Part 47 - Muktur to Tawang: epiphytic rhododendrons and suspension bridge

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SUMMARY:
Notes epiphytic rhododendron bushes at the top of an ascent, including old pods with sprouting seeds collected. Describes transport difficulties near Muktur and crossing the Tawang Chu via a fine old iron-chain suspension bridge said to have been made by a Guru, with frequent changes of carriers en route.

CONTENT:
NB Rhododendron
Top of the ascent, there were a number of bushes
in flower. Several of these were epiphytic, but I
could not tell on what kind of tree. This is
interesting, and I don't think has been
noticed before. One of the bushes had old seed pods
on it and these I have taken. They are full of sprouting
seeds.

110 miles To 12th July. TAWANG. 8 miles. B.P. 194.5° Temp. 65°. = 9371'

A disastrous day. Coolie transport at Muktur was
quite inadequate for our needs. Men and women here
cannot or do not carry half what the Bhutanese do,
we needed something like 60 coolies. Eventually we
got off and proceeded across the Tawang Chu above its
junction with the Muktur stream. Here is a fine old
suspension bridge with six lines of massive iron link
chains. No one knows where it was made, but it
was made by a Guru who used to live in the
cliff just opposite the bridge. The links are still all
in excellent condition and not very rusty. The height at
the bridge is approx 6289' (B.P. 201.0° Temp. 70°). A short
way up the R. bank we had to change transport,
and then started an absurd business of changing at
every little village — every 1/2 mile in one case
after only a few hundred yards. We tired of