Blogs from Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia
April 20th 2012
Yes, I was high not only because almost all of Tibet is above 3 500m and most often I felt extremely light-headed but on a natural high admiring this land of great beauty, of vast landscapes, sundrenched peaks, high altitude desert, densely forested gorges, brilliant skies, and crystal clean green rivers. Tibet, the “forbidden land” or the “roof of the world” is protected by the great Himalayan chain in the south and west, and even more inhospitable mountains to the north and east. It is hauntingly bleak and mysterious and has peaked (pardon the pun) the interest of so many outsiders for centuries. It is only in the last twenty years that more than a handful of foreign travelers have finally explored this sacred land. Although there are now frequent visitors to Tibet the allure is ... read more
April 16th 2012
Tibet was a life experience. I don't know if other people ever think about this, but there were many times during my travels around Lhasa where a thought struck me. The thought that I would remember these mountains and faces and monasteries for my whole life. The thought that the stories from different people and fellow travelers would be in my mind always. Dramatic, yes I know, but true. Tibet was a life experience. I felt on the top of the world- especially when I tried to climb stairs and experienced elevation sickness.... The first day consisted of flying for a few hours above the mountains. My face was glued to the window the entire time, and I am sure I irritated the people surrounding me with the click of my shutter as I attempted to ... read more
April 8th 2012
Today sadly was our last full tour day in Lhasa, and our last day with our guide. Unfortunately he was not able to obtain yet another permit needed, this a military permit required for travelers outside of the city. We were introduced to our new guide who will drive us to the Nepalese border, and already has the necessary documentation. Even though our time here was short, Chuck has become a very dear friend to us. He brought us to his home today, where we had lunch and talked about music, iphones video games, and life in the US. He reminded us of how lucky were are to have the freedoms that we as Americans so oftentimes take for granted. Inside his home, like every Buddhist home, a room is dedicated as a holy room with ... read more
April 7th 2012
Today we went to the Potala palace, the winter residence for the Dalai Lamas. The Potala was originally built in 645, and has been added on to throughout the ages. It has housed the government, religious schools, tombs, and has been the home to every Dalai Lama, up until the Chinese invasion in 1959. Now it lies dormant, a relic of the past waiting to be used once again for its original purpose. It is 1,400,000 square feet, and has 1000 windows. It’s enormity is truly staggering, and it’s religious and political significance cannot be rivaled. Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate the palace, as they spin hand held prayer wheels, while others prostrate themselves along the sidewalks. Buddhists circle the palace three times, as dictated by their religion. The tombs of all the previous Dalai Lamas are housed ... read more
Buddhist Bucket List Trip to Tibet, Nepal and India
Published: April 1st 2012Asia » China » Tibet » LhasaApril 2nd 2012
This will be the first time I'll ever be keeping a personal travel blog during a trip, and perhaps I'll abandon the whole idea half way through. I hope that I can share some of my experiences to others, and also chronicle them for myself like I wish I had started doing long ago. "Why do you want to go to Tibet" or "What's in Nepal" has been the overwhelming reaction by my friends and co-workers. To be honest, there is no one answer, and there is no simple explanation. I see images of Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the wind swept plains that time has forgot. I hear the sound of monks chanting mantras, with the ringing of bells dangling from the neck of a yak. I smell the odor of curry waffing through the ... read more
October 14th 2011
SPECTACULAR! SPECTACULAR!! Well, just when I thought my time in China proper couldn't be topped,along came the last 48 hours on the Quinghai-Tibet railway from Beijing to Lhasa across the Tibetan plateau - the Rooftop of the World. So far Tibet has been staggering!!! Albiet it was a little grueling and completely disgusting at times I wouldn't have missed it for the world! First a bit of information about this engineering marvel. 86% of the line is above 4000 metres altitude, half of the track lies on permafrost requiring a cooling system of pipes deep in the ground to to keep it frozen year round. There are 160 km of bridges and elevate track (which make for great viewing) and seven tunnels including the world's highest. It cost $4.1 Billion US to construct which is greater ... read more
October 14th 2011
Nach Lhasa ging es weiter in einer 3 Tagesreise über den Lake Manasarovar, der höchste Frischwassersee der Erde in Richtung Mount Kailash, der heiligste Berg für Hindus, Buddhisten und Bon Religion. Ich habe über 1500 Bilder während meines Aufenthaltes in Tibet gemacht also hier Teil 2 und Teil 3 und 4 folgen :-)... read more
October 14th 2011
Hi Everybody! The train journey from Beijing to Tibet was not a fun trip! We were bumped from our booked first class cabin by a delegation of Tibetans. Because of this, we were in a 6 person cabin and were very crowded. The cabin had no door so we had no privacy. We are just glad that part of our trip is over. I will have to say that the scenery in the mountains of Tibet was beautiful. We saw herd after herd of sheep, yak, horses, and cattle. Many of the mountains were covered with snow. The sky was so clear and the prettiest color of blue. When we reached the modern new train station in Tibet, we were met by our guide Sat. He welcomed us to the "Roof of the World" by adorning ... read more
October 6th 2011
Potala Palast (Marco schreibt) Der Wecker klingelte und ich öffnete vorsichtig ein Auge, dann das andere und dann versuchte ich mich zu erheben. Kein Kopfschmerz, bisher. Bei Sandi war auch alles in Ordnung. Vielleicht verdanken wir das auch unseren Isomatten, die wir noch zusätzlich in die knallharten Betten eingeleg hatten. Heute ging es zum Potala Palast, der Winterresidenz des Dalai Lama und dem wahrscheinlich bekanntesten Wahrzeichen Lhasas. Bewaffnet mit 6 Liter Wasser trafen wir unseren Guide Zunam, der uns gleich eine schlechte Nachricht zukommen ließ. "No water allowed in Potala Palast". Verdammt! Die 6 Liter mussten wieder auf das Zimmer und mit Ihnen die Hoffnung den Tag schmerzfrei zu überstehen. Beim Potala Palast angekommen verstärkte sich die Vermutung, dass wir heute leiden würden, denn es hieß Treppensteigen. Gefühlt kostete mich jede Stufe ein halbes... read more
October 4th 2011
Der Weg zur höchsten Stadt der Erde (Sandi schreibt) Nachdem wir erfolgreich von Bangkok nach Chengdu geflogen sind und dort eine kurze Nacht verbracht hatten, saßen wir auch schon erneut im Flugzeug. Diesmal nach Lhasa, der Flug sollte nur 1:50 Stunden gehen. Wieder einmal bewahrheitete es sich, was für Lucky Guys wir waren. Auf dem Flug wurde nämlich die Lieblingsspeise der Chinesen serviert: Jellyfish (Qualle). Sieht irgendwie aus wie wässriger Michreis. Aber wir hatten natürlich unsere Extra Wurst (vegetarisches Essen), wodurch wir Nudeln mit Gemüse essen durften. Den neidischen Blick der anderen Touristen, die keine Chinesen waren, ertrug ich gelassen. Am Flughafen wurden wir von unserem tibetischen Guide Zunam abgeholt und fuhren 1 Stunde mit dem Auto zu unserem Hotel. Zunam ist total witzig und nett, er lacht total niedlich und spricht echt gut Englisch. Im ... read more
