How to Have a Tropical Paradise Getaway

---

First off, you need an island. Obviously.

But it can't be just any island. This island should be in the tropics, and it should be pretty much isolated from the rest of the world. A breed of indigenous dogs found uniquely on your island is a good sign. The island should also be large enough that there is plenty of space without people. There should always be a part of the island you haven't seen yet, whether it's empty beaches, rocky bays, inland forests, or island-crossing rivers. It should be fairly undiscovered, sort of like it's a trade secret and only people in the know really know about it. The should be absolutely, without question, zero chain hotels on this island.

Of course if you give a traveler an island, he's going to want a proper resort to stay at. First thing's first: the resort has to be on the beach. Literally on the beach. That's just a must. It needs to be equipped with plenty of hammocks and recliners, situated under coconut palms, with uninterrupted views of the beach and ocean. This makes for good relaxing. The sound of the surf should be audible from anywhere on the property. The surf itself should be so calm it looks like glass, but if the wind is preventing that from happening then it should at least have multiple layers of waves crashing so that you get some good ocean watching. There should be a constant stiff sea breeze, perfect for keeping you cool and blowing your hair in dramatic fashion. If everything is topped with thatched roofs and there are typically Asian fishing boats sitting around (and being used) that can only add to the atmosphere.

The staff at this resort should be unbelievably friendly and welcoming, always trying to do everything they can for you. This shouldn't be overdone, though, as nobody wants to be hassled while on a Tropical Paradise Getaway.

The restaurant should be open air yet cozy, with a couple hammocks thrown in for good measure. The food should be excellent. Homemade Vietnamese dishes, made with fresh ingredients, are necessary. A wide selection of tropical juices and shakes is also important, as is good quality Vietnamese coffee to sip in the morning. A very thoughtful, yet typically overlooked, aspect is that you need to be able to charge everything to your room number. This means you don't have to carry your wallet around with you, and as Forrest Gump so wisely puts it, "That's good. One less thing." It also allows for your restaurant to merge seamlessly with the beach. If you decide you want a drink, you simply walk over to the cooler and take one out, telling the people as you do. If you want a smoothie, just walk up and ask for one. If you go out to look at the ocean for a while, don't worry, because if you have the right type of resort they'll just bring it out to you. The walking distances involved in daily life should be short - remember you're here for relaxing. Room to restaurant to ocean should never be more than 50 feet.

Since your resort is going to be on a beach, it's worth noting that it needs to be facing either East or West, for sun-watching over the ocean. In this case, let's say West. You should be consistently treated to sunsets that you consider the stuff of dreams, sunsets that could only come straight out of an impressionist painting where you feel the painter probably exaggerated the beauty just a little bit.

You should also have motorbike rental available to you, so that if you get a little restless you can head out on your own. This will give you a sense of complete freedom. Having your own means of transportation around an island while you're traveling is very enjoyable. Assuming you chose the right island, there will be plenty of open roads, coastal views, and inland hills to explore.

The resort should offer laundry service. You're going to need it.

And finally, the small things will be what really makes it great.
A beach perfect for early morning runs.
A constant whistling sound from the wind blowing across a bottle.
Dogs and cows wandering by at random.
Seeing the coconuts sitting out that are about to make your coconut juice.
Water buckets for feet washing - it's a barefoot resort.
Sand so soft you occasionally sink in to your ankles.

*Sigh*

That's what we had on Phu Quoc Island.

Needless to say, we loved it. If anyone is interested in feeling any more jealous, here's the website for where we stayed.
http://www.beachclubvietnam.com/

Actually, we loved it so much that we decided on a little bit of a change of plans. We're currently back in Saigon, and rather than spending a week or so land traveling our way into and around Cambodia we have decided to fly to Thailand and search out a beach on an island currently in the dry season. We're off to Bangkok tonight, actually. Should be pretty fun.

And one last note to family members: by some random chance, our place on Phu Quoc had backgammon board games for anyone to use. We decided it was only fitting that we play backgammon at the beach, as a tribute to a week at a special beach in Delaware that never happened this year. Believe it or not, this tropical paradise caused us to say periodically throughout our stay "We miss Bethany."

---

Comments

[auntie R]

envious
I think you both are having too much fun by yourselves...I want to be there too!!!! The island sounds absolutely Ma Va Lous. Continue having fun you guys. Be safe. Love you lots Auntie R

[Angel]

[e-mail]
I made it back to St. Louis today, which means that I no longer have my picturesque mountain backdrop calling my name. This beach paradise of yours is now very tempting....