After years of isolation from the outside world, Bales were given permission in 1981 to take clients into Tibet, a land known as ‘the Rooftop of the World’. Sitting on a plateau some 15,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by the dominant Himalayan mountain range, my visit left me with many lasting memories.

From the gentle and humble nature of the Tibetan people with offerings of ‘Yak butter tea’ wherever you go to the colourful prayer flags which are seen everywhere and symbolize the harmony of heaven, earth, man and animals. Some of the larger prayer flags are arranged until they look like ladders leading to heaven and they can even sound like monks reciting the sutra when strong winds blow.

But for me, my lasting memory will be my visit to the Jokhang Monastery. It may be five years since I travelled to Tibet, but I can still remember the smell of the burning incense and the feeling of anticipation when I discovered that shortly the Monastery would become packed with many monks and pilgrims visiting so I decided to ‘stay around’ to witness this event. Slowly, I managed to manoeuvre myself so that I was close to where the monks were seated. Silence, then the sound of chanting from the monks started. I watched in wonder, covered in ‘Goosebumps’ and feeling very humbled by this experience, one that I will remember for always. There are many magnificent palaces and monasteries in Tibet, all different but all telling the ‘same story’. I feel very privileged to have visited this country sitting on top of the world.