Tashilunpo Monastery...tea time

These solar water boilers were literally everywhere in Tibet. The intensity of the sun in this phot gives you an idea of why these are such handy devices. The idea is to adjust the position of the kettle until the shiny metal back-panel focuses an intense ray of light onto the bottom of the kettle. It was amazing how fast these work, and how roiling hot they are actually able to get a whole kettle of water. Whether waiting for ramen noodles or hot tea this was the device folks were counting on throughout the country.

Tashilunpo Monastery...a secret garden

While this Dahlia was beautiful it had absolutely no scent. As you can see, I had to check.....

Tashilunpo Monastery...Snow Lion

Gaurdian painting on the inside of the front gates to the Monastery complex.

Shigatse's "Red Square"

In every Chinese town we visited there was a large open square, usually located in front of a major monastery, dedicated to and praising the virtues of communism. This was Shigatse's "Red Square", as we were calling them. Located, of course, directly in front of Tashilunpo Monastery. This square was unique in the fact that it's central feature was an incredibly huge movie screen. Our imaginations could only guess what kind of propagandized films are shown on this screen.

Shigatse... sunset from the roof of the Tenzin Hotel

Shigatse... Tibetan quarter

This is a typical walking trail through the Tibetan section of town. We were on our way up to get an up close look at the Shigatse dzong...

Shigatse Dzong... excuse our dust

This dzong, or fort, is also known as the Little Potala. A dzong is an old fort, and you can see many ruined dzongs throughout the whole country. This dzong in Shigatse is particularly impressive, both in it's size and location, perched on a narrow ridge over the Tibetan side of town. It is currently being rebuilt by the Chinese government as a tourist attraction. A bit harsh to destroy something only to rebuild it, rename it and charge money for entry from unsuspecting tourists....... Notice the workers accomodations at the bottom of the dzong.

Tashilunpo hike...trail up first ridge

Something to keep in mind while viewing the photos from this hike... this was one of the most challenging hikes I have ever undertaken. There was no clear trail, and we basically chose our route by following many connecting sheep trails. The ground for the majority of the hike consisted of tiny round gravel that acted like ball bearings under our feet. Many times I expected to slip and find myself rolling down the mountain to my doom. Also, the mountain was way more steep than it looked from the bottom, and there were no plants to hold onto or catch you if you did fall. The only plant growing anywhere on this hike, besides some very short grass here and there, was a small shrub that looked soft and feathery, but was actually covered with insanely painful spines. The spines would break off into your skin and itch like fire. I have a bad habit, which I've never been able to break, of touching/grabbing plants while I hike. I have been warned and warned, but still it is a habit. The spines I got in my hands because of this continued to burn and itch for over 2 weeks after this hike. And, yes, I am STILL a plant grabber while I hike...

Tashilunpo hike...first ridge... view of Shigatse

Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, after Lhasa. 95% of the city is a perfect example of a modern Chinese town... square buildings, squarely laid out street plan and a very, very drab, almost institutional feel. The tiny segment of town relagated as the Tibetan quarter lies huddled below this mountain, clinging to the edges of Tashilunpo Monastery. In the Tibetan area of town the architecture is typical old Tibetan style, decorated with lots of colors,religious symbology, and of course strung with prayer flags! Here you will find Tibetans going about life dressed in Tibetan clothing.... you may even come across a small herd of yak being quietly herded through the city streets on their way to pasture.

Tashilunpo hike...first ridge... a string of our own

We strung these prayer flags ourselves. Turns out we would need all the good luck we had coming to us on this hike!

Tashilunpo hike...view up first ridge

Tashilunpo hike... halfway up first ridge

View of Shigatse

Tashilunpo hike... Kim climbing to the top of the first ridge

Tashilunpo hike... top of the first ridge

Tashilunpo hike...approaching the saddle

Tashilunpo hike..rock altar in the saddle

Back to our ridge hike over Shigatse and Tashilunpo Monastery...

Welcome to Burning Man 2007!

Going for a ride...

Crude Awakening

Statues in flames during a night time performance. The fire was interactive. Each statue had a way in which you could affect the strength and intensity of the flames.

Camp gaurdians

These 7 foot tall puppets are made by our friend and campmate. On days when the wind was not too strong she would organize a playa puppet parade.