Totally Tibet! Part 2

Day 4- Elijah wasn't doing too good on this day and so Jami and him stayed back to get some rest and use oxygen in the morning. Everest, Ethan and I went to a cool Monastery called Drak Yerpa. We feel that in China once you see one Monastery or Temple you have seen them all. They all have the basic same layout and same Shiva's or Buddha's, some bigger and some smaller. BUT Drak Yerpa was unique! It was built into the hillside and cliffs.

On the way to Drak Yerpa we went over this mountain pass, Nachen La pass, it was literlly covered with Prayer flags at  3800 meters or 12,467 feet.

The other side of the road on Nachen La pass, you can't see any mountain, just flags.

Looking up at Drak Yerpa

Starting up Drak Yerpa, 4386 meters, 14,389 feet a.b.s

Looking down on the parking area and start of Drak Yerpa, 4467 meters/14,655 feet

Everest at the highest point of Drak Yerpa

One of the buddah's inside of Drak Yerpa covered with tibetan welcoming scarfs

One of the many small caved entries

Many rooms built right into the rocks and caves

As you can see the doors aren't that big

Leaving the main buildings behind and heading over to the hill pictured below...

On this hill there were more prayer flags and just a good little hike for photos

Panorama of Drak Yerpa from the hill

A photos with my troopers as we hiked over 14,500 feet above sea level in the morning, barely winded.

In the afternoon we met up with Jami and Elijah. Elijah was feeling good enough that we went to another Monastery, Sera Monastery. Like I said before, once you've seen one you feel like you've seen them all. Sera was a little different and had some extra cool things. Who has seen 7 Years in Tibet staring Brad Pitt? If you haven't, check it out. If you have...remember the part when the Chinese general and his cronies come in and mess up the Sand Art that's on the floor? Well....we got to see 1st hand some of that art. GORGEOUS! So meticulous and colorful!

Sand art. All this is made of sand

So detailed and intricate.

In addition to the Sand Art there was a huge library with the old books and Sanskrit's (no pictures allowed, but later on, in another Monastery I got some pictures I will put up) and Monks debating. You can't understand what they are saying, but there are 250 or so monks that gather everyday and sit in groups of 5-10 and debate each other using hand signals and clapping and such.

Family outside of Sera Monastery

Monks debating about their lessons that they had earlier in the day.

They debate from 3-5pm everyday except on Sunday.

At the end of the day we were left to explore and chill. We went to Barkhor street again, which is really close to the hotel and wandered around. I took some good pictures of the crowds and people prostrating and the beautiful mountains. And last, but certainly not least, today we walked over to Potala Palace to get some night pictures. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Oh, and by the way...it doesn't get dark in Tibet until 10pm.

Some of the crowd at Barkhor street. Lady on left has prayer beads.

Group of orators lining up in front of Jokhang Temple

The sun glimmering off the top of the highest peak around Tibet,  about 5500 meters of 18,000 feet

Potala at night

Beautiful...and not just the palace! ;o)

Oh...some side notes: The movie 7 Years in Tibet is not allowed in Tibet. This means most Tibetans have not seen it. Also, when the current Dalai Lama dies they aren't sure how the next will be "picked" or how the current will re-incarnate due to the current state of affairs. There are only 3 things that will allow China to let the current Dalai Lama back into Tibet. 1) Admit that Tibet is China 2) Admit that Taiwan is China 3) He cannot work or teach when in Tibet and No "Free Tibet". AND Tibetans are not under the same 1 child law as regular China. The 1 child applies to those of Hun decent.

This is pretty long....I will break it off here and try and do day 5 and 6 on Part 3...be ready! The views are incredible! Just a preview....Holy Lakes, Deadly accidents, New heights, Flat and shredded tires in high altitudes and beauty, beauty and beauty (not just Jami).