Unique modes of transportation in the world

Monday, December 26, 2022

Going around the world in 80 days? An integral part of travelling is embarking on new modes of transportation to move from place to place.

Airplanes, buses, ships, trains or bikes- all these are the most common modes of commutation and are no stranger to us. They are very much a part of our daily lives.

Some places may take more of your time if you want to take the best home. With the coming of the new era, many uncommon modes of travel are coming in vogue.

While some of us do not know about them entirely, some have forgotten about the uncommon modes of transportation.

To give our readers an insight about some of the most uncommon and exciting modes of travel, we have hand-picked 10 among the world’s most exciting modes of transportations:

Norry

While in Cambodia, do not miss out the fun of riding in a bamboo train which is locally called Norry.

Earlier, they were an active mode of conveyance but now they are one of the local tourist attractions.  Tourists can enjoy riding these bamboo trains in Battambang.

The train is just a bamboo platform placed on top of wheels, and that’s all about it.

These local trains run no faster than normal waking pace but if you are in no hurry, they are always worth giving a try. Riding on a Norry and witnessing the landscape of Cambodia is a great and fun experience.

Felucca Boats

A slow and meandering cruise in a felucca across River Nile will take you back to the times of the Pharaohs. These traditional sailboats are written into the country’s DNA. It is an open-decked boat furnished with colourful cushions and pillows and canvas shelters to offer comfortable cruise for passengers.

The cruises commonly range from a short voyage of a couple of hours out of Cairo to a multiple day voyage between Aswan and Luxor. Sailing on a cruise allows you a unique chance to sleep on the open waters of the Nile, witness a modern metropolis that grew up along the river bank over the centuries and witness the star-studded night sky in a tranquil surrounding.

Party Bike

Can you think of paddling your way across a city and enjoying a drink or two at the same time, and that too, with a dozen of people? Yes, you can make it possible with a Party Bike. They look more like a bar on wheels but are actually fun party bikes that started in the Netherlands first.

Party Bikes soon spread to the other parts of the world like Germany, New Zealand, the Bahamas and many other countries. Arrange small parties inside these party bikes, sit with your friends and navigate your way through the city whilst savouring snacks and drinks.

Mokoro

Mokoros are canoes made from dug out tree trunks of a large straight tree such as ebony or kigelia. If you are visiting Botswana and plan to explore the otherwise inaccessible Okavango Delta (it is the world’s largest inland delta), mokoros are the only means of transportation.

An oarsman stands in the stern and push with a pole to make the boat move across the shallow waters of the delta. Due to conservation issue, now-a-days mokoros are made from fibre glass.

Mokoros are an almost silent type of transport to move along the waterways and get up close with the wildlife of Botswana.

Cocotaxi

From hairdos to the end of the Cold War, everything was big and bold during the 1990s and Cuba reaped the benefits in the form of Cocotaxi.  They have been a big hit among the tourists since their emergence in Cuba.

The name is derived from coconut as the outer surface of the yellow tricyle resembles a coconut to a large extent. It is the cuter version of auto rickshaw with a back seat for two people behind the driver.

A quick tour around the city of La Havana in a Cocotaxi is an experience that tourists will remember for years. There are some Cocotaxis that can be used only by Cubans, which are black, as opposed to the yellow ones for tourists.

Aerial Tramways

Riding on Aerial Tramways in Switzerland is not for the chicken hearted ones- this is to be made clear at the outset.

If you can get over the fear of heights or are already in love with mountains this is a perfect way to enjoy Switzerland’s captivating mountain views.

Aerial Tramways come in different sizes with a capacity to fit few passengers up to a hundred people.

Soaring up the mountains and witnessing beautiful aerial views of cities in the backdrop of mountainous terrains is an expedition worth embarking on.

Funicular

Funiculars are a great alternative to Aerial Tramways to move on steep gradient of mountain and hills.

They are also used for moving cars up and down mountains and also provide ample opportunities for hiking and walking. Riders sitting inside the car can enjoy one-of-a-kind view of the city and its surrounding landscapes. Take a funicular tour up to Mount Fløyen.

The journey begins at Bergen city centre and reaches the mountain top in approximately 6 minutes. The landscape view of the fjords and mountains surrounding the city below will at once take your breath away!

Cyclos

We all have heard about bicycles but cyclos? Well this is something you need to try yourself in Vietnam.

It is a local transport of the country which operates on the reverse concept of cycles that help carry an individual from one place to another.

The latter is made to sit in the place allotted in front of the driver’s seat. Sitting in a cyclos offers you beautiful views of the land and will take you back to the French colonial period.

Barco de Totora

Barco de Totora is a kind of crafted boats used by the Uros residing in the banks of Lake Titicaca.

The history of these boats dates 3000 years back. These boats are made up of dried bundles of Totora reed and hence the name. The natives who are engaged in fishing and travelling use Barco de Totora boats as their mode of transportation.

They are commonly seen along the borders of Bolivia and Peru and are a great way to commute across the beautiful water stretches of these two countries.

Horse and buggy rides

Living a life of simplicity that is quite different from the rest of the world is what the Amish community believes in.

Even with so many automobiles around, they preferred horse and buggy rides over convenient and leisurely transportation modes.

One can experience the Amish lifestyle and these rides in places like Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

In a nutshell

Travelling around the world and exploring new places is incredibly exciting. The unique modes of transport to travel from one place to the other can really add to your experience and fill you with rich experiences.

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