On the way back to Lhasa, we crossed the Brahmaputra River and braved the road construction, traffic jams caused by passing sheep and goats, sand dunes, and high passes and reached the Samya Monastery around 11 am. We also saw the big solar panel plants, as well as villagers using solar cookers.
Traffic Jam Flags to the Heaven at high Mountain Pass
Samya Monastery was built in 7th century AD and is the first Monastery in Tibet. (if you are little confused, you are not the only one. We are getting a little monastery’ed out too but the thing is that each one has a unique location, history and construction. Also, getting there is half the fun (or even more than half). Anyways, this one is built like a Mandala, a symmetrical formation and in my mind, similar to a mathematical fractal. They had to invite two Indian Masters (from India) to help create this piece of art. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (I do not understand why they bothered to come to this remote place to destroy it), but it is now getting rebuilt. Giant statues of Indian Masters as well as engineers are in all the monasteries, along with the buddhas and the protectors.
Monastery Stupa and the views
The lunch at the local place was wonderful. We had homemade noodles in yak broth with pieces of yak meat. J After lunch we drove down the mountain to a beach along Brahmaputra. The boating got cancelled because the flow was too strong and frankly, the boat looked a little too flimsy to our American eyes. But I had to wash my sins away, so we played in the glacier-fed river for a while. The water was surprisingly not too cold (better than our Pacific ocean).
Three ladies and the boat
Back to Lhasa, we decided to embark on the little adventure to the Muslim Quarters. Why they are separate, I have no idea. I think that this type of segregation may be one of the root causes of our issues with each other these days. Anyways, the people, the food the art, and the shopping were all delightful and even after getting lost a little, we managed to have a good time. Anupam and Greenie , with their limited Chinese ( I am surprised to find out how limited Greenie’s Chinese is J ) are very helpful in adventures without the guide.
Wild ram just resting Meat at Muslim Quarters
Mosque Artists at work
Tobacco Companies at their best :-( Advertising shamelessly in the Asian market ….
With this last note, it is time to say good night (yes, most young people smoke here)!
Mountains and Flags everywhere Sand Dunes and Wind Swept Mountains
Samya Monastery was built in 7th century AD and is the first Monastery in Tibet. (if you are little confused, you are not the only one. We are getting a little monastery’ed out too but the thing is that each one has a unique location, history and construction. Also, getting there is half the fun (or even more than half). Anyways, this one is built like a Mandala, a symmetrical formation and in my mind, similar to a mathematical fractal. They had to invite two Indian Masters (from India) to help create this piece of art. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (I do not understand why they bothered to come to this remote place to destroy it), but it is now getting rebuilt. Giant statues of Indian Masters as well as engineers are in all the monasteries, along with the buddhas and the protectors.
Monastery Stupa and the views
The lunch at the local place was wonderful. We had homemade noodles in yak broth with pieces of yak meat. J After lunch we drove down the mountain to a beach along Brahmaputra. The boating got cancelled because the flow was too strong and frankly, the boat looked a little too flimsy to our American eyes. But I had to wash my sins away, so we played in the glacier-fed river for a while. The water was surprisingly not too cold (better than our Pacific ocean).
Making tea on a solar cooker
Three ladies and the boat
Back to Lhasa, we decided to embark on the little adventure to the Muslim Quarters. Why they are separate, I have no idea. I think that this type of segregation may be one of the root causes of our issues with each other these days. Anyways, the people, the food the art, and the shopping were all delightful and even after getting lost a little, we managed to have a good time. Anupam and Greenie , with their limited Chinese ( I am surprised to find out how limited Greenie’s Chinese is J ) are very helpful in adventures without the guide.
Wild ram just resting Meat at Muslim Quarters
Mosque Artists at work
Tobacco Companies at their best :-( Advertising shamelessly in the Asian market ….
With this last note, it is time to say good night (yes, most young people smoke here)!
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