Tuk Tuk Love!

Tuk tuks rule!  They’re everywhere.  Moving all kinds of people and all kinds of things. 

A tuk tuk is a 3 wheeled vehicle.  With motorcycle handlebars for driving, 1 bench seat in front for the driver, 1 bench seat in back for passengers, a tiny trunk like space, and a vinyl cabin to protect the driver and passenger from the hot sun.  Their top speed is 45 km/hour. 

I love them BECAUSE they go slowly.  I have time to see things.  I also love them because they are usually very open.  I love the gentle wind they create for the passengers when moving. 

Most? All? Tuktuks come with a curtain you can put down when it rains.  Handy. To keep the driver and passenger dry.  But it gets very stuffy inside the cabin.  So I’m not a huge fan.

The traffic in Sri Lanka is crazy!!!  Two lanes get used as 3 to 6 lanes.  It’s not unusual to see a bicycle, scooter, tuk tuk and maybe even a car side by side in one lane.  Drivers zip in and out of the lanes. Passing slower vehicles on the left and right.  I’ve only seen 1 stop/traffic light here in Negombo.  A city of 140,000 people!  The intersections require nerves of steel! 

But drivers are so polite!  They leave room for other vehicles.  They honk.  But pretty much only to let others know they’re coming/passing.  Amazing!

Pictures
0- There are many ways to hire a tuk tuk.  You can use Uber, PickMe, or go to an official tuk tuk stand!  
1- The view from inside a tuktuk.  You've gotta bend over to see out really well cause the cover is low. But it's effective at giving shade.
2- I've seen lots of crazy stuff being carried on scooters. This was a rare siting of a tuk tuk being used creatively 
3- Most tuk tuks have all sorts of decor on them.  The pirates of the Caribbean is  very popular theme.  This one has a luggage rack.  There aren't many like that.

4-5 Many of the city buses are very colourful.  I haven't been on one yet.  The tuktuks are so easy.  I'm a bit reluctant to be stuffed in a bus in the heat...