Prayer flags atop a 5200m pass along the way to Lhasa on the Friendship Highway, Tibet.

Driving the Friendship Highway to Lhasa, Tibet, day 2. Frequent rains the previous month or two and heavily eroded hills and valleys lead to heavy flooding, badly eroded roads, and in this case, extremely deep mud. At this point we were requested to walk while the drivers made sure they could make it. Walking was faster. The road soon became so bad that the land cruisers had to find a way on the floodplain next to the river rather use the road itself - too many trucks were stuck, listing, in the way.

Another group of prayer flags along a 5000m plus pass on the Friendship Highway, Tibet. (Every pass all over Tibet had its share of prayer flags).

Through the clouds, the sun illuminated plains in the distance along the Friendship Highway. It is said that this road in Tibet is one of the most beautiful roads in the world - and it's true.

Three chörten at Shigatse Monastery, Tibet.

View of the gilded roofs near the main assembly hall, located in the city of Shigatse, Tibet.