The journey to the Great wall began after the visit to the Jade mines and factory. There are options to hike to the highest point. To hike from the start or take the cable car to the top and from there continue the hike on the wall. We took the cable car option to the highest point. The view was fabulous. The building of the wall began as early as 7th century BC. The first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang supported the building of the wall. Since then empires changed, but the wall was continuously being built till the Ming dynasty. The wall extended on the mountains covering provinces and strategic posts on the Silk Road. The traders and travellers paid toll to cross the great wall. Today the wall is witnessing tourists from all across the globe paying an admission fee. UNESCO has proclaimed the Badaling side of the great wall as its heritage site. The grand panoramic view made me to wonder on the marvels of an ancient man-made structure on these mountains, preventing enemies, paving way to interact with far off lands, and preserving the culture. I silently stood on the very old remnant of the wall paying tribute to those workers and builders.
This weekend Neil Armstrong passed away. Landing on the moon was indeed a 'giant leap for mankind" and he won my heart as a hero when I was a school girl. My prayers to him.
PEACE ON EARTH
All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.
Hi Sobana,
ReplyDeleteYes, Armstrog was quite a hero, as were all the astronauts, I think. He was eloquent in his statement when he set foot on the moon. Not what one would expect of an engineer!
Bea
Thanks Bea. Yes, his eloquency is unusual for a quiet private person. But, at that time he was young and must have been a great excitement to set foot on the moon.
DeleteShoby, wonderful and touching as usual-- all the best and lots of love,
ReplyDeletekum
Thanks Kum. Trying my best. Lots of love
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