Roof of the world Part II

Did mention that the food over in Xining seems abit too salty for our sillyporeans' taste bud. And mutton is one of their food. Almost Every meal consume in a restaurant where you order a couple of dishes definitely include mutton, except for breakfast which I get to try donkey meat. It taste almost like beef, if I still remember the taste.

I think what look like sweet potato porridge to me is actually century egg porridge. The century egg is yellow in colour and taste like a cross between salted egg yolk and century egg. Or maybe its just me. After that, the salty-ness level drop to an acceptable level.

After breakfast, we head for Ta Er Shi (Ta Er Monastery). Its suppose to be a very grand one. The buddha worshipped there is like rank number 2 in the buddhist world, behind number 1. I am sure you know who is the number 1, if you dun, ask your buddhist friends. If they dunno, its time they change or reflect on their religion (links & research on gprs is expensive lah, especially if you are roaming).

The monastery guide told us a lot of things, so much so that I almost forgotten what the pretty guide said the moment I step out. You have screen out your guide voice when there are other guides giving similar speech on the ground. Remind me of the Chengdu airport. They can bloody made 2 flight announcement at the same time. They probably think you can screen out which statement is for you. And their english announcement seriously sound like spanish to me.

Suppose to go Xining museum next but cause of some event.going on over at the place, so its cancelled. So hop over to the nearby shopping centre for some groceries shopping.

Ri Yue Mountain (sun moon mountain) is next. Nothing really exciting except you experiment who it is like to be more than 3000m above sea level. The guide just stress to do everything very very slowly. Walking very leisurely can be almost like taking a slow jog. And lots of people bugging you to sit on their long hair ox cow bull. They can even tell you that his ong hair ox cow bull has big ears and double eyelids!

Then we head on to Qinghai lake, the biggest lake in China. Along the way, we stop by for scenic view. Have lunch here and food is ok. However there is a particular dish that we have no idea what meat is that. First we think its mutton cause of the strong taste, then the guide come over and tell us that it ain't no beef nor mutton. He does not know and he say he will go and ask but never come back to us on that.

First lesson learn is be very who you are taking photographs of. If its some -human- wearing some tribal or custom costumes and dancing around, make sure check if its payable to take photo. We are told that if you take with them, its chargable but not if you take photo of them.

I tell you, they can hog you. Those goddamn kids hog us, and later I have no idea why only me, for more than 5 mins. Its horrifying. They just keep demanding me to pay, singing louder and louder uncle pay money. Fark! What uncle? KNS! I just keep walking and take photos of other stuffs, till the guide come over to settle it for the 2nd time. They complain of too little moolah the first time round.

Aheading to our rest point is next. Along the way, we have to travel up a mountain at more than 3800m. Nothing to see but stop for water release. The guys does it quickly after walking a short distance away. The ladies refuse to do cause they cannot find any concealment. So we just gotta drive along till we find some place with concealment for them.

Since we are slightly ahead of time when we reach Chaka, so the guide decides to bring us to the Chaka Salt Lake which is actually next day itinerary. Good to be ahead of time, instead of having to rush. But a pity that its the high tide season now, so the railway track is partially submerged in water. Else we are suppose to take the train to the other side of the lake.

After dinner, we are informed that there is some mongolian festival going on. So the guide ask if we are interested. Most of us want to experience it, so we agree to go. However most got too tired waiting, so we cancel it. Its 9 already and we are still waiting. I guess its also they want to wait for nightfall. At that hour, some skylight still manage to sneak in.

Damn. Another chance waste for more photos and experiences