Day two, we're still a little off our sleep cycles, but so much more rested than yesterday. So, why not go for broke and hike up the side of a mountain? Perfect activity for children 15 hours off their normal schedule. Genius, even.
Good thing our children are incredibly flexible, not to mention adventurous. Today we left early (to beat the Mid-Autumn Festival crowds), to see the Juyong Pass section of the Great Wall. Last year, Adelaide and Eleanor did the hike while strapped to our backs. This year, they had to pull their own weight.
And, they did incredible! Hundreds of stairs these girls climbed, with no complaint. Little Eleanor shouting, "I know I can do it!" and inspiring exhausting, out-of-shape tourists to keep climbing with her. Go girls, go!
Steven's thinking... What's so great
about this wall anyhow?
After passing a couple towers, Melinda and the girls went back down to check out the buildings at the pass (something we didn't do last year), while Matt and Steven pushed up even further - with Steven patting Matt's head and telling him, "Good job, Daddy. Good job." Such moral support.
Good job Daddy!
The other tourist were doing it...
so we did our own version.
Beautiful girl and a beautiful view.
In the front of the doors of imperial civil servants' homes, there are statues of book boxes (clerk) or drums (military) to let you know who resides there. Below is a drum marker outside one of the buildings at the base of the pass. We also saw the box statues in the Hutong District on our ride yesterday, outside some of the better preserved older buildings.
This history lesson brought to you by Steven.
Climbers taking a rest.
Steven felt this setting deserved an epic ninja pose...
...while this one was more of a J. Crew moment.
After spending the morning touring the Juyong Pass, we went down to a nearby jade factory to have lunch and admire carvings worth more than our house. Seriously, a $6.7 million yuan fish pond... and the koi didn't even look grateful!
But, Melinda was sure grateful when Matt got her a beautiful jade bracelet. Did she swoon right there in the store? Pretty much. An incredible extended 10 year anniversary gift.
Day Two - SUCCESS!
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