An endearing and parting shot of the Doctor With the doctor behind me, but very much still in the mind, I head north towards this “little temple on a mountain”. His words about the ills of the mind resonate but my philosophy has always been, ‘as long as there is enough tea with me, my mind – and whatever values and passions are at play – will sort themselves out.‘ The doctor of the mountains has the kind of rare but universal familiarity and charm that stays in the thoughts l

Pilgrims at the Tashi Monastery Sun (neema in Tibetan) blasts into the day as we wake to a reckless blue sky and a wind that hums. Snow capped peaks shimmer on the horizon and wind whips smoke and sand into mini-tornadoes. All of Mother Nature’s elements are on display today in a show of force, and Michael and I both feel this bodes well for the journey. The city of Maqen (3700 metres) scatters for cover from winds that rip down the main street daring any to test it. Eyes bur