The Great Wall and the Olympic Sites!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
--- Mark Twain

Today we had the amazing opportunity to visit one of the wonders of the world, "The Great Wall of China."  We started our day in the morning where our driver and guide picked us up from our hotel and we drove for about an hour to 75km to the Northeast of Beijing to the Mutianyu section of the wall.  This section was restored in the eighties and is in really great shape.  This section is not as popular as a tourist destination like to the Badaling section, which makes it very nice and not as popular (and NOT crowded).  The area we viewed was built originally in the 6^th Century and rebuilt in during the Ming Dynasty in about 1404.  The wall as it appears today was built 1569 and is considered one of the best preserved sections of the wall.  What is also nice about this section is that the climbing is limited (thank goodness since we had a three year old with us!).  We took a cable car to the top of the wall, explored the wall, toured several of the watch towers, and were able to take a cable car back to the bottom. What an amazing experience to see such a piece of world history…We were actually walking along the GREAT WALL!  Anthony kept referring to it as the big wall…and all he wanted to do was climb up further, and further! On the back to the center of Beijing we had lunch and toured a Enamel Factory and were able to by some interesting local handy-crafts….

We also had a tour today of the 2008 Olympic Game sites….We first visited the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) which was the site of the opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field and soccer.  The stadium is an amazing site with beautiful architecture and an amazing design.  Unfortunately,  the stadium has not found a permanent function only hosting two events since the Olympics and the Para - Olympics.    We also had a chance to tour and visit the famous "Water Cube" (Beijing National Aquatics Center)…where Michael Phelps achieved his record setting achievements…The facility recently reopened after renovations that include an indoor water park….The competition areas are still there and they have many events there including theatre events, etc…and it is stilled used for swimming  and diving competitions.

Please see some pictures of our travels today above (we literally took hundreds)…Friday will be a take it easy day for us…and Saturday we will have an orientation meeting for us and other families…And Sunday…the big day!!!!   We will have our daughter….

Stay tuned for more info….and best wishes from Beijing, China!!!