Part 217 - Trashigong Dzong journey and halt with botanical notes (October 1934)

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SUMMARY:
Notes places linked to Guru Rimpoche near Chunhara and records several flowering plants; camera shutter failed during three colour photos. On 13 October the party travelled to Trashigong Dzong via the Gamri Chu and Chahzam Bridge; film was sent to Kodak, and on 14 October they halted at Trashigong to pack specimens and prepare mail, with no word from Tobgye.

CONTENT:
Guru dapon Rimpoche
to be. Many signs of Guru Rimpoche's passing are evident: holes in rocks are his "horse's footmarks"; a large hollowed out waterfall place in a rock is where he sat for three years. Chunhara is where he rested so soon. Found some interesting flowers, including a most beautiful, sweet-scented jasmine-like shrub. Took three colour photos, & all three were blank. For the first time my camera shutter has let me down — most annoying as I only have 5 films left. Temperature 90° in my tent this afternoon.

Jasminum officinale 1058
Luculia gratissima 1059
Desmodium oblongum 1057
Bauhinia purpurea 1055

13th October. TO TRASHIGONG DZONG. 7 miles Ht. 3966'. Path keeps level along the R bank of the river, close to it, never high above it. The Gamri Chu enters from the E at m 4 & the Chahzam Bridge, immediately below the Dzong is reached at m 5. From here up to the Dzong is a very steep climb of 1500 ft or so. The bridge is a suspension one, very old indeed, but still with the original iron links locally made. It is kept in good repair. It acts as a customs house for Tibetan traders.

One film 13c
Contax II
sent Kodak
15/10/34.

14th October. Halt Trashigong. Spent the day packing up flowers & birds & getting the mail ready for tomorrow. Yesterday a good mail was waiting for us when we got here. No word from Tobgye though. Our