Making our way to 定日 Dingri, coming 1 step nearer to the Mount Everest base camp.
The population grows sparse and we see less and less occupied areas as we move further and further away from the capital. On our way, we stopped by temples to break away from the long journey.
The temple here do not have a large stream of worshippers, unlike those in the capital. There is however, a steady flow of locals inside. Perhaps, it was not the correct timing that we were there.
Visiting places like this is a great venture away from those we visited near the capital. There is less crowd and the air is fresher (though thinner as well). Somehow, it makes you feel as if you are closer to heaven. My headaches have started to cease as i guess my body started to climatise to the high attitude. Slow walk and deep relaxing breathes still do its wonders.
Our journey brings us to scale a mountain (by car of course). On the peak of the moutain, you find numerous colorful kha-das tied by the locals to pray for safe journey. Afterall, the roads are winding and can be teacherous in the cold weather.
Along the way, we saw a vehicle which broke down on the road with a punctured tyre. That would be the worse i can ever imagine happening. Afterall, we don't spot any locals during our journey for the past 2 hours or so. Our local guide said that they all have the numbers of repair services in the nearest town (alothough that would be their last resort). Afterall, it would take at least 3 hours for help to arrive, needless to say the prenium price they would have to pay to have someone travel all the way up to this mountain.
As we spotted a sign bearing our destination name, we knew we are closer.
A local boy and his grandfather (my guess) charging minimal fee for the use of a public toilet. I didn't have much experience travelling in the outskirts of China but common sense would tell you not to use such public toilet as chances are, they are never maintained even though they come at a fee. Settling your nature business behind a bush is much a wiser choice - its free and you seriously won't choke your way. In short, it's a much pleasant experience.
After a very very long journey which see me ending up with an aching butt (seriously), we reach our destination. The Dingri town is much more quiet than i expected. As we drove to our inn to check-in, there wasn't any vehicles nore locals around on the road. I though we were at a ghost town.
There are buildings, yes and even nicely paved roads and street lamps. But one thing it seems, its lacking people. It feels very deserted.
After checking in, there wasn't much to do and it was around 2 hours to dinner time so our local guide suggest to take a walk around the town. It was near 7pm local time nad it's still pretty bright (we were told the sun sets around 11pm). It was only when we walked to the heart of the towndid we start spotting locals - including a couple of little boys reading their textbooks outside.
Apparently, electricity is very limited in the town and thanks to the late sunset, the kids could at least study outside along the streets.
Youngsters playing pool along the streets. I realised its pretty common for people to put their belongings/little asessts along the roads since there are practically very little vehicles around. Afterall, you don't need any vehicle to move arounf the town. We realised that after walking the big round within 40 minutes.
I guess this town is still not a very common destination for foreign visitors. While walking around, the locals will practically stare at you since its pretty obvious that we look han chinese and do not belong there. They are harmless though, just being curious as i would be if i were in their shoes.
The population grows sparse and we see less and less occupied areas as we move further and further away from the capital. On our way, we stopped by temples to break away from the long journey.
The temple here do not have a large stream of worshippers, unlike those in the capital. There is however, a steady flow of locals inside. Perhaps, it was not the correct timing that we were there.
Visiting places like this is a great venture away from those we visited near the capital. There is less crowd and the air is fresher (though thinner as well). Somehow, it makes you feel as if you are closer to heaven. My headaches have started to cease as i guess my body started to climatise to the high attitude. Slow walk and deep relaxing breathes still do its wonders.
Our journey brings us to scale a mountain (by car of course). On the peak of the moutain, you find numerous colorful kha-das tied by the locals to pray for safe journey. Afterall, the roads are winding and can be teacherous in the cold weather.
Along the way, we saw a vehicle which broke down on the road with a punctured tyre. That would be the worse i can ever imagine happening. Afterall, we don't spot any locals during our journey for the past 2 hours or so. Our local guide said that they all have the numbers of repair services in the nearest town (alothough that would be their last resort). Afterall, it would take at least 3 hours for help to arrive, needless to say the prenium price they would have to pay to have someone travel all the way up to this mountain.
As we spotted a sign bearing our destination name, we knew we are closer.
A local boy and his grandfather (my guess) charging minimal fee for the use of a public toilet. I didn't have much experience travelling in the outskirts of China but common sense would tell you not to use such public toilet as chances are, they are never maintained even though they come at a fee. Settling your nature business behind a bush is much a wiser choice - its free and you seriously won't choke your way. In short, it's a much pleasant experience.
After a very very long journey which see me ending up with an aching butt (seriously), we reach our destination. The Dingri town is much more quiet than i expected. As we drove to our inn to check-in, there wasn't any vehicles nore locals around on the road. I though we were at a ghost town.
There are buildings, yes and even nicely paved roads and street lamps. But one thing it seems, its lacking people. It feels very deserted.
After checking in, there wasn't much to do and it was around 2 hours to dinner time so our local guide suggest to take a walk around the town. It was near 7pm local time nad it's still pretty bright (we were told the sun sets around 11pm). It was only when we walked to the heart of the towndid we start spotting locals - including a couple of little boys reading their textbooks outside.
Apparently, electricity is very limited in the town and thanks to the late sunset, the kids could at least study outside along the streets.
Youngsters playing pool along the streets. I realised its pretty common for people to put their belongings/little asessts along the roads since there are practically very little vehicles around. Afterall, you don't need any vehicle to move arounf the town. We realised that after walking the big round within 40 minutes.
I guess this town is still not a very common destination for foreign visitors. While walking around, the locals will practically stare at you since its pretty obvious that we look han chinese and do not belong there. They are harmless though, just being curious as i would be if i were in their shoes.
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