More of the beautiful Tibet...

The next coming days we were admiring the monastries, stupa's, mountains and people of Gyantse, Gigatse and Sakya. The driving between the different places was mostly 7-8 hours and we always stopped by for lunch for cute little places on the way. And boy we say some "cute little toilets" in those towns and between. Actually the topic deserves its own chapter in this blog.

Some of the hightlights were:

Yamdrok Teo lake
The stupa in the Gyantse monastry
The 26-meter Buddha statue inTashilhunpo monastry in Gigantse
The festival in Sakya and the blessing from the lama

However, I most like to take pictures of the stunning people of Tibet, so they definitely seem to be the priority of my photoes. (The last one above is a picture from a highest toilet I've been to at 5200 meters).

Lhasa, Tibet

3-7.11.2011

Ok. I am on my 3rd week and I am just writing about my 5th day on the trip and I haven't even got to Tibet yet on this blog! Mind you, there was no Internet in China & Tibet, so I am doing this a wee bit late and I find myself wanting to explore Kathmandu (where I am now).

So I will try to keep my writing shorter. And maybe add text later. When I am bored and just want to sit inside and browse the net. Travelling is great for my facebook-addiction! :D

When arriving in Lhasa, the first hightlight was a shower. I believe we were all humming (from dirt), but at least we were all in the same boat, so none of us smelt each other.

After a lovely dinner in a Yak-dinner we went to buy some local 56% alcohol, which cost about 4 Euro's. Attention, DO NOT let the Finns enter this country! ;)

I was feeling the altitude (3700 meters) with some headache and dizziness, so I had an early night. The headache continued for the next morning, so I decided the start the local herbal medication for the altitude sickness that Hanif recommended. But only the bare minimum. Sillyoldme. As I later discovered.

I am not doing too well with the writing less. Writing less, talking less, all the same. The days in Lhasa were just so amazing that a few words is an absolute must.

We visited the Jokhang temple and its surrounding Barkhor, the holiest devotional circuit which surrounds Jokhang including a market selling everything from yakbutter and prayerflags to carpets. When entering the temple and seeing the tens of munks chanting, it brought tears in my eyes. It is the calmness of the whole place, the friendliness and beauty of the people and the surrounding natural beauty. We continued the day by walking around the old town (the new town is only 40-50 years old), followed by a Tibetan dinner, including delights such as egg-tomato soup, Yaktea and Momo's (local dumplings). By this time I had quite a bad cold. I am sure this does not surprise anyone, as I clearly had not packed enough warm clothes. (So that I don't have to carry them in the warmer countries after this. )

 The next few days we visited the amazing Potala Palace and Sera Monastry, where we also saw the munks debate. The only bad this was a very bad migraine I had since the morning and some dizzy spells.

It got worse and worse and by evening, I was throwing up and had chest pains. All symptoms of the altitude sickness, but alone in my hotelroom, I was getting a wee bit scared. I accidentally locked my mobile phone whilst trying to open my phone to call phone and now it is locked. And even had a little cry.

By this time there had been a few of the group getting ill, and I had read too much about how dangerous it can be. But it got better as I up:ed the dose on the herbal stuff.

The next day we were meant to go for a hike, but it was cancelled, as it was too cold up the mountains. After the previous night I was rather happy it was cancelled despite looking forward to it a lot. The agency that arranges the hikes is owned by a south-african woman, who puts a lot of the money towards helping the nomads. I have the business card someone is going to Tibet and is interesting in hikes (where money goes to good cause).

Instead of the hike we went to Drepung monastry, which was very beautiful and I learn a bit more about buddhism. One must that must be said is although you will enjoy Tibet without great knowledge of buddhism, but the more you know, the more it opens this place for you. We also  visited a home of a local woman. (See picture). Following the monastry, we visited the Tibetan museum, which is maintained by the Chinese though. It was interesting..

I then decided to buy a new "real" Northface jacket in preparation for the Mount Everest basecamp. You could also see jackets with the logo "Horthface". I am not sure if it was a spelling mistake or a joke. :)

Punam ( a lovely Indian-Canadian girl from Ottawa) very sadly had to go home after been very ill for days on altitude sickness so we had a little farewall for her. It is very sad to see her go. (She is a big fan of HIM btw).

The following day our trip would continue to Gyantse.

I have now been sitting in the reception of my hotel in Kathmandu for 3 hours writing this, as uploading photoes is taking way too long. TBC. :)

Trans-Tibetan Railway from Peking to Lhasa (46 hours)

We boarded the Trans-Tibetan Railway from the Peking's main Railway station. The station was crowded and all our luggage was checked prior getting to the station. It looked as if we were the only westerners in the station.

The cabin had two bunkbeds in 3 levels. I got the middle one. When we first got in, I wasn't sure, how we could fit in 6 people AND our bags, as it is just about bigger than my bathroom. (And the one's that have been there know that it ain't big enough for six. :) But abragadabra, we fitted in.

A few things for the next 46 hours:
No showers
Lights go out at 10pm (use a torch if needed)
With higher altitudes extra oxigyne will be released
Hopefully you packed some muchnies & pot noodles
Some amaaaazing scenary to be experienced

During this 46-hours, we really started to get to know each other better with the group. And what I lovely group it was! (As I am saying this now, that I am pretty much the only one left as all have returned to their homes around the globe. Snif.)

All in all, it was quicker that I had expected. There was a restaurant cabin in the train, from where we went to get some peanuts and tea. Some toilets were pretty bad (actually nothing in comparion what was coming ahead), but there were also a few western toilets that had toiletpaper for the few hours of the day. There was a very cute chinese baby and a weird chinese guy who walked most of the 46-hours with his longjohns.

As the hours went by, the stories got weirder and funnier, but as fun as it was,  it was great to get out of the train in the beautiful Lhasa.

Gap Adventures "Tibet Adventure" starts in Peking

We had a meeting in the reception with the team. Hanif is the CEO ( something experience officer). He is from India, but has lived in China for a few years now.

The group is very nice. There are 15 of us and the age varies from 25 to 63 and the nationalities represented are UK, US, Canada, Malaysia, Poland, Norway, Austria and India. I was sharing a room with Kavita, a lovely Indian girl from London.

After the introductory meeting we went for dinner and had an early night sleep to be energised for the Great Wall tomorrow.

31.10.2011

We woke up early for breakfast. We wanted to have something local, so we went to a nearby greasy spoon and had deepfried dough dipped into soyamilk. (Taste? No comment.) Nowone spoke english, but luckily Kiat spoke perfect chinese so from day one 1, he became our official tourguide. :)

After breakfast we took a bus to the Great Wall (@ Mutianyu). Unfortunately the weather was very foggy, so we could not see a thing. And what I did not know what the million steps we had the climb to get there. And I thought I was fit.

1.11.2011

Again, an early start to go to the Forbidden City. I had no idea what an enormous area it was. 100 000 artists and 1 million workers were involved in the making of it. Our guide told us interesting stories about the last chinese emperor and about the Chinese traditions. There are 30 000 visitors every day.

After a lovely lunch we had a bycicle-tour, which was, so far, one of the highlights of the trip. We biked around the suburbs and visited a local 75-year old woman, who offered us tea and peanuts. She had an incredibly skin and we asked for her beauty tips. Wash face every morning with cool water. Drink tea daily with herbs. Rest. That sounds simply. I would definitely do it if I could look as good as she does when I am 75.  :)

After the tour we still had a few hours to write postcards before starting our 46-hour Transtibetan trainride to Lhasa.

Few days in Peking with the familia Mertama

So there I was. Sitting on the plane, excited and scared and happy. I was not able to sleep at all but maybe that is to be expected? I ordered two bottles of red wine, just in case. But how can you, with sunsets like this.

28.10.2011

When I arrived in Peking, Markus came to pick me up from the airport. We went to drop off my bags and continued to see a performance of their 6-year of son Pyry in the international elementary school. It was so cute,seeing a few hundred little ones singing and dancing.

Following that we went to eat "Hot Pot" for lunch, which is sort of like a chinese fondue and then lots of different markets. The is noticiable is the lack of foreigners. For most of the markets we went to we're the only westerners around. And hardly anyone speaks english. Of course the more central you go to, you tend to have English menu's. At least you can point out what you want.

The trip to the supermarket is interesting. For the interest of the Finns, 56% booze costs you mere 5 Euro's for a few litres. The food is....well, interesting.

Everyone seems to be selling something. But people leave you alone if you say no thank you. And there is a lot of smiling. And I don't feel threatened at all.

Also what is noticeable is the bad air for breathing. There is so much pollution that you actually feel like wearing a mask. There are quite a few people wearing a mask, but that is not to protect themselves from the bad air, but to protect the others, if one has a cold.


29.10.2011

In the morning we went to park of the sun, which is one of the 4 big parks of Peking. (The sun, the moon, the north and the south park). We had some jasmine tea and enjoyed some locals singing and playing some strange instrument. Have to find out what they were.

After some lovely lunch we went shopping and I bought a new camera with a great zoom. In the evening we went out for a few drinks.

30.10.2011

After a long and good night sleep we went for some lovely Tapayaki lunch with the Mertama family. Nam! Sushi, different grilled meats and fish; shallops, prawn,cod, bacon & mushrooms, banana with ice cream....

After that it was time to go & move my stuff to the Harmony Hotel, where the Gap Adventures Tibet Adventure trip would commence. Quite exciting. I hope that the people will be nice!

8 days and counting!

YAY!!!!! Things are getting sorted little by little. Yesterday I went to get some $$$'s and today I'll go and get some travellers cheques. I've a tenant moving in on Sunday so been busy packing and arranging my bills to come out as direct debit. I am moving on Sunday to my aunt's for the last few days so it is all happening. On Monday I am taking my last Rabies vaccination and will need to go and get some malaria-tablets.

Last Saturday I had a leaving party, which was so much fun. I don't think there is any harm in having a party, even if going only for 4 months. I'll miss my family & friends so this was a great opportunity to see them (and to drink some sparkling wine).

It is so exciting and I am having difficulties keeping myself calm. Well, that is a surprise... :)

More vaccinations...

This morning I got the 2nd dose of hepatitis AB and Japanese encephalitis and my first dose of Rabies of which I have 2 more left to do. As there is only 23 days left to go, I ought to start to think about what I need to take with. The problem is packing for China, Nepal and Tibet, where the weather is close to 0 degrees and south-east Asia, with temperatures at the other end of the scale. I rather not carry winter clothes for 4 months so I am trying to buy cheap (and most likely very ugly) trekking clothes which I can leave behind when departing Kathmandu.

I am also trying to sell or rent out my flat. And pack and move my stuff. So much to do! I am wondering why I did not think to do any of this earlier! But like someone told me as I was panicking...if everything was done then I would have all this time just to think about the trip and get even more nervous and excited. There is some truth there... :)