Tashilhunpo Monastery

I must have acclimatised. I slumbered throughout the night, slept in and almost missed breakfast. 

We headed off the Tashilhunpo Monastery, second only in significance to the Potala Palace. It was founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, and was used as his monastery until the 4th Dalai Lama erected the Potala Palace and moved to Lhasa. He then handed it over to the Panchen Lama, and it's been his home ever since.

It had the tallest sitting future Buddha until quite recently when Japan decided to go one better. It has also had a fair bit of funding by the Chinese government, so the gold adorning the various temples looks outstanding.

Left for an early lunch so we could get on the road, but in typical group fashion a bank stop took almost an hour so the afternoon started late again. 

A short stop at the Shigatse old market for some hat and boot buying - a special boot worn by the Tashilhunpo monks, then back on the road. We crested the highest point on our trip late afternoon, 5240m, at the pass which is also the entrance to the Qomolangma National Park, and stopped for some photos.

It was all downhill from there, arriving in Shegar about 6pm. We were booked into the only decent hotel in town, and were warned that it would be basic, but  despite the appearance from outside, our suite was rather palatial inside, so everybody was happy.

Being the only decent hotel, it also had a monopoly as the only decent restaurant, so it was a Chinese buffet for everybody. The best part about dinner was having Peter Hillary in the dining room, so now we've met both sides of the family.

It seems that we've gone up from 3600m to 4200m, so having just got used to it, my breathing and pulse have got out of kilter again. Oh well, I had a good night last night so it won't be too bad. Early to bed as we have a very early start tomorrow.