Finding Peace in Small Moments

Whisked Away: A Mini Retreat

Last week, I took a long vacation in Vietnam and once again tried out the temporary digital nomad lifestyle. Balancing work and personal life has always been a thrilling challenge, but this trip left me with some great experiences.

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I stumbled upon a hidden gem - the only homestay/accommodation on a secluded islet in Son Hoa, Giong Trom, Ben Tre. My expectations were modest, as homestays in the region often resemble small hostels. To my surprise, this place was a genuine homestay, offering the unique opportunity to live with a welcoming local host family.

To reach the homestay, you have to take a local boat to the ait.

As soon as we set foot on the boat, the weather took a turn for the worse.

A beautiful small road going through many coconut trees (Ben Tre Province is popular for its coconuts)

I always love the people of the Mekong Delta as they are friendly and kind-hearted . The homestay owner, a history teacher, filled our evenings with captivating conversations, sometimes enhanced by a bit too much alcohol.

We prepared dinner together in a traditional kitchen.

A friendly family dog named Black (too obvious?)

The homestay has 2 wooden boats for guests to explore the islets and the lovely coffee-colored river.

I also cherished the opportunity to hear stories from fellow travelers, feel the refreshing river breeze, and watch the lively fishing boats on the Ham Luong river.

Preparing a BBQ with some new-found friends. The coconut charcoal smells good.

Trying out the local specialty (grilled My Long rice paper - the best!!)

I learned a ton from the trip, much of which couldn't be found in any book or on the Internet. The world is incredibly vast, and my time is limited. I need to pick up the pace! 😊

P.s.: The homestay’s location: https://goo.gl/maps/AMFPT4KeknVNefGo8