Gyangze Palcho Monastery and roof renovation work 2000.  [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

A long gradual climb now commenced and with each bend of the road, as we moved higher, the views across the tranquil waters of the lake became increasingly spectacular. The road was winding up towards the 4,794-meter-high Kamb-la Pass, where we stopped to take in the views. Stretching below were the waters of the lake and in the distance, mountain summits rose. As I looked to the north, we seemed roughly at the same elevation of many peaks. It really did feel as though I was standing on the roof of the world.

As I sat at the pass, cars and buses ascended the slope, stopping to throw out sutras onto the stones around the prayer flags. I saw this at most high passes we crossed. Then there would be the long descent back towards the Yamzho Yumco. My descent however would eventually lead northwards down to the Yarlung Tsangpo River, whose waters I could see from my high vantage point. In the distance there was the valley leading back towards Lhasa.

The road then was narrow, at times with vertigo-inducing drops. After some time I was glad when we started reaching villages before arriving at the wide braided channel of the river and the main road connecting Lhasa with Gonggar Airport. The Southern Friendship Highway had been a magnificent road trip.