The speaker is excited to be standing on the Great Wall of China, a dream come true. They had chosen to rent a driver for the day to avoid the potential dangers of traveling by bus, especially during high demand times. Despite some initial concerns about the driver's language skills and professionalism, they were reassured by the travel agency's endorsement.
Upon arrival, they were surprised to find the area commercialized, with stores selling various goods and even a Burger King. They then proceeded to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which, while still touristy, offered steeper and more dangerous roads.
The experience was described as indescribable, with the speaker marveling at the scale of the construction. They appreciated the beauty of the surrounding nature and the changing sky, which was a stark contrast to the gray skies they had seen in other parts of China.
The speaker also shared the excitement of going down the Great Wall on a slide, describing it as a thrilling experience. They expressed satisfaction with the day's adventure and looked forward to exploring more of the Wonders of the Modern World.
1. The speaker is visiting the Great Wall of China, a "Wonder of the World" they've wanted to see all their life.
2. From Beijing, they traveled to the Great Wall by hiring a driver for the day, choosing this option over other means of transportation due to safety concerns and personal preference.
3. Upon arrival, they found the area to be commercialized, with stores selling various goods, including fruit, souvenirs, and even American franchises like Burger King.
4. The journey to the Great Wall took about two hours by car.
5. The speaker and their friends have visited four out of seven Wonders of the Modern World, including the Colosseum in Rome, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and Machu Picchu.
6. The Great Wall of China is divided into zones, including Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai, and Jinshanling.
7. The speaker and their friends chose to visit the Mutianyu zone, which is still quite touristy but offers more extreme paths.
8. The descent from the Great Wall was done on a slide, a unique and thrilling experience that costs about 45 yuan.
9. The speaker enjoyed the experience and would like to return to explore other areas of the Great Wall.
10. They are now just two Wonders of the Modern World away from seeing all seven, which they find fascinating.