Booked into our hotel last night and to have a shower was great. The heater in our room shit it self so got a replacement. These Tibetans are really hardy people they don’t mind the cold, hotel room are 12 C and in reception a little cooler than that they are well dressed for the cold. The passage ways are very dark they economies on electrics. We were told to be ready for 09:00 departure from the hotel. Three females decide to have their breakfast at 08:50 and we don’t get away until 09:15. I had spoken to our tour guide and I mentioned to him our itinerary did not mention going to a monastery just stated drive along the river gorge to Lhasa. We did not stop at the monastery. We followed the Yarlung Tsangpo River all the way to Lhasa it was impressive some parts were frozen and most of the time moving water, mountains either side of it. After a toilet break Tibetan style our guide said the next stop is at the home of a farmer, everyone was happy to hear that.
We arrived there an hour later and we were welcomed into his 2 storey house he had 5 cows tied outside his house right by the main road. First big room we entered was a social room, the neighbours socialise alot as there are no pubs or wine bars. It also doubled up as the cooking area a large hot plate with a flu leading out to the side of the house. Upstairs we were shown another room which was their Buddhist Chapel well decorated and used every day. From there we went into a big lounge area we were served yak butter tea and a variety of Tibetan finger foods, which we did not expect. Then he bought out his home brew of Barley beer which Penny quite enjoyed. When they entertain their neighbours and friend with Barley Beer they sing. The farmer has had his tractor for only 10 years certainly revolutionised farming. I thanked the farmer very much and we departed.
An hour later we arrived back to the hustle and bustle of Lhasa. Before we checked in Penny and I gave the tour guide our arctic jackets and selopettes which he was very appreciative. Tomorrow we fly to Diqing going to stay in Shangri La for 3 nights and the day temperatures are around 15 C and from there only getting warmer. Got into our room only 12 C bloody cold I went down to reception and asked for a heater and they said air con come on at 19:00 I said that is too long to wait. Penny was in her bed with all her clothes on. I went for a massage at the Blind Massage Center and when I got back no heater. Penny got up and went out and she told reception we need a heater it is cold I have had to be in bed to keep warm, so if you can not give us a heater I want a room change. Ten minutes later we have a heater sure makes a difference and after 90 minutes we have 13 C both of us huddled around the heater. We have a 11:10 flight so the bus is picking us up at 07:30 as others have early flights to catch.
You see alot of swastikas around here in Lhasa. Spiritual Beginning for the Swastika. For the Hindus and Buddhists in India and other Asian countries, the swastika was an important symbol for many thousands of years and, to this day, the symbol can still be seen in abundance – on temples, buses, taxis, and on the cover of books. It was also used in Ancient Greece and Rome, and can be found in the remains of the ancient city of Troy, which existed 4,000 years ago. The ancient Druids and the Celts also used the symbol, reflected in many artifacts that have been discovered. It was used by Nordic tribes, and even early Christians used the Swastika as one of their symbols, including the Teutonic Knights, a German medieval military order, which became a purely religious Catholic Order. But why is this symbol so important and why did Adolf Hitler decide to use it?
Maurice's Travel 