Day 3 to Shigatse in Tibet

24 April - Day 3 To Shigatse 3900

This was a hard day's drive. We were still up very high and we drove through a 4 km wide desolate, dry, dusty valley.

valley

I wonder why these people want to live here. The road was very bumpy and there was quite a bit of traffic which made the dust worse.

road

I did enjoy the stops in the villages where I met sheep,

sheep

goats,

goats

donkeys

and lots of children.

and women

and men too.

The men look so prim and proper in their bowler hats.

A few Km before the city the road becomes sealed and we can relax in the car. I nearly acquired a cart from the side of the road.

my new car

When we arrived at Shigatse we unpacked again,

entrancehotel

had lunch then went off the visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery which was built in 1477 by the first Dalai Lama. It has the largest number of monks resident now of any monastery in Tibet, but many may be Chinese spies. This, couple with our police escort meant that Dolga could tell us little about the real history of the place. But it was old and beautiful and it is incredible what could be made so far back in history before all the modern equipment and project managers. No photos allowed inside.

That evening I had a meal of chickens feet

feet

and me eating tehm

These bigger towns are very Chinese. Note the Sweat milk tea on the menu which I did not try.

tea

24 Apr 2006

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