Still not quite sure we have the mountain name right.

But its definitely in the right place for the Himalayas.

We get them at the beginning of a section.

If we arrive at the next section before the appointed time we must have been speeding.

We're not sure what the prize is.

There are also licence (vehicle and us) checks, and registration checks.

Sacred mountain. Its never been climbed.

There's a sacred circuit for pilgrims.

Lots from India and Nepal.

For the Hindus its the seat of Lord Shiva, the destroyer of ignorance and illusion.

Tantric Buddhists believe its the home of the Buddha Demchok who represents supreme bliss.

There's a three day (52km) circuit.

Entrance fee RMB150 per person (about A$25).

Its another tourist area.

We drove down a track past a monastery looking for a campsite.

We were rounded up by the gatekeepers. We apologised profusely for missing their ticket office (RMB150 each) and headed for the nearby Ghost Lake. They used to be one lake.

In the background is Namunani, otherwise known in English as Gurla Mandhata (7,727m).

A visit by the police, lots of smiles, and we are left to admire the scenery.

While we were overwhelmingly weary in Kazakhstan the effect of altitude is quite different, an overwhelming sleepiness.

We have to take more than usual care with driving.

I also notice I'm a bit slower of thought ... though popular opinion is I'm always like that.

And watch the sunrise.

Plus a bit of maintenance.

The next two days are long (450km) drives.

A two day holiday.

Not a good day after all. The diesel cooker wouldn't light and the flashing diagnostic lights weren't any help. I think that after the broken diesel pipe I ran the level in the good tank too low, air in the feed to the cooker, and the pump wouldn't prime. No fumes from exhaust and a noisy pump were the clues.

Then fixed one water leak, sliced thumb when knife slipped cutting pipe (a rare accident for me). Not easy working underneath the drips plus cold and altitude! Then discovered second leak hidden by first, but cold wind prevented repair.

Camera reports "system error (zoom)" and will be disposed of after repair attempt failed.

And so on. Like the intermittent indicator fault.

But the moon cakes (filled with various flavour jellies) were good.

Sorry, the iodined and plastered thumb is sore, but not quite bad enough to stop me typing! Just don't complain if there are no spaces. I'll live!