Part 99 - Tro Shika, 20 April: valley observations and passport exchange

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SUMMARY:
Notes a possible plumbago like one found near Lhakhang Dzong in 1933 and a new Trochalopteron (perhaps henrici), with locals described as helpful unlike those at Tsona. At Tro Shika on 20 April, the writer describes a picturesque, cultivated valley and recounts a passport exchange with the Dzongpen handled by Pinto, who returned with apologies.

CONTENT:
or plumbago of some kind. I hope it may be that we found near Lhakhang Dzong in 1933. It is just turning green, but I can't find any old seeds. There is also a new Trochalopteron, perhaps Henrici, which we have not seen before. The locals are all nice and helpful, not like the Tsona people at all.

20th April. Tro Shika. 9 m. BP. 190.6 Temp. 60°. Time 4:00 pm. Approx Ht. 12,253'. Another grand day, with a wonderful sky, clouding over by 3:00 pm. It felt quite hot all day, and certainly is compared to what we are now used to. A very picturesque valley, with ruins and villages on both sides. Quite a lot of cultivation at each place, some more trees, mostly poplar and willow, but now peach also. The ruins are said to have been caused by people from beyond the Lopas, who came up, mostly mounted, and plundered the whole valley a long time ago. The Dzongpen did not call but sent for our passport this morning. We sent Pinto back with it and told him to say that it was the duty of the Dzongpen to call first. Pinto came back with most apologetic messages. The result was