Though impressive, the temples in Tiantan park play second fiddle to the masses of retired Chinese folk gathered there to take part in social events. With ballroom dancing, Tai Chi, fast Tai Chi with rackets and balls, Chinese chess, cards, music, singing, ribbon throwing, calligraphy, knitting, and many more we spent the morning walking from one group to the next. One game had group of people kicking a weighted shuttlecock between them. Mark was asked to join in and all went well until he hoofed the thing into a nearby tree. It sat there firmly stuck until a man got it back with the aid of his shoe and lots of throwing.
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Later in the week we took a tour out to the Great Wall and after being herded through the obligatory tourist shops we got our first glimpses. Despite seeing many pictures of it back home it was more spectacular than we had imagined and much steeper too! The Disney style ride we had to take to get up and down slightly ruined the authentic feel of the place but nevertheless it was a fantastic experience. Some sections were very busy but on other more strenuous sections we had it almost to ourselves.
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10 comments so far
September 20th, 2008 at 8:46 am
That’s a very good action picture of Mark kicking the shuttlecock, both the Chinese gentleman look a bit worried……is that when it landed in the tree?
It looks wonderful in that park with all that going on…….I wanna go there!
Pictures of the wall are spectacular, I think the Disney ride looks quite exciting……that wasn’t there when we were,maybe we were on a different part of the wall. Did you see a horse up there…..I’m sure I saw a horse!
September 21st, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Brill photos of entertainment in park and great that you can take part in some BUT WOW that Great Wall is something else - although amazing I had to take my inhaler when looking at how steep it was…………….
September 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Well i’m not surprised you had the more strenuous sections to yourself, it’s only the mills’ family whose idea of a vacation includes some kind of trek (or mammoth swim) rather than feet up by the pool, plus the guide would have all kinds of troubles with his flag!
Probably being a retard but can’t see the photos your mom is referring to, hence the lack of sensible meaningful comments.
xx
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
It’s amazing that everyone goes out and basically plays games when they’re retired. There doesn’t look like there was much headroom on the wall train although I’m sure the tunnel was illuminated just fine by those glowing white legs
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Yes, I noticed the shining “milk bottles” too Steven but I didn’t like to mention it!!!
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
Fear not, I’m sure by the time we hit Australia I’ll be a bronzed god.
September 24th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Those Chinese will turn anything into a special occasion, and bring out the accordian player and choir just to amuse the crowd while rescuing a shuttlecock.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Hi Sue, nice to hear from you. If you can’t see any photos then try scrolling right down to the bottom of the page and clicking on Entries (RSS). We don’t know why but that seems to work for some people otherwise try a diff PC, some see them some don’t, I think it depends on how new they are. You’re right though us Mills’ (shipton’s) don’t call it a holiday unless there is some sort of hard work involved!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Never mind the hard work, give me a book anytime!!
September 25th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hey Sue……speaking of ’strenuous’…..does ‘teetering’ on the edge of the breakfast bar doing ya painting count??………..how is your back by the way??…………………….Don’t try this at home children!!!!!!!!!!!
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