonder adventures you take us on. Especially places that I'll probably never see for myself.
ReplyDelete