Going to eat honey...

(CMO) With the Covid-19 pandemic under control and life gradually returning to normal, ecotourism destinations are "gearing up" to reopen. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle and pollution of the city to relax after many hard days of work, many people choose ecotourism on weekends to immerse themselves in nature, relax, and enjoy the simple pleasures. The Muoi Ngọt Ecotourism Area (in Hamlet 4, Khanh Binh Tay Bac Commune, Tran Van Thoi District), a community-based ecotourism destination characteristic of the U Minh Ha melaleuca forest region, is an ideal destination, attracting tourists because it is only 50 km from the center of Ca Mau City.

Having been involved with the tourism industry for over 10 years, the Muoi Ngọt Eco-tourism Area currently boasts thousands of beehives spread across more than 60 hectares of forest land. Although not yet professionally developed, the hands-on experiences offered are the strength of Muoi Ngọt tourism. The experience of eating honey is sure to leave a lasting impression on every visitor.

Mr. Huynh Vu Hoang, who has over 25 years of experience in beekeeping, said: "Those who go honey hunting must prepare all the necessary items such as: protective netting to avoid being stung; smoke torches made of coconut fiber to drive the bees out of the hive; a knife for cutting honeycombs and a container for honey."

Before entering the forest to collect honey, honey gatherers must prepare torches made of coconut fiber to create smoke to drive the bees away.

The journey to the beehives allows visitors to wander through forests that still retain their pristine beauty, bathed in golden sunlight and a vast blue sky. The cool, fresh air of the melaleuca forest's shade, along with the sounds of birds, will bring a sense of relaxation and peace to visitors. To reach the beehives, visitors must follow a winding path, pushing through the grass and trees to reach the young melaleuca or reed beds to find the sweet honeycombs. Some large beehives require two people to carry. The moment of witnessing tens of thousands of bees swarming out with their buzzing and hissing sounds will send shivers down many visitors' spines, but the closer they get, the more exciting it becomes, partly out of curiosity and partly out of excitement at seeing the golden honeycombs being quickly cut open, and when the honeycombs break, the honey flowing out in a shimmering stream—just looking at it makes your tongue tingle with sweetness.

Mr. Hoang shared: "You shouldn't take the whole beehive. Those who harvest honey always leave a part of the hive on the corner of the beam for the bees to rebuild and quickly leave before the bees return."

Ms. Ta Thi Hong, a tourist accompanying the honey-gathering trip, excitedly said: "I've only ever seen honey harvesting on TV before, but now I get to go with a group of tourists to harvest honey directly. It's both scary and fun."

The products obtained after bees feed on honey are honey, bee pollen, and young bee combs. The bee pollen is cut into small pieces for tourists to enjoy, some is used to extract honey, and the young bee combs are processed into many delicious dishes such as deep-fried, salads, and fish sauce... According to Mr. Pham Duy Khanh (currently managing the Muoi Ngot Tourist Area), from the pollen and nectar collected by bees, combined with the saliva of worker bees, small pollen pellets are created, and this is considered the essence of nature. Bee pollen has many nutritional and medicinal values. Freshly harvested bee pollen is waxy, turmeric yellow in color, and when tasted, it has a rich, creamy taste blended with the sweet and sour taste of natural forest honey, which is quite unusual for many people.

Khanh shared: “Following family tradition, I have preserved the original beekeeping craft, so my whole family is involved in tourism. However, we always cherish the old forest, every melaleuca tree, every fish, every eel, and every bee colony that comes here to build its nest. We always have plans in place to develop the province's tourism strengths while maintaining the natural ecosystem of the forest. Protecting the forest is also protecting our own family.”

When you eat honey yourself, you get to cut a delicious piece of honeycomb, with golden-brown honey tubes, quickly put it in your mouth, and gently chew the honey. The honey oozes out in your mouth, stimulating your taste buds with its smooth, sweet flavor that doesn't sting your throat. Natural honey from the mangrove forest, with its subtle sourness and floral aroma, will bring you a feeling of pure bliss as you enjoy the fruits of your labor after your honey-eating trip.

The Muoi Ngọt eco-tourism area not only promotes tourism but also maintains the natural ecosystem of the forest, including the traditional beekeeping profession.

The Muoi Ngọt Eco-tourism Area is also a showcase for beekeeping and honey products under the RUM.CM brand, which won the title of "Typical Rural Industrial Product of 2015" from the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee. It also boasts the largest beehive in Vietnam, which was "showcased" at the "U Minh Forest Fragrance" event held at the end of April in U Minh district. Visitors can experience this and purchase local specialties as gifts, such as pure honey, bee wine, bee paste, and beeswax, known for their quality and reasonable prices.

After a tiring day of fun, gathering around the table with rustic dishes like bee salad and crispy fried bees, along with a few shots of rice wine and the melodies of traditional folk music, is an essential part of the experience. The lingering, melodious folk songs, sung in the cool air under the vast canopy of mangrove forests, create a charming scene that will forever remain in the hearts of visitors.

Although the tourism approach isn't yet fully systematic, the mindset of farmers like Mr. Khanh has elevated the value of forest products. Exploitation combined with conservation and development is the direction the Muoi Ngọt Ecotourism Area is aiming for.

Diamond

Source: https://baocamau.vn/di-an-ong--a1960.html