Ming Ruins

Bill had a week off of work for National Holiday (see prior blog entry). We spent a few days exploring more of our city. In the foot hills around Purple Mountain are a number of favorite tourist sites. Let me apologize for the sweaty photos. The weather had cooled off until the day that we decided to go hiking up several flights of stairs.

Our first stop was to the San Yat-sen Mausoleum. San Yat-sen is known as the father of modern China. The over the top design of his mausoleum is to show what China could have been had he lived long enough to assume power. I don't what the whole story is but the site is a big pilgramige for the people of Taiwan. San Yat-sen passed in 1925. Here is what I do know...there were a lot of freaking stairs. You pass through three levels to get to the main building.

The first level is at a gentle slope. The second is a normal stair incline. The third and by far most intense is the tiptoe climb to the main building. I am walking daily. Infact, I have lost several (10-12) in two months from the exercise and diet changes. I thought I was going to die. I am being passed by tiny old ladies. Women that saw WWII out their bedroom window are all but skipping up the stairway.

Me - I am grunting because I cannot breathe. My legs are burning and I think I am going to puke. Sweat is pouring off me like Niagra Falls. By the time I got to the top I was so disgusted with myself that I wasn't in the mood to hang around but I was dreading the walk back down. Now mind you, to get from one site to the next you have to hike. We did find out that there is a service for hire that will drive you to the sites but that was after the fact and to be honest. I need the exercise.

Our second stop was the Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty. More to come.....