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A mythical isolated land of lonely giant peaks over 8000 meters; this combined with an ancient highly developed culture- has attracted travelers and adventurers over the centuries. Also, a violently reality shows us that since 1959, China has occupied Tibet violating international public law and human rights. Anyhow, the strong belief of the people in the Buddhist teachings gave them a cultural identity overcoming the political routine of everyday life. This is their uniqueness and the source of strength behind their survival.
Tibet’s territory in its original magnitude amounts 2.47 million-sq. km at an average altitude of over 4000-m. Despite the size-it has a small population of around 2.7 million. Another 4 million Tibetans live abroad in south China, India, Nepal.
For centuries Tibet has instilled a special fascination in the West, as well as in peoples in other parts of the world. Tibet was even a symbol of mystical knowledge about the meaning and goal of our existence. In the temples of Angkor and Borobudur for example, and everywhere in Asia the heavily symbolic model of Mt. Kailash the stylized replica of the holy mountain Meru, can be found. The inaccessible forbidden land which, unlike many other countries on Asia, was not a European colony. For a long time it was only possible to reach Tibet after enormous difficulties and trials. Only a few adventurers or great explorers succeeded in reaching Lhasa in the last centuries. So, legends were created concerning the mysterious country. At one point a novel by James Hilton, The Lost Horizon, on the mystical valley of Shangri-La. which was supposed to be located in Tibet, fascinated a great deal of readers. In the west there was a desire for unattainable country, for a Garden of Eden of which one could dream. According to the Tibetan tradition there is a mystical country even beyond Tibet with the name of Shambala which, however, is far from any reality.
The mystification of the Tibet could partly be based on respect for the strength of faith and the dimension of spirituality on the roof of the world
Mid january I heard about a place where all long time hippies and people in search of the old time Goa go, a nice secluded place with pristine beaches, free life, like-minded people travelers and a world away from the vivid and noisy everyday life here in India. One has to engage in a semi-long journey by old buses speeding on bumpy roads, to reach this place in the state of Karnataka, just south of Goa.
The town is a shanty place with remarkable ancestral homes on the back roads, and a fascinating colourful market road. Gokarna is the name of the town, and long time travelers already come here for a while. Few km away there is a stretch of beautiful coast line with 4 great beches. The first 2, Koodli and Om Beach are reachable by road. Over the hills, on a nice trek you find secluded Half Moon Beach ( My fav) and Paradise Beach. I already have been 2 times. First just after Goa, to release myself, and one more time middle of January after I met again Marielle, a Luxemburgish friend and traveled together around great Karnataka. Both times I based on Om Beach(it really has the shape of the OM sign). Great atmosphere, very international ( Europeans , Mexicans, Portuguese, brasilians, Israelis and young creative Mumbaikers). I made great friendships, and convinced people to visit Romania in the summer. Like Joaquim from Andorra, my drinking partner there. We settled all the autumn plans; I will visit him in Menorca, Baleares where he’s a Chef, and short after the season ends he’ll pay a visit to Transilvania.
In rest, life’s good.
Oh, and Gokarna means Cow’s Ear. Funky
TRMB says:
Like: spicy food, abundance of exotic fruits, tea&milk, cheap transportation, sunset on the palm beaches on the SW coast, Ayurvedic rejuvenation sessions, Mermait(yeast extract-you can find it in Europe only in UK&Ireland), striped sarongs(got one), flower shirts(added one to my hawaiiano-samoan-polynesian-kiribatic collection), sipping coconut anytime, Sri Lankan flag( since childhood), colonial atmosphere on the railway stations, the price stated and stamped on products, Kandyan dance, ginger beer.
Don’t like: the front seats reserved for the clergy, where teenagers budhist monks sit relaxed, while 60 years old women stand, tuk tuk drivers, touts.
