Tibet – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

Of all countries I have traveled Tibet is the one I cherish the most. Its peaceful Buddhist culture, impressive landscape and gentle people gave me profound memories that l will treasure forever.

Known as “the Land of Ancient Wisdom” this once secluded country enjoyed for hundreds of years a spiritual and peaceful lifestyle until 1950 when lost its independence.

I’m grateful I was able to travel across the Himalayas and visit Lhasa, villages and monasteries. The journey allowed to adjust to the decreased of oxygen needed to reach base camp on the north-face of Everest at 5150mts.

A sight I’ll never forget, Everest, 8,848mt (29,028ft), flight to Lhasa, Tibet

A sight I’ll never forget, Everest, 8,848mt (29,028ft), flight to Lhasa, Tibet
Landing on Lhasa (3650mt) the place I read about when I was young

Landing on Lhasa (3650mt) the place I read about when I was young
A higher point was reached each day but night rest was at same level of previous day’s top altitude

A higher point was reached each day but night rest was at same level of previous day’s top altitude
Himalayan Mountains near Gyantse

Himalayan Mountains near Gyantse
Everything looked and felt heavenly clean, Mount Lhotse (8,501mt)

Everything looked and felt heavenly clean, Mount Lhotse (8,501mt)
On the Himalayas with 8 tourists, 2 guides, 3 drivers and 3 land-rovers.

On the Himalayas with 8 tourists, 2 guides, 3 drivers and 3 land-rovers.
Majestic Everest, seen from the town of Tingri

Majestic Everest, seen from the town of Tingri
Early morning view of Everest peak, hiking down to Rongbuk Monastery

Early morning view of Everest peak, hiking down to Rongbuk Monastery
Mid-afternoon view of Everest peak, at 5200mts high

Mid-afternoon view of Everest peak, at 5200mts high
Everest peak as the sun started to go down - and so was the temperature

Everest peak as the sun started to go down - and so was the temperature
Hotel in Shigatse

Hotel in Shigatse
Samye Monastery the oldest in Tibet, built in the 8th Century in the shape of a Mandala

Samye Monastery the oldest in Tibet, built in the 8th Century in the shape of a Mandala
A temple door in Samye

A temple door in Samye
Sera Monastery, second largest in Tibet has assembly hall, 3 colleges and 33 houses full of historical relics

Sera Monastery, second largest in Tibet has assembly hall, 3 colleges and 33 houses full of historical relics
Homes are built to resist earthquakes, with walls a meter thick, Samye

Homes are built to resist earthquakes, with walls a meter thick, Samye
Life in the Himalayas near the town of Tsedang

Life in the Himalayas near the town of Tsedang
Yak meat and potatoes for lunch, restaurant in Tsedang

Yak meat and potatoes for lunch, restaurant in Tsedang
A solar-panel adaptation boils the water, Tsedang

A solar-panel adaptation boils the water, Tsedang
Mark at 5000km distance straight west from Shanghai

Mark at 5000km distance straight west from Shanghai
Yambulakhang Palace built by Tsedpo, Tibet’s first king believed to descend from the heavens

Yambulakhang Palace built by Tsedpo, Tibet’s first king believed to descend from the heavens
Prayer flags promote peace and spread good will to all

Prayer flags promote peace and spread good will to all
Yambulakhang Palace built by Tsedpo, Tibet’s first king believed to descend from the heavens

Yambulakhang Palace built by Tsedpo, Tibet’s first king believed to descend from the heavens
On the slopes of Karo La Pass at 4877mts

On the slopes of Karo La Pass at 4877mts
On our way to Mindroling

On our way to Mindroling
Yaks are the bread and butter of Tibet for milk and soft fiber for clothing

Yaks are the bread and butter of Tibet for milk and soft fiber for clothing
Village near Mindroling on the Himalayan Mountains

Village near Mindroling on the Himalayan Mountains
Women run the household, men work the land

Women run the household, men work the land
Yaks can live at higher elevations; they have three times more red cells than cows

Yaks can live at higher elevations; they have three times more red cells than cows
Yaks can live at higher elevations; they have three times more red cells than cows

Yaks can live at higher elevations; they have three times more red cells than cows
As we cross Yamdrok Lake I was told “lake is dwelling of deities that provide spiritual energy”

As we cross Yamdrok Lake I was told “lake is dwelling of deities that provide spiritual energy”
Lhasa, capital of Tibet and residence of the Dalai Lama until 1950

Lhasa, capital of Tibet and residence of the Dalai Lama until 1950
A stupa next to Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Mountain

A stupa next to Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Mountain
Stupas are built to hold sacred items or as tombs for mummified Lamas

Stupas are built to hold sacred items or as tombs for mummified Lamas
Tsethang Stupa, Buddhist believe in the sacred power of chants and blessings Tsethang

Tsethang Stupa, Buddhist believe in the sacred power of chants and blessings Tsethang
Stupa in Samye Monastery was built in the 8th century, Samye, Central

Stupa in Samye Monastery was built in the 8th century, Samye, Central
Kumbum Chode Monastery, built in the 15th century has 108 chapels and 10,000 murals

Kumbum Chode Monastery, built in the 15th century has 108 chapels and 10,000 murals
Arriving at ‘Qomolangma’ the Tibetan name for Everest

Arriving at ‘Qomolangma’ the Tibetan name for Everest
The tea house on Everest endures cold temperatures but gives warm memories

The tea house on Everest endures cold temperatures but gives warm memories
The stove was the only heat source on the shelter, Everest base-camp

The stove was the only heat source on the shelter, Everest base-camp
Mount ‘Qomolangma’ Tibetan name of Everest

Mount ‘Qomolangma’ Tibetan name of Everest
First day on Everest north-face basecamp; the peak appears close but it’s quite far

First day on Everest north-face basecamp; the peak appears close but it’s quite far
First hike on day two, breathing better, adjusting to 5,150mts above sea level

First hike on day two, breathing better, adjusting to 5,150mts above sea level
Team motto “hike as far as your lungs allow”, Everest Mountain

Team motto “hike as far as your lungs allow”, Everest Mountain
Stare at Everest peak, motivation to walk further.

Stare at Everest peak, motivation to walk further.
The closest to Everest peak we got, thrilled to just be there!

The closest to Everest peak we got, thrilled to just be there!
“Home sweet home”, my protection from wind and an occasional yak roaming around, Everest

“Home sweet home”, my protection from wind and an occasional yak roaming around, Everest
Potala Palace, original structure built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo, he created the Tibetan Alphabet.

Potala Palace, original structure built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo, he created the Tibetan Alphabet.
Potala was the main temple of Buddhism until 1950 when Tibet was invaded

Potala was the main temple of Buddhism until 1950 when Tibet was invaded
On the path of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

On the path of the Potala Palace, Lhasa
Potala Palace has 698 murals and about 10,000 paintings, scrolls, and sculptures

Potala Palace has 698 murals and about 10,000 paintings, scrolls, and sculptures
Entry to Potala Palace, calm and order, Lhasa

Entry to Potala Palace, calm and order, Lhasa
Barkhor Square in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet

Barkhor Square in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet
Jokhang Temple in central Lhasa

Jokhang Temple in central Lhasa
Tsethang, remote town located southeast of Lhasa

Tsethang, remote town located southeast of Lhasa
Qula, Shaxi, QuingDa, Cidan, LaMu and Dawala, students I help with English project in Tsethang. Respectful and thoughtful I felt I had spent a day with a pack of angels.

Qula, Shaxi, QuingDa, Cidan, LaMu and Dawala, students I help with English project in Tsethang. Respectful and thoughtful I felt I had spent a day with a pack of angels.
With Jackie, waiting for the group, Tsedang

With Jackie, waiting for the group, Tsedang
Traditional Tibetan dance, Lhasa

Traditional Tibetan dance, Lhasa
The song was about mythology, animals and nature Lhasa

The song was about mythology, animals and nature Lhasa
Her expression caught my attention as we cross the lake on the way to Sera Monastery

Her expression caught my attention as we cross the lake on the way to Sera Monastery
Folklore-outfit, special occasion to visit Sera Monastery

Folklore-outfit, special occasion to visit Sera Monastery
At a neighborhood of Lhasa

At a neighborhood of Lhasa
Some Tibetans walk around 2000km on their pilgrimage to Potala Palace

Some Tibetans walk around 2000km on their pilgrimage to Potala Palace
Monks debate philosophy, people listen and Chinese Police watch foreigners from close distance.

Monks debate philosophy, people listen and Chinese Police watch foreigners from close distance.
Novice monk consults peer before gives his answer, Sera Monastery

Novice monk consults peer before gives his answer, Sera Monastery
Lamas inspire monks with their habits: Outer and inner declutter, care for others, meditate and follow the wise; Samye Monastery

Lamas inspire monks with their habits: Outer and inner declutter, care for others, meditate and follow the wise; Samye Monastery
Mandala “spiritual symbol of the Universe and connection of humans with supreme power” and a tool used by monks to obtain wisdom and compassion; Samye Monastery

Mandala “spiritual symbol of the Universe and connection of humans with supreme power” and a tool used by monks to obtain wisdom and compassion; Samye Monastery
Rongbuk Monastery was built by a monk who shared his scarce supplies with mountain climbers.

Rongbuk Monastery was built by a monk who shared his scarce supplies with mountain climbers.
Life of Buddhist monks is to nourish the mind and spirit, Rongbuk Monastery

Life of Buddhist monks is to nourish the mind and spirit, Rongbuk Monastery
Monks guard the belongings of Dalai Lama left at Samye Monastery prior his exile in 1950

Monks guard the belongings of Dalai Lama left at Samye Monastery prior his exile in 1950
Potala Palace, view from hotel’s terrace, Lhasa, September, 2011

Potala Palace, view from hotel’s terrace, Lhasa, September, 2011
At dawn vehicles were loaded and ready to depart from Tibet a beautiful and inspiring country.

At dawn vehicles were loaded and ready to depart from Tibet a beautiful and inspiring country.