Planes, trains and automobiles. Traveling requires some mode of transportation, even if it’s just your feet. For 21 months we transported ourselves around the world. Let’s just say we became intimately aquainted with the semi-cama buses in South America, the back seat of a Land Rover throughout Africa and the upper bunk of trains in Asia. I can honestly say I love riding the rails, there’s nothing better than falling asleep, comfortably in your own bunk and waking up in your destination. It’s a bit like magic. Although I’m used to them at this point, buses are my least favorite. A great cultural experience, but a slow, dusty and often frustrating way to go. The few boats we were able to take were often a welcome relief. There’s just something about being out on the water that puts you in a good mood.
How do you prefer to travel?
After surviving the worst bus ride ever, we booked a flight back from the Amazon jungles near Rurrenabanque, Bolivia. When this little thing landed on the grass runway I wasn’t even phased, just thankful we weren’t getting back on a bus.
Now this is what I call a sleeper bus. We took a bus from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Urumqi, China to avoid an epic train journey. Our bus was filled with Kazak women heading to China for some sort of tax free holiday shopping spree. We were thankfully taken under the wing of two sisters who helped us order food at the rest stops and navigate the border. This was the first bus we had ever seen with bunk beds- it even came with heavy blankets. We slept like babies that night, despite the pot holes!
Heading to the Amazon our transport looked like it would barely survive the journey to the boat dock. I think we stopped twice to refill the radiator with dirty water from a stream. Surprisingly we made it to the boat. Shocking.
There’s no better way to see SE Asia than from the back of a motor bike. We enjoyed our three day journey around Laos so much that we’re considering getting one of these bikes now that we’re home. Of course the journey came with the requisite mud vs. bike obstacle course, but despite spinning out of control a few times, we were good to go.
Although we tried to whitewater kayak as much as we could, we never used kayaks to go great distances. Nevertheless an epic boat journey up the Nile would be incredible!
There aren’t very many transportation options crossing into Ethiopia from Kenya. Basically it’s this cattle truck you see below.
That wasn’t happening, no matter how hearty we thought we were. Thankfully, our friends allowed us to join them in the back of their Land Rover, Kaspuuurrr.
Tuk-Tuks! I love these little rickshaws. Besides the motorbike, these are my favorite way of getting around Asia. The one pictured below is from Wadi Halfa, Sudan – if you look closely you can see the driver hiding out inside for shade. Welcome to the Sahara Desert!
If it was just me, or maybe even my wife and myself, I’d like to do motorcycles. After that, maybe trains and boats.
Do you ride a bike regularly? We’re thinking about getting one now!
You have certainly exhausted any possible menas of trasnport save horse and camel back. A very entertaining and educative post. Contrary to you I love coach travel, but it very much depends on the country.
Too many coach trips for me – although I don’t mind them if they’re comfortable and clean!
As you might guess, if I’m doing the driving, I much prefer a motorcycle. If someone else is doing the driving, it’s hard to beat train travel.
I figured you were 100% motorcycle, good to know you’d consider an alternative!
Of course my favorite mode of travel is first class or private limo but back to reality! I don’t really have a favorite except for an airplane. When I’m on an airplane that means I’m going somewhere. I would like to experience as many different modes of travel as possible!
Where do I join you? A first class limo would be great, but I bet after a while you’d be bored of playing with the privacy barrier!
I think my nightmare would be crossing a desolate countryside/landscape with a vehicle that you couldn’t rely on, and no phone connection!! Even a camel would be better!!
We were a bit afraid crossing the Sahara, but in the end we had gallons of extra water with us. Thankfully they were never used!
i’m with debbie – first class on a plane! 😉 barring that, any type of plane travel is my preferred mode of transportation!
What an incredible adventure. You gotta have guts!
Ahh.. so many modes of travel to love. I think I like the sleeping busses in SE Asia and the little Tuk Tuks.
Trying out all kinds of local transportation is one of the most exciting things to do while traveling. For me, it really depends on the country as to which mode of transportation is my favorite. I actually really love bus rides (depending on country of course), mostly because they offer great views of local life in a country. While a train may divert its route through the countryside, buses go straight through the middle of cities and living areas – so in my opinion, you get to see the most of a culture from a bus window…that being said, it’s different everywhere…
oh wow. I love the sleeper bus! haven’t seen them like that before. Thats awesome. My favourite mode of journey is train. there’s always a romantic notion it.