CHINA & TIBET
The Tibet Series reflection post. Initially, I had no plans to visit Tibet at the beginning of the year; however, I used it as a filler for my delayed Bangladesh trip (too hot in May).
OXYGEN, PERMITS AND SQUATTY POTTYS, LIFE IN TIBET IS NOT EASY
Like every country, I had expectations; however, they were surpassed in every way, mainly due to the friendly nature of the locals. Locals are generally friendly but I find in Asia they take the absolute biscuit.
WHERE IS TIBET?
Tibet
VISAS
Very few tourists visit each year. Additionally, the lack of flights (3 to get here and 4 to get home) and the bureaucracy of getting a visa and permit make it difficult. Why the added friction to get into a region that China considers it part of its own? Control.
A lot of people visit Tibet as part of their Buddhist faith, many other western tourists use Tibet as a stepping stone to Mt Everest, although this route is much more difficult than through Nepal.
OXYGEN
I can appreciate the oxygen at these levels around Everest is minimal, if not dangerous; nevertheless, I always wondered about the city of Lhasa at 3,600m. Turns out it was more than I wished.
After dragging myself out of bed, I managed to go through the day without many problems. However, getting to sleep was the biggest headache, something I’m not used to. And the longer this goes on the more impatient and less likely I was to drift off.
TRIP STATS….
- DAYS – 12
- COUNTRIES – 2
- NEW COUNTRIES – 1
- REVISITS – 1
- FLIGHTS – 7
PEOPLE
I say this after every trip, the people you meet will make or break a trip; consequently, within my first 5 minutes, the bar was set.the people you meet will make or break a trip and within my first 5 minutes the bar was set. Although English is not widely spoken in Tibet it didn’t stop the locals trying to create some conversation, staring or smiling as I walked past.
AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET
The sky burial was by far the most unique, gruesome, and shocking experience I have ever seen during my over 10 years of travel. Seeing de*d bodies is one thing; however, seeing them being opened by a machete and then devoured by 150 vultures is something completely different. Although shocking to watch I appreciate the tradition and will forever remember this as one of the most insane experiences of my life. Click here to see the article (no photos were allowed unfortunately).
FOOD
Let’s start with the noodles. If you can travel Tibet for a week and avoid eating noodles, then fair play. I found little else but it didn’t matter because they are probably some of the best noodles I’ve ever had. If you come, you have to try the square noodle dish, my favourite! Extra points if you can finish the dish with chop sticks.
If the noodle soup doesn’t warm you up then the sweet tea or butter tea will. I have little doubt I cleared about a litre of this stuff every day and two litres during my homestay.
RELATED READ: WHY EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A TRAVEL JOURNAL
CHINA’S INFLUENCE
You can see China’s influence throughout the country, from the airport and tunnels to the thousands of cameras, seemingly more than in any other part of China. The roads were impeccable, sometimes 4 lanes with very little traffic, until you reach Lhasa in rush hour.
The camera situation is next level and they are not just for the cars. At every checkpoint, which looks more like an unmanned tollbooth, my guide told me to wind my window down and look into the camera! I am pretty sure the Chinese government could tell you my itinerary better than I could.
SUMMED UP….
- MVP (most valuable player) – Dromalamu, who took me out to dinner on her birthday no less!
- HIGHLIGHT – strangely enough the Sky Burial!
- LOWLIGHT – The guide didn’t get the memo sometimes
- BIGGEST CHALLENGE – The lack of oxygen
- BEST SURPRISE – The tea and food (noodles)
FINAL THOUGHTS
NEXT UP
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
170/229
This post is part of The Tibetan Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
