We arrived in Chengdu yesterday by air from Lhasa (1500km, $125 \ticket). The air is so incredibly rich and thick here; no more running out of breath trying to brush one's teeth. We are going to the opera tonight and to the Panda breeding center tomorrow. We are making plans to visit smaller towns in the hills and mountains southwest of here reputed to have some great walks though spectacular scenery and villages with rich and unusual tribal traditions.
Two weeks in Tibet were memorable. The five day return trip from Lhasa to Everest led through high passes, rivers gorges and broad flood plains, sand dune deserts and the barren pasture hills of the Tibetan herders and their farms and villages; herds of yak, sheep, goats and cattle were everywhre especially on the middle of the road. We stooped in towns villages and monasteries along the way. We even saw a few trees.
The south west extent of the trip ended with a wild gravel road crossing a pass at near 5400 meters at dawn, where we stopped for photos and felt the first real chill of the journey, about -15C with a sharp breeze. 
The next 30 km were a series of stomach gripping switchbacks to the barren valley floor and a final turn, and their it is, Jomolangama rising up in front of you, a straight 3500 meters from the flat river plain. The jeep passed Rhongbu Monastery, highest in the world and approached the glacial morraine only a few kms from the base of Everest. JB, our travelling partner from southern China, seemed just about as thrilled by the frozen puddles, the first she had seen. When we started up our Nikon camera, the screen was broken, and nothing was visible!! Damn! Luckily, we were able to borrow a camera and get some shots on our memory card. 
We' ve done a successful test run, and I'll send a few photos on our next post.
A few observations; We were concerned that November might be a poor time to visit, but the weather has been good; clear with cool nights (0C) and temperate afternoons(13C) The high season for tourists drops sharpely as October progresses meaning good deals for hotel rooms and shopping and no line ups in restaurants or being overun by tour groups at the monasteries and museums. Mid range and even high end luxery hotels will often drop their prices into the budget range ($20-$30 nignt).
The next 30 km were a series of stomach gripping switchbacks to the barren valley floor and a final turn, and their it is, Jomolangama rising up in front of you, a straight 3500 meters from the flat river plain. The jeep passed Rhongbu Monastery, highest in the world and approached the glacial morraine only a few kms from the base of Everest. JB, our travelling partner from southern China, seemed just about as thrilled by the frozen puddles, the first she had seen. When we started up our Nikon camera, the screen was broken, and nothing was visible!! Damn! Luckily, we were able to borrow a camera and get some shots on our memory card. 
We' ve done a successful test run, and I'll send a few photos on our next post. We'll write more later, have to find a toilet and buy a camera, in that order. Darn those Riders.
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