written by Tamar Halpern
Hidden in the lush jungle on the isle Phu Quoc, a gem of a discovery awaits! Freedomland Homestay has the funkiest name ever, but this hideaway – replete with hammocks, privacy, a full bar and some of the most delish gourmet meals ever – is no stranger to hipness. With a scant twenty bungalows scattered about the rambling property, Freedomland Homestay is a hit with couples and families alike. At the end of a bumpy red dirt road, this off the beaten path is not for the faint of heart – there’s no hot water (you’ll never need it) or AC (it’s eco!), but the beds are top notch fluffy inside your burned wood bungalow and each bungalow comes with a huge, spacious, private outdoor bathroom. The entire enclave was hand built by the owners, Peter and Rita, who also oversee all the communal dinners, serving up food from the local farmers and fisherman. You may think communal dinners are not your thing, but trust the Cozy Nomad! The type of travelers who make it all the way to Freedomland Homestay are stunning conversationalists and adventurers from all over Europe and the Americas. The bar is fully stocked, with freshly muddled passion fruit and other seasonal delights mixed with top shelf liquors. Shoes are left out in the sand while you gather around the pillows in the open air breakfast pavilion for an espresso or your choice of farm fresh egg dishes. Catch up on your reading in the open air stone library. There are hammocks inviting you to relax and take a breath and motor bike rentals at the end of the entry path. The owners will set up anything you wish – a boat trip, tours around the famous, but beautifully untouristed island, even to the fish sauce factory if that’s your thing. Or just rent a couple of bikes and get lost. All the beaches around the island are stunning! For Cozy Nomads who like to stay close by, the walk to the beach is worth the fifteen minutes to see the wild foliage and search for signs of monkeys. Once you reach the cool, blue waters, you’ll frolic and play and maybe, MAYBE, see another soul further down the sandy coast. Across the water, you’ll spy a hint of Cambodia’s southwestern lands. Feel free to meander over to the rustic bar on the beach and watch the sunset as a few fisherman work solo out on the edge of the silvery water. Then return back to Freedomland for a quick shower and another spectacular communal dinner with the latest group of like-minded spirits who love great food and spectacular stays. If you’re really lucky, a thunderstorm might roll through the jungle in the middle of the night. You’ll be safe and cozy inside your beautifully constructed cottage, enjoying the magnificence of nature as it puts on a show just for you!
ROOM CHECK
1. midnight munchies:
none such, but the five course dinner that night should leave you fine till morning! That said, you can get a snack all day long
2. roomy:
a big check mark! It’s your own cottage with a front porch and hammock and a bathroom almost the same size as the cottage. Open air construction too and perfect mosquito netting around the bed. Those suckers couldn’t get near us!
3. extra fluff:
beds comfie and towels are thirsty
4. plushities:
hammocks abound, the sweet scent of flowers, breezes, bird calls, monkey chatter
5. snaggables:
emails and numbers of your new found friends
6. super secret sexy time:
after everyone goes to bed, the open areas under the stars in his and her hammocks make for some lazy love poems
7. dockya’s:
no hidden fees
to visit website:
http://www.freedomlandphuquoc.com
