Phu Quoc Travel Guide: Flights, Visa, Fun & Bites (and Bytes!) 🌴

Back in June 2019, we stumbled upon Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s best-kept secret. At the time, hardly anyone had heard of it. Now it’s on every traveler’s radar, and for good reason. Think cable cars flying over turquoise waters, seafood BBQs on the beach, and villas so pretty you might never leave.

Getting There from Singapore 🇸🇬

We started with a few lively days in Bangkok, then hopped on a Thai Airways flight to Phu Quoc. The plane was painted in colorful graphics and felt like a private charter. The kids squealed with joy, swapping seats every five minutes, the flight was entertainment enough.

From Singapore, there are no direct flights. The best routes are via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Many travelers spend a night or two in Ho Chi Minh - think food, markets, and city buzz, before heading to the island.

Visa Info

Simple rules: if you fly directly into Phu Quoc and stay under 30 days, no visa needed. If you enter through Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, or plan to stay longer, get an e-visa online. Always double-check before you go.

Where We Stayed 🏝️

We chose the Fusion Resort & Spa, where luxury meets “don’t-make-me-leave.” Imagine private villas with pools, daily spa treatments included, and meals that surprise you each time.

And then there was Mr Truong, the manager. He didn’t just welcome us, he made us feel like family. Warm, thoughtful, and always two steps ahead, he’s part of the reason Fusion is / was so special.

Seafood Heaven 🍴

If seafood makes your heart beat faster, Phu Quoc will ruin you for life. From pepper crab (grown with local black pepper) to grilled squid and beachside BBQs, every meal felt like a feast. And yes, the island’s fish sauce (nước mắm) is so famous, locals call it liquid gold.

Don’t Miss the Cable Car 🚡

The Hon Thom Cable Car is the star of Phu Quoc. It’s the longest non-stop three-rope cable car in the world, nearly eight kilometers long. The ride takes you to Pineapple Island with sweeping views of turquoise seas, coral reefs, and fishing boats below. It’s not just transport, it’s pure magic.

A Few More Stops

Families will love the Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders Water Park, perfect for both kids and grown-ups. For something more serious, the Coconut Tree Prison tells powerful stories of Vietnam’s history. Together, these attractions balance out your beach-and-seafood routine.

How Long to Stay 📅

We stayed six days, which was perfect. Enough to explore, eat (a lot), and relax.

Pressed for time? Four to five days is enough for highlights. Want a slower pace? Stay a week and sink into island life.

When to Go 🌤️

Phu Quoc has two moods:

• Dry Season (Nov–Apr): Blue skies, calm seas, and perfect beach days

• Rainy Season (May–Oct): Tropical showers, but lush greenery and fewer crowds

We went in June. It was hot, sticky, unpredictable and still magical.

Final Thoughts

Phu Quoc may no longer be the secret it was in 2019, but it hasn’t lost its charm. From seafood feasts to spa-drenched mornings, and from cable cars above the sea to stories of resilience at Coconut Tree Prison, the island is unforgettable.

Whether you fly via Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, or Hanoi, one thing’s certain, Phu Quoc will leave you with stories, tan lines, and a longing to return.

Quick Tips 🌟

Best time to visit: November to April for perfect weather

Flights from Singapore: No direct flights, easiest via Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi

Visa: 30 days visa-free if flying directly into Phu Quoc, otherwise, apply for an e-visa

Stay: Fusion Resort & Spa ~ villas with private pools and spa treatments

Must-do : Hon Thom Cable Car

Other highlights: Vinpearl Safari, VinWonders Water Park, Coconut Tree Prison

Food to try: Pepper crab, grilled squid, seafood BBQs, and Phu Quoc fish sauce

Recommended stay: 4–5 days for highlights, 6–7 days for a relaxed escape

🌿 Railway Chicken Curry (My Easy Version)

 🌿 Railway Chicken Curry (My Easy Version)

If there’s one curry that can take you on a train ride without buying a ticket, this is it. 🚂🍛 

And unlike the Indian Railways, this journey actually runs on time > dinner ready in under an hour!

Serves: 4–5

Protein: 1 kg chicken (preferably bone-in)

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions

• 6–8 garlic pods

• 1 tbsp ginger paste

• 1 large tomato

• 2 green chillies

• 20 g fresh coriander leaves

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tbsp yoghurt

• 3 to 4 cardamoms

• 1 small stick cinnamon

• 2 tbsp oil (for cooking)

• Salt, to taste

   • 1 tbsp ghee or butter (optional, towards the end)

(Potatoes can be added if desired)

Preparation

1. Make the mixture / masala paste

Blend together onions, garlic, ginger, tomato, green chillies, and coriander leaves. Set aside.

2. Cook the spices (powdered cardamom & cinnamon)

Heat oil in a wok. Add powdered cardamom and cinnamon, letting the aroma release.

3. Add the mixture / masala

Stir in the blended paste. Cook for a couple minutes.

        4. Add chicken

Add the washed chicken (without extra water). Toss well so every piece is coated.

(Optional: add small diced potatoes in after 5 minutes of the chicken)

5. Yoghurt mix

Beat yoghurt with a pinch of black pepper and a little sugar. Stir into the chicken.

6. Slow cooking

Cover with a lid. The chicken will release its own juices, no need to add water initially.

Cook gently in its own broth.

7. Finish

When chicken is about 70% cooked, add ghee (or butter). Cover again until fully done.

Add a splash of water only if required, little by little.

8. Serve

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Best enjoyed with plain rice, or as a stew with bread

Notes

• For extra spice: add more green chilies to the paste.

• I usually avoid red chilli powder, it keeps the curry light but flavorful.

• Please note, this is not the authentic railway chicken recipe, but a version I prefer > easier, lighter, and deeply satisfying. 🌿

So, all aboard the flavor express,
this curry promises no delays, no waiting list, and definitely no bland meals. 🚂✨

And remember, if anyone asks why your chicken curry tastes so good, just wink and say,

-  “secret railway recipe.” 😉

Billy Joel is driving me crazy!

Sing us a song, you're the piano man-Sing us a song tonight, Well, we're all in the mood for a melody and you've got us feelin' alright....

In Jaipur with Sir Elton John

I had been to Jaipur just once before in 2001. Then we had put up in modern Jaipur not the old town, this part too was somewhat crowded, jewelers all around and lovely textile stores that housed anything from saris to long traditional skirts, scarfs and bed spreads. Vibrant colors sashaying the roads, filling up the sidewalks. I had picked up some silver trinkets and cushion covers which I treasure even to this day. Beautiful stuff.

This time Jaipur was livelier and more charismatic. Well, it was Sir Elton John and I making this trip together. We were in old Jaipur. It was an experience of its own. It all started with him and I on elephant backs visiting the forts, the forts had so many stories to tell of the past. The howdah (carriage seats) rocked to and fro while the tour guide educated us with stories of the past. The Howdah was covered in beautiful and rich embellished textile meant for a king or queen. The elephant was oblivious of the enchanting colors he was adorning. I almost went back to the days of royalty while the guide jabbered along. Soon we descended to an exotic restaurant for a typical Rajasthani meal. The guide explained a lot of the food to us and I did the balance of how much ever I knew. Each entrée was delectable - we loved the fare.

Elton John was wearing a Jaipuri printed kurta and his one symbolic earring looking very cool. He was in a non-musical mood, not even humming one of my favorites. He loved every bit of his Jaipur trip and wanted to soak in more knowledge about the place. All the while I was thinking how different he was here than the Elton John of the music video’s I often watched. His skills of the piano, his effortless way of singing was a distant thing of now. He did not want to be bothered with his trade; he just wanted to enjoy Jaipur.

We asked around for a handicraft store from where we could pick up gifts and souvenirs and someone suggested ‘SAMS’. Sam’s was not in one of the crowded places. It was in a clean straight road, a small boutique housing exotic stuff in cotton only. They had scarves in all lengths, handkerchiefs, bedspreads and some modern outfits made out of ethnic fabric making them look like designer wear. Sam was a creative lady in her 50’s, charming and very accommodating to her customers. I loved the store products and the store owner. We chatted and picked up several things from this place and the prices too were so very reasonably tagged.

All the while I was wondering if we could find a karaoke bar so that I could ask Sir Elton to sing “Words in Spanish” for me, just once! Unfortunately I found none. The only part about holidaying with Elton John that was not nice. I really wanted him to sing one of my favorite EJ numbers.

We proceeded to a carpet shop now since Sir Elton John wanted to pick some up for his home, next day was his flight. He picked up something I don’t remember. It was a carpet in cream of what I remember. We both were tired by now and got back to the hotel and finally went up to our respective rooms to shut eye, he had an early morning flight to catch. All through the night I was restless. Excited at my good fate of holidaying with my favorite star and restless as I always am if anyone takes an early morning flight. It was a very light and disturbed sleep and I finally woke up and saw it was 6.05 am, was Sir EJ up to catch his flight? Where was he? I was sure in my pretty room but not in Jaipur, in my house in Bombay, was I dreaming? Yes I was – this was an end to a beautiful dream.

Romance

It has not much to do with the web definition. Romance = “A love affair. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people” – In most of the cases or in the intensity that I sense, most often it has nothing to do with just people. It is multi faceted and versatile like not many other words.

Romance is a very situational, presently and personal feeling that one feels. It can be with people, nature, animals, books, situations, smell and most often music.

The color of the word ‘Romance’ is most often pink. Since pink is the color of love and passion, Romance is easily linked. Have you ever thought of black romance? Imagine heavy rain and a dark evening, wet breeze that touches your face and passes by or ruffles your hair and disappears. Would you call that pink? Imagine green romance, walking in a open field with tall grass tickling your bare skin – romantic to the hilt. One can make music from the drops of falling rain, which is romance.

Originally the word ‘Romance’ the old French word was borrowed into English (“romaunt” or “romaunce”) and developed in several ways. Since love was an important theme in the vernacular works, the word came to mean a love-story or a love affair. Many of the old stories were also rather far-fetched, full of magic and superhuman feats of arms, and so “romance” also came to mean a tall story, and in some cases a euphemism for a lie. Hence, no one really knows why this word is a representation of love and nothing else.

Of course, the man – woman romance is equally beautiful. It may or may not be platonic but the momentary passion is present in abundance. Romance is temporary since the feeling is very intense and severe. Romance is strong, hearty, heady and enthralling. Anyone who has felt romance has felt the sweet pain of rejection or extreme fervor. Romance has been present forever. It is charming, charismatic, pure and stimulating. It is like an aroma that lingers on long after it is no more……………..

Hopes for the Indian Economy

Is it too soon to talk about India’s economy looking up?. For people who had invested a while ago is praying for it to level up from its dampening 2 years of low-lying-ness. While some are investing now taking full advantage of the depressed situation before the revival. Our Finance minister too promises of a better situation by coming October so can we really ignore all the speculations? – Rather we want to believe in them desperately.

This extended weekend ended with a positive Monday morning with the sensex up by positive numbers. Hope the positivity continues.

The Indian currency too has had a bad year. It fell to Rs 39 to $1 in January 2008 to almost Rs 50 to $1 in February 2009. The rupee needs to rebound and value up against the dollar again. We are all creatures of hope and optimism and it does pay off most of the time.

The light bulb flickering is ONLY temporary, India has been there, done that and will rise up to the good times again. The biggest risk to India in 2009 at this point may not be the global economy issue but domestic politics that needs more attention at the moment.