The Taxis here in the islands are really interesting. First, they are essentially brand new Ford F350s or F250s with a rack mounted on the back and benches installed in front. They are all painted in bright colors sometimes with themes (we saw "Mitch's Ride" which was a smokey blue with a banana on the side of it and a yellow and white colored one called "The Honey Ride"). The drivers all have air conditioning in the cab and several had crew or extended cabs.
The drivers will pick up a load of tourists all intended for the same location. They will then stop along the way to let on more people (mostly locals). We only saw 1 local actually pay the driver so we believe that our tourism dollars pay for the local transportation system.
The islands are mostly hills and the roads are narrow and sometimes a bit primitive (read: potholes the size of a small horse). To best ensure the safety of their unbuckled passengers, the drivers will honk their horn loudly as they careen around a corner. I assume this is in the interest of letting someone coming the opposite direction know that an F350 is bearing down but we wondered what would happen if BOTH vehicles honked, cancelling out each others warnings....
We almost had the chance to find out a few times but luckily made it to our destinations unscathed, if a bit agitated. Several drivers gave historical tours through really crappy speakers set up in the back of the truck. They have their own spin on history but if you take it for fiction rather than fact then it is entertaining (one guy tried to tell us that the US stole $25 million in gold to buy the island from the Danes).
Regardless, these guys get to have fun, drive new beefy rigs and entertain people all day. I think Steve was trying to apply for a job while we were there.....
The drivers will pick up a load of tourists all intended for the same location. They will then stop along the way to let on more people (mostly locals). We only saw 1 local actually pay the driver so we believe that our tourism dollars pay for the local transportation system.
The islands are mostly hills and the roads are narrow and sometimes a bit primitive (read: potholes the size of a small horse). To best ensure the safety of their unbuckled passengers, the drivers will honk their horn loudly as they careen around a corner. I assume this is in the interest of letting someone coming the opposite direction know that an F350 is bearing down but we wondered what would happen if BOTH vehicles honked, cancelling out each others warnings....
We almost had the chance to find out a few times but luckily made it to our destinations unscathed, if a bit agitated. Several drivers gave historical tours through really crappy speakers set up in the back of the truck. They have their own spin on history but if you take it for fiction rather than fact then it is entertaining (one guy tried to tell us that the US stole $25 million in gold to buy the island from the Danes).
Regardless, these guys get to have fun, drive new beefy rigs and entertain people all day. I think Steve was trying to apply for a job while we were there.....
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