So many people, so many places to go and so few cars in SE Asia. Seems like moped/motorcycles/scooters outnumber cars at least 5 to 1. We have seen some interesting sights cruising by on two wheels.Here are a few of our favorites - family of five on a scooter; man, woman & chicken on a moped; moped driving past elephant on road; scooter with a sidecar selling ice cream; scooter drivers wearing jackets backwards on arms only; moped pulling over 1/2 ton of sugar cane; and motorcycle taxis in Bangkok (where for a small fee you can be whisked across the city, avoiding much of the traffic that hold up regular taxis).
In big cities at red lights, all the mopeds et al pull in front of the cars and take off ahead of the cars as soon as the light changes. It is something akin to moths going to a bright light and then dispersing when the light goes out.
Since you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We are currently enjoying our second scooter rental of the trip. Stephen is the trusty driver and I'm the back seat navigator. My biggest job is to remind him to stay on the left side of the road as Thailand uses the British system of driving.
We've had a few adventures so far. Our biggest accomplishment to date is to ride with our backpacks & all gear from our hotel to the bus station, over 30 km away. I felt like a turtle on the back of the bike about to humpty dumpty backwards. We've visited beautiful temples, waterfalls, remote beaches and city centers by scooter. Stephen feels like he is in a video game and as he improves his skills, he enters higher levels, hoping one day to be good enough to take on a major Asian capital. You gotta have dreams!
We've even had help from a local pseudo-taxi operator by putting the moped in the back of his truck when it was raining and taking us to the gas station.
AS THE TUK TUK SPUTTERS...
After a few days in Bangkok visting ornate Wats, reclining Buddhas, space age malls, and eating amazing street food, we are currently visiting my step-brother outside Phuket in Southern Thailand. It is a beautiful beach on the Andaman Sea. We are heading to Krabi soon for a week of rock climbing right on the beach. We are really enjoying Thailand.
After a few days in Bangkok visting ornate Wats, reclining Buddhas, space age malls, and eating amazing street food, we are currently visiting my step-brother outside Phuket in Southern Thailand. It is a beautiful beach on the Andaman Sea. We are heading to Krabi soon for a week of rock climbing right on the beach. We are really enjoying Thailand.
Sawatdee and Lah Gorn (hello and goodbye in Thai).
rachel & stephen
3 comments:
Good to hear that you're making use of the preferred mode of transport in Asia...good luck staying upright! Take care, Scott
stephen— in keeping with your waterpark coolness, you must demonstrate to all of asia the art of the three-block wheelie.
often.
one handed.
Good to catch up on your adventures! Hope that the climbing is a blast and the bro. is in good spirits. The weather in P-town is cold and damp right now... not hot humid and muggy.. you luckies! Keep us posted on how you moped skills and bikini tan lines improve!
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