Phu Quoc Island & Saigon (E)

The last stop in Cambodia was in the town of Kampot, where the French built Bokor Hill Station in 1922 as a holiday resort for the rich and famous. Built on top of a foggy hill overlooking the ocean, various buildings including a hotel, casino and church have been erected but abandoned in the late 1940’s when war reached the area. Today the empty buildings are covered in orange lichen and the whole area has a ghost-town feel.


It turned out to be wise arriving in Vietnam after Tet as various other travellers have been stuck somewhere on the road when public transport shut down during the New Year’s celebrations. However Tet travelling still influenced my travel plans as public transport was booked out far in advance. This meant I had to spend a full week on Phu Quoc Island, a large Island belonging to Vietnam just off the Cambodian coast. Not a bad place to be stranded though, the island boosts some very nice white sanded and palm lined beaches, clear turquoise water and excellent food. I spent the days on the beach, lying in a hammock and exploring the island’s hinterland. Yvonne & Alex, a Swiss couple I met in Cambodia, have been great company and we spent the evenings dining and wining.

A week of beach life was more than sufficient for my round the world trip and I was glad to jump on a plane towards Saigon (officially known as Ho Chi Minh City). City life is what I really enjoy and Saigon is one of the best places to soak up the beauty and chaos of an Asian megacity. I ended up spending a full week in Saigon while the Chinese Visa was processed at the consulate. During this time I visited sights in and around the city and enjoyed the city’s excellent nightlife.