:: Tibet.. the Lost Horizon? ::

06.08.12 – 18.08.12 :: 12 days in Tibet

Our Itinerary: 
8 monasteries, 2 lakes, 2 palaces. Greeted with a never-ending mountain view.

If you are not fascinated by these, do not go Tibet.

With the recent cases of self-immolation, it has been very difficult for foreigners to get visa permits into Tibet. Our trip was confirmed only at the very last minute.. 

Even then some places are not accessible to us, like the Tibet-Everest pass.

Next is gearing yourself up for the lack of proper sanitation & potential AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), especially if you are flying into Lhasa.

Food-wise no worries..

There is the evergreen SiChuan cuisine, simple Tibetan fare, or the Nepali-Indian dishes. We even had western meals.

Just remember to pack own kopi if you are a caffeine-addict like me.

Jokhang Monastery 

Most famous @ Lhasa. Saw the most number of people doing kora around and infront of the monastery.

Kora is walking clockwise centre-ing a sacred site, while spinning prayer wheels, chanting mantra, counting mala or repeatedly prostrating oneself.

Sera Monastery
Witnessed the monks having their daily debating session, though abit pretentious.

Ganden Monastery 
A long winding road to the monastery, luckily I’m cured of motion sickness

Drak Yerpa Caves
Where lamas used to meditate in them.

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery – Most well-kept monastery

Shelka Chode Monastery 
climb to this monastery is literally breath-taking. Never felt sooo breathless. 
Attempted to catch a glimpse of Mt Everest here.

Pekor Chode
Think we are most devote here. Visited almost every chapel of the 5 stories.

Namtso lake 纳木错 – 天湖

One of the must-visit place in Tibet. Took us half a day to get there. Basic accommodation.

Yamdrok Lake 羊卓雍錯

This is equally magnificent

Potala Palace - 布达拉宫

Visitor permits are only issued 1 day before the day of visit. Not cheap and with peak period surcharge.. but still a must-go.

Barkhor Square -八廓
The public square surrounding Jokhang.
Full of tourists and shops..  

Shodon Festival aka yogurt Festival. 

A Buddhist festival in Lhasa at Drepung monastry. 

The locals flocked to the monastery before daylight. Aim is to go near the huge thangka placed at the hill behind to pray and offer hada. 
Almost a human stampede. Scary..

Everest Pass - this is the nearest we can get..

The nomads - Living in tents in other seasons and going back to brick-houses in winter

Wheels of mantra go round & round

Tibetans make offering of yak butter as fuel for these lights in monasteries.

Tibetan wheel of life..

Do visit Tibet soon if this is on your bucket-list. It's fast losing the tibetan way and over-ridden by the Chinese culture..

^.^