Vietnam 3 - Phu Quoc Christmas

Tuesday - we got up bright and early and exchanged presents.  Enjoyed the sunrise from the balcony and the hot weather while eating a quick snack breakfast.  A van picked us up super early then to head out snorkelling.  First stop on the way was a pearl farm - I hadn't realised that they open them up when they're young and insert a "nucleus bead" around which the pearl shell forms.  After a couple years they open them again, remove the pearl and insert another bead.  That's it for this weeks Pearl Farming Lecture!

Next we hit the boat, headed up to the top to sunbathe and went out to a few floating villages.  At one we stopped and hopped onto a floating market boat which had big nets floating out in the water full of fish.  Our guide got us sea urchins and we headed out to this lovely bay to fish.  For first time fishermen Matt and I weren't bad - he caught 2 and I caught 4!  Guess the little fishies wanted to be on my little dishie!  

It was a first for me snorkelling too, felt great to be out amongst the reefs and to see all the fish in their natural habitat.  Lunch consisted of honey glazed fish (including those we'd caught) and sea urchin (if you don't know it's that prickly thing).  I don't know whose idea it was originally that the animal inside might be delicious with peanuts if you manage to cut it open without spiking yourself in the hand.  It was certainly tasty.  We moved around, saw more floating villages, scuba diving and then landed back on shore.

Last stop for the tour was the south-eastern tip called Sao Beach.  It was spectacular, took a couple funny panoramic photos, had a beer on the beach and relaxed.  A little swimming to cool off and it was back to the main town.  
Again we went to the night market, met up with a fellow traveller (he'd got himself in a motorcycle accident and definitely needed a beer!) and enjoyed the best fish and chips I've ever eaten.  Walked along the beach at sunset and booked a moped for the next morning.  Update: Worked out how to upload panoramic photos. Enjoy!

Vietnam 2 - Phu Quoc

Monday - Slept quite well on the night bus.  At first we thought that the tiny little minibus we were dropped off at was it, luckily it wasn't and the coach was comfortable.  Woke up when the bus took a short ferry across the Mekong river and again as we got into Rach Gia.  Befriended Ryan on the bus so we ignored the taxi people and walked the short distance between the bus station and ferry terminal. The ferry took almost 3 hours due to rough seas (they really should have designed the bathroom to withstand the constant rocking.  Gross).

Most of the resorts are located on the far western side of the island just south of Duong Dong (the biggest town).  Matt bartered down the price of our hotel and got us a room upgrade to one with a balcony and sea view!  After unpacking we grabbed a few beers and took a walk along the beach.  Napped on a lounger with a beer and book.   Talked to a few places on the way back to town and managed to book a Christmas snorkelling trip for about 5USD.  Explored a temple in a lighthouse and the night market where we ate an amazing fish supper.