Back in 2001, I had an amazing journey through the sometimes off-limits-to-foreigners region of the Tibetan Plateau in Szechuan Province in Western China near the town of Aba. I thought I had written a story about it, but after looking all over while collecting material for my book, I couldn’t find anything other than the photos. But the images and memories I have from there are well worth sharing, so here ya go (click any image to expand it to full size and hit the browser’s back arrow to return here) :
Section One: On the road from Guizhou to Aba
![2001 Guizhou to Aba road Truck overturned](http://vacationboystories.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2001-Guizhou-to-Aba-road-Truck-overturned-300x192.jpg)
What happens when you overload a truck and drive down rough roads too fast. No idea how he was going to get it back upright as this was in the middle of NOWHERE.
![2001 China road to Aba farm houses](http://vacationboystories.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2001-China-road-to-Aba-farm-houses-300x205.jpg)
Surprising Swiss-chalet-like construction country houses. While common in a tiny little area here, I haven’t seen anything like it elsewhere in China.
![2001 China Aba young monks fun with cart](http://vacationboystories.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2001-China-Aba-young-monks-fun-with-cart-300x195.jpg)
Young monks playing with a cart. I love the exuberant joy on their faces. Makes me smile every time I see it.
Many people say that Tibetan culture is better preserved here in this site of important pilgrimages than it is in Tibet proper.
![2001 China Aba young monks prostrating](http://vacationboystories.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2001-China-Aba-young-monks-prostrating-207x300.jpg)
Prostrating is an important rite for many. They lay out flat, pray, rise to their feet, pray, take one step and repeat–for MILES. Many wear paddles on their hands and knee pads to reduce the wear on their body.
![2001 China Aba monk in temple](http://vacationboystories.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2001-China-Aba-monk-in-temple-300x206.jpg)
This welcoming monk invited me to his house for yak butter tea. (I’m sorry, but that stuff is horrible! –but I did drink it politely)
![2001 China Aba sky burial site](http://vacationboystories.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2001-China-Aba-sky-burial-site-300x190.jpg)
A Sky Burial site. Corpses are placed in the open in these locations and vultures “carry them off to heaven”.
Cool part of the world, huh?
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The sky burial photo struck me. I think there’s something noble in that. You know – the whole ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ thing…