Sep 6, 2006 - Samye Monastery Day 1

Samye Monastery On the first day we went to Samye Monastery along the Yarlung Valley.Samye Monastery On the first day we went to Samye Monastery along the Yarlung Valley....

Sep 5, 2006 - Train to Lhasa.

I will have lots of photos of the train journy to Lhasa and of Lhasa its self and of course from the trip. ... Lhasa We arrived in Lhasa around 8:00 pm and were pleased to do so. ... It was quite dark and after the usual haggling with the numerous taxi drivers for the cheapest, fare we were driven to the Yak Hotel, praying that they would have a room, as we had had difficulty pre-booking rooms in Lhasa. ... The Potala Palace is a very beautiful building and sits towering above Lhasa. ... Scary! We visited a few more temples around Lhasa, one, Drepung, is a lovely monastery where we witnessed the monks debating. ...

Aug 27, 2006 - Lhasa

I've been in Lhasa, Tibet for the last couple of days and it's been magnificent. ... Upon arrival in Lhasa, I was met by my tour guide. ... She is a Lhasa local, probably in her early twenties and speaks great English in spite of never having been to an English-speaking country. ... The Jokhang Temple is right in the middle of old Lhasa and is considered the most holy place in Tibet. ... The widest circle encloses the city of Lhasa, the middle circle is through the alleyways around the temple and the inner circle is inside the temple itself. ...

Aug 14, 2006 - How about my the tales of my trip to Everest that never ..and the kindness of people I met!!

On the 10th I arrived in Lhasa and made my way to the Yak Hotel. ... There are no airports, no helicopters, no real medical assistance, no nothing out side of Lhasa. ... So that I did! Especially since their guide and driver offered to take me back to Lhasa the next day, after they had dropped Alfred and Julie off at the border, they also indicated that they could wait 2 days if need be if I wasn't feeling great. ... He spoke a little english and when he realised that I was in fact being directed the wrong way to the hospital he came rushing up the hill after me and took me to a doctor and helped me explain through pictures, charades and a few interesting way sof explaining things what was wrong with me and what I had to get back to Lhasa to fly out. ... In 1989 or 87 I think it was, will have to read the book again, there was a protest in Lhasa against the chinese govt, and the chinese open fired on the crowds. ...

Jul 29, 2006 - Lhasa, Tibet

No wonder they seemed so close to the plane! We had fantastic sunny days every day in Lhasa, and a rather hot 26 degrees average temperature. ... As many of you may know, the Chinese have amazingly just finished a trainline that goes over the Tibetan Plateau linking Lhasa with the rest of China. ... Sounds all pretty bad, but Nancy and I were very happy with our time in Lhasa. ... And although the locals still revere the place, we could not go, so decided to focus our attention on the living monasteries in the hills surrounding Lhasa, and the most revered sight, the Jokhang Temple in the old city centre. ... The monks at both these monasteries are incredibly friendly, and as we found in Lhasa as well, it always brings a big smile if you say a few Tibetan words. ...

Jul 24, 2006 - Lhasa, Tibet

I made it to Tibet! I always saw the Himilayas on the map, the massive mountain range somewhere far away, but never thought I'd see them. Lhasa isn't what you'd expect when arriving in Tibet. ... But all of Lhasa isn't newly renovated, there is an older part of the city called Barkhor where the Tibetans still maintain a stronghold of their cultural identity. ... I spent most of my time strolling through the cobbled streets of Barkhor, reading and writing in the cafes while enjoying the fresh air and the local Tibetan people.I made it to Tibet! I always saw the Himilayas on the map, the massive mountain range somewhere far away, but never thought I'd see them. Lhasa isn't what you'd expect when arriving in Tibet. ... But all of Lhasa isn't newly renovated, there is an older part of the city called Barkhor where the Tibetans still maintain a stronghold of their cultural identity. ... I spent most of my time strolling through the cobbled streets of Barkhor, reading and writing in the cafes while enjoying the fresh air and the local Tibetan people....

May 29, 2006 - The road back to Lhasa - negotiation China style and disaster

After the extremes of everest base camp, knifings, assaults by the monks, almost sliding off the mountain in a jeep (this was terrifying as the driver lost control on the side of a 1500 foot drop and the car just slid to a stop before we all - well you know), three breakdowns, fixing punctures for passers by, a dissapearing guide, frost bite, vomiting (and the other thing), blistering headaches and several yak attacks, it was back to Lhasa and to be totally honest - sitting in the back of a sweaty, dusty jeep, bouncing along mountian passes but most critically going down from the altitude was one of the best things ever. ... Upon arrival back at Lhasa it became apparent that the tour company had cocked it up again by failing to book the appropriate plane tickets, despite over three weeks notice. ... Instead they had decided to save 75 yuan ($10) by booking a different flight which would mean Helen and Danny would not make a connecting flight to Hong Kong.After the extremes of everest base camp, knifings, assaults by the monks, almost sliding off the mountain in a jeep (this was terrifying as the driver lost control on the side of a 1500 foot drop and the car just slid to a stop before we all - well you know), three breakdowns, fixing punctures for passers by, a dissapearing guide, frost bite, vomiting (and the other thing), blistering headaches and several yak attacks, it was back to Lhasa and to be totally honest - sitting in the back of a sweaty, dusty jeep, bouncing along mountian passes but most critically going down from the altitude was one of the best things ever. ... Upon arrival back at Lhasa it became apparent that the tour company had cocked it up again by failing to book the appropriate plane tickets, despite over three weeks notice. ... Instead they had decided to save 75 yuan ($10) by booking a different flight which would mean Helen and Danny would not make a connecting flight to Hong Kong....

May 23, 2006 - Thieves in monk's clothing?

Specifically, Lhasa. ... "Seven Years in Tibet" with Brad Pitt) don't really tell you what to expect from Lhasa. ... On the other hand, seeing how Lhasa really is serving to complete our picture of the Tibet situation after having been to Dharamshala in India, and spending time in northern Nepal where there are many Tibetan refugees. ... Lhasa is a large city; perhaps there are even 300,000 people here. ... Just recently, the new wide gauge railway from Beijing to Lhasa was completed. ...

May 20, 2006 - Tibet - Lhasa

Helen and Danny arrived at the altitude of 3700m (12000 feet) and the effect was immediate, not least as Danny opted for a large Lhasa beer over dinner, which went straight to his head. ... The streets of Lhasa are a mix of bustling markets stalls and kids begging (although most of the time they are after the bottle of water you are carrying or a piece of fruit rather than the odd Yuan). ... Danny & Helen spent a day climbing one of the many local peaks which surround the valley of Lhasa in a bid to clear their heads from Lhasa beer and the polution of Chengdu. ...

May 20, 2006 - Lhasa - Tibet, China

We picked up our backpacks and followed our guide who would be transporting us to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. ... Outside the view of the mountains, so closely surrounding the airport were intimidating and I was glad to be on the ground! Our transport was a small minibus; we were crammed into the bus along with our luggage and everyone else going to Lhasa! For the duration of our 2 hour drive, we sat crossways with luggage on our legs. ... Tom was almost sitting in the aisle so as to be able to stretch his long legs! The drive to Lhasa was impressive with transparent blue lakes either side of the road. ... Our journey took us right into the center of the old part of Lhasa city. ... All in all, feeling unwell was still very worth it just to be able to spend a few days in Lhasa and to capture the Tibetan life and culture. ...

May 9, 2006 - Asia - Everest, Tibet, China, Vietnam, Cambodia

Hi, It seems forever since i updated this site but i have been busy. It's so so different, i joined forces with a couple of fellow travellers I met on the plane from Chengdu to Lhasa and we hired a Landcrusier and driver and took a 4 day round trip to Everest Base camp. ... The permits needed were a pain, the roads were awful, it snowed, we got stuck several times because of accidents, the accommodation on the way is something I prefer to forget - but what a stunning country Tibet is - wild, empty, vast.Hi, It seems forever since i updated this site but i have been busy. It's so so different, i joined forces with a couple of fellow travellers I met on the plane from Chengdu to Lhasa and we hired a Landcrusier and driver and took a 4 day round trip to Everest Base camp. ... The permits needed were a pain, the roads were awful, it snowed, we got stuck several times because of accidents, the accommodation on the way is something I prefer to forget - but what a stunning country Tibet is - wild, empty, vast....

Apr 26, 2006 - Tibet Adventure - Day 5

to Lhasa. ... Very eerie! On the far side of the river we saw our first road sign for Lhasa and the traffic became more congested, it was just like any other approach road to a western city. ... It took forty five minutes to travel the last section unto the outskirts of Lhasa where our driver had to show his documents - not us surprisingly! What an anti climax. ... Ladies were sweeping dust off the streets as we passed, every official looking building had more soldiers standing on podiums, we could have been in Beijing! Near the centre we passed under the new railway line which will open in July 2006 - then access to Lhasa will be very much easier and we expect the nature of the city will change even more rapidly. ...