NomadDad / He is able who thinks he is able

If you take the Arlanda Express from the Airport to Stockholm, just as you leave the train station is a hotel called the Nordic Sea. Inside is a bar called the “Ice Bar”, an offshoot of the famous Ice Hotel. Everything inside is made of ice. It usually requires reservations – and is not cheap, but a great unique experience!!

Hejdå

I was 13 years old. It was incredible. Now I want to go again, with my wife and daughter this time.

Three tips about Lhasa.

1) Jokhang temple and Potala Palace are both near the old town, right in the center of Lhasa. Visit Jokhang in the morning when it’s open to the pilgrims. It is so amazing to be in amongst 1000+ devout buddhists, spinning their prayer wheels on the ‘circuits’ they walk, kneeling and prostrating themselves thousands of times in front of the entrance, and standing in line with their ‘mao’ notes (a few pennies each) and Yak butter, to give offerings. My wifes favorite place during our 5 week China/Tibet visit.

2) From the roof of the Jokhang temple is an excellent place to get a picture of the Potala palace (see mine, above).

Our guide was just great. Best guide out of a dozen or more we had. His name was Dop Jor, and he’s from Tibet. He knew everybody, got us in everywhere, and was a wealth of information. I’ll see if I can find his contact information later – very highly recommended!

3) The best food in Lhasa (for Westerners) is at the Dunya restaurant. It’s only a couple of blocks from the Jokhang temple. It’s owned by some ex-pats, including an American and I believe some people from Denmark. The Yak-Sizzler was very good, washed down with Lhasa beer. Do yourself a favor and eat here at least once.

Train from Shanghai to Lhasa opens any day now – I’d love to hear from someone who takes it. I will definitely be visiting Lhasa again.