Foto: The Potala Palace in Lhasa (bron: Ronald van der Veer)

Tibet - The Potala Palace is situated high above the city. Not yet accustomed to the altitude, I climb the nearly 300 steps of the immense Potala Palace at a slow pace. Along the way, I admire the structure. The Potala has a total of 13 floors and more than 1,100 different rooms. The Potala Palace was the residence of the Dalai Lama, from where he fled in 1959 during the Chinese occupation. Thasi provides explanations about the palace. We visit the former residence of the Dalai Lama. Because we must be outside again within an hour—and the guide is held accountable for this—Thasi quickly leads us through the rooms. In his enthusiasm, he tries to share as much information as possible and speaks increasingly fast. Sometimes he has to speak over Chinese guides to get a word in. After the living quarters in the white section, we enter the Red Palace at the top of the Potala Palace. Here lie the tombs of former Dalai Lamas, the throne, and beautiful images of Buddha. It’s a pity we cannot stay longer, but on the other hand, it’s good that we were able to enter at all. At the exit, it turns out the tour lasted fifteen minutes too long, but to Thasi’s relief, this causes no problems for him.

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