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Laos Transport Vive la diference |
| I've been amused at the differences in transport from country to country--some delighted me, others frustrated me | |
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Auto rickshaw/Tuk tuk/Moto
Those terms are sort of variations on a theme: bare bones human transport, mostly on three wheels |
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I started with India's auto rickshaw (or "ric") Cheap, flexible human transport Downsides: a tall person has to bend over to get a good road view; somewhat uncomfortable ride |
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I didn't sample much of Thailand, since I didn't move around much But here's a larger version of the auto rickshaw |
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When I got to Siem Reap, Cambodia, though, I was deeply impressed with the tuk tuks there Great visibility, comfortable seats And modularity Elegant |
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But as I moved into the eastern part of the state, those elegant beasts disappeared Only motorbikes for individual transport (well, ok, there were a few cars) Nice little machine, but riding on the back wasn't my idea of great fun--not to mention the risk in being helmetless |
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But things got better when I crossed the border into Laos (this in Pakse) A bare-bones sidecar good visibility, somewhat comfortable seat Not so bad |
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or for even barer (and possibly sorer) bones |
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But moving north into Vientiane, I lost that simplicity and reverted to a clumsier tuk tuk--uncomfortable side bench seats, horrible visibility not to mention that the prices were outrageous
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In Luang Prabang the choice was still that clumsy tuk tuk or a motorbike
though I did see this version--but not generally available for taxi service |
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or a slightly breezier version |
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For cargo, many simple sidecars |
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And in Laos I again saw trailers behind motorbikes--but without the elegant hitch arrangement
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a sad loss |
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In human-powered vehicles I again saw simple tricycles for cargo |
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| and ordinary bicycles galore | |
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In human-powered vehicles being pushed, the variations were numerous
wood collection |
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food distribution |
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retailing |
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garbage collection and recycling |
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In Luang Prabang I began seeing many of these human-powered wheel-less modes of transport |
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always try to get a coupla monks in the photo love that saffron! |
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