Motor madness

Travelling in Asia, however, is always an exotic experience. The colourful three-wheeled tuktuks or the sooty “Baht” boats of Klong Saen Saep are unavoidable forms of transportation in a country blessed with narrow and flooded streets. The cyclos of Hanoi similarly clink their way along small lanes. Moving around in the Philippines is made exciting by the jeepneys that transport anything from 10 to 20 stifled souls, most stuffed within, but some clinging on to the roof — all at the same time.

Alas, the deathly grip of industrialisation is driving many curious forms of transportation to extinction. There are now state-of-the-art ferries that go from England to Belgium within a few hours, replacing the hovercrafts that once crossed the Channel. I am told the Channel Tunnel lets you do this trip even faster. Unlike bullock carts or the cycle rickshaw, the two-wheelers of Indian cities may just last for ever. These speeding contraptions zip through traffic or zoom recklessly over footpaths, ignoring hapless pedestrians, but nothing can get you there faster. 

Given the unfair advantage of sleekness, a motorcy may one day become a more common sight in India, as in Cambodia or Thailand. Hard-pressed for time, this two-wheeler taxi is definitely worth the ride — even if you have to strap that dirty loaner helmet onto your head!