At the Paper Factory in Ambalavao

After an alright sleep in our upgraded bungalow, we woke up to go to the paper factory that was right on the hotels' property. We learned that the Avoha tree is the base for the Malagasy paper. The bark is shedded from the tree (instead of cutting it, making sure that it can re-grow and be used again) and cooked in hot water for 4 hours. Then, the now softer bark is getting beaten hundreds of times (which actually sounds like preparing a German Schnitzel). Afterwards, 400g of the bark mash is mixed with water and spread on a framed cotton sheet (150x75cm). There, the paper gets cut into shape and decorated with several plants/flowers. Then a kind of glue from the tree itself is put on the design, so that it will stick to the paper. Last step is to put the frame into the sun and let everything dry, until you can easily take the paper off the cotton sheet. That was quite interesting to learn about.
Our luggage back on top of the bus, we made our way to our next stop on the itinerary: Anja Community Reserve.Read more