Bali 2....what kind of vehicle do you prefer?

In previous blogs, I have talked of the insanity of driving in South Korea. Okay now I know that apparently may the only place I will think of driving in a "normal" sense will be in the US. Once again I am in awe of the travel culture of a new land. Where South Korea likes to play bumper cars, Bali and Gili like to play chicken on motor scooters. It is not uncommon at all to see three or four people on one scooter. The run in, out, and between traffic in a blink of an eye. Most of the them wear their helmets for safety but that might be the only thing on their bodies that doesn't get broken in a wreck. The cars and trucks treat them like pesky flies and there is no such thing as protective space. It is just get there however you can.
There were several times I sucked in my breath not for my safety, but for watching what was going on in front and beside me. Add to this, people coming up and down the middle of traffic trying to sell fruit, newspapers, and all manner of things.
If you are not on a scooter or in a car you are have other options. Foot power is always the first and formost  means of transportation. Then there is the boating culture, and during the off season, you can usually bargain for boat deals with about anybody. You see a fair share of bicycles coming in and out and you listen for their bells or sometimes the riders will just make some sort of random noise to let you know they are there.

The one I found most interesting was the horse transport on the Gili Islands. They are not allowed to have motorized transport on those islands so it is literally horse and cart. Most of the horses are quite decorated and have literally all the bells and whistles. Soon you get used to listening for them and know to move over to the side. Sometimes you just have to stop and wait as there isn't much room to move over for them. So however you like to travel, you can get from point A to point B in an adventurous sort of way. Scary to think that South Korean driving now seems tame by comparison!