SGTrekker 10D Tibet Photography Tour (22 Jun-1 Jul 2012)


Status
Not open for further replies.
It was an intimate experience to see the inside of a Tibetan home, Topla was extremely generous and kind enough to host us and we left reluctantly as it was still a long road ahead. Our next stop was Gyantse county, a charming little town. Along the way, we passed by many Tibetan farmers going about their daily chores.

Devotees on a pilgrimage

Devotees on a pilgrimage by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Most of the rural Tibetans were farmers who led a simple life

Tibetan farmers on the way home by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Tibetan family walking home

Tibetan family walking home by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Tibetan wives bringing lunch to their farmer husbands

Wives bringing lunch to their farmer husbands by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Our guide Topla

Our guide Topla by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

From Sha Lu, it was about 2 hours before we arrived at Gyantse. Gyantse used to be one of the largest cities in Tibet, but is now just a small county. Notable for its restored Dzong (fortress), and the Khumbum Monastery, we went about exploring the older part of Gyantse, with its sandstone houses and twisting alleyways.

Funny Tibetan Elder

Tibetan Elder by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Backstreets of Gyantse Old Town

Backstreets of Gyantse Old Town by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Kids on the way to School

School Kids at Gyantse by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Tibetan wives on the way home

Tibetan Wives on the way home (Gyantse) by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Local street life

Monk on the way to monastery (Gyantse) by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

The cremation was very disturbing, had to move away from the screen before continuing with your journey.
Very very well documented. Waiting for more.
 

SgTrekker said:
Hey Acrux, its 75 Yuan unlimited shots, you can even ask the monk to pose for you, whole thing was rather commercialised though, as he returned change for my 100 Yuan from the donation box... :S
Click to expand...

it apply to per person or the whole group?
 

Looks like gapman enjoyed himself. Nice scenery.
 

Sorry for the break as had to sort out some logistics for our upcoming Tg Pinang and Mt. Bromo trip. To continue the journey, we were on the way to Lhasa, stopping by Gyantse for that panoramic view of Khumbum Stupa and Pelchor Monastery. Before that, we also stopped by a Zangba making factory. Zangba or roasted barley is one of the main staple foods of the Tibetans. Families put zang ba in their food, drinks, wine, etc to build their health for the farm work.

Making use of a nearby stream, the water runs through the mills, turning the pastels and roasted barley into fine barley flour.


Zangba (Roasted Barley) making factory by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Zangba factory worker

Zangba factory worker by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Living quarters within the Zangba factory

Living quarters in Zangba factory by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Living quarters in Zangba factory 2 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

The other highlight today was the Yamdrok Tso lake, one of the 4 holy lakes in Tibet. Before reaching the lake, we went past a few high passes with the usual prayer flags and came by Mt. NingjingKangsang with its snow capped peaks.

Mount Ningjingkangsang

Mount Ningjingkangsang (enroute to Lhasa) by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Took this shot from the bus of a bunch of local farmers on their way to the farms just before Yamdrok Lake


Enroute to Lhasa (approaching Yamdrok Tso Lake) by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

By the time we arrived at Yamdrok Tso Lake, the sky was getting overcast, which added to the mood of the place. Yamdrok Tso lake is one of the 4 holy lakes of Tibet, where locals believe is the dwelling abodes of protective dieties. Everyone, including the Dalai Lama makes pilgrimages here. We photographed from a platform at the northern part of the lake and the sheer size of the lake was apparently quite overwhelming. Surrounded by mountainous snow capped peaks, you can't help but have a sense of how small we are in this world.

Yamdrok Tso (with Big Stopper ND, F8.0, 30s)

Yamdrok Tso Lake 1 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

A higher viewpoint of Yamdrok Tso Lake along the Gangbala Pass. As you can see, the sky was really dark by this time and we had abit of rain...

Yamdrok Tso Lake 3 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

The rain was getting heavier as we navigated through the windy mountain passes. By the time we reached the foot of the mountain passes, the skies had cleared abit. What followed was a sign of the beauty to come...

A perfectly formed rainbow!!

Rainbow enroute to Lhasa by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

To be continued...
 

We arrived at Lhasa at around 9pm in the evening. The sun was just setting and we were all tired from the long journey from Shigatse. Normally it would have taken just 6 hours but with all the photography stops, we took about close to 12 hours to reach Lhasa instead. We checked into the Kyichu Hotel and rested early for the night, for the next day promised to be another big adventure.

Lhasa - Day 5
Our itinerary today was to cover the Jorkhang temple in the early morning, followed by street photography around the Barkhor circuit. Jorkhang temple is one of the most revered temples in the country and devotees and pilgrims from all over Tibet make the spiritual journey here at least once a month or for those living closer, almost everyday. Jorkhang temple was contructed around the 7th century by the great king Songtsan Gampo. History has it that the temple was built for the king's two brides from China and Nepal and the architecture of the temple was a mix of Tibetan, Nepali and Chinese. Photography unfortunately was not allowed within the chapels but what we saw were long queues of devotees offering prayers and Yak butter to the various dieties housed within this holy temple.

The main action however, was outside the temple. With thousands of devotees from all over Tibet descending upon this holy site, it was a truly a photographer's haven.

Old Lady pilgrim outside Jorkhang Temple

Old Lady at Barkhor by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Scores of devotees starting throwing incense into the incinerators outside the temple, creating columns of smoke that added to the atmosphere of the place


Devotee at Jorkhang Temple Incinerator by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Devotee at Jorkhang Temple by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Devotees at Jorkhang Temple 2 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Devotees at Jorkhang Temple by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

Old lady devotee churning yak butter at the entrance of the temple. It was seriously dark and i was shooting at ISO3200. Using a 70-200mm VR2, i had to really control my breathing and managed to get the following shots at 1/30s.


Old Grandmother Pilgrim at Jorkhang Temple by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Lady Pilgrim outside Jorkhang Temple by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Devotee entering Jorkhang Temple by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

The devotees and pilgrims were oblivious to us, such was the fervor of their faith. You could really feel the intensity and vibe of the whole place and i wondered if they were praying hard for an end to the Chinese occupation.

Lone pilgrim outside Jorkhang Temple

Devotee at Jorkhang Temple 2 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

The incense incinerator outside Jorkhang

Devotees at Jorkhang Incinerator by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Devotees at Jorkhang temple entrance

Devotees Praying at Jorkhang Entrance by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

View of Barkhor Square from Jorkhang temple

View of Barkhor Square from Jorkhang Temple by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

After Jorkhang, we proceeded to photograph the devotees around Barkhor Square just outside the Jorkhang temple. It is a popular devotional circumbulation for pilgrims who walk in a clockwise direction 3 times, turning their Mani wheels as they go along. Lining the streets were of course the street vendors who sold everything from mini Mani wheels to bookmarks, Tibetan clothing, jewellery etc.

Barkhor Circuit

Barkhor Circuit by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Waited for her to look up as she was combing her hair - She seemed to enjoy the attention and gave me a teasing stare...

Lady merchant at Barkhor Square by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Old Man at Barkhor Square by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

A comical moment

Merchants at Barkhor Square by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr
 

limwhow said:
Ohhhh... such a handsome Tibetan photographer with bright red shoes!
Click to expand...

Hah Wee How, i stuck out like a sore thumb over there.... no way near a Tibetan lah...

Sorry guys but have been really busy with the Tg Pinang and Mt Bromo tours and just returned yesterday only, got another week before i head off to Central Java so trying to PP as much as i can. Will be continuing the travelogue as soon as i find more time... apologies again and thank you for everyone's support! :)
 

It would be a shame to just let this thread fade off like that......
 

Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

SgTrekker
SGTrekker 10D9N Tibet Photography Tour (22 Jun-1 Jul 2012)
Replies
1
Views
861
SgTrekker
SgTrekker
Back
Top