Beijing: Great Wall, Olympics over Spicy Hot Pot

After breakfast, the group minus Doug (he was under the weather) left for the Great Wall. We drove a couple of hours to the Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. While there are other parts of the Great Wall closer to Beijing, the Jinshanling portion is known for being in a less restored state. The drive from the city was riddled with construction projects so it wasn't the smoothest experience ever.

Rather than taking a cable car from the park entrance to a wall tower, we hiked it up. It was a good challenge, especially in the heat, but it didn't take too long. We emerged from the hike adjacent to a wall tower and entrance. What a sight to see! The Great Wall really is a human marvel and uncanny engineering feat. I can only imagine being present when the wall was being built. Ironically, the wall didn't succeed in its mission in that invaders from the North did come into China. As a secondary purpose, it did act as a commerce/supply road of sorts through China's vast land.

Over the next couple of hours, we hiked from tower to tower. We stopped at opportune times taking great photos and even raced up a wall portion (I clearly lost, but not sure who won between Jason and Carl).

Big sis and brother: Joanne and Jason

Steps below are smooth and very much restored.

These steps are more in their original state.

Cold beer available from locals stationed in most of the wall towers.

K kick on the Great Wall.

Cool dark photo taken within an enclosed portion of a wall tower.

Possible Tour-ing.com promo pic?

We arrived back from the Great Wall a little after lunch and had some free time. Since it wasn't an official part of the adventure tour, I decided to visit the iconic Olympic venues Bird's Nest and Watercube. While I was up to braving the Beijing subways, there was no straight shot from our hotel so I took a taxi instead. The venues were exactly what I expected them to be. There were still new and sparkling and despite being two years ago, there were still tourists abound and even some minimal selling of 2008 Olympics memorabilia. Both venues are largely unused today and I didn't pay the admission to tour the inside of the Nest and the Cube. I hung around the area until the dusk light started to kick in and make for good photos.

I wasn't even thirsty, but I thought it was only proper to buy a Coca-Cola on Olympic grounds as iconic as the Bird's Nest. Like most cokes in China, the actual drink is less carbonated than in the U.S. and almost flat tasting. Ick.

Mr. Phelps' House.

On the way back to the hotel. Photo of the nearly ubiquitous Audis in Beijing. A6s and A8s especially popular among government workers which are identified by their dark-tinted windows and plates starting with an 'A'. Pretty baller actually.

For our final group dinner, we decided to do spicy hot pot. We initially went to Doug's favorite hot pot spot when he used to live in Beijing, but to our and his surprise, the restaurant had folded! Ultimately, we just went to another spicy hot pot place a couple doors down. As a Asian American, I've done hot pot countless of times, but my Chinese heritage is also from Hong Kong, so a spicy hot pot was a new thing! Good stuff! Great way to dine with friends and enjoy great food and drinks.

Had a sesame base sauce to which we could add additional condiments.

My sauce. I think I added garlic, parsley, and scallions.

Beer to quench my mouth which was on fire!

Rice liquor

We ended the night at a club called Vics. From the Lonely Planet, this place is a meat market. I don't disagree with that assessment. Current hip hop music from the US and whiskey+green tea made for good times.