http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Seven-Weeks-in-Tibet/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Seven Weeks in Tibet en-us Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:32:22 +0000 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:32:22 +0000 he populace of Tibet TAR and Tibetan regions varies. It the rural areas for instance in Yushu the population is predominantly Tibetan. For the tourist who has more than a few days and is interested in the Tibetan culture the rural areas are a definite MUSTSEE. With only a few days the old city of Lhasa the Barkhor kora circuit is the best place to witness Tibetans in their everyday lives http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/Lhasa/blog-384862.html Known as the Roof of the World Tibet is one of the most beguiling and exotic travel destinations on earth. For the traveler looking for a world untouched by time Tibet will stun and amaze you with its diversity and WILD beauty. Heinrich Harrermdashportrayed by Brad Pitt in Seven Years in Tibet tells us in his classic book about the spectacular experience he had among this people. Since World http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/Friendship-Highway/blog-377048.html Known as the Roof of the World I found out Tibet is one of the most fascinating and exotic travel destinations on earth. For the traveler looking for a world untouched by time Tibet will stun and amaze you with its diversity and WILD beauty. Surrounded by vast mountain ranges in a myriad of colors grasslands so green your photographs will astound your friends beautiful people who still wear http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/blog-365224.html YushuThis place is like walking onto a movie set complete with authentic costumes hair regalia and characters from the last century. Every step is an exquisite photograph waiting for the click. Nomads and farmers and city folk all stroll the streets doing their shopping while the catapiller sellers huddle in groups trying to get the best price for their fungus the miracle cure for aging. It http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Yushu/blog-321591.html OK I will try this entry again. I had written for 20 minutes about the beauty of this land and then the manager of this internet cafe in Zadou pullled the plug the hour done. No bother to ask if I wanted to continue no warning may I add very annoying However this is China and I am in the middle of nowhere so I shouldn't be surprised at anything that happens here. I realized it is hard to co http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Qinghai/Jyekundo-Yushu/blog-317075.html I've been in Xining for 2 weeks trying to figure out my itinerary for Tibet. It appears at this point in time that although the Chinese say Tibet is open in fact the only way to visit any part of what used to be Tibet is to have a group tour but everyone in the group must be from the same country having the same passport. This means hooking up at a hostel with other travelers to create a tou http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/XiNing/blog-314860.html XiningOh so I arrived in Xining Aug 10th stayed at the Lete Hostel highly recommended much better than any hotel with internet access a tour co on site clean and updated washing etc. I moved to Xing Yuan Hotel with my orphanage buddies on the third night. We were supposed to only be here for a couple days but the main donor cannot cash her travelers checks only 3000 a day so we have http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/XiNing/blog-314155.html Whoa it seems like I have been here for months but it's only been a couple of weeks. I stayed at the Le Tour Hostel in Shanghai and would recommend it even though they failed to pick me up at the airport which was quite disturbing after 20 some hours in the air and no Chinese in my vocab. Luckily I borrowed someone's cell phone and had their number. I waited two hours to get picked up. Other http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Shanghai/blog-314132.html After almost a year of study and preparation I have finally reached my destination. I am IN CHINA not to view the marvelous Olympics but to head East to TB which is my abbreviation here on out for Tibet. After a 23 hour flight including a 5 hour layover in Atlanta I arrived in the magnificient Shanghai Podang International Airport which is truly a showpiece. After NOT finding my name on a p http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/blog-310289.html OK this if finally happening. I am leaving July 11th for this adventure a bit intimidated but I know the only thing to fear is fear itself. I will update this blog as I go along WHEN I can get to the internet. The month I am working at the orphanage I will not be in contact at all. We will be sleeping on the floor of a big building with no electric and no plumbing In fact the area is nomadic http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Mongolia/Ulaanbaatar/blog-289695.html How fun is this planning stuff I've been studying the culture and history of Tibet for about three months in preparation for this voyage. Now I am down to the last minute planning of local tours and hotel reservations. If a person had a life they would miss all the excitement. The more I read and plan the more I look forward to this wonderous adventure. Thanks for coming along Look for my new http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/Lhasa/blog-245733.html March 7 April 29Arrive Chengdu direct from LADo Land Cruiser Overland Trip from Chengdu to LhasaArrive in Lhasa in time for Butter Lamp Festival on March 26thTour Lhasa work in orphanage depart from NepalTHINGS TO SEELHASA AND SURROUNDINGLhasa ProperPotala PalaceJokhang MonasteryBarkhorButter Lamp FestivalNorbulingkaRamoche Temple debating monks Lhasa OutskirtsDrepung MonasteryChupsang nunne http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/blog-243723.html