Up very early on 01/03/14 - 3.30am to catch the flight to Phu Quo; an Island over 1000km from Hanoi and only 300km from HCMC in the south. Although the island is roughly the same size as Singapore it is not developed at all and only really has a small town, fishing villages and a long strip of beach (called Long Beach) which has quite a few low rise hotels set right on the beach. There are other beaches and coves but most are difficult to reach due to dirt roads or no roads. Part of the north of the island is out of bounds as it has a military or navy base stationed there as there is some contention over it's ownership; it originally belonged to Cambodia but was given to Vietnam in the 1940's as part of a treaty with the French.

We had a race to the airport as this time (believe it or not) the taxi we had booked through our agent didn't turn up, but our hotel was fab and sorted out a taxi last minute saying they would sort out payment with the travel agent.

I must say, although we made the best of Hanoi and saw the few attractions on offer there, I can safely say we won't be returning.

Immediately on arrival we feel the sun on our backs and enjoy the blue sky 'island life' here we come! Our hotel is set in gardens and our bungalow is right on the sea shore which is fab. Room pretty basic but what do you need in paradise? Spend the rest of the day and the next R&R - ing
it on the beach and the next....

Fearing we may morph into our sunbeds we head off for a day of sailing snorkelling, a bit of fishing and beaching on an organised tour. Travelling down to the port to our boat we realise just how underdeveloped Phu Quoc is. Most of the roads are dirt tracks and are dotted with shacks, quite a bit of litter and stray chickens. It is very verdant and mountainous. Once on the boat we head out for some snorkelling which isn't much cop due to semi overcast skies and then have lunch on the boat. David and I end up sitting with a group of young Vietnamese who are on a four day break from their jobs as check-in attendants at HCMC airport. They show us how to eat properly (Vietnamese style) and we joke that if they are on duty when we check-in on our flight home we will expect an upgrade. As we leave the table one of the girls implies that if it is at all possible she will, that would be a right result. All crossed fingers and toes please.

More disappointing snorkelling and back to port to pick up our bus to Bai Sao Beach said to be one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. After driving along a hideously dusty, dirty bumpy road to suddenly come upon the MOST stunning beach; picture postcard brilliant white sand, beautiful turquoise sea and the obligatory palms, to well,....paradise. It was so nice to see lots of locals and Vietnamese holiday makers enjoying themselves which we have not witnessed very much in other SE Asian countries.
An hour latter we are dragged away from paradise for the return journey home and see quite a lot of land that has been cleared which we fear may be for a big tourist development. Just on cue we pass a huge billboard advertising a massive hotel complex. The good news is that 70% of the island is protected from development.