Travel Alone: 12-Day Tibet Adventure to Meet the Everest

After a long, long, long train ride, I made it to Lhasa. It was worth it for the brain, organs and whole body to get used to the thinner oxygen at higher altitudes perfectly. Not as cold as I thought it would be. Not all lakes and rivers are frozen. And lower mountains have no snow. Means Everest mountain's heavenly treasures above the clouds are still open.

For sure something to admire about Buddhism and it's amazing international history. Top of the world for sure. Should have been a great place to meditate in the past.

Anthony Took a Selfie in Front of Potala Palace, Photo Shared by Anthony

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

A Local Tibetan, Photo Shared by Anthony

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Near Shigatse town towards the south of in Tibet by Nian Ching Kan Sa mountain and Yam Drok lake. Close to heaven.

Landmark of Yamdrok Lake in Shannan, Photo Shared by Anthony

Yamdrok Lake in Shannan, Photo Shared by Anthony

Yamdrok Lake and Kharola Glacier in the Distance, Photo Shared by Anthony

Yamdrok Lake and Kharola Glacier in the Distance, Photo Shared by Anthony

Buddha at Palcho Monastery in Gyantse, Photo Shared by Anthony

Eating at Baiba town near the Everest Camp. Heavenly. Baiba is the highest town in the world.

Anthony Reached Jiacuola Mountain in Tingri, the Entrance to the Everest, Photo Shared by Anthony

View Along the Road to the Everest Base Camp, Photo Shared by Anthony

Stay in a Tibetan House, Photo Shared by Anthony

Took a Photo with the Photo of Qomolangma, Photo Shared by Anthony

Buddhist Lights Showing Respect to the Buddha, Photo Shared by Anthony

Manak Dam Lake in Gyantse Shigatse, Photo Shared by Anthony

Qomolangma Mountain. (Pronounced ChoMoLangMa). The highest peak in the world. Locals now use the native name. Although Sir George Everest, General of the Indian British army, named it Mount Everest in 1841, since the time of their occupation in western Tibet. So the name Everest has been erased from most signs and posts around. Qomolangma means "Goddess" in Tibetan. So it first for sure. The tallest mountain in the world is a divine Goddess. Not a God.

On the Way to Meet Mt. Qomolangma, Photo Shared by Anthony

Mt. Qomolangma in Sight, Photo Shared by Anthony

Monument to Mt. Qomolangma Elevation Measurement, Photo Shared by Anthony

Magical experience. Very lucky to have had such great weather. Could not have been better. The Sunset was really amazing. Let's see the starry sky and sunrise. Buddha and the Goddess Qomolangma has been great to us.

Record Historic Moment with Monument to Mt. Qomolangma Elevation Measurement, Photo Shared by Anthony

Mt. Qomolangma, Photo Shared by Anthony

Mt. Qomolangma, Photo Shared by Anthony

Mt. Qomolangma, Photo Shared by Anthony

A Magical part of the world indeed. Met some good explorer friends as well. Michelle, Marc, Jack, Julanda, Kane, and of course our awesome guide through magical Tibet, Julia. After the hard cold travels, we finally arrived at the warmest, delicious and most cultured Tibetan restaurant in the world. These guys can sing, dance and play at the same time. How can they do it without fainting? Buddha is all around indeed.

Mt. Qomolangma in the Background, Photo Shared by Anthony

Mt. Qomolangma, Photo Shared by Anthony

Tibetan Style Hotpot, Photo Shared by Anthony

Having Dinner with My Explorer Friends, Photo Shared by Anthony

Enjoying Tibetan Performance During Dinner, Photo Shared by Anthony

They play the percussion with their feet. I guess that's why they don't need the drummers much. now we know where Tap dancing comes from. And they are stomping their feet on the off beats while playing and singing on beat. Really admirable to see a Chinese culture so advanced in their rhythmic soul. Really something to admire and study more.

Potala Palace on a freezing night is ideal for taking photos. Nobody around. Even the main plaza at Potala Park is empty. Truly perfect atmosphere and picturesque.

Taking a Photo with Potala Palace on a Freezing Night, Photo Shared by Anthony

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Drak Yerpa Monastery is one of the most Magical North East of Lhasa. Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo constructed it as a gift for his Concubine Princess Mangsa chizun. It's a wonderful retreat for meditating and historically all the caves around the mountain have been used by Kings (until the last Tibetan King) Dalai Lamas, great Buddhist teachers from India and Tibet, and Monks. Indeed this retreat would have been very hard to reach in old time. It's hard to reach now. Near heaven stuck in a cave for a few weeks, for sure would cleanse anybody's body and soul. "Let me catch my breath, Buddha, why are you so high?"

Drak Yerpa Monastery in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Drak Yerpa Monastery in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Drak Yerpa Monastery in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Gunyin Holy Water at Drak Yerpa Monastery, Photo Shared by Anthony

Drak Yerpa Monastery Hiking, Photo Shared by Anthony

Meditation Cave of Drak Yerpa Monastery, Photo Shared by Anthony

Ganden Monastery is another historical wonder. Built in 1409 under the supervision of ZongKaPa, the great legendary teacher, father of Gelug Sect (Yellow Hats) Buddhism. His Thrown, Tomb and meditation cave are still preserved for visitors to enjoy. A little peek into this beautiful mountain retreat for Buddhist monks and spiritual followers to this day. No photos allowed inside the temples and chapels. Nice there is nobody around these days.

Ganden Monastery Hiking, Photo Shared by Anthony

Path of Ganden Monastery Kora, Photo Shared by Anthony

Ganden Monastery and Buddha Worshipped Inside, Photo Shared by Anthony

Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Ganden Monastery indeed was a special one. Notice the signs on the second photo well please. No women allowed into the Protector Buddha chapel. It's indeed a very strange experience surrounded by strange dreamy ferocious creatures who are supposed to protect humans. The Circle of life is very graphic as well. The sacrifice is clear all around it with sensuality, life and death being at the core of it. Indeed with monks playing the Tibetan drums, the crash cymbals, and reciting the Mantras to the beats, it's a pretty divinely creepy experience. Sorry Women, no chance to see inside. You might get nightmares. See at your own risk.

Circle of Life at Ganden Monastery, Photo Shared by Anthony

Circle of Life at Ganden Monastery, Photo Shared by Anthony

Intimidating Buddhist Figure at Ganden Monastery, Photo Shared by Anthony

Intimidating Buddhist Figure at Ganden Monastery, Photo Shared by Anthony

Anthony at Yangpachen Geothermic Hot Spring near Namtso Lake, Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony

Yangpachen Geothermic Hot Spring near Namtso Lake, Lhasa, Photo Shared by Anthony