Spectacular! That's all I can say about the views from the highest railway in the world. At over 5000 metres, watching the scenery from the train window was incredibly rewarding. Moving away from the main China pollution, you could really appreciate the grandeur of the mountain and lake scenery - vistas unspoiled by mankind (apart from the train line I suppose!).
Tibet seems to have a fair few features in common with Mongolia. Lots of plains with the odd nomadic settlements of people with their large herds of cattle. I even saw some cyclists, and envied what an epic journey they must be on at such a great altitude. They must have been well trained, since by the middle of the day, my train carriage had started to look more like a hospital ward. The outside temperature varied between 5 and 12 degrees C, and the thinned air was affecting many people with severe headaches - some had extra pipes of oxygen to their noses, some were vomitting, while others appeared to feel fine! I had milder syptoms of a little light headedness and getting easily tired climbing up and down from my bunk!
In my carriage was Sonya (a Spanish lady with a Russian name), who was there with two friends from another carriage - Gabriella (Argentinian) and Natalia (Spanish). They were all teaching at the same school in Tenerife, and were on holiday together. They were a very happy and lively bunch, and seemed to have the same attitude as me - spend your money on learning about the world rather than having possesions. It is Sonya that is pictured. It turns out that I would see them several times again in Lhasa! And get this... I met a lady called Chun Li!!! I didn't ask her if she was a Street Fighter though. She was working in the dining carriage, and I wrote for her a letter of my experience of the Sky Train and service on it. She translated this into English (she is pictured holding the letter). I wonder if she was seeking promotion!The descent back down to 3500 metres in Lhasa resulted in the the "explosion" of various items in my baggage - water bottles shrunk, shower gel leaked, 3 good pens leaked to oblivion and my malaria tablets became melded to their packets! The Journey ended Lhasa station where I was greeted with a Tibetan scarf by the Tibetan guide for the trip - Sonam. And who were the other people he was waiting for?... yes the Spaniards! I was taken to my hotel room where I met my room mate Louise from London (travelling for a whole year!)
