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Title image - BAI takes you to: Tibet

Seven Days in Tibet Expedition Dispatch

May 25, 2010 – Visit to the Potala Palace

Potala

Potala Palace, an architectural wonder

Its Andrew and Doug reporting on our third day in Lhasa. In the morning, we visited the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. We toured several chapels, living quarters, study and meditation areas in the various buildings, and enjoyed walking the spacious and well-maintained grounds of the facility in bright sunshine. We saw our first bamboo trees.

After lunch, we went to the Potala Palace. We very very much enjoyed the tour that Tashi gave us of this remarkable facility. Most of the religious areas of the Potala are open to the public. The number of people touring at one time is very limited, and the tour itself is restricted to one hour. Despite this, we saw a number of chapels and tombs of past Dalai Lamas.

One important omission from yesterday's dispatch was our visit to the Himalayan Hotel for a buffet dinner (all Tibetan food) and a performance by the Shol Opera Troup, that included traditional Tibetan instrumental music, dancing, and song. During one of the acts, Doug was one of several people who were playfully accosted by a good-natured yak (no harm done of course). The performance ended with a kind of fashion show of traditional Tibetan costumes. It was a really enjoyable evening.

More tomorrow.

Andrew and Doug

Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. (Photo courtesy of chinahighlights.com)

Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. (Photo courtesy of chinahighlights.com)

Looking up at the grandness of Potala Palace

Looking up at the grandness of Potala Palace

Climbing the steps during our tour of the palace

Climbing the steps during our tour of the palace

Traditional Tibetan Shol Opera performers

Traditional Tibetan Shol Opera performers

Yak attack!  Doug was lucky to get out of there alive.

Yak attack! Doug was lucky to get out of there alive.