Xinjiang, China’s Central Asia and incredible Tibet–Day 21/Part 1

Day 21:

We didn’t really understood how the morning 9 hours had been passed as we were simply mesmerized by the scenery and landscape surrounding us. Let’s see the snaps and enjoy the wonderful journey.
We came back to reality when the attendant gave us back the tickets and informed us that Lhasa was just 10 mins away. We quickly got ready and then finally got down the train and surprised to see the Lhasa station, some documentary film was being shot but still it was a very nice looking terminal building and we were suddenly caught by 2 persons who didn’t say anything but started escorting us. We didn’t understand, they took our bags and straightaway took us out of the station terminal. I spoken to my guide over phone and he said he would be waiting for me outside station. Guessing these guides as touts, I tried to convince them that my guide was waiting and I didn’t need any help but as usual they didn’t understand anything but kept walking with our luggage. Being little apprehensive I followed them and then suddenly spotted my guide with the a sign board, written my name on it, it was a big relief for me. The 2 persons took me to my guide and guide gave them a copy of our permit after signing that and then I realized it was the police without uniform and they don’t let any foreigners go unescorted. We got introduced to our guide Tashi who was another gem of a person and we were taken to hotel Shambala Palace, the traditional Tibetan Hotel where we were supposed to stay 3 nights. We were tired, just saw first glimpse of Potala Palace from our room itself. We had an early dinner and first time we started finding Indian and Nepalese food in menu card from here. We gone to bed as next day would be our local sightseeing in Potala Palace and visiting Sera Monastery.

The Magic Continues: