SUMMARY:
At Trongsa the party enjoyed a fine day, riding back along the route to collect specimens despite leeches, and noting many butterflies at the Trongsa river before camping near the dzong. They were visited by Maharaj Kumar Dorji; W. pressed him to eat and played the gramophone, while later acrobatic games were better received. The diarist notes mouth trouble becoming septic.
CONTENT:
39
foresight. Owing to mist we again saw none of the
a leech was on the tray which carried in the soup on the way
scenery -
7th July. TRONGSA. 7350'. 8 miles. (An Ht. 7000'). A fine day at
last: misty in the early morning, but no rain till about 4.0pm.
Ludlow & I again rode back along the previous day's route for a
few miles in the early morning. By doing this, we can shoot
more freely, as there are few people about. If we go on ahead in
the morning, the route is always full of coolies, who start at
all hours after 4.0 am. We were again troubled by leeches, but
got some good specimens. Butterflies were out in numbers down
at the bridge over the Trongsa river, there we saw many of
the big papilios, but had no time to catch more than five or
six. The Trongsa river is a fine sight racing through a deep
gorge. Camp near the dzong in a beautiful site, the building
being permanent. This is the winter residence of the maharaja.
Yesterday we were met by the Maharaj Kumar Dorji, a very
nice youth of 24 or so. W. insisted on his coming to dinner,
and in his usual way made him eat all sorts of things which
he did not wish to, much to Ludlow's very disgust. He
also played the gramophone, another entertainment the poor lad
hated. Tonight instead we played silly acrobatic games, which
were much more appreciated. He did not leave till after
10pm, which is very late for us. My mouth has become
septic the last few days, and is rather troublesome. W has also