Monsoon in Phu Quoc

My second trip to Phu Quoc was at monsoon time. What lovely it is! haha

We were Eliza, Gwen, Jenni, Liz, Marty and I. Will was sick so he could not join us (but later, it turned out staying in Rach Gia was so much better for him). We all arrived Rach Gia late at night and spent a night at a local hostel near Kien Giang Community College.

Phu Quoc map – on the right side: where we disembarked. We stayed in the other side of the island

Morning of Sep 05, we were eager to get on SuperDong speedboat heading to Phu Quoc island – our wishful short vacation. One hour later on board, we couldn’t stand. Bumping. Strong waves. Windy. The boat was too little on the angry ocean to struggle and reach its destination. Eliza, Marty and I spent most of the time on board at the back, outside no matter how it was windy and wet and cold. I had to breathe fresh air. The area we were at was for smokers, though. Oy, bummer!

We were on the way to check in on SuperDong Speedboat. Weather was not bad at that time

The ocean got angry – crying in 3 hours – we stuffed in a small boat and as if we were on roll coaster game

One of SuperDong employee told me that the trip would take us around 2.5 hours from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. Definitely it can be applied for good season (from November to April), but September. When there were around 45minutes left (we thought so), I asked one of the passengers next to me how long it would take to arrive Phu Quoc. He shocked us by a quick and simple answer: “there are around 1hour to 1.5 hours“. What the heck!?! We hugged each other and tried to get a short nap or at least felt safe together. Meanwhile, inside, Liz and Jenni still sat at their seats and tried to survive. They all fell sick anyway.

We were outside, back of the boat and it was so windy. The wind can blow me away if I am not careful

We arrived at Phu Quoc around noon, taking a bus to Duong Dong Town where our guesthouse was. This guesthouse is alright. I like it because it is so close to the beach (less than 2minutes walking). Bed and room are for backpackers so it is not as good as other hotels. Cold water could kill me, haha. It is suitable for summer time.

view from my room – 10bucks per nite/ room with fan – less than 2mins walking to the beach

After lunch, we decided to walk around the town and it was good – it was the only one clear, non-rain day in Phu Quoc.

in Duong Dong Town – only one clear day

At nite, all girls walked along the beach. Well, what will you do when you go to coastal town? Go to the beach!!!

Ladies on the beach at nite. I wish I could spend 2 weeks of 4 honeymoon weeks at the beachy area

A whole 3 days in Phu Quoc, the ocean was so angry, rough, wavy, and windy. It seemed the sea wanted to bite piece by piece the land. That action took it so much energy so the sea was sweaty by raining a whole day long. My 1st monsoon weather experience in the island!

View from La Deaville Restaurant / A Wooden House Restaurant – less than 3 mins from our guesthouse – it was cozy and they have very good cooked rice with egg . It is a bit pricey though.

We were all down for renting motorbikes to visit a fish sauce factory, a pearl farm, and a lighthouse. It rained basketingly. We hardly made it at first. Marty felt sick and so there are 5 girls left and 3 motorbikes. Finally, we visited Khai Hoan fish sauce and a lighthouse. I could not take a photo of the lighthouse because of the heavy rain. I felt disappointed a bit when I saw a little lighthouse right on the top of a limestone, where below there is a temple – Dinh Cau. However, the overview was so imposing. Stormy ocean, colorful fishboats, and small houses. Really awesome!

Our bikes – Novou – extremely heavy for girls, haha. Mine is the furthest one

Ladies and punchoes in front of Saigon-Phuquoc Hotel – This hotel is a state hotel but it was so cool to us as we sat at the lobby and used internet service as if we booked rooms there. haha!

Rainy Sky – Terrible ugly country road. I think I can ride on such roads in the summer time, but monsoon time

Before starting our motorbike tour, we changed 1 bike because of brake-problems. We spent most of the time at Saigon-Phuquoc Hotel as if we stayed there. Haha, they have free Internet service there by the way. I rode Gwen. Jenni rode Liz and Elisa rode herself. I am happy that all of us are safe after the terrifying trip =D

Khai Hoan Fish Sauce Factory – Stinky Smell. I know and eat lots of fish sauce but when I stepped inside, the smell almost knocked me out. Ew!

Inside the factory – it looks like where they make wine. I wondered why they did not use any cap or something to cover the big jar from the dust.

Accidentally, we met 2 T4V girls – Kelly and Christine (Teacher for Vietnam Org). We decided to make trips to Suoi Da Ban stream and Pearl Farm together. We rented a 15-seat car and headed to Suoi Da Ban. Rain and Flood everywhere. We did not dare to get out of the van. Finally, we made it to Pearl Farm and shopped a bit =D

28-month-old oysters. Ready to be cracked to get a pearl out

A pearl. People there told us that we could pick up one oyster and crack it and just paid 50,000vnd no matter if there is a pearl or not. I am not a gambler though.

Last dinner in Phu Quoc – the best one! Ladies decided to have a fancy dinner to celebrate the time of getting out the island

The dinner was so good at least after 3 days in the island. We got veggie pizza, cheese burgers, salad, steamed chicken, grilled mashed potatos, and ice-cream for dessert while it rained pouringly and wind did not stop crying outside.

8 ppl at Phu Quoc Airport – try to get last minute tickets to get out of the island as soon as possible

Since, 5 of us got a ticket for flight on Tue and 3 others did not have any. All of us wanted to get out of the island as soon as possible so we crushed to the airport around 5.45am and waited for the ticket agent to ask him to put us on the top waiting list. We were so tired and sleepy. It was funny though. I was glad travelling with these cuties.

A whole group were waiting for the ticket availability at the airport. While the others waited, Eliza and I went to the nearby market for buying breakfast. Duong Dong market in the early morning is so amazing. Fresh and colorful food and fruits.

Small jetplane from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia – Duration: 25minutes. They used a little van to carry passengers from the terminal to that jetplane, haha.

Happy faces when arriving at Rach Gia city. On the way fr Phu Quoc to Rach Gian on board, the plane was shaked a bit. Gosh!

Kelly and Christine headed back immediately to Can Tho while we were going to visit Willy in Kien Giang Community College. We thought we would have spent a night in Rach Gia if the weather had been better. It turned out that the weather was getting more rainy. I also have the most expensive lunch on the trip at a Chinese restaurant. I fucking hate the way they serve foreigners in VN. They try to charge as much as they can. The way they are doing will not bring tourists back EVER!! How long will it take for such people to understand way to do tourism???

Break at Willy’s app – a cozy place but full of wind

I really like Will’s app. I wish Icould have my own place like that. My own place. Heizz!

Ladies in front of Kien Gian Community College

All of us were back in Cantho safely and happy to be at home

The trip was not as amazing as we thought but we did have fun

More trips awating for us. Save up. Prepare. GO, Tiger!

~ by Angela Huynh on September 10, 2009.