It was finally THE day!
To see Mt. Everest has been a dream of mine, an in-explainable pull
towards the majestic mountain. Just ask mom! I always thought I would see the mountain from the Nepal side, maybe because I never knew that much about Tibet. And with Tibet's association with China, who would want to go there?? My....have times changed!We headed out on another 9hr drive with cloudy weather. Tenzin began his daily Tibetan chants in the car praying for the weather to clear and good views of Everest. I was a ball of nerves the entire drive. We had not journeyed all this way for the mountain to hide herself! But it was a risk that must be accepted. Tenzin said Mt. Qomolangma (Tibetan name for Everest meaning 'goddess of mountain) shows herself only when she wants and if fortunate enough to see her, you get good luck.
Our first resting point was the 5,000km point from SHANGHAI!
Second resting point was Mt. Qomolangma Nature Preserve.
We hung prayer flags and prayed for the weather to clear once again!
After stopping for lunch and passing our last check point, we were finally within 4hrs of Everest!!!
The last 3hrs of the journey were spent traveling on gravel terrain, over glacier plains, and stopping briefly for herds of yaks!
When we finally arrived to base camp, the clouds had rolled in and it was sleeting. We decided to settle in our rooms then wait patiently in the common area (only heated room) for the skies to clear for our chance to see Qomolangma.
When a slight break was spotted in the weather, Tenzin made the call for us to head up the mountain for our view. It was time!
On the closest spot to heaven from earth, I blew a kiss to my grandads and like to think they helped Everest show her summit just in the knick of time before leaving :)
We returned from our magical mountain 'high' to the common room at base camp. I was astounded to find a lady bug on me that traveled on me from the mountain. Perhaps Grandad Charlie and Grandad Mike were saying hello after all ;)
We had dinner with other guests at camp before turning in for the what would be a cold, restless night in our rooms. With no heat, we put on every layer possible and snuggled up close in a twin size bed! Josh was on his own in the room next door!
Falling asleep was difficult due to the altitude. After thinking you'd been sleeping for several hours, you'd awake to discover it had been 10 minutes. The bathroom was communal and up two flights of stairs - not fun at such a high altitude. I went one time and didn't know if I'd be able to get off the squat pot - feeling flu-ish and achy with the altitude. I did make it back while B peed in a water bottle during the night....
The early morning was welcomed and we headed outside to catch a glimpse of the starry sky. To our surprise, Everest was waiting in all her glory with a clear sky. We took a few photos and gazed at the majestic masterpiece before she was gone in a storm of clouds. When we told Tenzin we saw her clearly that morning he stated it was such a lucky sign :)
We had breakfast in the common room (crepe type pancake and egg) before heading leaving and heading back to Shigatse and eventually Lhasa. Once arrived in Shigatse, we celebrated our journey with hotpot and new friends! Our new friends took us to a beer tent after dinner! A common Tibetan tradition during warm weather!
We had a short 4hr drive back from Shigatse to Lhasa the next day. We took in a few last sights in Lhasa and lunch near the Jokhang Temple. While eating, this small Tibetan child came up and gave me his car to play with. He sat himself in the chair right beside me as if he belonged. Josh said it was our Buddha baby - maybe I should have gotten his name! ;)
Tibet was truly an experience of a lifetime.
The people, the culture, the humbleness and respect for both nature and beings truly makes you reflect on what's important in life and how fortunate we were for this opportunity to this part of the world. I don't think Josh and B would agree but I'd do this trip again in a heartbeat! Who knows, maybe there's a little Buddha in me after all . . . ;)
drive to Lhasa to Shigatse
pic of last checkpoint
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