Retreat Day 10 - Lhasa/Yamtso Lake/Gyantse/Shigatse
Approximately 1 hour away from Lhasa, we reached a site where the Tibetans hold their traditional sky burial. According to Jigme (realised this is the right way to spell his name), this site is only used for children that passed away. Apparently, sky burial is only allowed for dead with intact or undamaged bodies. If a body was cut or dismembered (i.e. cause of death is due to injuries or accidents that caused external damages), the body cannot undergo sky burial but to be either sent off in the river or be cremated.
Sky burial site (for children)
Through the initial part of the way, we saw many signs of ladder being painted on the surface of the mountains. These are symbols that families of the dead painted on so that they can get reincarnated soon.
Ladders painted by Tibetans for their beloved
We reached Yamtso Lake at about 1025hrs...
藏獒 by Yamtso Lake
Yamtso Lake
Heavenly view from the toilet (you don't want to look inside...)
Toilet in heaven (with a "heavenly" smell too!)
Blue sky at Yamtso Lake
View of Yamtso Lake from vehicle
Next stop is a glacier at 5,560m AMSL - the Kharola Glacier. Despite the high altitude, somehow, we couldn't really feel it. It was cold, but still bearable, and the air didn't feel as thin as we thought it would be. It is probably due to this that we were able to enjoy our time slowly at this spot. We can distinctly hear the sound of water flowing down the streams from the snow tops.
Khalora Glacier
Throughout the car ride since morning, I've been drifting in and out of sleep and each time I woke up, I was greeted by wonderful sceneries. Probably to fit the occasion, the driver put on some Tibetan music, some of which sounded rather modern and others, rather oldies/traditional. There was even a Tibetan rap among them! Anyway, I also put on my mp3 so that I can listen to the more interesting Tibetan songs and switch to my pop songs when I wanted.
The next time I woke up, we were looking at yet another lake. For a moment, I thought this was Namtso lake, but then realised we were supposed to go Namtso only on Friday, after returning to Lhasa first. I didn't really get the name of this place, but it was a lake created by a dam they built in this area. Regardless, the view here is no less heavenly than what the earlier part of the day (or even this entire trip) had offered.
Jose and me
Jose and Willie
Spotted Jose and Feli sitting at a side enjoying the view - thought it's a rather sweet moment, so I decided to capture it on camera. Hope you guys don't mind.
Taken from inside the car, on our way to Gyantse - don't really know how to describe the feeling when I see this long, straight road seemingly leading into the mountains ahead, with the blue sky and white clouds above. Just thought it's a beautiful sight.
We entered Gyantse province at around 1500hrs and were driven straight to a beautiful monastery - 白局寺. This monastery was characterised by its 3 main halls, each housing a main Buddha or Master as well as a Stupa (not sure if this is called a Stupa, though) in the front. It was built somewhat like a fortress, with high walls on its 2 sides and rear. The Stupa has over 70 small chapels, each housing different Buddhas, Gods and Protectors. Each of the chapel is very small and dark without any lights, but the designs and images are no less intricate.
白局寺
Before entering Shigatse, Jigme brought us to a 藏芭 factory. 藏芭 is the daily staple of a Tibetan made of barley. This factory is actually just a simple facility with some grinder powered by river water.
藏芭 factory
After a long, but fulfilling car ride, we arrived at Shigatse (日喀则) in the evening.
P.S. As this was a 2-day trip away from Lhasa, we did not bring along our laptop and hence, this entry (and that of the next few days) was posted after we return to Chengdu.
Sky burial site (for children)
Through the initial part of the way, we saw many signs of ladder being painted on the surface of the mountains. These are symbols that families of the dead painted on so that they can get reincarnated soon.
Ladders painted by Tibetans for their beloved
We reached Yamtso Lake at about 1025hrs...
藏獒 by Yamtso Lake
Yamtso Lake
Heavenly view from the toilet (you don't want to look inside...)
Toilet in heaven (with a "heavenly" smell too!)
Blue sky at Yamtso Lake
View of Yamtso Lake from vehicle
Next stop is a glacier at 5,560m AMSL - the Kharola Glacier. Despite the high altitude, somehow, we couldn't really feel it. It was cold, but still bearable, and the air didn't feel as thin as we thought it would be. It is probably due to this that we were able to enjoy our time slowly at this spot. We can distinctly hear the sound of water flowing down the streams from the snow tops.
Khalora Glacier
Throughout the car ride since morning, I've been drifting in and out of sleep and each time I woke up, I was greeted by wonderful sceneries. Probably to fit the occasion, the driver put on some Tibetan music, some of which sounded rather modern and others, rather oldies/traditional. There was even a Tibetan rap among them! Anyway, I also put on my mp3 so that I can listen to the more interesting Tibetan songs and switch to my pop songs when I wanted.
The next time I woke up, we were looking at yet another lake. For a moment, I thought this was Namtso lake, but then realised we were supposed to go Namtso only on Friday, after returning to Lhasa first. I didn't really get the name of this place, but it was a lake created by a dam they built in this area. Regardless, the view here is no less heavenly than what the earlier part of the day (or even this entire trip) had offered.
Jose and me
Jose and Willie
Spotted Jose and Feli sitting at a side enjoying the view - thought it's a rather sweet moment, so I decided to capture it on camera. Hope you guys don't mind.
Taken from inside the car, on our way to Gyantse - don't really know how to describe the feeling when I see this long, straight road seemingly leading into the mountains ahead, with the blue sky and white clouds above. Just thought it's a beautiful sight.
We entered Gyantse province at around 1500hrs and were driven straight to a beautiful monastery - 白局寺. This monastery was characterised by its 3 main halls, each housing a main Buddha or Master as well as a Stupa (not sure if this is called a Stupa, though) in the front. It was built somewhat like a fortress, with high walls on its 2 sides and rear. The Stupa has over 70 small chapels, each housing different Buddhas, Gods and Protectors. Each of the chapel is very small and dark without any lights, but the designs and images are no less intricate.
白局寺
Before entering Shigatse, Jigme brought us to a 藏芭 factory. 藏芭 is the daily staple of a Tibetan made of barley. This factory is actually just a simple facility with some grinder powered by river water.
藏芭 factory
After a long, but fulfilling car ride, we arrived at Shigatse (日喀则) in the evening.
P.S. As this was a 2-day trip away from Lhasa, we did not bring along our laptop and hence, this entry (and that of the next few days) was posted after we return to Chengdu.