Sarah & Richard's Travels

So we enjoyed our five nights on Phu Quoc Island, even though it rained almost everyday (though not for the whole day). Phu Quoc is definitely an up and coming place with lots of building etc going on, still not quite at levels like the places in Thailand, but I'm sure it will get there. It's nice for everything not to be totally developed though.

We spent a couple of days zooming around on a motorbike which was great fun, once I got used to it! I had a drive and eventually made it around the corners without putting my feet down - I'm useless I swear! It was raining hard the first day we took it out and we had a very muddy, pot holed road that Richy fought with towards the end and we came back covered in red mud, which I likened to Chilli Sauce...yuk!

We basically headed over to Sao beach which was lovely and quiet. There was hardly anyone around and it was a gorgeous white sand beach with clear shallow water and palm trees lining the shore. There were quite a few long tail fishing boats just hanging in the water and also a few jet ski's on the beach (luckily none of these were taken out as it would have spoiled the tranquility...ahhhh the tranquility). We then headed around the rest of the Island, right down to the fishing port of An Thoi which was bustling with boats and fisherman. We saw (or more realistically smelt) loads of fish drying along the sides of the road. Once we got around the bottom of the Island and started heading back up to Duong Don the wind and rain hit again. This side of the island is hit during the rainy season and the other side (where Sao beach is located) gets it when its the dry season. So the waves were coming in along the beach giving quite a stormy appearance which was kind a cool. All the houses along here ressembled shacks rather than actual buildings with lots made of bamboo and wood and just looking like they'd blow away any second. There were a few derelict concrete buildings which seemed strange considering all the shack style housing.

We happened upon a cafe that actually looked open so stopped for a coffee and turned out if was Phu Quoc Pearls, a Pearl Farm and cafe operated by a kiwi guy who'd been there for years. It was interesting to talk to him, especially about how the government was making it harder for foreigners to get work permits and the loyalty of staff. We had a look in the showroom, which had some lovely jewellery and also showed how they grew and harvested the pearls. From there it was the worst part of the road and we bounced along at around 10km an hour back to the hotel! Richy seemed to be almost an expert in getting through the puddles and we didn't fall off once (luckily)!!!

We left Phu Quoc and flew back into Ho Chi Minh for a few days, where we chilled out some more after having seen everything before we left for Phu Quoc. The airport was hilarious - a tiny little thing where the plane arrived around 20 mins before we left and where it took about 2 seconds to check in and do everything else! I must say though if you ever have to fly Vietnam Airlines, they are great and I'd definitely recommend them - at least for short internal flights anyway.