Petronas Adventure Team

The expedition route will begin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and finish in Shenzhen, China. Find out where else this 15,000km plus route takes the team.

> Enter

Meet the specialists who have generously sponsored this expedition.

> Enter

Logistics, discussions, recces, and more. Meet the people behind the scenes.

> Enter

Get to know the men and women who will be travelling together for 43 days.

> Enter

Follow the expedition team's progress online.

> Enter

Read insightful journal entries from Expedition Member Farid's point of view.

> Enter

Send greetings to team members or read messages from them.

> Enter

For members of the media, enter your username and password when prompted.

> Enter

ARCHIVED JOURNAL - WEEK 5

THE HOLY CITY OF LHASA
15th September | Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, means "God’s Land" in Tibetan language. For Tibetans, it is one of the sacred places they wish to visit at least once in their lifetime. I was lucky enough to be here. From Potala Palace to Jokhang Temple, with endless procession of repeatedly prostrating pilgrims, this city certainly earns its heavenly title and creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere to many of us.

I began to see the sign of deep devotion to Buddhism by the Tibetans during our overland journey in Tibet. The pilgrimage to Lhasa was a unique ritual: every three steps they took, the pilgrims prostrated on the ground and recited the prayers. It may take months or even years before they can reach their ultimate destination. The dedication to the religion in the world of Tibetan Buddhism is something beyond my understanding and comprehension, but I did observe one thing we could share in common: it brings people together in unity and harmony.

As far as the city is concerned, Lhasa to me was a great city. There were significant old and new parts of the city, with bazaars, monasteries and newly built department stores filled the skyline of the city. There were many monks everywhere around Lhasa, all dressed in similar dark-red coloured robes. Some I noticed were high-tech savvy, with mobile phones, PDAs and laptops. I got a mini CDROM as a ticket to enter the Jokhang Temple. The monks are keeping up with the advent of technology! There was a plentiful of food to choose from traditional Tibetan variety, Indian and Western cuisines. My favourite was still the succulent yak meat, but some of us cannot stand the slight yaky taste. To many of our team bargain hunters, gemstones were the items to grab for. I have no prior knowledge on these precious stones, but I started to appreciate them like most women do.

This visit to Lhasa and Tibet in general has changed my personal perception about this region: From a remote and unexplored region entering into a modern era. New roads and highways are being constructed, making the future travel much easier, as well as elevating the standard of life to the majority of Tibetans. I was lucky to have seen this place before everything changed. This is a place, which I hope to make a come back in the future.

MYSTERIOUS TIBET
4th September | The journey was getting tougher as we were entering Tibet province! “Alpha Bravo to Stingray. One...
read more

ON TOP OF THE WORLD
10th September | It was the proudest moment for everyone when we finally saw the glimpse of Mount Everest, or...
read more

THE HOLY CITY OF LHASA
15th September | Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, means "God’s Land" in Tibetan language. For Tibetans, it is one of the...
read more

WONDERS OF NATURE
23rd September | After the grueling journey to the Everest Base Camp, the journey home was not as easy as I thought....
read more

FROM NATURE TO CULTURE
27th September | If anyone ever wonders about the existence of heaven on earth, I think I have found one: Jiuzhaigou...
read more

THE LAST MILES
29th September | Day 40 to 43 Wanzhou – Yichang – Xiangtan - Shenzhen PETRONAS Trans-Himalayas 2005 is coming to an...
read more