ON THE ROAD

Day 1.An early start, lots of sleeping in the car as well as experimenting with the drivers music (Chines and Tibetan pop and hip hop). Drivers name is Choden, and his title is 'Si- Shi-la, which means 'driver' and he cracks up every time we call him that. It was a very bumpy drive to our destination, Gyantse, as the roads are being repaired in 2 places so we had to take diversions through tiny ancient villages (medieval ages) on treacherous tracks, which Sh Shi la handled very well- thank goodness we're in a 4 wheel drive land rover!

Checked in to hotel and whizzed off to monastery just as it started to rain, or pelt down, accompanied by thunder and lightning! Quick trapse round and then to the Kumbum, an amazing stupa with 108 chapels all aorund it. Not all were open and had no lights so we had a candle (lent to us by teh staff) and a tiny torch to light up the walls and statues. And we made it onto the roof- slightly scary as there is no barrier around and it's quite high up- but fantastic view of the town and fort on the other side. We left before getting locked in- it was 8pm and hte monk in charge wanted his dinner) and wandered off to find dinner for ourselves too. The hotel's not brilliant- they haven't swept the floor in ages so slippers are essential, and the shower was dodgy looking (so we didn't try), but it was an ok night all in all.



our guide and driver during a rest break


The town of Gyantse with the fort in the background


A selection of transportation styles: truck, horse and cart, bicycle truck or tractor