The hotel served a nice buffet breakfast with a mix of western and Tibetan foods. I tried Tsampa, an oatmeal-like cereal mixed from barley wheat, Yak cheese, sugar, and hot water. The restaurant smelled like the cooking was being done with a wood stove, another flash-back to ski cabin lodging from years back. Steve and Josie had the same kind of night and morning I had, kinda cold. We’ll check what kind of room heating options are available before we settle down tonight.
How about some Tsampa
Hotel lobby
Our first stop is the Potala Palace. The first sight of it for me was breath taking. It was the home of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century. The last Dalai Lama left in 1959, and currently lives in India. We climbed to the top, no small task considering the altitude. At the top, we were able to visit tombs for previous Dalai Lamas #5 through #13. We also wandered through sleeping, studying, and meditation quarters. There are around 100 monks living on site, maintaining the property.
Potala Palace
Pilgrims walking clockwise around the temple
Heading to the top
Almost to the top
Now, back to the bottom
Lhasa Valley in the background
Up close on one of the prayer wheels
After the palace, we had lunch at a local restaurant. There were several “yak” dishes on the menu. I had sizzling yak on stones (served like fajitas back in the US). It was served with peppers and onions. Steve had a yak burger, and Josie had yak stew.
Finished off lunch with a cafe mocha
After lunch, we toured the Sera Monastery. It’s basically “monk” university. They have lessons in the morning and in the afternoon, they have testing sessions in the “Debating Courtyard”. I’ll post several pictures and a video or two of the debating session. The session begins at 3:00 and finishes at 5:00. One monk, standing, issues the questions, and the seated monk answers. After an hour, they swap places.
Video Links – Sera Monastery
#1 – https://www.dropbox.com/s/cs2zwu80i3o90cr/15.5.1.Sera1.m4v?dl=0
#2 – https://www.dropbox.com/s/6c8ag6mj0rahn06/15.5.1.Sera2.m4v?dl=0
The Debating Courtyard during a testing session
Back at the hotel, we were beat! We rested, then ate at the hotel restaurant. I had a yak kabob, Steve had yak ravioli, and Josie had Yak pizza. Pretty much anything we normally eat as a beef dish could be done with yak, and it’s all pretty good. As we head back to our rooms, we ask about heat. I was barely in my room before someone arrived with a small electric heater. It made such an improvement.
My Yak Kabob