After reading the book “Lost Horizons” I think my vision of Shangri-la was a little skewed to say the least. There is a monastery but I did not go. It’s now quite the tourist attraction and I went to the visitor centre and then decided to return. My Hotel or the Cozy Inn as it’s called is OK but there is no heating in the room and so it’s not that cosy, although the bed has an electric blanket. I’m not sleeping well as I feel I have a weight on my chest due to the high altitude.

The skies are blue but you can still smell the wood burning fires and so at times when you climb up a hill or steps your lungs are still clawing for air and so even although it looks pristine it ain’t. The altitude has quite an effect on your breathing at times and the smoke just doesn’t help.

Two years ago there was a large fire which destroyed much of the old city and so many of the places are shiny and new, but they have been built in the tradition Tibetan style. Many streets are still under construction and so maybe in a few years the old city might look old again. But you don’t have to walk too far before you come across the modern world which is full of designer clothes and Nike stores. As I say my vision of Shangri-la has been slightly distorted by reading a book that was written almost 100 years ago. But tomorrow I will be heading down the hill to Tiger Leaping Gorge to start my trek. But even so I think it’s worth coming to for just a few days if your in the neighbourhood.

I brought this packet of crisps from Suzhou and when I reached here it was ready to explode because of the difference in air pressure. The sun cream that I brought poured out when I took the lid off and the rolling ball in the deodorant leapt out too. My body feels like bits are also trying to escape.  My poor heart is thumping in my chest and just won’t relax; I half expect to find it beside me when I wake up in the morn. So I thought that adjusting to the higher altitude would be quite easy but I feel that it will take more time here to do that. As night falls once more I feel the headache returning and my stomach is also not too happy. But I am also looking forward to a slightly warmer climate.