Hi Kedi

I am sorry we are not on the same trip. I would have loved to have gone on the pioneering date. However, my son will be 40 on the 14th May, so even if I don't see him I will be in England.

Ne'er mind you and Angie, I think, will put up posts on your return and whet my appetite for Tibet even more.

I did read your excellent tips post about Borneo, no doubt they have been and will continue to be very useful to Borneo travellers. Am looking forward to reading more reviews on that 2nd Borneo holiday soon.

Nope, haven't sorted all my photos yet--but OK,have printed 560. Should have edited them better though, cos at least half are useless. I always have albums still, then I bore my friends!

I have also always wanted to go to Tibet and I have never been to China. Am hoping we see the cormorant fishermen on the Li river, but s'pose that will be doubtful as i think they only use cormorants when tourists are around now. OK we are tourists.  Chengdu Panda Reserve will be great especially after Sepilok.

Yaks,yetis (lol) prayer wheels and prayer flags awesome.

I hope that you are keeping well, hope to meet you again on another trip

Best wishes

from the shorter haired one.

Hello Di(ane) x 2 (hair long & short:-)

I am still wading through my Borneo and Singapore photos . . .

The TS "Tibet in search of Shangri-La" holiday in October has just been cleared to go (with eight of us!) so  I should be able to give a report on Tibet (and HKG) when I come back.

If I survive Lhasa, I shall certainly go on the JY "Roof of the World" trip (in September or October, not May) as I love China, and the two itineraries have very little overlap. I have been to Chengdu and Guilin before (not with JY, as its "Inspirational China" itinerary does not include Guilin), but the new JY trip visits quite a few places in each location that I did not see when I went, and also stops in Yangshuo (which one normally sees only briefly after the Li River cruise)

As of October 2014, one could still see cormorant fishermen: I don't recall seeing any on the Li River, but one posed for the tourists disembarking on the quayside at Yangshuo - you could have your picture taken with him for a modest fee - but the best place was at night on the lake at Guilin (the Bravo Hotel is in a beautiful location right by the lake):  it was possible to go on a night cruise on the lake, during which one could observe  the cormorant fishermen at work (they use lanterns) - this produced some lovely pictures, but needed a camera which was good at night photography! At the moment this excursion does not appear to be included in the new JY holiday, but could presumably be included at the end of Day 12 (or even Day 11 if the flight from Lhasa arrives early enough?).

Assuming that this cruise is still available, then this is quite a surprising omission - but equally surprising is the fact that seeing the pandas in Chengdu is optional: would anyone seriously contemplate going to Chengdu and not see the pandas? You will probably see more pandas (big and small) in Chengdu, and at closer quarters, than orangutans in Sepilok!

Jim

PS

You can see some pics of the night cruise here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ro5oeggpiyqyjjs/AADdBqhFouCHB8Ez8chauHlua?dl=0 

I hope this link works!

NB unedited night pictures, so probably best not viewed full-screen . . .

Great to hear that "In search of Shangri la" with just 8 people on it has been given the green light. I am sure you will be fine in Lhasa and that you will eagerly be booking "The roof of the world" on your return. I don't think the altitude is too bad, just checked it. 3,656 metres.

Wow, thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures of Guilin. I really do hope that we can do that night cruise on the lake and see the fishermen. Everywhere so brightly lit up! It looks as if there was a show being held on a couple of the photos. Is that the show that we have as an optional excursion? See what you mean about the Hotel Bravo,too. Seeing your photos has made me more excited about the trip--this is silly, I have over a year to wait!

Happy travelling Jim. 

Kind regards, Di-the shorter haired one.

Hope you are well and the knees are holding up OK!

I too am doing the May "Roof of the World", but re the altitude - it is high enough- I had very bad altitude sickness in Peru when I did the Machu Picchu trek in 2001, and it was less than 3,656 metres (for us "oldies" that is 11,995 feet!). I will definitely be taking Diamox with me. Sadly, with altitude sickness it doesn't matter what age you are, how fit you are, or even whether you have had it before. The best you can do is get as fit as possible, but if it happens, you have to drink lots of water, and if necessary, descend - "climb high, sleep low".

I am really looking forward to this tour - one of many I have booked! Tibet has been on my list for many years, having been to Nepal when I did the Everest Trail. My trekking days are over now though!

Still wading through my 2,000 odd Borneo photos!

Cheers,

Hils

Been meaning to email and say how much I enjoyed your Borneo photos - so I can now add how much I enjoyed your China photos!

Have a great time on your "Search for Shangri-la" - that sounds so much like a Boys Own adventure!

Hopefully your comments regarding the river cruises and the cormorant fishermen will be passed on to the tour designers - it may be that these are things that are not in the main itinerary but a 'surprise' offering! Certainly I am hoping to see the cormorants - even if it is from amongst a crowd of other tourists bobbing about in boats!

I have already been to see the pandas at Chengdu and would not miss the chance to go again. For those who haven't been, the areas available for visitors are quite close to the pandas - great for photographs. The adult pandas are each in separate outdoor enclosures (adult pandas lead solitary lives), usually eating bamboo or sleeping as pandas do. One adult female had two youngsters with her - her patience was tested. Then there is the outdoor "play area" for the younger ones from the nursery where they can practice their climbing skills together - so amusing to watch. Not sure about the nursery access now? Also red pandas in outdoor enclosures. I am afraid there is a great souvenir shop too!

When I was in Atlanta a while back, visiting the panda twins I saw born on live web cam, there were 6 pandas there. Two days later 2 of the older pandas, born in Atlanta, were sent to Chengdu - so I may get to see them again!

I'm off to South Africa and Zambia on a Travelsphere holiday on 2 September - slightly different to the JY trips - this includes whale watching and the Zulu homelands as well as safaris in Kruger and Botswana. Should be a lot cooler than Borneo to start with, just getting hotter and hotter as we travel north!!!! I do miss the opportunity to contact other travellers on the forum before setting off - apparently there are several single travellers.

Just need to sort out something for Christmas now..........

Wishing you well on all your travels.

I am fine thank you and my knees are holding up OK. How about you and your hip?

Great to hear that you are doing the Roof of the World tour, but what date are you going? It would be good to meet up again should you be going on 3rd Sept but I bet you are on the pioneering tour!

I was OK altitude wise when I was in Peru, although as you know I did collapse at the top of Machu Picchu. That was a culmination of other problems, very mild tummy upset, exhaustion as I hadn't slept the night before and slight dehydration. I am pleased you have written about altitude sickness because I had assumed that if one is OK first time at altitude one always would be!

I haven't anything else booked yet-apart from my independent trip to Munich with Dave on 26th of this month. This trip is to show him The Hofbrauhaus and other beer halls so that he can go with his friends.

Did JY do a bespoke add-on to Mumbai for your Kerala tour? India is still my favourite country

Continue to enjoy your travelling

all the best, Di

I went to South Africa with JY on 6th Sept 2006-my 2nd JY tour. I didn't do the add-on to Zambia though.

The weather was equable- just about right for us. We did have an absolutely massive thunderstorm one night though at Kruger, which we enjoyed watching from the lounge/ restaurant of the lodge. How sad was that!

We had a great time. Apart from the animals, my overriding memory is of the beautiful voices,whilst singing, most of the South Africans seemed to possess. In one of the chambers at the Cango caves  a local guide started singing, and with the acoustics and echoes it was simply heavenly.

Enjoy your TS trip. It might be possible to meet or chat with someone else on your tour via this forum.

That's how I met Dave over two years ago. LOL. He put up a post "Anyone going to Peru with TS Sept 18th" and I replied.

Hope you are keeping well

All the best

Di "shorter hair"

I usually never look at the hotels when I travel and when I have done once or twice, I take the reviews with a pinch of salt as most times they are not true as everyone's expectations are not the same. For me as long as the hotel is clean, that is all that matters as you do not really spend a lot of time in the room itself. I hope that the reviews on hotel will not stop you from booking this tour if you really want to go. I would not let it stop me!

Jaya

I agree with Jaya - and certainly I think the breathtaking scenery and cultural experiences on this tour would make up for any shortcomings in the hotels.  Tibet is pretty much off the beaten track, so with lesser visited places I do not expect the same standards in hotels or service - and there are some pretty disappointing hotels in Europe and elsewhere too!  Once I have a clean room and a reasonably comfortable bed, I'm happy.  I have my eye on this tour and have read the itinerary many times and I certainly wouldn't let simple/basic hotels put me off booking it. Many of the reviews on TA are ridiculous and I have often looked at the reviews after I have stayed in a hotel and wondered what on earth they were going on about! Go for it!

All the best,

Bob

I'm off on a trip in just over 3 weeks time. I've no idea what the hotels in Burma are like .. another wee surprise. Looking forward to the whole experience.

Angie

Thinking of booking this tour for May 2017 but had a look online at hotels and ones in Tibet much poorer standard and not good reviews.  Dilemma will sights make up for poor accommodation ? Interested to hear what others think.

Hi Alison

I went to Tibet in 2015.  I didn't stay at the Tse Dang Hotel , Sahannon, the Tashi Choten Hotel, Shigatse or the Kyichu Hotel, Lhasa, so I can't comment on those hotels, but I did stay in the Gyantse Hotel, Gyantse.

I wont lie to you, we were warned on the way to Gyantse that the Gyantse Hotel was not up to the standard of what we would expect, but apparently it was the best hotel there.  At the time of our stay  they were trying to update the hotel and there were plans to replace the old metal framed windows with something more modern.  My room was shabby and in need of decorating and the bathroom in dire need of updating.  The old style high wall heating in my room didn't work properly and the room was so cold I slept with a fleece on and was still cold.  But, having said all that, we were in Tibet!  And the answer to your question "will sights make up for poor accommodation" in my opinion I say, yes they definitely will.

Without going into the political situation in Tibet (I will hold my tongue on that subject) my advice is, if you want to see what is left of the old Tibetan traditions, go now before they change forever. 

Don't worry about accommodation, if you want to see out of the way places in the world then sometimes you have to accept things as they are or miss out altogether.  The Gyantse Hotel may well now be much improved, but if it isn't, you are only there for 1 night.

I loved Tibet so much I would like to go back before too long.

Avocet

Thinking of booking this tour for May 2017 but had a look online at hotels and ones in Tibet much poorer standard and not good reviews.  Dilemma will sights make up for poor accommodation ? Interested to hear what others think.

Hi Alison

I went to Tibet in 2015.  I didn't stay at the Tse Dang Hotel , Sahannon, the Tashi Choten Hotel, Shigatse or the Kyichu Hotel, Lhasa, so I can't comment on those hotels, but I did stay in the Gyantse Hotel, Gyantse.

I wont lie to you, we were warned on the way to Gyantse that the Gyantse Hotel was not up to the standard of what we would expect, but apparently it was the best hotel there.  At the time of our stay  they were trying to update the hotel and there were plans to replace the old metal framed windows with something more modern.  My room was shabby and in need of decorating and the bathroom in dire need of updating.  The old style high wall heating in my room didn't work properly and the room was so cold I slept with a fleece on and was still cold.  But, having said all that, we were in Tibet!  And the answer to your question "will sights make up for poor accommodation" in my opinion I say, yes they definitely will.

Without going into the political situation in Tibet (I will hold my tongue on that subject) my advice is, if you want to see what is left of the old Tibetan traditions, go now before they change forever. 

Don't worry about accommodation, if you want to see out of the way places in the world then sometimes you have to accept things as they are or miss out altogether.  The Gyantse Hotel may well now be much improved, but if it isn't, you are only there for 1 night.

I loved Tibet so much I would like to go back before too long.

Avocet

Hi Alison,

I second everything Avocet said as I was on the same tour with her.  the hotel is only a place to put your head down at night and the culture and scenery more than makes up for the accommodation.  As Avocet mentioned I think now is the time to see Tibet before the traditional ways and dress of Tibetans disappear altogether.  You will love Tibet, as did I and I would love to go back again, however I have booked Mongolia next year instead!   Happy Travels  Jacqueline!

If you are staying at the same hotels that we used last February they are fine.  The hotels in Kalaw and Inle Lake in particular are fabulous - just don't expect too much of the food service unless they have got their act together!!.  The ones in Mandalay, Bagan & Yangon are more switched on'

Have a great trip.

Having been to China twice previously would love to go back and seeing Tibet as well would be excellent. Your posts have more or less persuaded me to go. Will have another look online at holiday and will probably end up booking for May (exciting!).

Regards.

Angie