Day Four

Today we headed for the beach resorty island of Phu Quoc (of which is definitely not pronounced phonetically from the puzzled look of the taxi driver taking us to the air port).

We made it to the airport just in the nick of time - well actually a full two and a half hours early (I think I get it from you mom and dad).  They only let in the next flight and flight on deck - so we had to sit and wait outside of the gates for about an hour.  We got thru and to the gate smoothly and waited with anticipation to get to our beachy paradise. We got a few looks from the air port personnel at our luggage as it just barely met the maximum size requirements. We were happy that we didn't need to check anything.  The crew escorted us down some stairs onto a bus (wait that 757 jet right there isn't the plane we're flying?).  We stood next to three of the most stereotypical backpackers surely making their way around the world on 200 bucks or less.  I repositioned my wallet from my butt pocket to my shirt pocket.  I'm sure they were nice - but I didn't want to pay for any added bonuses to their journey. The bus went past a smaller jet, and then past a smaller turbo-prop plane.  Everyone from the bus seemed to be thinking the same thing, and I think the crusty backpacker said it best - 'Holy shit mate, that's the smallest plane I've ever flown on.  A 30 or so seat prop plane would be taking us on a quick one hour jump down to Phu Quoc (or as the locals call it Poo Cook).  The plane ended up doing a fine job and we arrived ahead of schedule.  When our wheels touched down, we passed a small building - perhaps a little mechanic shop.  Then when we reached the buildingless end of the runway and came to a complete stop, it became apparent that we were turning a full 180 and heading back to the mechanic shop - as it was the air port.

Almost immediately after we hopped off the plane our taxi driver grabbed us and popped us in he taxi and off we went.  (He was just the first one that approached us, and he did so very quickly.)  We drove down a subtle curving street reminding us much of Costa Rica - utilitarian architecture of logs - corrugated sheet metal - thatched roofs - brick - plaster - really anything people could use for construction materials.  The stretch varied from little one room huts circa 1920 to larger 20 room multi-level resorts circa yesterday.   We arrived to our little resort called cleverly named Beach Club after a 3 dollar fair.  Down the narrowest and most treacherous drive I've ever driven on.  Jade and I looked at each other thinking oh my, I wonder if this place is decent.

We walked beyond the shabby concrete wall into the Beach Club grounds and I was floored.  A central thatched roof and brick building with a front seating area for about 12 people directly overlooking the rolling ocean with coconut palms framing the view.  This central building for eating was flanked by 4 individual bungalows and a row 4 of conjoined rooms.  The bungalows were all taken so we got stuck in one of the conjoined rooms.  We are but 25 feet off of the beach, so we're not terribly unhappy - ha.  When we arrived we were happily greeted by many of the staff, and the other guests were sitting under thatched umbrellas on loungers reading books, sipping fruit smoothies and getting massages.  A needed getaway from 3 bustling city days, we are happy campers!

Our first move, swim suits - and a walk down the beach for some sun.  Hand in hand we talked about our last Minnesotan walk, an unseasonably warm 38 degrees and melting snow!  After our beach walk + sand sitting we headed back for a late lunch.  Jade had sweet and sour chick and rice, and pho for me.  Turned out to be the best pho I've had, to date.  The temperature hot and spicy soup got me sweating just enough for the ocean breeze to chill me off.  After we sat for a bit on the loungers, Jade flagged the 2 small-smiling Vietnamese woman over for massages.  They flipped us over and got to work rubbing - kneading - chopping at our backs then left arm - foot - right foot - right leg - right arm - and so on.  45 minutes later we sat up and asked how much the bill would be.  80,000 Dong each (a little over $3.50).  We gave them each an even 100,000 Dong and they graciously thanked us and said smiling - masa tomao?  Assuming they meant 'massage tomorrow' we agreed.

And what could top off our delicious lunch - stroll down the beach - dip in the ocean - $3.50 massage at our lounger on the beach...?  Oh yes of course, lets watch the most beautiful sun set directly in front of us over the ocean while drinking a beer (and fruit smoothie for Jade).  Life is good.

We went in our cute room for a quick rinse off and clean up for dinner.  We laid in our bed for a quick rest (it was easily 7:45pm by then), and then we decided on skipping dinner and just calling it a night.  We have 3 more days of this torture ahead of us!