TRAIN TRIP FROM BEIJING TO LHASA IN TIBET
2 nights on board the Trans Tibetan Express that goes from Beijing to Lhasa started at our 'joining point' at a hotel in Beijing where our guide met us and drove us to the train station. Then she walked us through to the soft sleeper waiting lounge (we had backpacks and other bags with us and she couldn't believe that we had so much luggage - we thought it was fine!!) Chinese people aren't courteous as they push ahead in lines, push past you without saying sorry, and spit everywhere even inside a tiled lounge. I am getting used to it all though. The guide gave us our tickets, our Visas and then pointed to a doorway and said go right then look for T27 and you will be okay - then she left !! We were on our own from there on - we finally boarded the train in a 4 berth cabin that they have revamped by making the beds wider and the space in between them smaller. The toilets were disgusting after the first 2 hours of the trip. Pete was in charge of cramming our bags under and on top of every small space - finally we were off. It took 2 nights and the scenery was quite fantastic with snow capped mountains turning into snow covered ground with yak herds, wild donkeys, antelope, rabbits and mountain village folk dotted in between. 
Katrina Rowntree from Getaway needs to explain the seared salmon on a bed of rice that she had on Getaway on the same train. There is nothing like it in the dining car - instead there is Hitler's wife saying "you will have coffee now" and ordering us around - if you are Asian she is fine. We stood our ground and ordered water and she still said 'coffee' - we said 'water' and finally got it with a grudge. Even though there was oxygen being piped into each cabin and an announcement made saying 'no smoking until we arrive in Lhasa' all the Asians smoked regardless. We met a couple of nice people on the train who we have since caught up with in Lhasa. The temperatures was zero when we arrived; it was cold and our guide drove us to our hotel - ready for it?!! - the Yak Hotel - it is lovely, has a heater in each room, twin beds and TV with one english speaking channel but we are so comfortable.
Katrina Rowntree from Getaway needs to explain the seared salmon on a bed of rice that she had on Getaway on the same train. There is nothing like it in the dining car - instead there is Hitler's wife saying "you will have coffee now" and ordering us around - if you are Asian she is fine. We stood our ground and ordered water and she still said 'coffee' - we said 'water' and finally got it with a grudge. Even though there was oxygen being piped into each cabin and an announcement made saying 'no smoking until we arrive in Lhasa' all the Asians smoked regardless. We met a couple of nice people on the train who we have since caught up with in Lhasa. The temperatures was zero when we arrived; it was cold and our guide drove us to our hotel - ready for it?!! - the Yak Hotel - it is lovely, has a heater in each room, twin beds and TV with one english speaking channel but we are so comfortable.
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