Cho Oyu - Join Everest Summiter Gary Guller for the 2004 Expedition 8,201m: Update Two Lhasa, Tibet

Expedition Dispatch :  Lhasa, Tibet

Tashi Delek from Lhasa! Thanks to all for following our expedition thus far in the very early days. We are receiving loads of supportive and extremely kind e-mails from many and they are so appreciated.

Some may think that we are merely on a holiday traveling the roof of the World but there is a reason for this start of the journey to the top of the World's Sixth Highest Mountain. We felt as a team that traveling to Lhasa was well worth the extra expense. This will provide a slower acclimatization schedule prior to reaching the base camp in 7 days. Whilst we acclimate to the altitude, we are getting as much as the fresh higher altitude air as possible. It would be foolish not to take in the great wonders that all of Tibet has to offer in our route to base camp. The Jokhang, the Barkhor, the Potala, and the Drepung - embracing every moment of time as possible whilst visiting this country. We are so appreciative of our loved ones back home, our friends and family, being supportive of the time we are away. Thank you.

Yesterday, 01 September we visited the famous Drepung Monastery, once the largest of its kind in the world, with over 7000 monks living in this beautiful monastery. Unfortunately today, there are less than a 1000. Only time will tell if the life will return to the inner walls of the Drepung. We can only hope. The Drepung is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelupa Sect here in Lhasa.

The rest of the day was spent in and around the Jokhang and the surrounding Tibetan area of Lhasa - enjoying the kindness of the locals and of course, the culinary delights of this far away land.

Our morning today, 02 September started bright and early with a tour of the Potala Palace, former residence of the Dali Lama dating back to the 7th century. Its so hard to take everything in at such a quick pace, but our minds will never forget all that we have seen. We will share to you on our return.

As a team we are getting along very well, enjoying each other's company but allowing the space for each of us to take our time experiencing Lhasa at our own pace. Our day will be spent wondering, observing and listening. Its so much nicer having some freedoms then just being hoarded around.

A big huge Happy Birthday to Emma from us all, but especially Ben Woodbeck and Diana Finkel. A big hello to young Willian Sellier on his first day at school - enjoy, your papa is proud. Phillip's eyes beam when we ask of his son. Darrell, Phillip, and Jocelyn all send big greetings to friends and family back home. To Mrs Bradshaw - Darrell found the OREOS very quickly. :).

I wish to thank my friends at EverestNews.com, my friend Dave, his family and all the folks at DC for their support, Dan at Printglobe.com  - you are the dude. :), and finally, to all the folks headed to Rain Man, I'll make it one day. I promise.

Headed to Gyantse tomorrow, speak with you all soon. Gary Guller  for Arun Expeditions.

Team Members: Gary Guller (USA & England), Brook A.(USA), Phillip G.(Swiss), Jocelyn M(Swiss), Ben W.USA), Diana F.(USA), Philippe S. (France), Darrell B.(USA), Jens V. (Germany), Claire D.(France)

Gary Guller, veteran expedition leader, Everest summiter, author and motivational speaker. To book Gary

Dispatches

Cho Oyu, the world's 6th highest mountain at 8,201m

Tibet - Cho Oyu, the world's sixth highest mountain at 8,201m, is located just west of Everest and Lhotse along the Nepali-Tibetan border. Cho Oyu is a straightforward climb and not technically demanding, an excellent mountain for climbers wanting to scale their first 8,000m peak.

Flying from Kathmandu (1,280m) over the spectacular Himalayan mountain chain, we'll arrive just outside Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibetan Buddhism, at almost 3,600m. We'll spend our first night in Tibet relaxing and acclimatizing to the significant increase in altitude. While in Lhasa, we'll tour the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the Potala Palace, and his summer residence, Norbulingka Palace. We'll visit other notable sites such as Jokhang Monastery, barter for goods at Barkhor Market, and travel just beyond the city limits to watch the scriptural debates at Sera Monastery.

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