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Blogs from Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia
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January 31st 2013
Tibet-- the roof of the world. For centuries this mysterious Buddhist kingdom, locked away in its mountain fastness of the Himalaya. This is a saying in China, most of people go to Tibet when they lost their job, finish school or broken out,most people go their with story, or feel lost, it’s the place most close to heaven to figure life out. url=http://api.ning.com/files/L32IyIYNgMdwQzuEk0fB3isUO*ZVcnUw50xFxxS66eaeKlBNUJLbhTdx5a2tgOQxwxazg8m6d9e32D-Ri0kzOcEGWA25h1Nr/IMG_9201.jpgimg=http://api.ning.com/files/L32IyIYNgMdwQzuEk0fB3isUO*ZVcnUw50xFxxS66eaeKlBNUJLbhTdx5a2tgOQxwxazg8m6d9e32D-Ri0kzOcEGWA25h1Nr/IMG_9201.jpg?width=750 We went there; just it close to where we were. url=http://api.ning.com/files/vhkkuu3WVfOJDGg4sDNH*Jug4wdtP4MPxRBl39QjBXj58Vik9SYQMR*5lUPVZTCQ3z66hSfDTFSkY8AO5MQazPWGleHQoNl1/IMG_9162.jpgimg=http://api.ning.com/files/vhkkuu3WVfOJDGg4sDNH*Jug4wd... read more
December 16th 2012
We got up, had breakfast and then went for a drive to Gaden monastery which is one of the first of Three great Gelukba monastery near Lhasa. On the way we had to stop at check points to check their papers/permits. We saw lots of lovely scenery, (Lhasa) river(s) and wildlife including Yak, birds, Dogs, sheep, Donkeys & goats. We also saw some pilgrims on their way to Lhasa, prostrating the whole way. The monastery was nice and once again had some beautiful Buddhist art. I was unable to go into one of the rooms as women are not allowed, Aidan looked rather smug about that one lol. Before we left we had some tea at the monastery tea house and some yak noodles, spicy potato and dumplings, which once again X paid for! On the ... read more
December 15th 2012
I got up before Aidan as I normally do and I got a shower while he was sound asleep. I had plenty of hot/warm water but when Aidan got in it was trickling out. We later discovered that I must have used up yesterday's warm water as the solar panels had frozen over night and no one could get hot water...lucky me :D We had another lovely breakfast before meeting X in reception and walking to lots of local temples. We started at Jokhang Temple where outside there was lots smoke due to all the incense being offered. We had a walk around the temple, then went on the roof to look at the views across Lhasa and then saw a Monk making butter offerings. We spoke to him about what he was making, if I ... read more
December 14th 2012
We got up relatively early and after getting washed and dressed we headed to the fifth floor for breakfast. We were greeted by a lovely Tibetan lady and were brought a feast! Bacon, egg, toast, veg, potatoes, cake, fruit, tea and coffee. The restaurant was actually on the roof and had an outdoor and indoor section, we sat inside! Once we had finished our mamouth breakfast we went down to reception where we met our driver Z and X's friend Y who would be taken us to the Potala Palace while X went to try and get a permit. We drove past the Potala Palce and I started to well up, I managed to compose myself temporarily until we walked in front of it, passing lots of pilgrims and as soon as we got through yet ... read more
December 13th 2012
When we woke up one of the girls in our compartment had left, and a man with a cold had replaced her. I laid in bed for a while before getting up, however as soon as I had got down off my bunk and was about to walk to the bathroom I came over all dizzy and faint and had to sit down and then I realised it must have been due to the altitude. After a few minutes of rest I was able to get back up and go and freshen up. From the moment we woke up the scenery was amazing, and we spent most of the day looking out of the compartment window. I suffered a lite bit more with altitude sickness by having migraines but Aidan seemed to be fine. The newly ... read more
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July 23rd 2012
Arriving in Tibet the landscape was grey and desert-like, a mountainous version of the grey and windy concrete streets of Chengdu, from where we had flown. The airport was very rudimentary, and I half expected to see some cowboy-town drama unfold over some luggage or a taxi, but we managed to collect our belongings and make our way to Lhasa without any problems. A simple and inexpensive hotel wasn't hard to find, although a subliminal sense of blasphemy for having come to this place with no real knowledge of its religious significance settled in the back of my mind, to become manifest in various ways later on. The views from the hotel encompassed the mountains surrounding Lhasa and some gilted rooftops, along with a beautiful blue sky crossed and framed by fading prayer flags. After dumping ... read more
June 19th 2012
June 19: I am having an amazing time. I did not want to follow the plan for the day so the guide and driver took me on a quest for a yak. I was tired of the city and temples. We drove up into the mountains to see how the farmers and nomads lived. And God was so good. They said that the Yaks would be high in the mountains by now. But God... We found a herd and herdsman and walked right up and took pictures. Then on the way back a woman had a cow and I asked if I could take her picture and she invited me into her home and let me take pictures and gave my guide and I butter tea. It is black tea with milk and butter in it. ... read more
June 18th 2012
I mean that literally. By the time I got to my hotel from the airport I was dizzy and short of breath. I lay down at 5:15pm and didn't out of bed until 7:00am. This altitude sickness is really bad. About 10pm I called and asked for oxygen. They have a tank in each room. I had it in all night and still had the worst headache. And it wasn't just one part of the brain but all over at the same time . Many people get sick to their stomach too. Thankfully I didn't have that. At 5am I took Tylenol and made it through the day. Now for the day. It was amazing. First went to the Dali Llama's Summer Palace and then the big Palace. The Dali has been in exile since 1959. ... read more
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
