From Lo Manthang, two of us took a jeep to Garphu while the rest walked. Garphu was a village even further in direction of the Chinese border to Tibet.
Not only there, but also on passes, summits and houses we saw many prayer flags that fluttered in the wind and carried the prayers to heaven. The different colors symbolize the sky (blue), the clouds (white), fire (red), water (green) and earth (yellow).
We visited a rock monastery that had also a chamber for an eremit.
Walking to the other side of the village, we passed a makeshift soccer field on the sandy soil below the entrance to some caves.
Soon after us the key man arrived on a motorcycle and he asked not only for an entrance fee but also for a photo license. Some decided that was a rip off and stayed outside. Inside we soon found out that the key man was even more enterprising - in the main chamber he had a little shop selling jewelry and souvenirs. We were more interested in exploring the caves. Aisles, holes, ladders led through a vast system of caves that were used living, sleeping, cooking and storing. Once there lived a population of 30 families. Some families around Garphu still used nearby caves for storing food.
We returned to the village for lunch. We sat in the best room of the house and ate a noodle soup.
Afterwards a little group went back with jeep and the rest returned on foot to Lo Manthang. The one of us who stayed behind awaited us with bad news - the Illy Café with coffee specialties and wifi closed for the winter season.
Keeping watch - dogs were very common in Mustang.
Not only there, but also on passes, summits and houses we saw many prayer flags that fluttered in the wind and carried the prayers to heaven. The different colors symbolize the sky (blue), the clouds (white), fire (red), water (green) and earth (yellow).
Prayer flags - photo by S. Klein
Nyiphu Gompa - photo by S. Klein
The monastery belonged to the Sakya school, but except for the key monk all had left for the warmer regions.
the altar
the key monk
One of the treasurers of the monastery were their books.
Mountains around Garphu - photo by S. Klein
Soon after us the key man arrived on a motorcycle and he asked not only for an entrance fee but also for a photo license. Some decided that was a rip off and stayed outside. Inside we soon found out that the key man was even more enterprising - in the main chamber he had a little shop selling jewelry and souvenirs. We were more interested in exploring the caves. Aisles, holes, ladders led through a vast system of caves that were used living, sleeping, cooking and storing. Once there lived a population of 30 families. Some families around Garphu still used nearby caves for storing food.
View from the caves
We returned to the village for lunch. We sat in the best room of the house and ate a noodle soup.
Family in Garphu
Obelix' hinkel stone paradise in the riverbed of Nhichunga.
Afterwards a little group went back with jeep and the rest returned on foot to Lo Manthang. The one of us who stayed behind awaited us with bad news - the Illy Café with coffee specialties and wifi closed for the winter season.
Café in Lo Manthang
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