176 
BOOT AN. 
by its hospitable keeper, who had spread carpets on the ground, and made 
some preparations for our refreshment. His hospitality was highly 
acceptable. Our Tibet friends gave a preference to the buttered tea; 
but we chose the infusion of rice, and drank deeply from a cauldron 
of it, around which we sat upon the sod. Our grooms, and other 
humble attendants, imitated the example, forming different groups, in 
which their cups and pipes very cheerfully circulated. 
This halt afforded us an opportunity of reviewing the way we had 
passed. Though there was an astonishingly deep hollow between, yet 
we could plainly distinguish the path that led us yesterday over the 
top of Pomaela ; and the large monastery above Symtoka, seen from 
Tassisudon, was also visible. On the opposite side lay the valley of 
Paro, exhibiting a most luxuriant verdure, not unfrequently broken by 
/ 
the appearance of populous villages, whilst the river Patchieu glided 
through it, in a variety of picturesque and beautiful windings. 
We put up our cups, and rose to descend towards Paro, our 
companions the Tibetians having now smoked their pipes, and dis¬ 
posed of the last dregs of their tea, as well as the rich skum that 
floats upon its surface: this is usually blown aside in drinking, to 
be mixed with malt meal, and well kneaded with the fingers into a 
round ball, by way of conclusion of the feast. We proceeded some 
distance before the castle came in view : it was situated near the foot 
of the mountain, about nine miles from Paimaitong, overlooking and 
commanding a bridge stretched across the Patchieu. It is a hand¬ 
some square building of stone, ornamented in the centre with a 
gilded canopy, in the manner of all the Raja’s palaces. This is 
