PHU QUOC ISLAND, MORE THAN A PEARL ISLAND

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Phu Quoc is best known for Pearl Island. This exotic island is very famous for white sand beaches in Vietnam. Referring to Phu Quoc people cannot help but mentioning Phu Quoc pearls, their specialties become the island’s own brand dubbing the “pearl island”. Meanwhile, Phu Quoc Island has been considered as Vietnamese Maldives. Though I didn’t visit Maldives but I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to visit the country within a country that I was visiting with my colleagues for a pleasant trip.

WELCOME TO THE PEARL ISLAND

We purchased the round trip air ticket from Hanoi at US$ 335. It’s very good deal from Vietnam Airlines. When we landed from Hanoi, it was 1 pm local time. Flight takes 2h10m to reach to the pearl island. Hotel pick up service was pre booked through Booking.com. We saved valuable time by doing this. We checked in Sun & Wind Paradise Bungalow.

PEACEFUL RESORT IN THE PEARL ISLAND

Fare was very reasonable. It was only 30 USD/night for 3 person’s shared accommodation basis with small kitchen set up facility. So, it comes 10$/pax per night accommodation charge. After checking in, we had a good time in the swimming pool to freshen up ourselves.

SELF DISCOVERY BEACH IN THE PEARL ISLAND

Our unforgettable journey started with bicycle and scooter exploration near-by beach called Sunset Rock Cliff. We spent couple of hours without talking to each other in this pearl island. It was so uncrowded beach that we explored randomly. If anyone wants to visit this beach, one has to find out Long Beach Center in Phu Quoc’s main road. There’s a narrow lane adjacent to the center that leads to the beach area. It’s an unexplored beach that we found all by ourselves. We enjoyed the sunset, heard the sound of sea waves and captured many unforgettable pictures that reflected full of life. Above all, we enjoyed our first day activity in complete serenity.

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ITALIAN EVENING SNACKS

After exploring the beach, we went for early dinner at Italian Restaurant Bar. We ordered 2 big sized pizza, pasta, prawn fry, garlic toast and drinks. After half an hour, our meal was served at around 8pm. We were all famished and meal was savored in no time. Like I always say, good food changes mood. Soon after having the sumptuous dinner, we all charged up. Then we bought groceries for the night time gossip and for the following day’s island activities. Subsequently, we reached to our hotel. We chat for couple of hours with drinks & snacks. The day ended with sheer joy and fun under the sun, wind and beaches.

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LOST IN THE PEARL ISLAND & BEACH EXPLORATION  

Being a first time traveler in Vietnam’s remote island of Phu Quoc, background and activities were totally unknown to us. By the help of our hotel receptionist, we found the offer of Red River Tours who is the leading tour operator in Phu Quoc Island. An advice, when you are in doubt what to explore in the place where you are currently in, always trust your hotel manager. They won’t let you down. For example, I trusted my South India Tour with the help of my hotel manager’s advice in 2018.

Similarly, we’ve chosen the day long trip by the advice from our hotel manager. The trip was very reasonable that cost only US$17/person (inclusive of lunch). Firstly, the trip included to visit pearl farm. Secondly, it was breathtaking snorkeling experience to the remote islands of fingernail. Furthermore, having seafood lunches on the floating restaurant in middle of the island was worth exploring. More over, visiting Vietnam famous fish sauce factory and Prison Island were included in the tour. Finally, it was so relaxing to the white sandy beaches of Sao Beach. This was absolutely value for money day tour we have taken. I’ll explain a bit more about each of my personal experience to give my reader a fair understanding of the tour.

NGOC HIEN PEARL FARM

As told by the hotel manager, I went on time to the designated place exactly 830 am to start our journey. On the way to our first stop, our tour operator picked up few more local tourists from the hotels. After on boarding almost everyone in the brand new coaster, trained operator introduced themselves in both Vietnamese and English language. They also shared the tour plan of the day which I took note of it for my future blogging purpose. I was simply wowed by seeing the craftsmanship of the people. These people given Vietnam a nicknaming of Pearl Island. Ngoc Hien pearls are not only famous in the country but also known by the world for their top quality. Their diverse designs and craftsmanship have taken Vietnam to the top ranking in the fashion world.

CRUISING TO THE ISLAND FOR SNORKELING

Our excitement was getting more as we on boarded to the cruise ship from the harbour with local tourists. As we approach to the middle of the sea, blue lagoon surrounded us with jaw dropping view. Locals started fishing. It was different experience for me to watch them fishing than that of Bangladesh.

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Almost after an hour, we anchored in an exotic island getaway on Phu Quoc’s famous Fingernail Island for snorkeling. Tour operator came to each tourist for the demo of how to operate the equipment of snorkeling. (Hyperlink of snorkeling). I was bit nervous before the activity. When I followed the instructor, it was so charming to see under water sea life and corals.  At some points, i was losing my balance while snorkeling. Since I know how to swim, that’s why I controlled myself from unwanted situation. That’s to say, I plucked sharp coral out of excitement. By doing so, my foot and palmtop have scratched badly. I was bleeding. Without further delay, I went to the operator for first aid assistance. I had a lesson. Don’t you ever do anything against the nature? It will come back to you with negative impact.

SNORKELING TO DAM NGANG ISLAND

After 30 minutes snorkeling to the fingernail island, we went to Dam Ngang Island for second 30 minutes snorkeling. I didn’t go this time. My confidence was low at that time. I rested on the deck top and captured striking island scenery. 

LUNCH ON THE ISLAND

Subsequently, we were heading for seafood lunch on the floating restaurant in the pearl island. Lunch break was for 45 minutes. Lunch items were cooked on the floating restaurant. Sea fish, vegetables, omelet, chicken, rice was the menus. In my guess, 40-50 people were served at one go in half an hour. It was well trained local waiter who serves all the dishes once.

If you need anything in between, may be, foreigner should refrain from asking as it was public tour package. But locals were spontaneous with the waiter in local language. I observed and followed local people. And I had a good time with my table mates while having lunch. I exchanged few words with them. It was unforgettable moment for all the tourists. After lunch, we were coming back to the harbour. During this time, locals were fishing again till the ship cruise over the deep sea area. Sea waves were hitting hard to the angular ship body. And boat waved so high. We all were wearing life jacket for our safety though. As we approached to the harbour, view of cable car over the island joint looked so amazing.    

FISH SAUCE FACTORY

We were taken to the Phung Hung fish-sauce factory. At first glance, the giant wooden barrel may make you think you’ve arrived for a wine tasting, but visitor can sniff of the rotten nuoc mam essence kicks them back to reality. I enjoyed the depth of factory where barrels were kept.

PHU QUOC PRISON

After reaching the place, I felt so sad about the Vietnamese people who were tortured by French and American aggression of colonialism and imperialism. I didn’t enter to the prison because my heart didn’t allow me to enter the prison cell. Rather I enjoyed green coconut in the café area and shopped Phu Quoc’s pearl & shell as a gift for my home.  It’s more like commercial establishment had built in recent years for the local tourists and foreigner.

FASCINATING SAO BEACH

I’ve visited many beaches in the world. But I was in love with this Sao Beach for one single reason. It’s a white sandy beach that made me dance naturally in the air. I enjoyed the beach for a mere 30 minutes. These 30 minutes gave me immense pleasure during my whole stay in Phu Quoc. I found all and sundries enjoyed the time with their family and friends. I leave behind my footprint with joy in the farthest beach of Vietamese Maldives – a country within a country.  

Finally, time has come to an end to say goodbye Phu Quoc Island. Soon after I reached to my hotel from the exotic island trip, I just picked up my luggage and headed for my next travel destination to the commercial capital of Vietnam i.e. Saigon.