As we aren't able to extend our visa after it getting cut short, our time in Lhasa subsequently suffers too. Lhasa is 3750 metres above sea level and has one of the most stunning buildings in it. The Potola Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama (or would be but he's in India!). It is officially a palace but is now half occupied by government. This is home to the tombs of most of the previous incarnations of the Dalai Lama.
We were only allowed to be inside for 1 hour because of restrictions imposed so it was a rushed tour of many tombs and golden statues and idols. Alex's favourite was the blue angry Buddha. Each god has different moods and states so you really don't want to meet Buddha when he's blue! The next incarnation is in about 1500 years (5000 yearly cycles) so we won't have to worry about that!
There was a temple which, although we didn't go inside, there is a pilgrim walk around the outside which was really interesting. You have to walk in a clockwise direction and the streets are full of people prostrating themselves on the floor. There was even an amputee who stood up, threw himself forward onto the floor, stood up again and carried on the whole way around the circle. We were both very impressed - why can't all our patients be that devoted to rehab?!
With sunset approaching, we walked to a viewing platform to see the Potala Palace in all its glory. The problem was, that so did hundreds of Chinese, all with their tripods and massive lenses. If you managed to find a spot to stand, before long, there was a camera leaning on your shoulder trying to get the perfect shot. There must have been £millions in equipment on that small platform. So with our small camera and our new found technology insecurities, we left!
Our next actual stop is Xi'an, but that's nearly 3000 kms away and first we have to cross the Tibetan plateau...
We were only allowed to be inside for 1 hour because of restrictions imposed so it was a rushed tour of many tombs and golden statues and idols. Alex's favourite was the blue angry Buddha. Each god has different moods and states so you really don't want to meet Buddha when he's blue! The next incarnation is in about 1500 years (5000 yearly cycles) so we won't have to worry about that!
There was a temple which, although we didn't go inside, there is a pilgrim walk around the outside which was really interesting. You have to walk in a clockwise direction and the streets are full of people prostrating themselves on the floor. There was even an amputee who stood up, threw himself forward onto the floor, stood up again and carried on the whole way around the circle. We were both very impressed - why can't all our patients be that devoted to rehab?!
With sunset approaching, we walked to a viewing platform to see the Potala Palace in all its glory. The problem was, that so did hundreds of Chinese, all with their tripods and massive lenses. If you managed to find a spot to stand, before long, there was a camera leaning on your shoulder trying to get the perfect shot. There must have been £millions in equipment on that small platform. So with our small camera and our new found technology insecurities, we left!
Our next actual stop is Xi'an, but that's nearly 3000 kms away and first we have to cross the Tibetan plateau...
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