Phu Quoc

So we caught the bus from Kampot over the border to Ha Tien.
The most undeveloped border crossing...

We were suppose to take the Ferry the same day but 'apparently' it had broken down and we had to stay the night until the next one went in the morning!!!

Anyway early next morning we managed to catch the ferry to Phu Quoc, the Largest Island of Vietnam.

Once off the ferry our minivan driver says he knows nice and cheap place for us to stay... Dubious as ever I sent Terry to check it out - and actually it was lovely....

So accommodation sorted we decide to rent a motorbike off the same fella. We were told by others that the only way to see the island was to hire a bike!!
That afternoon we decided to travel south to see the Sao Beach...
Easier said than done. The roads were only half built, so many holes, dirt tracks and no road signs whatsoever. We got lost about 4 times - each time asking locals directions using our not so helpful map!
Before we even find Sao Beach we get a puncture from the rocky road! Lucky for us there was a repair kiosk the other side of the road! We set off once again... and finally find where we are looking for...

We heard that this was suppose to be yet again another wonderful beach.... to be honest we were disappointed... perhaps we have become beach snobs!

We were hot and bothered from our long journey, so relaxed in the shade with a coconut!

The journey back was no easier!!

That evening we explored the Night Market.

The market had a great atmosphere as people were dining on seafood at both sides.

The fresh seafood was unbelievable.... and the majority, still alive! There was shark, water snakes, frogs, lobsters, crabs and much much more!

After wandering up and down, and looking at the usual tourist souvenir stalls , we decided on fresh sea-bass and garlic rice!!


Next day we decided to head North of the Island on our Motorbike, hoping it would be easier than the South..... it wasn't!!!

The main road swiftly turned into dirt tracks- with no signage, and no-one in sight........

After an hour of off road driving, we had very sore bottoms, a very dirty bike and still nowhere near found where we wanted to be....
we took a few pictures of the beaches and headed back as our petrol was getting low!

After refueling and giving up on going north we decided to go east and find the streams/waterfalls....
Still no good roads but we managed to find them...

Our very dirty bike....

Needed a good clean...

Johns Tours (Snorkelling and Fishing)

First stop the Pearl farm - we saw how the pearls were stored and what makes them different colours. They we looked around the shop and Becs managed to sneak one in her shopping bag! (Thanks Terry) At £8 how could i resist a real pearl ring?!?!?!

Pearl farm

We reached the port and boarded our boat..
Lots of fishing boats

Fishing - with highly sophisticated rods..

Terry was first to catch..

but Becs' was the biggest of the day!!

Our groups catches of the day...

Lunch
We stopped to get fresh urchins from an urchin farm and got to try them alive and BBQ'ed

Good traditional lunch and our fresh caught fish. The Vietnamese on the boat found it highly amusing watching us trying to use chop sticks! But they also taught us how to cut up a whole fish - the right way!

My fish....

Snorkelling - We got to snorkel at 2 different islands. both had fantastic coral reef and millions of fish!

The water near the boat was not too clear but closer to the rocks and in the sun it was crystal clear! The coral reef was so close to the surface you didn't need to dive we could see everything from the surface... beautiful... the amount of fish and the colours were amazing

good trip - shame about the lack of sunshine.

We continued trying the local cuisine that evening - going to a local Vietnamese restaurant. The chef recommended the special - lemongrass, chilli and saffron (squid and chicken). Was really good!

Next up Ho Chi Min City. I have one excited Terry to control!
The bus took us through many spots on the famous Mekong Delta, where there are numerous fishing villages, rice paper, banana wine making, and floating markets all along the river.

Our bus, a sleeping bus - even though its only for 6hours! $6 not bad for our very luxurious bus!