The long drive to Shigatze

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It was explained to us that the drive to Shigatze would be a long one. This was in addition to the four hours we had already driven to EBC. We still preferred the long drive if it meant the accommodation would be better at the end of the day. On the way we were bowled over by the scenery. We drove through the Gyatchu La Pass which is 5220 metres above sea level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We reach Shigatze

After a very long but interesting drive we reached Shigatze. It was nice to be back in the company of trees again. There were still plenty of huge, brown, bare mountains but in the flat areas there were trees.

Because we didn't stay at Rombuk we were then a day ahead of ourselves so we were going to be able to spend two nights at Shigatze instead of one.

 

 

Qomolongma Friendship Hotel

We were staying at the Qomolongma Friendship Hotel. We were been given a triple room with a toilet and shower. The carpet didn't look like it had been vacuumed in 20 years. The room was cold but everything is manageable – unlike some places we’ve stayed at. I felt so nauseous at that point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeremy headed out in the car with Tiki and Punti to get some take-away food. He came back with tomato soup and spring rolls for Ian and himself and he bought a salad for me. The salad ended up being large slices of tomato with even larger and thicker slices of onion. Sadly I couldn’t eat it.

It took forever and a day for the hot water to come through in the shower but when it did it was like heaven on earth. The shower water came down directly onto the bathroom floor as in all the bathrooms we came across in Nepal. This always seems so crazy to us. We found there was nowhere to hang clothing in our bathroom and nowhere to hang wet towels after our showers. At least it was a nice hot shower though!

 

Next page - Tashilumpo Monastery

 

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