Part 93 - Over the La with plant finds; letters from Ashi Wangmoo; Mara Chu falls

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SUMMARY:
The party revisits the La, noting flowering Lilium giganteum, rhododendrons (possibly R. maddenii or R. calophyllum), and a primula akin to P. Boothii. A sepoy brings letters and gifts from Ashi Wangmoo and Tasho Haku, with reflections on Wangmoo’s situation as a nun; the Mara Chu is observed plunging in dramatic falls.

CONTENT:
worse each day. Pintso went off with a trial mail to Adao, to bring up coolies. Tenduk & Tsoupen & I went up over the La again. We found a few flowers, & quite a number of Lil. giganteum are now out. What a lovely scent they have. On the ridge above camp are several of the Rhod. I got yesterday under 3147, which seems to be Rhod. maddenii itself, or perhaps R. calophyllum, about which so little is known. We also took some more of the primula like P. Boothii, which was taken under Nos. 2991, & 3056, showing the great length & size of the scape when flowers are over.

When I got back I found another sepoy here, with letters & presents from Ashi Wangmoo, & Tasho Haku. Wangmoo is still a nun, & is not sure whether she will be able to meet me or not, as she is at present "under great restriction, shut up in meditation". But, "I have a great mind to see you, if my estimated number of prayers would be fulfilled by then." Poor Wangmoo, she has a rotten time of it, & I don't see that she will be able to change her life. There is no one she can marry of her class in Bhutan, & no one seems to be able to think of anyone outside, who might do so. I can see that my days in Bumthang will be hectic. The Mara Chu below camp goes down in a series of terrific falls. We saw a little of one this morning. It seems that the river falls 2000 ft at least in very little more than one mile.