Nam-Tso (the “Sky Lake”) is the highest (approximately 5100 meter above sea level) lake in the world, the second largest lake on the Tibetan Plateau. It is also one of Tibet’s most sacred, beautiful, and accessible lakes – only 250 Km from Lhasa, or roughly four hours by car.
The lake is named for its stunningly CLEAR blue waters, it is 70 Km long, 30 Km wide, and 35 m deep.
The Nyenchen Thanglha mountain range (with its peak towering upwards of 7000-meters) surrounds the lake.
Flanked by these rocky giants, Nam-Tso boasts incredible sunrises and sunsets, and stays temperate and pleasantly cool during summer.
The trip itself was quite painful, starting from early morning wake-up call to the lack of oxygen.
The road to this lake is very bumpy, it’s wayyyy worse than roads in Indonesia.
During the trip, we made few stops along the way. I guess that was done to make our bodies more accustomed to the lower level of oxygen. But let me tell you, that didn’t work.
I am not sure how to describe the high altitude sickness in such a way that everyone can know how does it feel. The oxygen level in Lhasa doesn’t affect me as much if I didn’t have to climb the Potala Palace. However, this time is different. Well I was expecting this before I left, so no surprise there.
BTW, I’m writing this entry while I’m still in the bus on the way back to Lhasa. So my memory is still fresh of how annoying this high altitude sickness is.
It feels like my back has been hit by a block of wood, my shoulders are carrying the world’s weight, breathing is very hard like having an asthma, my ears kinda hurt, my neck feels so stiff, and I have this numbing headache like when one is having a hang-over plus too little sleep.
That’s how does it feel after I take my high-altitude sickness medicine plus a stronger dose of Panadol.
Oh did I tell you that walking is like flying, it is so hard to walk straight…
However in saying that, the view during the trip and at the lake is SUPERBLY MAGNIFICENT. Is that even a valid word? It is simply the best place that I have ever visited. It has crystal clear water, beautiful mountains on the background – some even have snow caps, people selling Tibetan handicrafts, horses and those beautiful and cute Yaks.
They charge 10 RMB to ride the Yaks and take photos, but I’m telling you that 10 RMB is one of the best 10 RMB I have ever spent in my life. It was sooo worth it, being up-close to this cute animal with a beautiful lake and mountain at the background! All of the sudden my high altitude sickness went away for like a minute or so.
A lot of people had to use the oxygen tubes, that was how bad the oxygen level at the lake.
Yes, it sounds like a very painful and challenging experience – because it is. However, it is also one of the most rewarding experiences to have in one’s life. I might not come back here ever (or at least for a long time), but I will always remember (and perhaps laugh on my high altitude sickness) this trip. I am glad that I can experience this with my brother, some of my beloved Louis Vuitton, and my four good friends. All the suffering is insignificant compared to what I have earnt.
So I would personally urge you to visit this place if you haven’t. Don’t go alone, visit the lake (or Tibet) with your friends or someone that you care about – preferably before you get old or unfit to travel.
One wise travel tip from the Mahaguru Andri, eat and drink less = public toilets avoidance. I had seen bad toilets many times before in Beijing, but OH MAN… The toilets here.. I’m just speechless.
First of all, there are no doors if you want do drop the bomb. If you happened to walk past, you (guys only) can see at least a set of one sausage, two eggs, and a bomb in action.
And secondly, lets just say that you can tell what happened before you used the toilet and you will also be able to see your bomb get dropped.
I’m sorry to further ruin the reading mood for some of you, but I have to mention this as I have planned to say it out loud for quite some time already. Here we go…
I HAVE THE HIGHEST LOUIS VUITTON IN THE WOLRD!! (those travelling on aeroplanes do not count!)
There you go I said it. I’m a happy man now..
Time for some photos…
We need more O2 here!
Group photo in front of Nagenla Mountain
Group photo at the Nam-Tso Lake
More photos can be found here.
I’m gonna try to take some rests now…
BTW some people asked me what I’m typing so eagerly. I told them that there are people who will make hell break loose if I don’t tell them (you know who you are) about my Tibet trip. These people then looked at me in a weird way. Oh only if they knew about my blog…