Mango Bay Resort, Phu Quoc Island

When I told people we were going to Phu Quoc for a romantic getaway, I heard mixed reviews. Either "It's lovely there, you'll love it!" or "It's boring, there isn't much to do but lay around on the beach all day." Well, both of those options sounded quite inviting, so we were off to stay at Mango Bay. It happened that we arrived there at the end of the rainy season, a month before high tourist season. This involved clear, crisp morning walks on the beach followed by afternoon showers spent lounging in the shelter of our bungalow porch reading books and enjoying each other's company. By late afternoon, enough clouds had cleared to reveal the splendor of a fiery sunset along the sea's horizon. Night brought on a torrent of unending rainfall to remind us that the rainy season wasn't over yet, and we found ourselves drawn to the resort's seaside restaurant/bar/cafe, where other guests had gathered for food and wine and a warm and comfortable atmosphere. When we returned to our bungalow to retire for the night, we found that our beds had been made, the cotton mosquito netting lowered, and two fresh bottles of water set out for us. A sweet and simple retreat indeed.