miscellaneous rambling

We made it back to Lhasa after 4 days on the road. Going back to Lhasa we met some pilgrims on the roadside. They had been travelling one year, 4000km on foot, praying each step from China to Tibet. Their goal was to see the Potala and the Jokhang. We were touched by their story, and gave them food, money, and clothing to help them out.

We stopped by the birthplace of Songsten Gampo, the first king of Tibet during the 5^th century. We didn’t actually go into the townsite ( needed an extra permit and we were pressed for time ).

Traffic jams due to road pavement caused us to lose several hours on the road. It was hot sometimes because the bus couldn’t have the air conditioning on during steep climbs up the mountains. The engine needed the extra energy.

Back in Lhasa, the group split up and several of us went to Makye Ame and it was then that I did my big shopping spree. Because of our tight schedule, it was now or never. So I did several heavy hours bargaining back at the shops.

The next morning we left Lhasa again. This time, toward the East. We needed another permit for this area, and I’m not sure how we got it, because it’s not supposed to be open to civilians..

The first stop was to Drigung Til monastery. ( see photo). On the way down, we stopped to examine the bus. Several of us got out, and wanted to get a quick bite to eat.

Before the food even arrived, and with beer only just opened, we had to leave again. The bus was “ok” and we wouldn’t need stay long. I had to cancel my order, apologize, and run out with two beers in my hand, and onto the bus.

Out in Bayi area. The elevation was under 3000 meters. The landscape was like Canada. Alpine forest. It was beautiful. Flowing rivers, big trees, horses grazing..

But I missed the high, barren Tibetan plateau. The big sky and the yaks.

The trip east was going to be another 14 hour day on the bus. Once we got to the hotel, we rested.

The next day we visited some beautiful lakes, walked through the forests, and only saw one temple.