My secret island paradise

“crystal clear azure blue water, golden sands , vivid sunsets and little else to do but read, swim, dive, snooze, drink and eat"

There is this amazing French run resort just north of Nha Trang, I’m not telling it’s name because I want to keep it a secret…some other Aussies and I decided this was the best course of action to preserve this idyllic piece of paradise.

Huge smooth boulders dot the horizon and the waterline creating images of whales backs popping up out of the water.  My friend went snorkeling and came across a stone fish right where lots of people were swimming. Another came across a sea snake, ah well its all part of the day’s adventure in these parts.

Despite these little discoveries, this place is one of the  gems of Viet Nam’s coastline, an eco resort to boot.  It’s comparison to everyday life in the bustling metropolis  of Saigon is extreme to say the least. It would be so easy to forget that you were in Viet Nam when chilling out here.

For those who know me well you will understand what a big thing it was for me to be faced with all meals being seafood, I mean give me a fillet of white fish any day and I’ll eat it but all these other strange textured delights didn’t have me salivating in any way, hungry as I was …...but it was a case of eat or starve to death and that would absolutely have spoiled my holiday in paradise.

The first meal was crumbed prawns on a pasta dish that also included some variety of fish, followed by a bowl of fresh fruits including the ever popular dragon fruit  and yes I ate that too….I’m sure my face gained many more lines during that first gastronomic  experience such was my resistance to thinking that I could enjoy what I was eating! 

Next meal consisted of more prawns, bigger ones and grilled this time around….then out came the squid, gawd did I really have to eat all those squiggly looking critters!!!!...then fish balls of unknown origin followed by a mud cake of dubious ingredients, no sweetness but boy was it rich.

All washed down with a local beer, cha da (iced tea) and water.

Thankfully our accommodation was picture perfect,  cute little bungalows set amongst large pots of colourful flowers within a stone’s throw to the beach, thatched rooves, dark bamboo woven walls, mozzie nets hanging over the enormous bamboo beds, overhead fans whirring their heads off…It was just gorgeous and it was impossible not to feel like you really were in paradise.

The main communal area features a huge deck with lots of chairs for lazing about doing little more than staring out over the crystal clear waters sparkling under a tropical sun and when the sun starts it’s sleepy descent on the horizon the colour play is something else…. the colours change from yellow to orange to deep pink and finally red as it disappears behind the hills in the distance. For the more tactile there is a billiard room with lounges for watching tv or dvd or reading any of the large variety of books and magazines provided.  All of your needs are well catered for and if the lifestyle here all gets a bit too much then it’s only a short stroll to your bungalow across the warm sands if a nap is calling.