Spend the day out on in the sea, the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of Phu Quoc. Visit a Pearl Farm and then go fishing where C., the birthday gal, catches her first fish! I also catch one that is large enough to become our lunch. It goes into a bucket, then it is quickly cleaned and cooked up for us and our travelling companions, a Dutch couple on their honeymoon. We feel a bit like we crashed their party since we were late additions, but it seems they're glad to talk to some other people, as are we. Some beautiful spots all along the An Thoi Islands -- 15 islands in total along the southern tip of Phu Quoc. We stop to snorkel in a coral reef zone, a beautiful spot where the water is calm (see photo).

Historical note: Among all of the beauty, Phu Quoc is also home to one of the largest prisons in Vietnam -- we pass by it on the way to An Thoi. This was where generations of political prisoners and revolutionaries were kept and many tortured during the Indochina conflict and then later during the American-Vietnam War. It really does seem to be that throughout Vietnam and Cambodia the remnants of tragedy and war -- a trail of bones and landmines -- are literally everywhere.

Finish the day with C's 40th b-day dinner celebration back at La Veranda... the staff were great about this, coordinating flowers, a special number from the house band, and a whole cake, hand-decorated especially for "Mrs. Cynthia"! (see photos)