Hello from Lhasa, Tibet. 7th September. We arrived about five days ago via Air China from Chengdu and we have been busy sampling the sights and sounds. Lhasa is no longer the Shangri-La as it has been described in the past but nevertheless it is a great city on top of the world. At 3,400m you do struggle for breath a little and one beer is more than enough. Dehydration is the biggest battle - lots of water! Walking upstairs should be avoided if at all possible! The city is a mix of new Chinese and old Tibetan - but we are staying in the Tibetan quater for the real culture mix. Everyone cries out Tachee Delee as the white faces pass. The sights are great - the Potala Palace was incredible, dark, shrouded in mystery and full of statues of Buddha, other reincarnations and Golden Stupa's and thrones of previous Dalai Lama's - or Mickey Mouse as he is known here. Its still a little political!! The monestaries are just as wonderful. Fresco's adorn the walls and you get a glimpse of the different buddhist stories by the light of Yak butter candles. You can imagine the smell is not that pleasant. Many of the temples and monasteries are now being restored to former glories but Monk numbers are still low. They have a great sense of humour though and are please to see you - as are most of the other pilgrims and professional worshipers. Some stick their tongues out in a gesture which shows their not blue and therefore subjects of the devil. I think the most amazing site is watching the pilgrims prostrate themselves every few metres on the ground as they circuit the temples. We will send another update when time and access permits. By for now!