Part 183 - Wangdipotrang to Tsalimaphe journey and observations

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SUMMARY:
Notes on routes between Lomitsawa, Wangdipotrang, and Tsalimaphe, including Tobgye’s rapid ride from Wangdipotrang to Ha. Entries for 11–12 August describe continuous heavy rain after drought, severe mosquitoes, delayed rice sowing, finding scarce Lilium wallichianum near Wangdipotrang, and a 22-mile march to Tsalimaphe with swollen rivers, risky bridges, coolie changes, moving to a tent due to fleas, and arrival of mail.

CONTENT:
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Lomitsawa and go direct to Tsalimaphe from Wangdipotrang. When Tobgye returns from Bumthang, he goes from Wangdipotrang to Ha in 2 days, which is 6 normal stages. Of course he rides, but a few of his men keep up with him all the way.

11th August. Wangdipotrang 7 miles. Rained all night, rain today. The mosquitoes last night were awful, I have never been bitten or worried so much by them before. It is only three days ago since rain started here, they have had a real drought. It has been so dry that rice has not been sown, which should have been done a month ago. They have plenty of rain now, but it is too late. Found Lilium Wallichianum just above here, but very scarce. It is said to be common 6-8 miles down the Mo Chu.

12th August. To Tsalimaphe. 22 miles. Left at 5:30 am. I got in at 4:15 pm and the kit at 6:30-7:00 pm. It was fine for an hour in the morning, but all the rest of the day has simply poured, without a stop. The rivers are huge and some bridges will not last much longer, on our route down today. Coolies changed about 1/3 of the way here. Expected to put up in a hut, but found the fleas too much for me, so am in a tent. A mail came in, and