Chay Lap is the name of Chay and Lap villages, in Phuc Trach commune, Bo Trach district.
Quang Binh is one of the localities known as the "flood navel" of the country. Instead of succumbing to natural disasters, floodplain people have found a way to not only live with it, but also turn it into a tourist spotlight. At Chay Lap Farmstay, visitors have the opportunity to sleep on specially designed houses, which can float on the water, called Farm houses.
They are built according to the model of floating houses typical of flood-prone areas. In case of high water, the room will float on the water thanks to the drum system at the bottom. In the room there is a dome architecture, clad with pine wood from recycled pallets, creating a cozy and pleasant space. Each floating house consists of 2 rooms, including a wide corridor with a bar, where visitors can drink, work, relax in the calm, pure atmosphere in the forest.
The interesting thing here is that at night, guests can hear the sound of "poong" coming from below due to the drum system made of metal. In summer when temperatures rise, the expanding materials make noise. Walking in the room, we can sometimes feel off balance due to this system, experiencing the feeling of "floating".
Since the 90s, the people of Phong Nha region have started carp farming on the Son River. From the initial small scale, when fish were only raised in bamboo cages with simple floats, fish farming has now thrived. Carp meat has processed many nutritious dishes, gradually becoming a specialty inviting guests to Phong Nha.
In Chay Lap, visitors can eat carp paste with noodles dipped in fish sauce or vermicelli. Fish patties, chewy, sweet, meaty, with a hint of spicy pepper. Served with noodles, dipped in sour sauce, very flavorful. A set of water noodles costs 80,000 VND, mother vermicelli noodles cost 150,000 VND.
Every afternoon when the sun is about to set, the cruise from Chay Lap takes visitors roaming the streets of the Son River. Sitting in a boat surfing on the water flowing out of the limestone cave, visitors can clearly see the river bottom. Every sunset, the sun shines the last rays of the day through the limestone cliffs, shining down on the clear Son River to create a peaceful picture.
The yacht will stop at the shallow rocky beach - a special place in the middle of the river, where there is a raised promontory and the water is only knee-shallow. Roll up your trousers, dip your feet into the water, you suddenly realize that your soul seems to float along the vast cool river. Here, you can paddle SUP or kayak to visit the rocky beach, set up chairs, drink coffee, watch the sun is gradually disappearing behind the limestone massifs of Ke Bang.
The village quality is evident through the cycling route from Chay Lap to Phong Nha villages. At dawn, as the sun begins to come out, fog still covers limestone mountains and peanut cornfields. Turning into Tram Me, we cycled over 2 suspension bridges across the river. The bicycle wheel penetrates the fog, making you feel like you are walking while "turning clouds". The air in the countryside in the morning is peaceful and fresh, you just ride a bicycle while watching rocky mountains, green rivers, slow down and feel every breath of Quang Binh life through each round of the bike.
In contrast to sunrise, cycling at sunset is a more immersive experience. You can see children on their way home from school, listening to the sound of the day gradually passing from the houses on both sides of the road. Without penetrating the fog, the bike will cross the afternoon smoke.
At the farmstay, guests can pamper themselves. Soaking leaves is a form of relaxation, as well as a method of preventing diseases of the people of Chay Lap. Leaf palm helps the toxins in the body to be eliminated, makes the feet more comfortable, dispels aches. The active ingredients in the leaf are absorbed by the body from the soles of the feet to help blood vessels circulate, refresh the spirit, help to sleep deeper and better.
The sauna experience is arranged with portable sauna tents. The vapor is metabolized from the container of heated natural mineral water herbs, passed through the tube into the tent, so the body can still relax, but you still breathe comfortably.
Soaking the feet of palm leaves and other herbs costs 70,000 VND / 20 minutes. Sauna service in the tent costs 150,000 VND / 30 minutes.
According to VnE
Photo: Oxalis, Chay Lap Farmstay