Picked up at 09:30 and headed of too Potala Palace an imposing building started in the 7th century and completed in the 17th century. Disappointing as it was cloudy but the sun still breaking through. When we arrived at the foot of the palace the pilgrims were streaming their way to the top. There was 700 steps to climb at the palace and we took a breather periodically along the way. I spotted one person on their hands and knees being sick. There were alot of elderly people hunched over with their walking sticks and making good pace. People were coming up to me and wanting a photo with me being so tall compared to them and a grey beard, I had countless photos taken with monks, fathers, mothers and children all so appreciative. We could take photos but once inside the palace no more photos. Our guide is so informative regarding the Buddhist religion and all the statues of all the Buddha’s. The walls of the palace was 3 meters thick. There were monks chanting and the pilgrims gave money offerings and said their prays at each statue of a Buddha. It was easy to walk down and the views over the city were spectacular. Made our way to the bus and we went for lunch which was quite nice but like most buildings inside and our hotel it was 14 C.
After lunch we walked a short distance to Jokhang Temple which is smaller than Sera Temple we could take some photos inside the lower level but not the top level. The pilgrims were lined up and shuffling along to make money offerings and saying prayers. Outside the people were praying which is captured in the video. Once the pilgrims had been inside the Temple they then proceeded to walk around it going right handed, there were thousands of them. Over the past 2 days I have learned so much about Buddhism and the history. Then I walked back to the hotel down alot of hand washing and packing our gear into one bag for our road trip to Mt Everest Base Camp with tomorrow night and the night after staying at Shigatse. At Base Camp we are staying in a Monastery and we have to take our own food to eat so pots noodles it will be. We depart at 08:00 tomorrow and it is 12 hours on the road to Shigatse.
Maurice's Travel 