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The 4th side of the room was reserved for a stage where either Chinese were singing or 3 lovely female dancers were doing local dances. In between songs and dances was disco, where most of the crowd danced to different loud tunes, while the waitress tried to convince everybody that they should drink faster. Though I do not have any pix, interested can see some video footage All in all a fun cultural encounter in an otherwise dead town...

A few hours later we had to wake up to get ready for the next part: Nyalam (3700m) to Xigar (4300m)! But first we had to solve the monkey problem.

Monkey at the Himalayan Hamster Hotel

Our team waiting in Nyalam

Due to the enormous amount of expeditions this year, we did not have our promised land cruisers, but instead we are travelling with one Cruiser and 2 20-seater buses. We have agreed with the Harris part that the 2 film teams (Harris & our SightOnEverest team) would interchange the car for better footage and we shot a lot of excellent stuff with 4 cameras. The ride to Xigar is spectacular, with the first stop at the 5000m high pass being one of the many highlights. For some support-members in the team this was an altitude record and a great one. Xixabangma/Shishapangma was visible and the thousands of prayerflags were blowing in the freezing wind.

Prayerflags at the pass

Kevin filming the bus at the pass, Xixabangma in the back

After a quick checkpoint we arrived in the nice Qomolungma hotel, where we were welcomed with a delicious meal and excellent service. What a difference from Nyalam! To paraphrase one of our clients: 'Couldn't we just have gone here yesterday and just got a little bit more headache?'

Tibetan farmer

Tibetan man

Kids in Tingri

17th April: visit to Xigar.

Most had slept quite well, Thomas had been restless through the night and also Milan had had one of the worst nights in his life as he pointed out. Still his oxygen level is quite good and in the meantime he is doing a lot better. After breakfast we went to Xigar to see the town and its monastery. I had been there before, but was still in awe about the beauty of the old village and the silence inside the monastery.

Lonely monk in Xigar

Harry in Xigar

Next was a climb up the steep hill; I had warned everybody that there was an easy way around and up the hill and a more dangerous and difficult route straight up, but still some climbers were stubborn and chose the 'foolish' route. Some had interesting experiences, others were very happy to finally arrive at the top, where there literally is a forest of prayerflags.

Thomas' vision is now definately deteriorating, especially on the descent from the 4600m high hill he could not see the ground very well, especially when there was little contrast. So we had to descend very carefully, but we got down ok.

In the meantime Alex has taken off to BC to prepare for our arrival tomorrow. We will leave at 09.00 so should be there at lunch time, passing more great sights on the way. So next update should be from the foot of Everest, which we already could see earlier today.

PS: Kathmandu is in total chaos right now, there is food and fuel shortage and there are many demonstrations and clashes. We just got out in time, but for the poor people in Nepal the situation is worsening by the day, very, very sad.

Signing off from a chilly but good spirited Xigar,