On the 7th of November we travelled across the Cambodian border at the southern crossing point of Prek Chak, into Vietnam. We had another tedious minibus journey but this time was not as exciting or humorous. After the border crossing and a few hours in the van driving close to the Mekong Delta area we arrived to Ha Tien and got a ferry straight away across to Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc should by location belong to Cambodia, considering that it lies directly below Kampot by 12 km in the Gulf of Thailand but Vietnam has it as it's own for now and the grip looks pretty tight. We heard this has been under some conjecture in the past and now it seems settled.
Phu Quoc is a nice island full of jungle and beach, it is approximately 50km long and 25km wide and sort of triangular shaped. It has a sleepy sort of feel for now but it's under a huge amount of construction and it promises to be the next Samui or Phuket. Poor Phu Quoc.
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| Border crossing - Cambodia to Vietnam |
Phu Quoc Island and the first beer of the day - down on the beach out the front of our hotel.
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| of course Ann found the puppies in our hotel |
We stayed at a nice little place on the beach front, they offered small Bungalows for $15 bucks or a huge room in the main house for $7 bucks. So we took the cheapest one considering we only really spend time in the room to sleep and the beach was the same distance away.
We hired a bike from an office up the road and spent most days exploring the islands roads, mountains, waterfalls and beaches.
In town a bustling floating bridge takes the traffic from the fishing villages north into town - but only between certain times, as it moves in the morning and evening for the boats to make their way out to the sea for fishing.
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| Pepper farm |
The following pics were taken as we rode around the island - some of the way was really difficult being bumpy and muddy and some under construction - but well worth the adventure, when you find a nice secluded beach or some locals getting drunk, having a little gathering at the waterfall.
Phu Quoc is famous for it's fish sauce - when we were riding around the island we found this place where hundreds of small square trays laid with fish stunk out the surrounding area - we supposed this was the fish sauce production process.
The beaches on the north eastern end of Phu Quoc island were untouched - we stopped for a little snack and a drink and soaked up the atmosphere. It was really nice to find a spot where no one was around. John had a little swim and the water was crystal clear.
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| oyster shell found on the beach in Phu Quoc |
John found the biggest deepest puddle of mud on the island and rode straight through it, flicking mud all up his legs and over the bike.
As with most places in Southeast Asia - night markets and street vendors sell the catch of the day at very reasonable prices. Phu Quoc was no exception - the food was cheap and fresh and the atmosphere really nice. The night market street in Phu Quoc is for eating, not shopping. Everyone sits out on the plastic seats beside the stalls and enjoys the best seafood around.
We managed to find the waterfalls after a few miss turns and causeways - and it was well worth it.
The road into the waterfall was rocky and dodgy, flooded in parts and a little hairy-scary. Ann had to walk across the dodgy bits so we didn't crash or damage the bike.
We had a well earned splash in the waterfalls to cool off after a ride.
Ann and I stopped at a bar called Moe's Tavern - while having a drink we made friends with the bar owners little girl - she is a cutie - Ann and her played peek-a-boo and looked at the maps.
Sunset on Phu Quoc
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