Tag Archives: Tibet
Mustang Spaces 3 – The Smell of Smoke, The Scent of Sun
Withered little holes of caves rest in a line hundreds of metres above on a sheer wall of red stone. This pattern has repeated itself again and again on this journey. On sheer walls – upon closer looks through a … Continue reading
Mustang Spaces 2 – The Cup, The Mountains
The Tibetan term ‘gtum mo’, pronounced “Tummo” refers to the tantric tradition of meditation that summons or produces heat and a kind of blissful warmth within the body. It is a kind of yogic heat, which is attained through a … Continue reading
Mustang Spaces 1 – The Khampa Route
Departing along the Khampa route along the eastern flank of Mustang. Continue reading
Himalayan Pashmina – The Journeys That Wool Took
Along with salt, resin, and of course that wonderful stimulant fuel, tea, Pashmina was another of the commodities that allowed nomads and remote communities some autonomy. Continue reading
Puerh’s Ancient Cylinder – 竹面 – Zhú tǒng
The round cylinder of compressed Puerh, was formed using a bamboo husk and provided one of the most effective means of transporting tea along the Tea Horse Road. Continue reading
Tea Explorer Extended Run – On CBC’s Doc Channel
We’re delighted to announce that our documentary film The Tea Explorer film is getting an additional airing on Sunday Sept, 10th at 9 pm ET/10 PT on CBC’s Doc Channel in Canada. Best taken with a cup of leaves and water … Continue reading
Mustang – Part 2 – Route of Khampas
“A land of little and a route of much” is how I often view this present journey and it is how I’ve viewed many of Himalayan trade routes I’ve travelled. Our present route here in Mustang has taken us past an … Continue reading
Mustang’s Eastern Trade Route
Trade routes (still) offer up hints and teasers about how lands evolved and functioned. Everything from DNA to luxuries and tid-bits from the past travelled and each shipment and caravan needed the guardians, the traders and the willful to ensure … Continue reading
Tea’s Last Guardians – The Himalayan Muleteers and the Tea Horse Road
Joining the storied Royal Geographical Society here in London as they host my upcoming talks: Tea’s Last Guardians – The Himalayan Muleteers, this upcoming Monday and Tuesday. A magnificent venue to rant on about two great fuels: tea and mountains…and their epic custodians whose grand work rarely gets a worthwhile bit of mention. A grand tribute to the Tea Horse Road. Continue reading
Nomad’s Fine Food – Air-Dried Yak
Tibetan styled air drying. Slabs of yak meat hang in a nomad’s tent letting 4500-metre air and wind dry one of the vital protein sources for families in the Himalayas. Yak have long been one of the essentials for the very highest of high-residents, providing sustenance, cloth, mobile transport and tools. Continue reading