mutianyu.great.wall.幕.天.裕.长.城

on a hot may day, you went to the great wall of china with your girlfriend B, who just so happened need to be at the city for some work errands, so you got a deal that you will join her to the city and then walk up the great wall.  

this is not the touristic badaling (八达岭) great wall, nor the getting crowded simatai (司马台) great wall.  this is definitely the less touristic and off the beaten track great wall.

you start walking up the steps, at some parts it's almost 89 degree steep. just imagine how steep you have to overcome... you have to be very focus, no chatting along the way, and use all your will power and concentration to get to the next station.

at the viewing platform, you are rewarded by your hard walk out, where the view is superb, pristine and green (despite of the ever hazy sky of beijing)

and also because you were at a station, there is a shade for you to escape the mid afternoon sunlight and enjoy the view from the cool station...

and it makes perfect sense to sit back and relax a little bit under the shade while admiring the outlook from here... and you wonder is there ever an end to the great wall? or it just continues....

then it's time to descent, the journey down is more pleasant (as always) and then a short drive to the restaurant.  there are plenty to choose from, both of you opt for 渔师傅 (fish master) and had your portion to replenish...

豌豆尖 - a sort of stir fried spring vegetable. this vegetable is very common in spring time.

 omelet with tea leaves  (茶叶蛋)

板蓝根 - another vegetable native to china which is kind of herb that has cooling effect to the body and you had it as cold dish...

红烧鲈鱼 - this is the famous grilled fish in the area, although it is rather ordinary in your opinion but nonetheless a fulfilling meal after the hike.

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i am back home after 3 days in paris. nothing beats the home made cantonese style oxtail soup. feeling really tired now, so more updates on paris will follow soon. nite-nite for now.
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