Where Heaven and Mountains Meet: Zanskar and the Himalayas by Olivier Follmi
Deep in the heart of the Himalayas, in remote valleys isolated from the outside world by snow for nine months of the year, the ancient kingdom of Zanskar seems light years away from modern existence. Olivier Follmi has made numerous trip to Zanskar over a 20-year period. The results of his travels are recorded in this volume, which contains photographs of the extraordinary landscape and portraits of its people, providing an insight into an existence that is now changing as contact with the modern world increases. In complement to the photographs, delicate watercolours by Rapkar Wangchuk seek to recreate the quintessential images of Tibetan Buddhism. A commentary tells the story of the author's fascination with Zanskar and records the rites and customs of an exceptional people in a Buddhist land where religion and its observance define a way of life.