PHU QUOC ISLAND

Phu Quoc was great—beautiful and unspoiled, but with electricity and hot water.    Background: After running into Peter and Elaine again in Saigon (the fifth random meeting), we actually intentionally met up in Phu Quoc.   These photos were taken at a beautiful white-sand beach about 40 minutes from the hotel.

I've titled this one Black Dog On White Beach.   Seriously, I've never seen whiter sand.

These locals buried one of their buddies in sand, and then delighted in forming an enormous phallus in the appropriate place.

On the way back, Peter’s scooter got a flat tire right 200 yards from a repair shop (I’m convinced it was sabotage).  Fortunately, Keith brought along a laser pointer, so we were able to amuse the children (and ourselves).  The kids were great until the mom came out and instructed them to ask us for money.

The island doesn't feel at all touristy.  90% of the island is a protected forest, and here are some photos of “downtown.”

We were convinced there was absolutely no nightlife in town, until a local directed us to a “disco” that was about the size of a shoebox and closed at 11pm.  Fortunately, it was right next door to a Karaoke bar, which stayed open until 1am.  Nice to know that WWII, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War didn’t keep two Americans, a Brit, a German, a Vietnamese, and a Russian from having a good time.

Turns out these caged puppies are actually highly-valued "Phu Quoc Ridgbacks," and are for sale at the ferry crossing to the Mekong Delta, our next stop.