Phu Quoc Island Part 3

So we headed down the beach about 7pm on NYE to Eden, a bar and restaurant on the sand which was hosting a NYE party. For 200,000 VND (a bit less than $20 AUD) we got a BBQ-ed seafood dinner, 2 free drinks and a bonfire and tunes.

At around 10 or 11pm at night the bonfire was lit and people starting lighting lanterns and letting them float into the sky. The AYAD intake 23 (mine) set one off and they were quite magical floating up into the sky and out over the ocean. They were a total fire hazard though, with quite a few people crowding around to take a look and having no control over the direction the lantern, with fire blazing inside, would take.

Then after a 3am swim in the ocean (which was unbelievably warm, like a bath) and a handstand competition (Don't ask) we headed home to bed at about 4:30am in the morning. The next day had been reserved long in advance for finally laying on the beach, getting massages, drinking beer and eating fruit and nothing else. There was some swim-frisbee played in the water and the more athletic people partook in a game of volleyball and some coconut tree climbing (again don't ask).

Up next: HCMC and Cu Chi Tunnels

Phu Quoc Island Part 2

So here I am with the ongoing adventures on Phu Quoc Island. I took so many photos and we did so many things that I have had to break this post into sections in order to cover it all.

So on Wednesday, New Years Eve, we booked a boat trip which was to take us south to explore the archipeligo of 12 island, deserted beaches and snorkelling and swimming. Unfortunately the not so great side of Vietnam showed itself and we were told weather down south was too bad for us to go. We later found out a boat was full and had already gone south as had our friends who were scuba diving so that was a blatant lie. We ended up on another boat trip going north again (which we had done the previous day by motorbike in order to see as much of the island as we could). The trip was also not as long in duration nor distance travelled and we only explored two islands instead of the 12 down south. Needless to say we negotiated a slight refund and everyone was very apologetic, once they had gotten us on the other boat.

The day started out kind of overcast however the sun came out as we sat on the top of the boat in reclining chairs. I got a killer tan and Linda (a Hanoi based AYAD) and I enjoyed a cool can of beer at 10am, preferring to enjoy it early and cold rather than later and hot. We snorkelled on two separate islands and those inclined to did some fishing (not I). I also tried out my new digital camera underwater, however the water was a bit choppy and it was hard to hold still in the water to take clear photos. Here are some of the better ones:

Then there was some swimming, jumping off the side of 2m boats, lunch and post-snorkel surgery with a swiss army knife. You know, the usual...

After we docked and negotiated our "discount", Linda, Darina and I decided to head over the bridge to the other side of town and check out the markets. Very interesting. Met a guy from Melbourne who was related to half the island and spent some time trying to work out what a jackfruit looked like with the skin on. No such luck.

Stay tuned for part 3 - NYE, floating fire hazards and more beach side sunsets

Phu Quoc Island Part 1

After the momentous victory in the previous post, Jordi, Nish and I were up at 6:30am to catch our flight to HCMC. Once in HCMC we met up with about 6 other AYADS and caught our flight to Phu Quoc Island, in the Gulf of Thailand. The plan was to have a bit of a break from the city and ring in the New Year together.

HCMC by air

In the air over the Gulf of Thailand (left) and Phu Quoc Coastline by air (right)

The island was just gorgeous. Long beach (the main beach on the island) was a 300 metre walk from our hotel. There were quite a few tourists there (compared with what I'm used to in Da Nang anyway) but it never got annoying which was good.

Monday night we went into town and went to the night markets for some street food. Meals were 20,000 dong each (about $1.80 approx) and delicious. There were a few disasterous attempts by the un-initiated at rolling rice paper spring rolls. There were some interesting shapes taking place, none of which looked like a spring roll should.

Tuesday was our day for exploring. We hired 4 motorbikes for 8 people (they cost about $3.50 AUD each for the whole day) and we explored all over the island. We headed north as we planned to snorkel and boat tour in the south the following day.

Along the ride we came into contact with lots of local kids who were very excited to see us. I think we were taking the back roads. And 8 foreigners on motorbikes probably attracts attention! We also found some gorgeous beaches and stopped for swims along the way.

Then we found another little beach and had lunch. It was here I broke my own self-inflicted rule "Don't eat anything bigger than your own head".

Stay tuned for part 2 - including snorkelling and NYE beach party.

V is for Victorious Vietnam!

So Vietnam made it to the final of the South East Asian Cup (football/soccer for the unaware) and in the first of the two matches, they beat Thailand 2-1 in Bangkok. Believe me, that was a big deal, in and of itself.

Sunday 28th of December 7pm, was the second final, this time in Hanoi. Although away goals didn't count for more, Vietnam only needed a draw to take the cup. So Jordi and Nisha (2 Hanoi based AYADS) and I decided to take in the final with the locals at a coffee shop on my street.










We arrived just prior to kick off and had to pay the lady in the restaurant next door to rent her plastic chairs. We had to sit on the footpath but still had a pretty good view. People would drive up on motorbikes and park at the shops along the street and take in the game. I have honestly never seen the streets of Da Nang so quiet before!! We were kitted out in our Viet Nam Vu Dich (Vietnam Champions) headbands and Vietnamese flags and the locals were loving it.

Vietnam were down 1-0 for most of the match until scoring an equaliser in the last play of the game, I think it was around the 93rd minute. The whole place went nuts and everyone literally just jumped on their motorbikes with flags, saucepan lids, drums and took to the streets. Nisha and I followed the crowd on foot and these videos are really the only way to do justice to the noise and the atmosphere.


This is the moment Vietnam scored, in the coffee shop on my street. Notice the crowds and our headbands!!

This next video if just further down my road. We were kind of following the crowd.

Then we hit the streets proper and watched more people than I though lived in Da Nang do a loop around the city. The noise and the crowd had to be seen to be believed but I hope this video conveys it.

Up next my trip to Phu Quoc Island and HCMC in 2 parts because there is so much to tell.