This is Only the Beginning

Giant rats paraded along the gutters. A strong stench of rot rose from disused vegetables that had been threaded into the footpaths. Through the smog filled air hundreds of seemingly choreographed scooters weaved through the chaotic streets as a musical mass of horns blasted their way through the never ending rush hour.

I was not equipped to deal with this introduction to Vietnam as my missed flight, lost passport and chipped tooth had drained my emotional state of mind.

Attempting a death-defying move trying to cross the road, I narrowly avoided a collision with a scooter laden down with a squealing pig and I began to wonder if maybe my legs were not the most responsive mode of transport to navigate this bustling country. I needed an escape.

It came in the form of six motorbike enthusiasts brought together by their incessant craving for thrill seeking. I in turn, found myself propped up on the back of a bike with no protective clothing to shield me from the imperative dangers of travelling through a country that seemingly has no road rules.

As six bikes baring flags from our native countries revved through the persistent rush of traffic into the unknown I came to the realisation that this was my escape.

The route from Hue to Hoi An, had long been hailed as one of the most spectacular drives in Vietnam and had grown in fame since it was featured on Top Gear. We needed no encouragement to include this in our journey.

Misinterpreted directions often lead us off the beaten track and more often than not we found ourselves completely lost but that was all a part of what made this trip so enticing.

We navigated many near misses with trucks, cattle, hens and occasionally, overexcited school children that ran to greet us as we blasted our horns in gratitude at their welcoming faces.

As we neared Hoi An, our expectations had been exceeded, our spirits at an all time high. Suddenly the screech of tires, the crunch of twisted metal and plastic and a quick glance over my shoulder brought me crashing back to reality. Other road users tried aimlessly to avoid the carnage and failed in a spectacular mass of flying debris.

My stomach filled with knotted fear as I raced back to find my friends amid the chaos. Tears were shed to find no one was seriously injured.

As the shock subsided I gazed around the destructive scene to see that the authorities had arrived. As we were led away to the local police station I couldn’t help but wonder how did I end up here?