October 17 - 18, Tingri and Zhangmu (Dram)

The lodging at Tingri is what Brett and the rest of us soon afterward referred to as JAIL. The common room was nice, but the rooms - small cells with no windows and cots. Fortunately there was a common shower which we could use and also a very cute kitty. Jeff ended up playing Show with our driver, U2, and another driver most of the night while Liz sat close to the stove and chatted with the group. Another saving grace was that we did have a great view of Everest (Chomolungma the Tibetan name) and of another tall peak.

The drive on the 18th to the Nepal/Tibet border town Dram (Tibetan name) /Zhangmu (Chinese) was gorgeous. We started in the morning with a 5200 meter pass and then by lunch were at 3600 meters and then started descending toward Nepal. As we got toward Dram the scenery changed dramatically from the sandy dusty highplains to green trees and water falls. The town of Dram is situated on a hillside with the shops and homes built lunging off the side of the switchbacks. The hotel here was nice, but interesting as our room was above the restaurant so we had to walk through the dining hall and then up more floors.