As there are 12+ of us sharing one eco drop toilet and one washroom we didn't have breakfast until 9.00 aiming to leave at 10.15 for Tabo Monastery.
As we trekked to the car a swallowtail butterfly flitted onto the pool but there was no time for a pic. After Jeet had to go back for something we set off for Tabo monastery. We drove back to the river bridge and then turned right towards Tabo along the Spiti river valley.
The road is cut out from the side of the valley and in places the shale and mud slides over the road and the track is compressed by cars until it's passable. It's also cut out of the rock in places so it overhangs. There was a warning of falling rocks so we didn't stop until we got to the other side.
We went through a busy little village called Poh, where the water is brought down from the hills and so just crosses the road in a water splash, before bubbling away down the hill.
There were a couple of interesting plants along the way, one was possibly buckthorn, spiky branches covered in red berries and the other was a sprawling vine with white flowers, green pods which ripens and splits into 4 with a red fruit? It tasted quite sweet with a Papaya flavour.
We entered into Tabo through a fresh looking archway and parked up, then walked up the street past a small shopping group and a restaurant before entering the monastery, first walking clockwise round a stupa and then ringing the bell.
There are three temples at Tabo and we went into all three with the monk in the first having very good English and the other two explaining to Rinco who translated, as well as giving his own explanations of the statues and paintings. It was very interesting and some of the paintings are still in very good condition, considering their age. The colours were made from natural pigments and are still bright and vibrant although quite a few have deteriorated or been spoiled by rain leaks. Work is being done but some of it is not very professional.
The drive back along the river valley was just as interesting as the drive up. The scenery is very spectacular, with side valleys, waterfalls and high rocks and cliffs. In places there are footbridges across the river, but otherwise there are long stretches from one crossing point to another.
After a late lunch we rested for a bit and caught up on the blog and pictures before going out for a short walk around the fields.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
As we trekked to the car a swallowtail butterfly flitted onto the pool but there was no time for a pic. After Jeet had to go back for something we set off for Tabo monastery. We drove back to the river bridge and then turned right towards Tabo along the Spiti river valley.
The road is cut out from the side of the valley and in places the shale and mud slides over the road and the track is compressed by cars until it's passable. It's also cut out of the rock in places so it overhangs. There was a warning of falling rocks so we didn't stop until we got to the other side.
We went through a busy little village called Poh, where the water is brought down from the hills and so just crosses the road in a water splash, before bubbling away down the hill.
We entered into Tabo through a fresh looking archway and parked up, then walked up the street past a small shopping group and a restaurant before entering the monastery, first walking clockwise round a stupa and then ringing the bell.
The drive back along the river valley was just as interesting as the drive up. The scenery is very spectacular, with side valleys, waterfalls and high rocks and cliffs. In places there are footbridges across the river, but otherwise there are long stretches from one crossing point to another.
After a late lunch we rested for a bit and caught up on the blog and pictures before going out for a short walk around the fields.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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