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It's no surprise that most tourists find the weather in Hoi An stifling. I found myself sweating profusely by a walk down the street in the middle of the day which might explain why I chose to do most activities early in the morning or after the sun set.
Any time I did venture out during the day it was only after I was well protected with a hat, sunglasses, long sleeve top and sunscreen. I also found myself drinking water like my life depended on it. Tip - purchase sealed bottled water only - I appreciate this may sound obvious but you would be surprised how many travellers I spoke to realised their bottled water wasn't properly sealed long after they'd purchased it.
One of the great things travel does is open your eyes to another culture. Weddings are a universal and I always find it fascinating to observe weddings in another culture. In Vietnam, as in many Asian countries, wedding photos are typically taken in isolation of the wedding i.e. long before the actual wedding day.
So, it was a pleasant surprise to find myself in Hoi An town battling the elements and drinking my third bottle of water in less than an hour when I saw the wedding party walk past. I could not believe it - the bride and groom looked angelic - and the entourage was doing their very best to keep them cool, calm and collected.
The entourage was extensive and consisted of a photographer and assistant, umbrella holders (there must have been 5), make up artist, hair stylist and fashion stylist. It was priceless to watch and for a moment I forgot about the sweat running down my back and legs.
After a series of photos were taken the group stopped and the umbrellas went up. A check of make up, hair and clothes took place followed by new poses for the next series of photos. It was choreographed well and I'm sure the end result would have been stunning. This procession continued down the length of one street with many store owners peering out to watch from the safety of their shaded vantage points.
It was at that point I too sought out the safety of my own shaded vantage point. The heat here is stifling so keep re hydrated at all times!
There are several methods of transportation around Hoi An - cyclo, taxi, bicycle, bus, boat - but my favourite is the motorbike. I came to refer to them as the Hoi An taxis.
On any street corner in Hoi An you will notice men and their motorbikes. If they see a tourist laden with shopping bags they will shout out and try to grab your attention. Believe me, this is a cheap and easy way of moving around town - these local men wait all day for potential customers and if you find a good driver it's smart to establish an informal arrangement with them. If you find a good driver stick with them!
On this trip I found I great driver, Hai. He just kept popping up as I walked out of the tailors, bootmakers, restaurants - I don't know how he knew where I was but he was always there. For $1 AUS, Hai would take me wherever I wanted to go - to & from the hotel, to the beach, to the markets. He even rummaged up a helmet for me (they are not compulsory in Vietnam yet) after I expressed concern that he wore one but he didn't have a spare for me. But, best of all, he took my shopping and slide it onto the handles so I did not have to lug it around.
There is something liberating about jumping on the back of a motorbike, sans helmet and zipping in and out of traffic. Is it reckless? Yes, but I loved it. Given how hot it is in Hoi An, the breeze through your hair on the back of a motorbike is addictive. Hai even took to waiting for me outside the hotel each morning........just in case. For $1 how could I refuse him?
Once you get accustomed to all the tailors in Hoi An the shoe makers stand out. I wasn't 100% convinced that the shoes would be any good and visited a fair few shops to check the quality and workmanship. The choice is extensive.
Dong Shoe Shop is located at no. 16 Tran Phu St, Hoi An and is typical of the shops throughout Hoi An. Concrete steps lead up from the street and through to the show room floor. The owner of the premises lives out the back and during the day perches himself on a blue plastic chair out front. It's a little strange as he doesn't do anything in the shop just sits and watches the world by..........and he's always in the same place.
I decided to have a pair of silver thongs made first to test them out. The shop assistant spoke great English and asked me to place both feet on a sheet of A4 paper. She traced them and then took a tape measure out to record measurements across the width of my feet.
This was done around 10am in the morning and I was asked to return at 5pm for a fitting and if they were OK I could take them with me. Wow - that's fast. When I returned the thongs were ready and waiting for me. For the bargain price of $5 AUS I walked away with custom made thongs.
Based on this success I asked for a pair of black knee high leather boots to be made. Same process....stand on a sheet of A4 paper for my feet to be outlined then a tape measure to record the measurements up my leg. The negotiation process is simple - never accept their first price. I was able to bargain down to $40 AUS which I was very pleased with. Having a pair of custom made boots is a luxury.
Looking for a day trip from Hoi An? Not long after I arrived in Hoi An, I found myself on the receiving end of plenty of suggestions/ advice for day trips. I was bowled over, in fact, by the number of eager travellers who couldn't wait to share their stories
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A trip to Hoi An requires a mandatory visit to a tailor. You are spoilt for choice here as there are so many to pick from. How do you know who to visit or trust?
Prior to this trip I visited Hoi An back in 2005 and had lots of clothes made at Thu Thuy. They had come recommended to me as trustworthy, incredibly helpful and offering wonderful workmanship. I had to see this to believe it. So, in 2005 I had a few suits made. They were gorgeous and made to measure and the fabric choices were overwhelming
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Want an early morning treat? Visit the Hoi An markets around 6 - 7am. The men are out fishing from 4am and meet the women near the markets to deliver their catch. It is the women who manage the transactions inside the cramped, smelly markets. It is a feast for the senses and you really don't know where to look
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Jet lag.....for me it's worse when the time difference is minimal. My first morning in Hoi An, Vietnam I woke up at 5am. I didn't wake and feel compelled to roll over and go back to sleep... my entire body woke up and said 'get out of bed
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Chicks for sale?
I'm blessed with the travel bug and think nothing of taking large chunks of time off to explore the world. I honestly feel that travel broadens your horizons, allows you to learn more about yourself as you experience other cultures and environments and always confirms for me that Sydney is the best city in the world to reside
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