Departed the hotel at 07:30 for the airport takes 1 hour to get there. It was very busy there. Our flight was due to depart at 11:10 then it come up delayed due 13:30 and then changed again at 14:45. The airport was busy and cold which the Tibetans love. They love queue jumping, one guy I yelled at, get in behind which he did. Got our bags checked in and got the flight tickets. Went through security had to take foot wear off, jackets and watches. Got sorted out and sat down and one of the young ladies on the tour who had shared the night with us in the bothy came and sat with us, we saw another 4 on the tour, everyone were different directions. Because of the 3.5 hour delay Air Tibet gave us a meal we were suprised Ryan Air and a like should take notice. We flew on an Air Bus A 380 given a hot bun and water. Leaving Lhasa the scenery was amazing mountain ranges, we were cruise at 33,000 feet and you could see mountain peaks below poking through the cloud. Penny had the window seat so got some good photos. The flight duration was 90 minutes and as we approached Shangri-La the surround mountains and hills had snow on them.
We got off the plane and made our way down to baggage collect and the bags just arrived the quickest I have got my bags. Found a taxi and made our way to the Hostel we are staying in. Apparently a couple from Brazil are arriving tonight so we are the only ones here. Got settled in wall heater on and I got the bath mat rolled it up and plugged the 2 inch gap under the door. We go out and discover the old part of the city here in Shangri-La where we are staying. What a quaint and unique place this is, the photos over the next couple of days will show this. We found a restaurant and had an okay meal feeling cold just want to warm up and have a good sleep tonight, have an electric blanket on the bed and this is the first night in 8 days that we have slept together as on the trip only had single beds. At Lhasa the altitude was 4600 m Everest BC was 5200 meters to do any basic chore was taxing on the body tying ones boots up had us panting, the most taxing was squatting and having a bowel motion. Here in Shangri-La we are at 3141 m and we feel things are back to normal.
Maurice's Travel 