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The
Oriental Caravan's
Postcard from Kailash...
Summer 2004 Dear
All, The following are a selection
of photos taken on The Oriental Caravan's recent expedition to Tibet and
Mount Kailash, the mountain at the centre of the universe...
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Nomad girl,
Paryang
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The Oriental
Caravan's campsite near Mt. Shishipangma
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Walking
on sand dunes en route to Kailash
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Chinese
writing on the wall that separates this Tibetan pilgrim from the
Potala Palace, former seat of the Tibetan Government
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One of the few remaining original
buildings in the Barkhor area of Lhasa
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Chief Caravaneer Phil
Colley pauses near Drira Phuk Monastery - with Kailash in the
background |
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Nomad children at Paryang, en route
to Kailash
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Lake Mansarovar shoreline at sunset with Mount Kailash in
the distance |
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Man on his way for a
game of pool
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'Ancient Thing Store',
Barkhor, Lhasa
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Pilgrims approaching the foot of the Drolma La
Pass, Kailash
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Room in the grounds of the Potala
Palace used, for making the red paint that coats the Palace's walls
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Chinese tourists outside the chapel and
private quarters of the Dalai Lama, exiled ruler of Tibet
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Mysterious phallus protruding from an
upper wall at the Jokhang temple in Lhasa
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| Discarded items of
clothing at Shiva Tsal as pilgrims symbolically leave their former
life behind |
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'Gamow' bag
demonstration - used to treat symptoms of AMS |
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Jewel-vomiting
Mongoose, Palkhor Monastery, Gyangtse |
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As part of a project for the pupils of
Ingleton Middle School The Oriental Caravan was accompanied on
its expedition by young 'Travelling Teddy' Jasper (see below).
Arctophiles (bear lovers!) will be pleased to know that Jasper, too, made a
successful circumambulation of the sacred mountain and is now
safely back in Lancashire... |
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Development hoarding near the
Potala Palace, Lhasa |
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The wonders of
digital cameras |
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Nomad girl, with oversized sunglasses, at Saga Dawa festival
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Horse near
Shishipangma
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| Pilgrim
attempting to receive spiritual merit by placing his ear at the
mouth of the horn |
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Under
construction - multi-armed statue of deity with consort, Gyangtse |
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Pair of rare Black-necked Cranes - as lifelong mates the cranes are
a symbol of fidelity
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Turquoise on sale in Lhasa
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Drira
Phuk Monastery, now restored after its destruction in the Cultural
Revolution, is one of three small monasteries on the Kailash kora
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At 5700m the Drolma La, festooned
with prayer flags, is the highest point of the circumambulation and
symbolically marks the moment of rebirth
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This chorten
marks the start of the Kailash kora or circuit |
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The Tarboche flag
pole is raised to an upright position each year at the Saga Dawa
festival. This year there were problems in its erection, something
which is not considered to be a good omen!
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Small scale solar power at a tent
restaurant in Paryang |
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| North face
of Kailash |
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Close up of
Kailash's north face |
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| Kailash's
north west corner |
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Glacier at the foot of
Kailash's north face |
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Kailash is also
considered to be the home of the Hindu deity Shiva whose
symbol, the trident, is seen here on the Drolma La
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The almost straight
Tarboche flag pole
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TOC Landcruiser |
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TOC signage succumbs to sand |
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Will this track become a road
around Kailash? Worrying reports suggest there are plans to build a
road around this sacred and otherwise almost pristine place... |
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| The Oriental Caravan will next be making its way through the
forests and mountains of the Siberian Altai. We hope you like the photos!
With best wishes
from Phil and all aboard The Oriental Caravan
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The Oriental Caravan convoy boards
the Tsangpo ferry
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On our return to Nepal, due to
'road problems' we travelled in style back to Kathmandu...
(Mouseover for take off!)
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Kailash's northern face
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All pleased to have accomplished the
Kailash kora!
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FORTHCOMING TRIPS:
JAPAN - LIBYA...
JAPAN - The Narrow Road to the Deep North: departs 03/10/04
JAPAN - The Land of the Rising Sun: departs 22/10/04, 18/03/05 and
01/04/05
LIBYA - A Caravan across the Acacus: departs 21/12/04 - CHRISTMAS
SPECIAL!!! |
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If you would like to comment on this postcard please enter your remarks
and name or email address in the space below...
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