We rolled along through more stunning scenery - we've been enjoying the travelling part of travelling lately, just as much as getting to the destinations - and arrived in Repkong. We found a hotel and set out to the Rongwo Gonchen Gompa, the main monastery in town, that dates from 1301. On the way we passed lots of shops selling everything needed for living a Buddhist life, and came across a beautiful new golden statue with people prostrating before. We also passed a group of soldiers kitted out with their helmets and batons - and this is a town we've been given access to.
Outside hundreds of prayer wheels surround the monastery spinning at the hands of worshippers, including our personal favourite the playful young monks - although they now lead a serious monks life, it was nice to see them having fun and mucking around together.Getting inside the monastery took us longer than expected when 3 friendly monks invited us in for a sit-down and chat. This was quite fun as only one spoke Chinese, and the conversation was a mix of translated English, Chinese and Tibetan. It's so enjoyable to hear and see the Tibetan language, while people walk in their traditional Tibetan clothes amongst us.
Inside the monastery we were able to wander in the maze of alleyways ourselves, waving and smiling at the many monks that live here. At the main temple a young monk showed us in, and then an older monk took over - smiling in delight when we positively responded to his mention of the Dalai Lama. We were also taken by surprise to see a picture of the Dalai Lama under the main Buddha statue. We lit yak-butter lamps on the request of the monk before continuing our untouristic and free exploration.
This monastery is huge, and we spent a good few hours checking it out, and wandering in and out of whatever chapels were open. We came across one chapel full of chanting monks beating drums, but what caught our attention were the piles of traditional boots resting outside. 
After leaving we made a slow journey back through the old Hui village to check out a tall, thin, Muslim pagoda we'd been seeing around for the last few days before strolling back through the shops and markets. 
As night fell we set out for dinner, ending up at a Tibetan place where we dined on a thick noodle soup. It was great fun communicating with the friendly owner using hand signals and animal sounds to indicate that Liv didn't eat meat. The meal was yet another thing in this town that has brought back memories of Mongolia - as both countries have a lot of similarities due to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism through Mongolia.Adlibing it to a Tibetan town.
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