Around the world: Na Trang and Hoi An

Published on Friday 12 June 2009 17:21

We arrived in Na Trang a 6am. The overnight bus from Ho Chi Minh City had been the first with actual beds that I had ever taken. As a result, I slept quite soundly and woke with the bus driver nudging my shoulder with increasing force. I dragged myself onto the pavement and spotted the beach and blue sea beyond. It was better than any black coffee. Awake and excited we booked into a hotel and headed for the sand.

Our first dalliance with the Vietnamese coast went down a storm. The weather was perfect and the beach was a delight as we had been in bustling cities for the previous few weeks. After a few days on the beach we decided to emulate the locals and get on some scooters. The rental price was minuscule but we got stung when it came to buying petrol. Two ladies at the side of the road with a plastic bottle full of petrol and a tube are not the thrifty answer to a fueling station. With full tanks and empty wallets we headed north along the coast.

There were paddy fields spread out across the land to our left and bays filled with coloured boats to our right. It was an amazing feeling to be flying down the empty roads surrounded by such beauty. Unfortunately nothing lasts forever. After half an hour the road that we were following joined with a highway and within seconds we found ourselves engulfed by large trucks. The importance of incessant beeping became clear at once. Having to weave through other vehicles at speed also requires making your presence known. Constantly. We stopped when we saw large storm clouds moving in over the hills and decided to head back to Na Trang before the down pore. I felt inspired to get a scooter myself on my return to Scotland but considering my reaction to rain clouds, it might not be wise.

Our next destination was Hoi An. Once an international trading port, the city's old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through the narrow streets one can't help but fall in love with the historic architecture, brightly coloured silk lanterns and pretty, moored boats. It is hard to imagine that the city could possibly have a dangerous side but as we found out, Hoi An can do untold damage to your credit card.

The city is the mecca for tailor-made clothing and shoes. Every other shop keeper in the city wants to record your exact measurements and create the outfit of your dreams. The others want to produce your dream shoes to match. I was quite determined not to let the hype effect me. I didn't need anything and felt I was impervious to all the perfectly fitting fare. Oh how the mighty fall. I left Hoi An with 11 kilos of extra goods. Sure my return home could now be quite a stylish one, but I was cringing at the thought of my excess baggage bill.

Gabriella Griffith is a journalist blogging about her round-the-world adventure exclusively for Scotsman.com