Paktu, unser routinierter Fahrer, bringt uns mit dem 4 WD-Jeep weiter westwaerts zur zweitgroessten Stadt Tibets, Shigatse. Unterwegs gab's neben der Hoehe Widrigkeiten verschiedenster Art zu bekaempfen. Fragten wir uns zu Beginn der Fahrt noch, ob ein Allradjeep wirklich notwendig war, verflogen bald alle Zweifel. Als wir vom Besuch eines kleinen Klosters in der Pampa zurueckfuhren, war die Strasse stellenweise nicht mehr vorhanden. Als andere Fahrer sich noch ratlos umschauten, meinte Paktu nur nuechtern: "Dieses Auto ist gemacht fuer solche Situationen" und fuhr souveraen durch's neu entstandene Flussbett.. Wie aus der Audi Werbung! Ganz andere Schwierigkeiten erwarten einem, wenn man unterwegs mal muss. Lonely Planet betitelt die oeffentlichen Toiletten in Tibet als "die schlimmsten der Welt". Dem koennen wir nur zustimmen. Weiter unten kann man sich ein Bild machen (gluecklicherweise gibt's keine Geruchsprobe). In der Klosterstadt in Shigatse wird man jedoch fuer alle widrigen Umstaende mehr als entschaedigt. Die reich geschmueckten Waende der zahlreichen Kapellen und Tempel sind in superbem Zustand und die Kora rund um die grosse Anlage bietet neben wunderbaren Ausblicken auch Begegnungen mit Moenchen und Pilgern. Und die Toiletten der Moenche sind steinzeitlich aber sauber!
Paktu, our experienced driver brings us further westwards with the 4 WD to the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse. On the way there were some adversities to overcome. Where we first were wondering if a 4 WD was really necessary, we were soon convinced. When we came back from a side trip to a small monastery in the pampas, the road was partly gone. Where other drivers were still looking around helplessly, Paktu just reckoned: "This car was built for stuff like that" and drove confidently through the newly emerged river. . Straight out of the Audi ad! Difficulties of another kind are expecting you when you have to pee while on the road. Lonely Planet describes the public toilets in Tibet as "the worst in the world". We strongly agree. Scroll down to get the picture (fortunately without the smell).In the monastery city in Shigatse we were more than compensated for all the hassles. The richly painted walls of the numerous chapels and temples are in a perfect condition and the kora around the big complex offers wonderful vistas as well as encounters with friendly monks and pilgrims. And the monks' toilets may be out of the stone age but clean!
Paktu, our experienced driver brings us further westwards with the 4 WD to the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse. On the way there were some adversities to overcome. Where we first were wondering if a 4 WD was really necessary, we were soon convinced. When we came back from a side trip to a small monastery in the pampas, the road was partly gone. Where other drivers were still looking around helplessly, Paktu just reckoned: "This car was built for stuff like that" and drove confidently through the newly emerged river. . Straight out of the Audi ad! Difficulties of another kind are expecting you when you have to pee while on the road. Lonely Planet describes the public toilets in Tibet as "the worst in the world". We strongly agree. Scroll down to get the picture (fortunately without the smell).In the monastery city in Shigatse we were more than compensated for all the hassles. The richly painted walls of the numerous chapels and temples are in a perfect condition and the kora around the big complex offers wonderful vistas as well as encounters with friendly monks and pilgrims. And the monks' toilets may be out of the stone age but clean!
Mr. Paktu
Die eckligste Toilette der Welt? World's most disgusting toilet?
Die Moenchstoilette The monks' toilette
