Just as suddenly and unexpectedly as the cabin lights all went off and plunged us into darkness last night, at 6:30am we were all blinded as they came on.
During the night we had taken on a second engine and ascended the plateau, dropped the extra engine and crested the highest ridge at 5100m. We were now roaring across rolling hills, a light cover of grass, occasional yaks, but no trees. Snow on the adjacent hilltops created a crush at the window, until the cards came out and the village arrived. Somebody uttered the phrase 'you invite a friend and they bring the village' and it's very apt. Our cabin often seems to have a dozen people in it.
Finally arrived at Lhasa about 4pm, were picked up by our guide and taken to our hotel right in the middle of the old city. Checked in and freshened up, and waited for the rest of the group to turn up from various other tours.
We now have a group of 14 with 2 guides - principally Australian, but there are Romanians, Americans and British. We all went out to a group tea to introduce ourselves and get given the rules for the next week. There are a few youngies, a few oldies with walking sticks (to Everest!), and the rest are in between.
Free internet, so spent some time Skyping home and loading up blog entries.
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