Brave and novel ways to get there

Published Mar 6, 2015

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London - Moaning about air-conditioning, lack of leg room or being squashed up to someone who is taking more space than they should are common public transport complaints.

However, a look at some of the more unorthodox ways to travel around the world might lead us to thank our lucky stars for what we have.

Monte Toboggan, Madeira

What looks like a brilliant, if not entirely safe, after-school activity is a legitimate form of transport for those who want to get from Monte to Funchal in Madeira, and has been so since 1850.

The two-seater toboggan style sleds are driven by two men whose rubber boots serve as brakes and whose steering skill is crucial.

Traditionally clad in white cotton shirt and trousers, and a straw hat, the men slide the 1.5m journey through narrow streets in about 10 minutes and apparently nudge 50km/h in the process.

Sadly, to get back up to Monte you have to use the cable car.

Camel Bus, Cuba

This mode of transport is a combination of truck and bus in the shape of a camel. And you probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that it’s designed to carry the maximum number of passengers, with little attention paid to their comfort.

Known locally as the “camello”, Spanish for camel, the bus is slowly being phased out for more regular forms of mass transport. Some vehicles are known to be able to carry as many as 300 people.

A word of warning if you decide on this mode of travel, be wary of pickpockets as squashing makes you an easy target, and it’s best not to use this on a hot day.

The guaguas is a more traditional truck version and still remains popular throughout Cuba. The sides are all open, but there is a roof to protect you from the sun.

Songthaew, Baht Bus

This is a pick-up adapted to transport passengers. Songthaew translates as “two rows”, from the two benches fitted along the sides of the truck.

A songthaew is used in Thailand and Laos, adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi.

Some vehicles have roofs high enough to accommodate standing passengers. However, it’s more usual for standing passengers to occupy a platform attached to the rear.

Bamboo Train, Cambodia

This is a mini-train made out of bamboo, powered by a motor at one end.

A mat is usually laid on the wood for the tourists on the “norrie”. A de luxe version sees cushions added.

Because the trains have no roof, tourists tend to prefer early morning or late afternoon trips, to protect themselves from the sun. However, locals use this mode of transport for their own purposes.

The trains are limited to four passengers at a time, and cost around £3 (R54) each.

Barco de Totora, Lake Titicaca, Peru

Tourists describe these as akin to floating islands.

Normally used by fishermen on Lake Titicaca, tourists enthralled by the exquisitely designed inter-twining of the reeds often want to travel on these, and the friendly locals are more than happy to assist.

The boats, called balsa, vary in size from small fishing canoes to 100m long. They are still used on Lake Titicaca, 3 810m above sea level. Many locals live on the boats.

Chicken buses, Guatemala

A chicken bus or “camioneta” is the main form of local transport between towns, villages and cities throughout Central America and it is usually the cheapest option for travelling for any distance in these countries.

They are usually old school buses from the US or Canada that have been brightly painted.

They are called “chicken buses” by tourists because they are commonly used by locals for the transport of stock (including live-stock such as chickens) from one place to another.

So if you’re happy with the squawking and base-level fare, and leaving your rucksack on a rack on the roof, this is the journey for you.

Trampe bicycle lift, Norway

The Trampe bicycle lift (Norwegian: Sykkelheisen Trampe) is the first, and only, bicycle lift in the world.

When using the lift, the right foot is placed on the starting point (the left foot stays on the bicycle pedal).

After pushing the start button, the user is pushed forward and a footplate emerges.

A common mistake among tourists and other first-time users is that they don’t keep their right leg outstretched and their body tilted forward.

This makes it hard to maintain balance on the footplate, and can result in falling off.

John Hutchinson and Michael Gadd, Daily Mail

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