When the Dalai Lama lived in Tibet he had two residences, the summer palace and the winter Potala Palace. The winter residence stands spectacularly over Lhasa like a proud snow lion. Up many steps and you finally reach the top. The views over Lhasa are fantastic, you can see the city limits in all directions. The mountains sort of seem to halt development on the sides they stand. A sort of natural castle wall. The river passes majestically around the city close to the mountains, the mote to the castle. The guide pointed out a sharp hill, “there” he said “that’s where the first house in this area was” now it’s a Telcom tower. Inside the Palace it was very beautiful. Tombs for the past Dalai lamas all made of gold and inlayed with precious stones. Precious stones the size of a boxing glove stand out failing to impress very few. These tombs are about 10 – 15m high. The treasury room houses many gifts from countries all over the world. Statues of Buddha’s from all Buddhist countries as well as a swag of other nations. The three dimensional mandalas are unbelievable, each the size of a car all so intricately carved also inlayed with computer mouse size precious stones. The bedroom and thrones of each of the Dalai Lamas where all equally impressive although we where not allowed to see the rooms of the 14^th Dalai Lama as they are “Being renovated”. Security cameras and voice recorders are everywhere. The place is overwhelmingly impressive but just feels like a museum not a home.