Everywhere there are high mountains and generally deep valleys. Pereira had seen nothing elsewhere to compare with it in grandeur. Hue saw it in winter. At this time of year, excepting at great heights, it is as mild as England in autumn, with sunshine most days and hardly a drop of rain, and frost at night.
There was a sort of post from Giamda to Lhasa. For a junka a letter can be sent to Lhasa in a day and a half. Pereira sent one to the Commander-in-Chief telling him of his arrival so far.
The two colossal temples mentioned by Hue do not now exist. He also said there were many Pebouns, natives of Bhutan. Now there was only one and a " Kaza ", who apparently also came from Bhutan. He was right in saying there is rhubarb in the hills. The women wear a hard cloth circle like a coronet round the head. It is bordered with red stones which look like berries. The houses are of stone, with very thin planks held down by stones for a roof, and it is little wonder the rain comes through.
On October 8 he marched to Tsen-da, 144 miles. The road turned westerly up the Siarp Chu valley, which is from 300 to 500 yards wide. The hills are mostly covered with trees and bush ; and the path, though very stony, is generally good and leads through a pleasant wood, winding up and down over low spurs. After the usual chilly start the day became gloriously hot. The yellow autumnal tints were unrivalled by anything Pereira had seen, with occasional light green patches to add to the effect and dark green
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