Thimphu to Punakha - part 2

After posting our postcard it was off to a paper making factory. Whilst this sounded little underwhelming as we arrived at a dirty, shed like building it actually turned into quite a fabulous visit.
Outside, the bark of the daphne tree was soaked , heated in a huge pot and then cooled.
Inside, the soggy pulp was shredded, soaked further, sifted on large wooden frames, laid out, pressed, dried on an A frame heated drier and then packed. We were the only tourists and they didn’t mind as we took loads of photos of this intriguing process.
As we headed off to drive over the Dochula Pass
we spotted some archery- this time using traditional bows of bamboo and waxed fibres so we stopped for a short time. This felt more authentic than yesterday’s competition although today because they can’t keep the tension on for v long they have to have a quicker eye to aim.Read more