Phu Quoc Island...Saigon...

Hey guys and girls... last post from Vietnam :-(

The journey to Phu Quoc took longer than I expected it too. I am not cut out for these long journeys anymore...China took it out of me. We were on the bus for 6 hours, followed by a short trip to the dock, a 2 and a half hour boat ride to the island, and finally a 30 minute bus ride to the place we planned on staying. After an hours search (carrying my bag which still makes my arms go numb) we found our cheapest accommodation yet. Just $6 per night, no air con and a cold shower, but it was nice enough and close to the beach.

The day after we arrived we hired a motorbike and explored the island. This was defo good fun. The beaches we came across were pretty much empty and the people we passed along our way were so friendly, constantly shouting hello. Of course Alex got lost on the way home and refused to believe me when I told him we had just gone in a circle! We found our way home eventually and pretty much ended the day there. We had booked to start my diving course the next day and had to be up at 6:30am...ahhh.

I really don't know what I expected to be taught during the dive course. I also don't know why I thought I would enjoy learning how to dive at all considering I don't particularly like it when I can't breath through my nose. During the diving theory lessons you are taught that scuba divers are the happiest people alive, and you will have such a good time learning how to dive. I did NOT have a good time. I would never in a million years do this course again, even if I was paid. I have had time to think this through and I would need at least 5,000 pounds payment to consider it, perhaps even 10,000. Saying that, I am glad that I have done it, because I think diving in the Philippines is going to be amazing. Perhaps it was better that I didn't know what to expect and got on with the course.

It was learning the diving skills that I really hated. Day 1- I meet my instructor who I am not sure I particularly bonded with. He was nice enough and was very patient with me whilst I took ridiculous amounts of time to complete some of the tasks, but at one point during the course he hadn't even noticed that I had floated to the surface and come back down again. Going down under the water was a very weird experience. I think part of the problem was that I had no time to get used to just breathing under the water...straight away he was asking me to learn some skills. I could do most of them with no problem. Taking my regulator out, buddy breathing etc. Taking my mask off was the biggest problem. At first he asked me to fill my mask up to the half way point with water, and then empty it- are you crazy? Ok, calm Jenna, you can do it...I did it and was very pleased with myself. Then he asked me to fill my mask up completely- what, why on earth would I fill my mask up with water whilst diving?! Ok, calm Jenna, you can do it...I did it and was even more pleased with myself. Little did I know that the instructor was scheming...planning to make my life living hell for the next 2 and a half days, plotting how many times he could make me fill my mask up with water and take it off completely...I was not prepared for the second lesson of the day. Originally I was meant to start the lesson by taking my mask off for 1 minute and then putting it back on. It didn't go as he had planned. I spent so long getting up the courage to do it that we moved on...he said it was important we came back to this skill tomorrow because I would eventually have to learn to swim without my mask on. From that moment panic and nerves kicked it. I dreaded the next lesson. Alex and I even went down to the beach after the first lesson to practise removing my mask...I couldn't do it. I understand that to most water babies this fear sounds completely irrational, but I have not gone under water without pinching my nose for approximately 10 years. The next day I questioned the purpose of this skill...he said that whilst diving someone might kick my mask off...firstly, if someone kicked my mask off I would kick theirs off and take their cylinder with me on my way up, and secondly, I would hold my nose automatically. Cry...he still made me do it. It took me a long time to take my mask off under the water for that minute. We came up a few times, did nothing under water for about 10 minutes. I did it eventually, but using my own special methods. I took it off, pinched my nose, and when I felt confident enough, removed my fingers and stayed there for a whole minute. Well done me...the instructor shook my hand and we went for a dive.

He only made me take my mask off one more time after this. He also didn't make me swim with my mask off, result. He defo couldn't be bothered to wait for me to do it. It was a nice day and he wanted to go diving. He did however make me fill up my mask several more times. Every time he said, "We both know you can do this well"...errr hello, why do you keep making me do it then!? The 3 days were just torturous for me...I was so happy and relieved to get it over with. I am very much looking forward to diving in the Philippines, but will be defo limiting it to 1 dive at a time...2 dives worth of nose holding is just too much for me!

The rest of Phu Quoc was much better! Alex and I gave the motorbike back and just chilled out on the beach. I am soooo burnt at the moment it's probably good that I'm back in Saigon and in the rain. I am also very excited to see that Christmas decorations have gone up in Saigon! Defo got me in a Christmas mood and craving my Mum's roast dinner more than ever!

We leave Vietnam tomorrow which is very sad. I can't believe it has already been 4 weeks. I have liked it here a lot, probably more than China. It will be weird going to the Philippines where there will be less tourists around and not as many people will speak English. I am also unaware of the YouTube situation out there and fear Eastenders may be difficult to watch, particularly now the Christmas build-up has begun! I am sure I will manage to watch it some how. I don't doubt that this last part of the trip will absolutely whiz past, so gotta make the most of my last month! Very excited.

xoxo

Preparing for doom

Great Britain Cloud

Sunset on the beach

Christmas in Saigon