Part 174 - Domkhar visit, gifts, and march to Trongsa and Tsanka

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SUMMARY:
The diarist reviews profit estimates for Bhutan based on Bakewell’s calculations and rejects small extraction offers, then receives numerous presents from H.H. before departing Domkhar, with Naku accompanying toward the Yuto La. The party marches in hot weather to Trongsa and then Tsanka, meets the Zimpon of Trongsa, and notes local magpies called OLA BOGA.

CONTENT:
profit to Buntan on Bakewell's estimation of extraction costs, and Rs 12/5 per ton and Rs 17/5 per ton. Bakewell's estimated profit was Rs 14/1, which has proved pretty accurate. But these offers were only for 20 or 100 tons, which is no use working for. On the 30th presents started arriving in numbers, and I really don't know what to do with it all. H.H. produced a sword, two daggers, pan boxes, an ivory silver cup and reams of cloth, the others were in proportion. Naku thoroughly enjoyed having us in Domkhar: he leads a miserable life and loved having someone to talk to. He was a very sad spectacle when we left. The army marched us away again for a mile, and Naku came on to near the Yuto La. The visit was good fun on the whole. I found talking to him a strain; we were always in difficulties with our Hindi and Urdu.

1st August. To Trongsa 12 miles. A very hot march. Naku saw us off. I was glad of a good walk down from the Yuto La. But we got in late, then had to attend to the Zimpon of Trongsa. I had to write bread and butter letters.

2nd To Tsanka. 6 miles. Very hot. At Domkhar I saw four or five pairs of magpies, usually in pairs. The local name is OLA BOGA, ola being the name for crow and boga signifying the white on the wings.