Julianne's diary: Day Eight-Gyangtse to Lhasa

10:08, August 27, 2009

CRI reporter Julianne Page stands in front of an impressive display of typical traditional Tibetan costumes. (CRIENGLISH.com Photo)

For a comparatively small city Gyangste boasts a very impressive hotel. They even had an impressive display of typical traditional Tibetan costumes, which I discovered are, aside from being beautiful, numerous and varied.

The weather is becoming a little cooler now so as we departed our hotel we were advised to put more clothes as we were heading back up into the mountains. Along the way we stopped for a group photograph.

Luckily we have some very skilful local drivers who have taken care of us along the way. Some of the roads in Tibet haven't been completed, or are in disrepair, so our drivers have had to take us off road at times. This makes for some very rocky motion, which makes it very difficult to work on a laptop computer.

Today we visited perhaps the world's highest outdoor market 4,500 meters above sea level, perched below the Kharola glacier in southern Tibet. For such a remote location there sure was a lot of activity. Local traders haggled over prices with all comers, including Han Chinese, international visitors, tour groups and Tibetan monks of all ages.

Women of all ages also approached us clutching baby goats and seeking money for a photo with the cute beasts. Who could refuse? Not me anyway.

I managed to snap up a small, spinning prayer wheel at the market and had it explained to me that after writing your wish you could then put it inside, meditate on it and spin to your heart's content. I'm sure going to try.

As we made our way up into the mountain we encountered our daily quota of breathtaking scenery. However this was exceeded soon after when we came across the Yamdro Yumtso Lake.

The Yamdro Yumtso Lake is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. As we drove around the extremely blue water it seemed to stretch on forever. It was another picturesque scene with snow-capped mountains in the background, green mountains stretching all around and the deepest blue water I've ever seen.

This lake is at an altitude of over 4,000 meters and covers 638 square kilometers. As impressive as this is, it may well be surpassed by the lake we are visiting tomorrow. Namco Lake is 4,718 meters above sea level and covers an area of 1,920 square kilometers, that's three times the size. I wonder if the water will be as blue?

There are so many highlights in one day when traveling through Tibet. Perhaps mine came today when I had the chance to ride on a yak.

As you may well imagine this was the first time I've been on a yak and I don't mind saying I was a little hesitant at first. However, my colleagues were only too happy to encourage me.

My yak must have sensed my trepidation and was very well behaved, as well as beautifully decorated. For just five yuan you too could have such an experience.

We left the yaks behind to thrill the next batch of tourists and headed back down the mountain towards Lhasa. On the way we again passed some traditional Tibetan styles houses and wonderful scenery.

I'm trying not to become too blase about the scenery we are encountering each day. I'm trying to be more like a Buddhist, still my mind and truly appreciate the moment. This is no easy task for the mind which is full of reflections of the past and thoughts about the future. If I am to learn this skill, however, I believe Tibet is the right place to do it.

Source: CRI online

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