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 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.