Sunday, May 1, 2016

May 1, 2016 International Labor Day

Today is also a national holiday and we spent the day relaxing on the Farmstay.  It is beautiful here. Country sounds and views.  We had a nice breakfast outside and then sat by the pool for a while., Betsy went on a bike ride but Warren chose to sleep and I sat in the shade by the pool and read a little but spent most of the time talking to others staying here.  We are staying at the Phong Nha Farmstay.


Betsy found the hotel on Trip Adviser and made the reservations.  It is sort of like an upgraded hostel. Private rooms but a hostel like environment otherwise.  Warren and I started in a family room but were moved to a double today.  Our shower is great, there are hammocks and sofas everywhere and food is served on order, all day - from 0600 until 2000.

From their web site:


  • Immerse yourself in the magic of remote rural Vietnam, between the coast and the mountains. This region of northern Central Vietnam is newly discovered by tourism, mainly due to the discovery of spectacular caves in the area. Take yourself on a trip into a photographer’s paradise.
  • The Farmstay's French Colonial style accommodation opened in 2010, set in the idyllic surroundings of rice paddy fields on the edge of the famous Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, just off the Ho Chi Minh Trail. It is the ideal base for wild adventures that you have only dreamed about… or simply take time to experience local village life or chill out in a hammock by the pool. And all of this at an affordable price.
  • We are a small hotel consisting of private double and twin rooms and family rooms, all with newly renovated private bathrooms, with some rooms adjacent to the swimming pool and others overlooking the surrounding rice paddies, farmlands and mountains.




The guests are from all over - France, Sweden, Israel, Holland, England, and the US - at least that is who I interacted with today.  There is a mama dog with 4 adorable puppies here, and their daddy as well.  Several children  - some who live here and others who are guests - very child friendly.






This is Grandma and Howie, her grandson.  So much fun to watch her loving care of him.





We had this room last night but changed to a smaller room this morning.



The Farmstay has the feel of a coffee house - an open dining area that spills out onto porches, hammocks, an outdoor patio with umbrella tables, and your choice of food served all say.  




We hired a taxi to take us to The Pub With Cold Beer.  That is the name of the place.  The food was great and we had so much fun talking with the owners children and nieces.  The 11 year old daughter keeps the books, figured out how much we owed and took the money and made change.  We tried to tip them and finally convinced the owner to take the tip - then he gave Warren a small jar of fresh peppercorns that he grew!

From the Lonely Planet website:

Up a dirt track in the middle of nowhere (but well signposted), this excellent barn-cum-bar is owned by a local farming family and does what it says on the tin – the beer is ice cold. Hungry? Order roast chicken with peanut sauce (all ingredients are farm-fresh). A kilo of perfectly grilled chicken is 200,000d.




























Fresh pepper growing.



Warren and the owner looking at the pepper plant.

















The Farmstay does bike recovery.  That means, if you ride somewhere and feel like you can't make it back, they pick you up with the bikes.  Our taxi (truck) brought wayward bikes back to the Farmstay with us.










Back at the Farmstay.







The screen ready for movie night.












We watched 'The Quiet American' (2002 version) outside on bamboo recliners with pillows - and popcorn served.  Sort of like going to the drive-in as a kid.  So much fun.  Interesting choice of movie to show/see here but very good.


All in all, a wonderful, relaxing day at the Phong Nha Farmstay, which we highly recommend to anyone, adventurer or not.  If you want to do tours, they offer them.  If you want to sit and relax, that works as well,  So thank you, Ben and Bich, for running such a great place!




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