Part 43 - Journey from Rinchengong to Sharithang (Charithang) via the Amo Chu valley

1 page

SUMMARY:
The diarist describes traveling down to Rinchengong and then leaving the Amo Chu to climb into a forested valley, noting irises, rhododendrons (including R. chowsii), and berberis. They reach Sharithang (Charithang), encounter helpful Bhutanese with yaks, and settle in a large wooden hut, assisted by a man appointed by Tongsa.

CONTENT:
Guldenstaedtia uniflora (L.D. 32) 69
Anemone trullifolia (L.D. 29)

in the evening. Saw nothing new all the way down to Rinchengong in the Amo Chu valley. Many more flowers out there, including several more rhododendrons (R. chowsii (L.D. 30)) and berberis. Four miles down the valley the track leaves the Amo Chu and zigzags very steeply up the left bank into this valley. The country there is lovely, densely forested, with the track going up and down over shoulders, in and out of beautiful glades in the forest. The irises (stuartii) were just out at the mouth of the valley. Six miles up this valley we reached Sharithang (Charithang). A number of Bhutanese are here with their yaks. They are exceedingly dirty, dirtier even than Tibetans, but all seem cheery, and all are ready to help in any way they can - even to shoot birds and find their nests. It is exceedingly difficult to know which are women and which men. Their clothes are the same, and their hair also - both wear it short. We have a man appointed by Tongsa to help us, and he is most willing and helpful. We live in a large wooden hut, with open windows along the south side - very dirty of course, but useful as it is so big. We can spread ourselves and our birds and flowers. The country is pretty, but rather shut in.

2