Roof of the world Part IV

Human are very fragile creatures. Nature forces are one of the most powerful forces on earth. Bring us high up or deep down, we will just break down quite easily. Prepared or not.

Tuo Tuo He (Tuo Tuo River) is our next destination. Right after breakfast, off we go to hit the road. It will be another 400km on the road, at least. Again our guide keep advising us not to get too excited and whatever we do, be very slow. Do not even attempt to run. Laugh to hard or pee to hard is a no-no. Trying doing a dash, chances are you will be panting real hard within 15 steps.

First to reach is the Yi Bu Tian Xian (A step of grave danger). Its a small river which used to be only about 3m wide but 50m deep. A person can actually run and leap cross safely but if slip, then good luck. But now, caused of construction of bridge and dam, so the place is pretty much spoilt.

Next attraction is the entrance to an ancient site. The ancient site is where taoism was founded back in dunno when. Founder is Mr Jiang Zi Ya aka Jiang Tai Gong aka Lü Sheng. So I guess should be around the end of Shang dynasty and beginning of Zhou dynasty. Oh we din even go cause its 240km in from the entrance.

First photo site to hit is a very scenic view of the snow mountain. As with all suaku people tourists, we stop for the usual I-have-been-here photo session. In fact, just when we found the best view spot to park our minibus, there is a herd of goats lambs sheeps running towards our best view spot. So we have to chase the herd away by driving and horning towards them. Really nice to see them leaping and run in group and not all over the place.

Along the way, we see the chinese army conducting their exercise. There are infantries, artilleries, armor, and dunno what else. The guide warns us against taking photos. It can lead to a lot of problems. But we the ladies do take some photos with them when one tonner truck load of them visit the same ancient site as us.

Then its all the way up to the top of Mount Kunlun, which is 4700km above sea level. Strong cold wind is seriously killing. Have to do everything slowly. Its no joke at that height. Oh, also get to pee up there. So I contribute by trying to raise the water level there.

When we get to Ke Ke Xi Li, the thing I'm searching high and low for is the highly endangered tibetan goat. Its not easy to spot them due to their blanding color and they stay far away from the road. They seem to be only in groups of 2-3 till we spot one whole herd of them near a side road. We got so excited and up to as close as we can and take as much photos as we can. And I leave the area a satisfied man.

After that, not much incidents except the minibus broke down twice. The first time in the town where we have lunch. So we get one of the service shop to service it. Then again much later along the way. Good thing the driver manages to fix else we are seriously in deep shit.

By the time we got to Tuo Tuo He, some of us are feeling not too well. The river point is goddamn cold as well. All of us got headache. I guess the height and coldness is finally kicking on us.

After dinner, we head for our accommodation which is an army camp. We ain't the only group around. Everyone sleeps in a cell-like room. Toilet is unisex and its the ONLY one, hence guys are stopped by the girls inside. Everyone is fighting for toilet but no different sexes is using at the same time.

We just head for bed with everything on, wrap from head to toes without washing up. Think I better sleep as well. Tomorrow will be even higher at more than 5000km above sea level. Up the snow mountain.

Damn, I should have brought a sleeping bag. Shit. Stomachache. No way am I going to do my business in the extreme pungent toilet.