Travelling in Tibet can be both wonderful and depressing at the same time.

The people I met were outstanding in their friendliness and generosity, their culture is captivating and the scenery is breathtaking.

But it is under threat. The presence of the Chinese occupiers is felt everywhere, yet hordes of ignorant foreigners are so busy taking pictures that they do not realize what is going on. Of course tourism itself is a threat to other cultures.

I decided not to publish my diary and only some pictures.

Please bear in mind that even though these photos might look nice, they only reflect the surface as seen by a tourist and not the harsh reality of everyday life!

Three dimensional map of the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Kangchenjunga, 3rd hightest peak on earth that forms the border between Nepal and Sikkim.

Chinese flag in front of Potala, seat of the Tibetan government (which is now in exile in Dharamsala / India).

Roof of Jokhang, the most revered monastery in Tibet. Pilgrims come from far away to see the statue of Jowo Rinpoche.

Barkhor, area around the Jokhang is the only part of Lhasa that does not look like any other Chinese city in mainland China.

Potala seen from the roof of Jokhang.

Pilgrim doing the kora.

View over the Lhasa valley from the roof of Drepung monastery.

Assembly hall, the monks have to attend re-education classes and need a permission from the governemtn to become monks.

Monks at Sera discussing religious teachings in a traditional way.

Yarlung Tsangpo river flows all the way from Kailash (West Tibet) into the Bay of Bengal, in India it is called Brahmaputra. Most major Asian rivers spring on the Tibetan high plateau.

Yamdrok Tso, a turquoise lake on the way from Lhasa to Gyantse.

Village near Nagartze.

In the countryside most people work in agriculture.

Two Khampas watching a flock of sheep and some yaks.

Yak caravan on its way to one of the high passes.

Goat at 5'000 m

Nyalam, village near Nepal.

Fields are ploughed with yaks.

Monastic district of Gyantse, Tibet's third-largest city. Many old houses are still left and make it the 'most-Tibetan' looking town in Central Tibet.

The fort of Gyantse was partly destroyed when the British Younghusband-expedition fought its way into Lhasa.

Vier from the monastery over the old part of town, fort stands on the hill on the right.

Kumbum, an impressive stupa with hundreds of paintings and statues in the many rooms.

One of the 5'000 m passes

Thanks to a broken jeep we enjoyed sunset at 5'000 m, a cold but rewarding stop.

Monk at Sakya monastery.

The Sakya sect played an important role in earlier Tibetan history.

The houses and monastery are built with characteristic black stones.

Shigatse, 2nd largest city of Central Tibet.

The Tashilunpo monastery in Shigatse is seat of the Panchen Lama. After the death of the last Panchen Lama, the reincarnation recognized by the 14th Dalai Lama was taken into custody by the Chinese government, four years later his whereabout are still unknown. The Chinese candidate lives in Beijing.

After Shigatse the road runs parallel to the main Himalayan chain, Tingri lies in the plain.

Desert-like scenery dominates the high plateau.

Chomolungma (Mount Everest), highest peak.

Cho Oyo, a relatively easy 8'000 meter peak that is often attempted from the Tibetan side.

Subtle play of colours before approaching the last high pass.

Lehlung La, wide pass before Nepal.

Shishapangma, one of the world's highest peaks

Avalanches coming down the steep flanks