Oct 13, 2007 - Lhasa

Flew from Chengdu to Lhasa on the 10th. ... Lhasa is at 3600m and is the capital/centre of Tibet both from an admin and cultural and religious point of view. ... The Jokhang was one of the first buildings in Lhasa and the reason Lhasa grew where it did. ... The Jokhang is the most active and sacred temple in Lhasa. ... Cycled to Sera Monastery,about 5km out of Lhasa (roads are chaos but learning fast,if didn't feel like crossing a busy crossroads properly we followed the other bikes the wrong way up the road!)Sera was very interesting,painted rocks, lots of chapels and assembly halls. ...

Sep 23, 2007 - To Base Camp and Beyond!!!

When we arrived in Lhasa, we spent a few days just relaxing and adjusting to the altitude (Lhasa is situated at over 4,000 meters). ... After a few days in Lhasa, we took a short two day trip to Lake Nam Tso, the highest lake in the world (though this point may be debatable). ... Back in Lhasa, we also visited a large monastery that historically was one of the cornerstones of Tibetan Buddhism. ... After we returned to Lhasa, we made our arrangements for a Nepalese visa, and began looking into journeying from Lhasa to Kathmandu. ... Kate, Ruairi, myself, and Pablo (a Spainard we met at the Nepalese consulate) set out by bus first to Shigatse, a town about 6 hours south of Lhasa. ...

Sep 6, 2007 - Tibet Itinerary

5- Arrive in Lhasa Sept. ... 6-8- Acclimate to the elevation, see the sights around Lhasa (Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple), bike to/hike around some of the nearby monasteries (Drepong, Sera) Sept. ... 9- Begin trip outside of Lhasa to Everest Base Camp. ... 13- Back to Lhasa. ... 16- Maybe visit monasteries on the way back to Lhasa (Ganden, Drigung Til). ...

Aug 11, 2007 - Tibet

Wow, even the flight to Tibet was amazing!!! We were fortunate to be flying on a somewhat clear day and the sight of the Himilayas was breath taking. The drive from the airport into the holy city of Lhasa was like driving by a series of postcard pictures. ... We all suffered slight symptoms of altitude sickness for the first few days.Wow, even the flight to Tibet was amazing!!! We were fortunate to be flying on a somewhat clear day and the sight of the Himilayas was breath taking. The drive from the airport into the holy city of Lhasa was like driving by a series of postcard pictures. ... We all suffered slight symptoms of altitude sickness for the first few days....

Jul 19, 2007 - Greetings from Lhasa

Actually writing this in Tibet capital Lhasa and before I tell what we've been up to I'll get the political bit over. ... On leaving Xigatse we drove the 250K here to The Tibetan capital Lhasa. ... This is our last full day and as usual we've managed to mix culture, monestaries and the old base of the Tibetan government the Potala Palace with beer and food.Actually writing this in Tibet capital Lhasa and before I tell what we've been up to I'll get the political bit over. ... On leaving Xigatse we drove the 250K here to The Tibetan capital Lhasa. ... This is our last full day and as usual we've managed to mix culture, monestaries and the old base of the Tibetan government the Potala Palace with beer and food....

Mar 26, 2007 - Lhasa

On the approach to Lhasa, the air was warmer and the trees were starting to blossom, there was a distinct feeling of spring in the air. ... We made plans to spend our next and last day in Lhasa in a frenzy of sightseeing and tourist shopping. ... Such was my ignorance about Tibet and Lhasa that I'd not even realised that the Palace was in Lhasa, and had been really excited when I found out that it was, especially after seeing it on Michael Palin's 'Himalaya' travel series. ... A trip to Lhasa to worship at the temples might be a lifetimes' ambition for the people of Tibet, or an annual visit, whichever it may be, they are all deeply proud of their religion and heritage, it's a wonderful thing to see. ...

Mar 9, 2007 - 48 hour train

It's Wednesday, we have left Beijing West Train station and begun our journey to Llasa, Tibet.It's Wednesday, we have left Beijing West Train station and begun our journey to Llasa, Tibet....

Dec 6, 2006 - On the bikes to Lhasa?!!

Here we are in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet or "The roof of the world" at it is known, and we cycled most of the way from Kathmandu!! Yes, for those of you who followed our saga with Chinese bureacracy and our frustrations at not being able to cycle from Kathmandu to Lhasa. ... We duly took the bus from Kathmandu with our fellow package tour travellers and crossed the border on our 'group visa' - a very different experience to the first time we were on the friendship bridge - to meet our Tibetan guide and the 4 jeeps that would take us to Lhasa. ... That would make everyone's life easier!!!!! After phone calls to his office and considerable huffing and puffing from said guide it was agreed that we should stay with the jeeps for the first day as there were 2 check points en route where permits might be checked (but weren't!) then we would leave them and make our own way to Lhasa on 2 wheels. ... we have to confess that the first day in the jeep was 270kms of the total 900km trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and, if we're honest it would have been the steepest and roughest bit of riding. ... The road from the border to Lhasa, or the Friendship Highway as it is known, is barren, mountainous and very dry BUT very beautiful. ...

Nov 11, 2006 - To Lhasa, via the Friendship Hwy.

Ah!! Finally Tibet!! Well, it's a little more complicated than that. Lhasa, with the exception of the Potala soaring above the streets, could be a Chinese city anywhere. ... Overall, we are in love with this place, but we need to get out of this town.Ah!! Finally Tibet!! Well, it's a little more complicated than that. Lhasa, with the exception of the Potala soaring above the streets, could be a Chinese city anywhere. ... Overall, we are in love with this place, but we need to get out of this town....

Oct 22, 2006 - Lhasa, Tibet

Before we headed off to the airport for Lhasa, our new friend, Wanden, surprised us with a few gifts: a pashmina shawl, a Tibetan blanket, two prayer shawls, and a Buddhist bracelet apparently blessed by a Lama (for Adam). ... It took an hour to reach Lhasa from the airport via bus. ... On our last day in Lhasa, Adam and I jumped on a city bus to take us to the Sera Monastery. ... After Sera, we took the bus back to Lhasa, we ate lunch at a restaurant where several of the pilgrims like to eat (apparently the 6th Dali Lama had eaten there). ...

Sep 30, 2006 - TIBET: Lhasa

ARRIVING IN LHASA Our tour group of 12 (plus Nepalese leader) flew from Kathmandu to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (well Tibet is officially part of China but we refuse to recognise this due to the fact they invaded and then destroyed most of the country) on one of the world's more expensive short-haul flights. ... Lhasa is an amazing city and at its centre is the Potala - the traditional home of the Dalai Lama. ... You can see from the photos that it is an incredible building that dominates the skyline of Lhasa. ... Flying into Lhasa at 3600 meters is considered risky and we spent a few days there acclimatising to the lack of oxygen. ... Most of our tour group suffered from headaches and insomnia but we counter-balanced this with a few medicinal Lhasa Beers at night. ...

Sep 8, 2006 - The roof of the world

Whats up from Lhasa- the 12,000+ ft high Holy City of Tibet. ... And can I just say John and I are walking laps around other travelers here feeling the altitude, thank you Tetons.Whats up from Lhasa- the 12,000+ ft high Holy City of Tibet. ... And can I just say John and I are walking laps around other travelers here feeling the altitude, thank you Tetons....