D3 拉萨 - Drepung & Sera Monastery

西藏之旅13-22June2025

Felt better in the morning after the panadol, although my oxygen level was still quite low at 78,

and BP normal at 76.

Plain..as appetite was still not so good.

We met our guide, Mary, and our group at 9am at the hotel lobby.

Mary was standing in for our Tibet guide, whom we will meet the next day.

30mins by bus, we arrived at our first destination, Drepung Monastery, 哲蚌寺, located in 拉萨 city.

Founded in 1416, Drepung Monastery is one of the largest Tibetan monasteries.

https://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-guide/drepung-largest-tibetan-monastery.html

We were asked to visit the toilet, as it will take about 2 hrs to complete the tour.

Without any expectations, we entered our first outdoor toilet.

The stench at the doorway already brought us imagining it.😨

The toilets was just a long drain with three-quarter partitions, without doors,

does not have any water to flush and full of flies. 🪰💩

It was also drizzling but most of us had rain coats on.

Because of the rain, the weather was nice - cool and misty

Monasteries in Tibet are mostly built on mountains.. so be prepared to climb a bit.

We can take photos of the exterior, but not the interior of the monasteries.

Here, a photo of our small group - consisting of American, Canadian, British, German, Italian, Polish, and Singaporean (Chinese).

No more photos from here.

But there is a secret one from this window frame

These photos were allowed by our guide.

Cake for the locals

We did not get to watch the debut at the monastery as there's no debut on Sundays.

Having lunch at a small street next to Sera Monastery, where we will be visiting next.

Sera Monastery, 色拉寺 - One of Lhasa’s Great Three Gelug

(the youngest, largest, and most important school of Tibetan Buddhism) Monasteries

https://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-guide/sera-monastery/

Driving pass the palace, we realised our hotel was not so far away.

Back in our hotel.

J making the payment for trip balance.

Welcome dinner at 6pm.

I had a headache and felt nausea. Took the food but could not eat at all.

Went back room to take ibufen and felt better.

Worried about the next few days with higher altitude,

I decided to take Diamox, starting tonight, after dinner, half a tablet.

Mary sent some beautiful photos to us.