General Manager Lee greets us and introduces his charming staff members, who take us by golf buggy to our beachfront bungalow. We travel past tennis courts, a second swimming pool with a bar, restaurants and a day spa as the ocean appears in view and continues as far as the eye can see. Kong wasn’t lying; this place is a dream.
I step off the buggy and walk through the front door of an exclusive, private bungalow fit for a king or, in this case, a Queen. There’s a luxurious bed, a bath, Nespresso coffee machine, an outdoor area with day beds and the best part; a private plunge pool that has my name written all over it.
I unpack, put on my swimmers and take my first dip in the plunge pool. After walking a mere 10 steps to the beach, my toes are in the softest sand and I take a moment to sit and watch fishing boats pass by in the distance. I order a fresh coconut to enjoy before hopping on an ocean swing for the first obligatory Instagram shot of the trip.
With some balance in mind for this trip, I wake early to the soothing sound of the ocean. I plan to go for a swim but I am distracted by a yoga class, which is about to begin on the shoreline. After yoga and another frolic in the crystal clear ocean, I ride a bicycle up to the buffet breakfast of Vietnamese coffee [if you have a sweet tooth, this brew is for you!), fresh fruit, freshly made omelettes plus a traditional breakfast of congee, dumplings and rice.
After visiting a local fishing village, where I pick out my very own pair of locally grown pearl earrings, and eating my way through the night market, I return to my villa and slip on my robe and slippers. The biggest decision to make right now is whether I should go to the spa or for a swim before breakfast tomorrow. What a dilemma.