Sleeping at 4400 mts.

Day: 257

The desolation of Tibet reminds me of Patagonia in many ways; very few people, lots of livestock – but then you hike a hundred feet, try breathing and realize you can’t. Pushing our way up to 4400 meters (14520ft.) today was hard on me, especially after I felt like I had just got used to yesterdays 3500. If you stand up to quick you get the spins, your head is constantly throbbing for oxygen, and your bones are aching.

At the same time you are passing some of the most astounding views in the world. Surrounded temples, nomads, prayer flags, and from the comfort of a car the elevation doesn’t really hit you until you stand up.

Felicia, Shauna, Nimrod and I arrived in Maduo (complete with tasty mutton in the streets and the hotel that has pit toilets at the end of the hall) around four and set off on a slow pace adventure to see what was around, mainly heading in the direction of the giant hill covered in Tibetian prayer flags.

We heard chanting and were soon invited inside to sit with the Tibetain Buddists as they said their prayer songs. Afterwards we were shown around the entire temple by the man in charge and his wife, and invited back for tea on our way back through Maduo in 10 days. Easily one of my best experiences in China so far.

The night was spent, once again, getting used to the altitude and watching episodes of The Simpsons (Nimrod had bought 17 seasons on DVD while he was in Hong Kong).