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Published: April 19th 2008
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Paradise
I didn't have my camera but I was able to borrow this picture to give you an idea of what it was like.
http://www.virtourist.com/asia/vietnam/phu-quoc/02.htm Alone for the first time in a month I headed off to Phu Quoc Island to get off the beaten track. It provided me with some of the most amazing and memorable experiences of my whole trip.
On my way there I had to get a mini-bus with only Vietnamese people. It was a strange feeling being the only westerner that I saw for over a day of travelling. It was a role reversal to be in the minority and I was definately getting a few strange looks. On my way there I met a really great Vietnamese Guy and we chatted all through the night about Vietnam, Ireland, dreams and aspirations. When the trip came to an end he handed me a present that he had bought in the market. It was some moon cake, it is a really sickly sweet dessert that is eaten around the time of the full moon. He was bringing some home to his family and decided to give me some too. I was thrilled and really touched by the gesture, I only wished that I has something to give in return, but unfortunately I didn't have anything on me. I was kicking myself that I didn't even know his name.
Phu Quoc Island was worth the trek, it is so beautiful and unspoilt. Crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches and quaint villages. Felt like I had stepped onto Alex Garland's "The Beach" an as yet undiscovered oasis. It was refreshing to still be in Vietnam, but not have anyone trying to hassle you to buy something or rent their tuc tuc etc. I rented a moped for the day and adventured around the Island. It broke down at one stage and I had to push it to a local house and try to explain to them with the help of my pocket dictionary that I needed a mechanic in Vietnamese. It was really funny, but it all got sorted in the end. It was really good for me to take some time out to myself and my thoughts. Feel like I have learned so much about myself on this trip. I am really happy to discover that I am alot more resourceful and independent than I ever imagined. I can cope with hairy situations, meet new people and get myself around the world in one piece. It has also got me thinking that there is alot more to life than the rat race. I don't want to be one of these people that are working all the time and not living and loving life on a daily basis. I also think that it would be good to do something more worthwhile. There are so many people out there that are so poor and living in terrrible conditions and I think that there must be something that I can do to help people. I hope that maybe in the future I can do some sort of voluntary work or contribute to the world in a positive way.
Unfortunately I couldn't stay too long on the island as I had to go and meet a friend in Cambodia, but I would definately like to return here in the future before word gets out about it.
The trip away from the island was another adventure in itself and gave me an even more authentic Vietnamese experience. It started with a moped ride to the harbour. Then I got a ferry to Rath Gia on which no less than two kids peed on the floor! They obviously don't believe in nappies in Vietnam. Once in Rath Gia I had to get another bike to a bus station outside of the town. I should really use the term bus station loosely though as it was actually just a petrol station. I had to stand for nearly an hour in the searing heat hoping I was in the right place and that the bus would eventually arrive, which it did. It ended up being a mad scramble of people to the door, I undertood why once I got onto the bus...there was about ten people over the allocated seats, not to mention the baskets of fish, fruit and vegetables that people had everywhere obviously bringing it to the market. At first I was sitting on the floor, then I got upgraded to a little plastic chair in the aisle and then eventually I got upgraded to an actual seat.
I sat next this bald vietnamese lady who had black rotten teeth. She was such a sweet heart though and we spent the first hour of the trip trying to communicate. Her speaking Vietnamese and me speaking English, neither having the slightest idea what the other was saying. Managed to convey where I was going and where I was from, but that was about it. She just kept hugging me and laughing. About two hours into the trip some people got off and got on to a mini bus. The next thing the lady beside me started shouting out the window and this guy came on the bus and took my ricksack. I took it as a sign to get off the bus, turns out I would be doing the resy of the trip on the mini-bus. Thank god for the old lady as who knows where that bus would have dropped me otherwise! I was crammed into the mini bus. Was supposed to fit 12 people but I think there was about 25 of us in there. I couldn't really count because I couldn't move my head I was so squashed. All I know is that there was 6 of us on my row as well as the guy in charge of closing the door that was half on top of my lap and half standing in the doorway. After an excruciating hour long journey I eventually arrived at my destination, Chau Doc which is just near the Cambodian border. I was in one piece and delighted to have experienced a slice of genuine Vietnamese life.
Booked a boat trip to Phnom Penh for the next day. Really had such an amazing time in Vietnam and couldn't have asked for a better experience. It has really set the bar for my trip and I hope that all the other countries and people can live up to it. I would love to return here someday, I really feel I got a good grip on the country and saw so much, but I think that there is still so much more to see.
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