A Day for R&R for everyone who had been working hard and also a place where all can enjoy the scenery:-

8 Aug After breakfast, we parted ways with Dr. Loo and Dr. Neo. They were heading for home and we proceeded to Moonland for Lamayuru Monastery which is 127km from Leh. At an altitude of 3,510meters, it is dubbed as “moonscape” due to the volcanic formation of the region.

Along the way for toilet break, Gen Yeshi was kind enough to climb up to this apricot tree to pick some ripe fresh apricots for us to try. He really spoils us. We "Suaku" Singaporeans most of us have not seen nor try fruits fresh from the tree!

Lamayuru is amongst the oldest monastery in Ladakh. It was founded by Naropa, the lineage master of Kagyud sect in the 11^th century. Till today the cave where he meditated forms part of the shrine is still well preserved. It was built on a self-arising swastika where it is also called the Land of Liberation. In the past, prisoners can escape death if they can send their hat to this place before execution. In 1038 the great translator Richen Zangpo (958-1055) built 5 temples here. One of them is still in perfect condition today.

The top exterior of the monastery

From the balcony of the monastery we view the surrounding then we know how high we are

            The town below seemed so far away from the monastery that we were in

We went on after lunch to go to a new place which we have not been to during our last trip. Geh Yeshi thinks that the guesthouse in Tingmosgang village is a better choice than what we had the last time. We settled into a guesthouse to have a taste of Lhadakhi home style stay. The tea and dinner was taken in a dinning hall / living room setting just like their own people do. People just sit around, sip tea and have snacks and spend the time away relaxing.

That is how people there do it. Chit chat and sip tea

In the morning of the 9 Aug, we had another bonus from Gen Yeshi! We were brought to this palace monastery which was used by the King and Queen and went into the room where there was a self arising Cherenzig!! We sat inside and meditated, recited our mantra and soaked in the peaceful atmosphere. Seems every summer there is a big festival where people come from miles to pay respect to the Chenrezig. We are so blessed! 

So high! I would never aspire to be a king or queen here!

 

So up we go and enjoy the climb more so after full breakfast!

 

Off we go and for lunch in Alchi we had the good fortune of eating in the restaurant of a 5* chef. She is very innovative and the first time we eat chocolate momo and love it!

                           Chocolate lover anyone? It is heavenly and worth the wait.

 

The main attraction is of course is the Alchi temple complex, built by Rinchen Zanpo, the great Tibetan translator. It was said that he built more than 10 temples and monasteries overnight in this region with his magical power. However, most of them are in ruins now. The artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and Hindu kings of that time is reflected in the wall paintings of the monastery .

We need to really bow down to get inside because the door is so low!  

 

This temple that has fantastic murals are still in disrepair even though two years have passed since I last saw it. Can see that the front door is supported by a beam and the roof is partially gone. Hope they do something soon. 

 

On our way back to Saboo we stopped by a monastery which is relatively new. But there was no one there! This is another bonus from Gen Yeshi.

This place is beautiful but where are the people?

 

So we go home to our Norling Guesthouse after 2 days of adventure out. We rest again before we go for the big one!