Saturday May 30, 2009 - Gyantse to Lhasa, 254 kms

We had a beautiful drive along the Friendship Highway today. We left after breakfast around 8:30 am and were overawed at our views. We arrived in Lhasa around 3:50 pm. The drive took us up and down four high passes on a spectacular 2 lane road complete with a thousand switchback bends: Simila Pass - 4352 meters; Kampa La Pass - 4794 meters; Gambala Pass - 4970 meters; and a fourth whose name I don't know. We passed the Mala Hydro Power Station and its dam; the Karola Glacier at 5560 meters and drove alongside the Yamdrok Tso (lake) for ages. Its the third largest lake in T. and the colour, deep turquoise and blue, is stunning. We did some shopping in Nangantse, a small T. town for lunch. I was surprised at the lack of nourishing food and the vast quantities of sweets (candies), cakes, and other non-nutritious foods in the supermarket. We went to a bakery and got some flat, sweet, bread buns and to a fruit/veg shop for tomatoes, cucumber, chilis, and water melon. Then we picked a beautiful view along the side of the lake and ate it. The only downer was the cold. It was freezing. But the view of the lake and the high snow caps in the distance made up for all our shivering. Our hotel, The Lhasa Yak Hotel, in Lhasa is fabulous, very T. but with all the western accessories: phone in the loo, hairdryer, flat screen TV, bar, and beautifully furnished. After arriving, Ray and I sought out a laundry, left our dirty clothes (50 peices for 108 yuen, $16.00) and then walked the huge block around the hotel. There are shops galore and all types of fashion clothes, shoes, sports clothes, etc. all at great prices. This is by far the most civilization we have seen for a long time. The sad part is the overwhelming Chinese presence over the T. culture. At every corner a square is cordoned off and two or four policemen stand back to back on guard. We have also seen several small platoons of army marching in formation down the roads. All are dressed in riot gear with knee pads, guns, helmuts, some with face masks. All have been extrememly friendly to us and seem excited at showing us their English language skills. We had dinner in the restaurant beside the hotel - the Dunya, once again in a group. This group really sticks together and is very cohesive. There is quite a mix of ages and I think that is what makes it work. We came to bed around 9:30 pm. Can't say we felt great today. Mainly my cold, Ray's cough, and stomach discomfort!