Small boats, small planes, small cars, rough roads, old trains... even rough seas in a movie can make me squeazy - however, forewarned is forearmed and since we were flying to Phu Quoc island on an ATR-72 (one of them teeny planes, with the propellers in full view), I self-medicated prior to departure. James was fine - he’s great like that. The wee kiddie in front of us was patently not medicated. The worst of it was the mum, dad and child were all wearing beautiful, matching outfits (not words you’ll hear from us, ever). They were beautiful though - quite nautical - black and white stripe with red accents. It was mindblowing how well they managed actually - pretty sure they put him upside down in an oversize air sick bag - astounding how much he must have had inside since it took 4 wild bouts of sickiness to empty him. So whilst not being actually airsick myself (yay pills) - I was relatively keen to get off the little plane and into the fresh air. Need to add ‘other people being sick’ to my little list.

The weather had changed yet again in the space of the 45 minute flight and the tropical heat and feel of the island was upon us immediately as we stepped out of the plane (so small it brings its very own drop down set of 6 steps with it). We are making a point of being spoiled during the month of February as we met 25 years ago and what is life without the odd anniversary. The resort upgraded us to a larger room, is providing a couple of massages and left a bottle of wine and a massive plate of tropical fruit in the room - which is fab. We headed down to the beach almost immediately and had lunch at the restaurant then spent the afternoon on sun loungers by the beach reading and dodging the sun - even with umbrellas and palm tree shade, it was still lurking above us desperate to find pale skin to sizzle.

By about 5 pm we walked down the lane and back to the real world to check out food options... mainland prices are certainly not to be seen in this tropical paradise - but we did find an Indian joint - so that could be an option one night. We’ve noticed, over the last couple of days, when the sun sets in southern Vietnam, it does not muck about. Brilliant all day, still highish at 5 pm then within 45 minutes it’s touching down into the ocean and gone immediately. So we hot-footed it back to the beach, ordered up happy hour cocktails and after the 2 minute sunset chillaxed for another couple of hours with books and our liquid dinner. Might only do that once more...

On our first morning in-house breakfast was surprisingly good - best scrambled eggs ever produced in Vietnam. We usually avoid them on the basis they’re dried out and look like cushion stuffing once they’ve been routinely overcooked - but today - perfecto. Had a massage on the beach - one of the best ever actually. Contemplated the universe... planning a pizza for dinner with our bottle of wine present... Imagine it will be rinse and repeat for the rest of the week...

And so it was. I had a couple of beach massage... James had a beach massage... we had a massage together courtesy of the resort. We had dinner on the beach one evening and then discovered the bestest curry house within a 20 minute walk (and not even the one just over the road). Amazing north Indian cuisine and a much appreciated change of culinary scenery. Once discovered, we of course ate there for 5 nights in a row - we were quite sad to fare them well last night.

But travellin’ folks can only laze on beaches, read, write and take photos of sunsets for so long. Today we venture forth to fly to Saigon then on to Siem Reap, Cambodia - Angkor Wat - meet Bucket List. Here we come.