September 29^th’s entry in my One List a Day – A Three Year Journal (see Birthday Month), made us stop and think. “Silly Tourist Attractions I’ve Been To.” What is a “silly” tourist attraction? We threw around a few ideas, but there seemed to be some merit in most, if not all, the places we discussed.

When we travel, we have several types of attraction that we actively seek out:

• Cricket Grounds
• Olympic Venues
• Lawn Bowls Clubs
• Walls
• Lighthouses
• Funiculars
• Places mentioned in novels or TV programs.

Some might find these attractions somewhat silly, but they’re fun to investigate and locate. So, what did I choose as my three “Silly Tourist Attractions I’ve Been To” for this year?

Blarney Stone

Blarney Castle, Ireland – a bucket-list destination. However, when you think about it, queuing in dismal weather at the top of a castle to then lean backwards to kiss a stone that countless others have just kissed … silly!

Ninja Temple and Ninja Trick House

Two different attractions. Listed here as, although we visit many Japanese places, we wouldn’t have originally sought out these places. They are actually more fun than silly, and both highly recommended.

Myoryuji Temple, commonly known as “Ninja Temple”, earned its nickname due to its many deceptive defences such as hidden tunnels and secret rooms. A very good tour, showing all the ninja-like spaces, tricks and traps.

A very hands-on, interactive, family-oriented fun experience at Ninja Trick House in Tokyo. Surprise ninja appearances, sword play and shuriken throwing.

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China itself was another bucket-list destination. We joined a bus day trip; an early start with a small group of 18. Delayed through Beijing due to a VIP having a police escort. Drove past several venues being prepared for the 2008 Beijing Olympics – Laoshan Veldrome, Water Cube, and the Bird’s Nest.

1^st Stop: Obligatory visit to a Jade Factory – 45 minutes. No-one from the bus interested in purchases, although the wares were quite beautiful.

2^nd Stop: Ming Tombs – I recall a brief walk through, but the previous day spent at the Forbidden City far more memorable.

3^rd Stop: Traditional Medicine Centre – 30 minute “sales pitch”. Apparently, I have a “hot liver” – and probably should avoid deep-fried foods, alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine. Hmmm, unlikely!

4^th Stop: Lunch – Chinese banquet style in a cafeteria-like building. Mediocre.

Finally, we arrived at the Badaling section of the Great Wall. Took the “Biconvex Pully” up to a high point. Walked and climbed lots of steps. Lots of great photos. Lots of tourists – as expected! Lots of hawkers trying to sell foreigners their goods. Ended up with a T-shirt.

Then back down the luge-like Toboggan Slide. This falls under the definition of silly as “having a lack of common sense or judgement”. To be honest, Tom was increasingly uncomfortable as the descent continued. With his boiler-maker background in welding and engineering, the seemingly flimsy construction of the structure was a concern. Not a descent we would choose again. In retrospect, if we had the option, we would have taken the cable car, described as “safe, smooth and comfortable” in comparison.

“Take a pulley is less stable but it is more fun compared to taking the cable car. The pulley runs from the parking lot in the front mountain, where is the bus station of the Bus No. 877. Ticket fare for Badaling great wall pulley car is 100 CNY for both ways per adult. It only takes you less than ten minutes to get to the top…. Seniors tourists and anyone with heart problems should avoid taking the pulley.” Cable Car, Pulley & Toboggan Slide for Visiting Badaling Great Wall (topchinatravel.com)

I wonder if we will have been to other “silly tourist attractions” by September 29 next year?