Totally Tibet...Part 4...in the end a surprise visit

Day 7- We left off with us getting in to Lake Namtso at 1:30 in the morning. It was pitch black and we couldn't see any of the surrounding areas. We were told the Sunrise is at 7am and that we could just walk behind where the bathrooms were and walk up the hill to get a good view.

The sleep that night/morning was not good. We slept at the Highest Salt Water lake in the world. Elevation 4318 meters or 14,168 feet. I was short of breath. 1st time the whole trip. We hadn't planned to get up for the Sunrise due to the lateness of our arrival but with all the noise and commotion from the other guests I couldn't sleep any longer and I got up to check it out. It was worth it!

There were a lot of people out to take pictures, but they were all quite and it was peaceful.

A small pano of the sunrise at Namtso Lake.

Yes, yes, I was here. I had to take a selfie. At 15, 771 feet above sea level.

After snapping some shots and climbing a little higher it was time to gather the family and take some more pics and explore a little more of the lake.

Climbing to the top of the hill

Almost there!

The lake really was picturesque

Family photo from the top!

Just had to snap one more from the top of the hill.

Chillin' on the rock beach with my love!

The water was so clear and it was a perfect day!

About to see who can skip rocks the best

I'm always up for a little competition.

I have taught them well, my young padawans.

After having fun at the lake it was time to go up and over the 3rd large mountain pass of our journey and head to our last stop of the venture. La Ghen La pass, it is only 10 meters (32 feet) below what Everest Base Camp (northern) sits.

Heading up the pass with Namtso Lake in the distance.

The pass is coming up

Family at La Ghen La Pass

Couple pic at the pass with Namtso Lake and elevation in sight.

Loving the view

Now off to our next stop. We went through more Nomad land. Got some pictures of the tents/houses and some of their flocks. We also got to see the the highest train in the world passing by.

Flocks of Yaks were just right next to the train tracks

This is a Nomad tent (more modern) and inside is an actual building! They move these yearly from one spot to another depending on the weather. Higher up in the Summer and Lower in the winter.

Just like the train we arrived to Lhasa on. This is the highest train in the world. An engineering masterpiece. There are 100's of bridges and nitrogen sticks all along the tracks and other things that help with all the different kinds of weather at the high altitudes.

More of the train

We had to back track a little and went to the same little town where we got our tire fixed, Yangbajain. In Yangbajain there is a HOT SPRINGS! They have used the hot springs to make much of the electricity for Lhasa. We did pay to go swimming and it was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!! Oh! AND it's the Highest Hot Springs in the World, Recreational hot Springs that is. Elevation 4325 meters or 14,192 feet. After swimming a lap or 2 I could feel it!

The steam coming up from a hot springs water holding tank and in the background you see the power plant that was made 50 years ago and the majestic snow covered peaks.

Going for a swim! The water was great.

They had 2 pools and both were equally nice. This one was just slightly warmer, but still heavenly.

The view was amazing.

After spending a while at the Hot Springs it was time to head back to Lhasa for our Farewell dinner and relaxation.
Sooooooooo after a great long day we arrived back at the Hotel and freshened up. We were meeting our guide, Tashi, in the lobby to head out to dinner. The boys and I got down to the lobby 1st. As Jami got there and we were ready to head out I got tapped on the shoulder. As I turned around a badge got flashed and three gentleman announced their names and that they were from the PSB (remember them from an earlier post, part 1? They are who we have to register with in each city in Tibet we stay in). It was like in the movies! Badge flash and they take you to a quite part of the lobby to talk. As it turns out the PSB(police station bureau) in Shigatse discovered that our Visas had been CANCELLED! Yep....we are illegals! Bruce our past boss cancelled our visas saying that we just up and left. They wanted our story and so we gave it to them. We told them that Bruce knew we were leaving and he offered us a ride to the Airport. We explained why we left Bruce and Huai'an. All in all Bruce tried to stick it to us and we told them the truth about Bruce and after they talked to some others on the phone they realized what kind of man he really is....he's a disgrace to the name of Chinamen. Our current boss registered us to teach were we currently are. They made some calls, we showed them that we were leaving Tibet the next morning and leaving mainland China on the 28th of June. They told us "It's okay. No need to worry now. Everything is okay. Enjoy dinner."
IF this had happened any earlier we most likely would have been kicked out of Tibet. So we count our blessing in everything that had happened on our trip. Just missing an accident road closure, getting a flat tire and having to stop at checkpoints to wait for them to close. All blessings in disguise. We are living right!
ON TO DINNER!!!! YUMMMMMMM!
For dinner we went back to the Tibetan Family Kitchen and Jami took lessons from the cooks! So we will be coming home with some authentic Tibetan dish recipes. The food was/is amazing. In Tibet the food has a little bit of an India flair. Very delicious.

Jami taking instruction from Lumbum on Tibetan cooking

Jami getting put to work peeling potatoes

Masters at work!

The result!

The food was great! Every bite was gone!

Final day and departure! I was still "rubber necking" it on the way to the Airport. Lhasa is a beautiful and big city.

Leaving Lhasa

Tunnel on the way to the Airport

Beautiful mountains, river and sky in Tibet

A New food we had to try while visiting Tibet...Yak Pizza! It was good. The boys loved it!

Yak milk. Tasty! Almost a hint of vanilla.

These are not dumplings, but Tibetan Momo's. They can be stuffed with vegetables or any kind of meat. Such as Yak!

Flying over part of the Himalayans

On our way back to Guilin/Yongzhou. It's great up here!

What an adventure! We had relaxation! We had mishaps! We had encounters with the LAW (and the law didn't win!)! Great food! FANTASTIC Sights! Warm to blustery to wintery weather! Fun times and great stories. Would we do it again? You bet we would!

This is it!My last blog update while we are here in China. We will be home in a few days and I will do a last China blog update from the states. See ya'll soon!