Vietnam - "Same same but different"

This part should really come under three chapters-getting to Phu Qhoc; Phoc Quoc; and trying to get off Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc is a small island at the southern tip of Vietnam, close to the Cambodian border. It's beauty was raved about by both the lads we met in the cafe in Saigon and our Guesthouse owner, so we felt compelled to go. The plan was to get a night bus to the coastal town of Rach Gia, where we should arrive about 6.30am, then take the 8am sailing to the island. The 'night bus' turned out to be a bus driving at night-no sleeper beds like you get further up Vietnam, they dont happen below Saigon. The bus set up was this: get on; find seat; Mark try to squeeze his stupidly long, non-Vietnamese body into seat; try to sleep by blocking out sound of TV being played at full volume above our heads (TV = Vietnamese style Panto slapstick comedy with man pretending to be woman screeeeeeching non-stop for 3 hours); bus stopping for food/toilet break (everyone had to get off for 20 mins so bus could be locked); TV off, radio on, playing ?(i don't even know how to describe this music), again full volume; arrive at 4.30am and being told to get off and go that way; realising we were nowhere near the sea and we didn't have the foggiest where we were. After arguing with some adiment 'taxi' drivers who were determined we were going to get in their cars in the stupid hours of the morning, we were saved by a Kiwi guy who knew a guy who knew something about how to find our way-we eventually got to the ferry port, watched the sunrise then hopped (no- too sprightly-try crawled) onboard the ferry. I could go on, but to cut it short, we eventually landed up at a basic but fantastically situated chalet on the beach, on Phu Quoc.
The island itself was beautiful, largely because it was under developed. You could tell that in the next 10-15 years it was going to grow into some huge commercial resort, but for now, as I said, beautiful. We spent most of our time either in the sea or swinging in our hammocks-all ultra chilled. We hired scooters to get around which was loads of fun. The main beach road that ran down our side of the island was made of mud & clay and was partially 'under-construction' (more of a long-term project). It was just dirty. When it was dry (most of the time) it was a dust bowl, and as soon as any vehical passed visability was not possible. When it was wet (the rest of the time) water+clay=sticky and slipery- a challenge to walk in flip-flops, more of a challenge to stay upright on a scooter with a perry on the back. The main town was fantastic to drive around- through markets and people and over the 'no-cars' bridge ( due to its old, wooden and rickety status). We took a snorkelling trip to some of the outer islands one day, with what seemed to be half of France (to be honest, it was refreshing to be the only English westerners). Jen was trying to refine the 'art' of diving down into the blue when snorkelling, but just ended up with a very burnt bottom! We essentially did not a lot on the beach for 5 days, until we decided we still had the rest of Vietnam to see and it was time to get off.
Similarly to arrival, departure was no pic-nic. We decided to fly (to save time/hassle) but we were told there were no available flights for another 4 days. So we bought a ferry ticket for the afternoon crossing before scooting into town to book a flight from Saigon to Dalat (our next stop). It turned out there were available flights off the island that day so we had to reserve them before attempting to get our ferry tickets refunded . Anyway, much debarkle, we flew that afternoon. Onwards and upwards.