The Chinese are now threatening to back out of the scheme altogether. We cross a river over a rickety wooden bridge. As we climb higher the air gets thinner and the vegetation seems violently green in the bright sunlight. The sky is the deepest of blues behind the rich mauve and golden brown of the mountains. Every now and again a snow-capped peak appears, like a sudden blessing.
Wild creatures appear.
A hare here. An eagle there. Little finch-like birds with orange feathers that reveal themselves brightly in flight. This played havoc with the balance of nature and also ran contrary to Buddhist teaching which is against taking life in any form. Thankfully the birds have come back.