The Climb to Shashur Monastery

The climb to the monastery was far from easy. At first you can see the monastery from below, from the town of Keylong, and there seems to be a clear path to it. But as you approach it, the monastery seems very far away. You have to climb more than walk up the road. It's hard, long and winding as you progress. It's a zig-zag trail with disproportionate slopes. It's just a little over a kilometre, but for me, a seemingly fit person who used to travel long distances with a 15 kilogram backpack, this climb seemed much longer. I can't imagine what the elderly people thought who I climbed past that day.