Christmas in South Korea…
With our first year abroad being in South Korea, we gathered with friends we had made in our small Korean town. A feast was put together in the form of a potluck and we got to taste foods originating from a variety of countries.
Christmas in Vietnam…
We had our next three Christmases in Vietnam. First in a town called Da Lat with three other friends. It was cold, we managed to find a cooked chicken and we feasted on mediocre food under a pagoda. The following year was in Sapa, a beautiful mountainous town in the North of Vietnam that is drenched in tourists and locals trying to make a quick buck. This was our first Christmas alone. Just the two of us. Romantic indeed. Also very cold and misty but it added a mystical, magical tone to the holiday. We had a Christmas day lunch at an interesting restaurant that served smoked buffalo and very potent rice wine.
An Island Christmas…
Christmas 2016 was the best. My mom and dad flew over from South Africa and together we went to Vietnam’s famous island, Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc is a magical place indeed. The first thing we did after arriving at our accommodation was rent motorbikes. We definitely got our money’s worth by traveling all over the island, exploring all it’s weird and wonderful corners.
To keep somewhat on track…
I started most days off with some form of exercise, whether it was a run, walk or body-weight training on the beach. After all, I had to do something to justify spending the rest of the day sedentary. I made sure to eat lots of salad, fresh seafood and vegetables which was well available in the area we were staying.
Things you should know…
If you are thinking of traveling to Phu Quoc, it is important to be aware that there is a lot of construction going on all over the island. They are developing it slowly but surely so if you want a taste of the natural beauty and rich seaside culture, I would recommend visiting it sooner rather than later. Otherwise, if you appreciate built-up, city-like island living then wait 10 years to experience a bustling tourist hub. Here is a list of some cool spots we visited, ate at and explored:
- Ong Lang beach – for tanning and swimming in the ocean
- Coco Palm Beach Resort and Spa – for lunch a swim in the ocean
- Suối Tranh Waterfall – for a scenic walk
- Noname BBQ – for seafood dinner
- Rory’s Beach Bar – for lunch/coffee and swim in the ocean
- Mango Bay Resort – for sundowners at the bar
- Night market – for street food and moderately priced seafood
Some more pics of our stay:
And what an amazingly memorable holiday it was. So Blessed to have experienced it with a lovely couple ☺