Dream To Dare
C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps
Hin's 6th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 20th – Oct 18th, 2014)
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12: Spectacles least expected.
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 8:11 PM
11/10 10:30 – 16:30 13.1km 23,818 steps. TA 530m.
Longjingguan – Santaishancun – Sichengyu.
Falling rocks enroute, meant a long deviation to Longjingguan – explored the old fortress with only patches of 2 remaining side walls. Then followed the wall trail to Guoyucun and again a disused fortress in disrepair. Just outside the fortress wall, one family tombstone marked a graveyard of about 20. Chanced upon a young man who offered us apples and bananas for our journey, and in exchange a photo shot with us foreigners (they rarely get foreigners at their village). Onward we went and reached the village of Sichengyu just by the Panjiakou reservoir – what a spectacularly breath-taking sight - the meandering walls over the mountains before descending downwards to the dam.
12/10 10:35 -14:00 6km 10.910 steps TA 360m.
Erdao Chengzicun - Shawodian
Overnight rain carried till 8:30am. A clear blue sky emerges and when the ground felt dry, went to Erdao Chengzicun. The initial trek was difficult until we found the old Ming trail and followed it all the way to the saddle of the mountain. We were then accorded another spectacle – 3 strong pristine towers within a 400m wall, even the clouds were smiling. After a long stay to enjoy the sight, descended down the Ming path all the way to Shawodian, near to the garrison town of Longjingguan. A long 6km hike for a 400m Great Wall. – what a beautiful day for a beautiful sight. Took off early to the eastern side of Panjikou and Old Shang’s guest house in Shitizi for the night. Incredibly Mrs. Shang served up an organic 10-course dinner using home-grown greens and vegetables – most appetizing.
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Comment:
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Lai Loh <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 8:54 PM
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Hi Hin
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Thrilled to follow all your adventures. Good for you....who is to say a 60yr old can't achieve all these...kudos to you.
Hong, Tim & I were in Melbourne towards the end of Sept to celebrate Hong's mother's 80th Birthday. On their way home, Hong & Tim had a 30hr stopover in KL long enough for them to sample M'sian hawkers' food. I stayed on to join my ex-classmates for a Penang Convent Light Street class reunion & cruise....had a blast & catching up with some gals whom I have not met since we left school 43yrs ago
So very sorry we missed meeting up with you again. Somehow our timing to visit seem to be in conflict.
Currently, movers are packing our stuff for our pending move down to Maryland. Emotional after 22yrs living in this present house. Will ask Hong to call you one of these days when we are settled into our new house
Take care & warmest regards to Amy & family
Lai Pheng
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 7:25 AM
Hi LaiPheng,
Good to hear from you and that the family continues to do well.
This COUNT is getting harder and tougher for past 60's, though there are some consolation - discount fee to designated tourist parts of the Great Wall.
So sorry we missed your KL visit again. Trust Hong's parents are getting on well.
When and why are you guys moving to Maryland? The White House?
Leaving for Czech Republic on 27th October for periodic couple of months' consulting engagement.
Our 2 boys are in Sydney - Adrian working as an engineer, Andrew in his 4th year of med. Amy still volunteer with UNHCR, Amanda just completed UPSR and awaiting her results.
Take care and let's catch up one day.
Rgds,
Hin
Boon Chee Lee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 11:54 PM
Thanks hin for all the updates! And welcome back. Only today/this morning, Kee Chai was asking about you! I told him that you should be back around this time!! See you some time, when you have recovered!!
Take care,
Bc
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