Part 79 - Wangdu Potrang and Tso Kang Nang; marches to Samtengang and Ridang

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SUMMARY:
Describes Wangdu Potrang above the Punaka river and the Tso Kang Nang, including an etymology of 'Wangdi potrang'. Records a halt at Wangdupotrang with a sighting of wild dogs, then marches to Samtengang and Ridang via Tsarza La and Tangchu in heavy rain, with notes on altitudes and plant collections.

CONTENT:
Wangdu Potrang is picturesque perched on a cliff 400' above the left bank of the Punaka river.

Tso Kang Nang. This is a big unfordable snow water river, & is spanned by a well made cantilever bridge, of two spans at Wangdupotrang. The origin of the name is interesting. An old Shabdrung came here many years ago, & found a child making mud castles. The child's name was Wangdi who told the Shabdrung he was making a palace (potrang). When the Shabdrung built a Dzong here, he called the place Wangdi potrang or Wangdi's palace. The view this morning from Lomitsawa to the mist covered hills in the South was lovely. We don't like the heat of 4000' here a bit, but there is at least a breeze.

2nd. Halt at Wangdupotrang. Went out in the afternoon for three hours. Saw a pack of 15 wild dogs, but could not shoot any as I only had the .410 with me.

3rd July. To SAMTENGANG. 8 miles. 7100'. A very short march up hill, thank goodness, to a pleasant camp on a hill top among pinus longifolia. Rain after 1.0pm.
Luculia gratissima 216
Rhod. maddenii 218
Lil. nepalense 223
Cladrastis sinensis 224

4th July. To RIDANG (RIDA). 14 miles. 8175'. A very hard day for the coolies. Road first led up to the Tsarza La (9125') then steeply down a clay path to the Tangchu at 6500', & again up to camp. It rained hard all day, & we were never out of the mist, so had no views of the country. The Rain made the clay paths very bad indeed, & all coolies must have fallen several times. In spite of bad weather we did well with the flowers & birds, but luck was not in till
Lilium nepalense. cream with blood red centre