Dream Catcher: The Roof of the World

Day 2:

The thought of getting a hot shower started sinking in my mind. That afternoon of mist and drizzle, it was the best time to have a hot shower!

Tibet has an average elevation of around 4,500m. As mentioned in my previous post, taking shower is not encouraged on your first day here to prevent altitude sickness. Speaking of altitude sickness, the only way to cure it is by descending otherwise you might face severe consequences such as breathing problem, ataxia or headache. However, I would strongly recommend you to take Diamox, a kind of medicine to prevent altitude sickness. You are advised to consume it at least 24 - 48 hours before departing to high altitude. This has to be consumed on a daily basis.

Day 2, we visited the most significant building in Lhasa - Potala Palace. Potala Palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the intervention of China. It was also a place devoted to religious study and Buddhist prayer.

Potala Palace, enclosed within massive walls and gates

Traditional building made from soil

Side view of Potala Palace

As you travelled in Tibet, you would have noticed that there were many prayer wheels stationed inside the monastery. A mantra Om Mani Padme Hum written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Spinning it will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.

The locals would do a circumambulation for 3 hours in clockwise direction every morning.

A lady spinning the prayer wheels

Me, trying to get adapted into the local culture :)

Hallway outside of Potala Palace crowded with tourists

Lake view right next to Potala Palace

Stupas are also known as the tombs for monks. The stupas outside of Potala Palace are used to preserve the remains of the Dalai Lamas.

Huge stupas

Other than stunning sceneries and breath-taking monasteries, one of the most significant animal that I would like mention here is - Y.A.K! Yak is a kind of long-haired bull-like animal