Complaining is one of our great national pastimes with both the weather and public transport featuring high on our list of favourite topics. As a nation we always compliment other countries for running such efficient transport networks and Hong Kong was a fine example; its buses and trains consistently punctual, immaculately clean, spacious and air conditioned.
As I journey west through Asia, the attitude to travel seems to become more relaxed but this hadn't posed any problems having successfully travelled around Thailand by plane, bus, long boat and ferry. It wasn't until visiting one of the quieter, outlying islands that a different mode of transport was required - the tuk tuk. My friend and I had planned to hire a moped but it was soon apparent that the luggage wouldn't fit.
The tuk tuk in question was a moped and glorified side car with the capacity to carry two passengers and luggage - the only problem being this far exceeded the capability of the tiny engine. I know this feeling myself when cycling up some of the hills at home but somehow I always make it. Unfortunately no amount of will power was going to propel our make shift taxi up the third and final slope we encountered on our way across the island. Halfway up we came to a holt. My friend and I hopped out to push, but it was a little too late.
We eventually 'summited' the incline but the engine had overheated and would not restart. Thankfully Thailand is a safe and friendly country so it wasn't long before we were picked up by a passing truck and had to leave our tuk tuk, and it's driver, to cool down.
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