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Published: March 5th 2009
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Yet again l am up at supid o'clock (2.45am) to catch a 2 hour flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, then a 44 seater ATR72 aircraft to take the hour long flight to the island. I would have never thought about seeing this island if it wasn't for Fabian & Cornellia that l had met in Goa and spent time with travelling Kerela. So before l continue l'd like to thank them for a fantastic 3 days in paradise.
The island is situated in the renowned Gulf of Thailand. Off shore fishing is a lucrative industry and local islanders tend to have higher standards of living than their counterparts on the mainland. People are therefore generally relatively well off and happy not to demand anything from passing foreigners. Instead they will welcome them with healthy smiles and let them enjoy their quiet beautiful surroundings.
If your idea of the beach is to relax with no one bothering you, Mango Bay is definitely where you need to be. You might want to travel to other areas of the island to observe fishermen pull their nets in but here, not much happens on the shores apart from crabs digging
holes and the surroundings of the resort remain very quiet.
In contrast to the mainland beaches of Vietnam, Mango Bay is located on Western shores and therefore enjoys magnificent sunsets by the sea. Most probably the best in the country. Cambodia is a few kilometers away and you can see its mainland from the northernmost point of the island any day of the year. It makes for a nice drive with interesting big nature stops on the way.
Ong Lang Beach, 15 minutes north of Phu Quoc airport, offers a uniquely relaxing atmosphere with two deserted white sand beaches facing Vietnam’s best ocean sunsets. Mango Bay Resort is a low density resort, driven by a passion for the environment, intelligent use of materials, and strong support for island culture. Mango Bay is tucked away off the beaten track, with Vietnam’s first rammed earth bungalows, enclosed by beach and protected forest.
Mango Bay resort covers twenty hectares, includes one kilometer of coastline, two beaches - “Coconut Beach” and “Casuarina Beach”- and is surrounded by protected forest. Vegetation comprises endemic plants only, most of which date from before development occurred. Offshore there is a reef and smooth rocks, offering
great snorkeling amongst coral and fish. Swim in the turquoise waters, snorkel amongst rainbow-coloured fish and coral. Explore the surrounding natural forest, or just lie back and watch the sea eagles glide by.
Wind down sipping a glass of chilled wine in the sea side open-air restaurant and enjoy some of the best seafood in Vietnam.
At Mango Bay there are no air-cons, television sets or telephones in the rooms for a true fusion with nature at the island’s first eco-friendly resort. All rooms and bungalows have open sea views and offer mosquito nets, overhead fans, al fresco bathrooms, and solar powered hot water.
Verandah Room The Verandah is a large wooden and shaded area, built from 60 year-old seasoned timber. The Verandah rooms are more communal in nature and look out under the shadow of coconut palms onto the sea.
Fishermen’s Bungalow These are traditional Phu Quoc fishermen’s houses, transported and reassembled individually. It is spacious room, suitable for families. Outside bathrooms, natural wooden decks and four-poster beds draped with cotton mosquito nets cooled by ceiling fans.
Rammed Earth Bungalow Solid cool rammed earth walls, leaf thatched roofs and
spacious decks. Outdoor bathrooms with solar powered hot water look straight out into jungle.
I was met at the airport for my transfer to the resort and l had booked the Fishermens bungalow for my 3 days stay and boy l was not disappionted. The room was airy with loads of charm and l felt at home straight away. Not long after my arrival l met a couple, David & Emily and we started chatting and from then on the evenings were spent together laughing and by the second night we spent the night watching the most amazing thunder & Lightning storm from the bar, this turned into a all night adventure and by 8am we were in the sea for a early morning dip.
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Cathy
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Heaven
Your island and wee hut look bliss!!