Today I went on the back of a scooter, for me it was the first time in 45 years, Tokyo had hired one, so we can move around much easier, get off when we want, move on instead of having to wait for 30 min while the bloody taxithing is only 5 min away…. According to its (taxi)driver at least!
So I lifted my leg over the saddle and climbed up, never thought I could actually be that crazy, but hey, why not!
We went to some places, saw some things and went back home, Tokyo driving and me navigating with my iphone and Google Map….
We were almost home, so I said, oy, just this bridge and then right….
Except there was no bridge, instead there were loads and loads of bikes, motorbikes , scooters and such in a queue all wanting to get on the next ferry!
Tokyo thought this might be fun, so yeah why not, at least that way I go crazy all the bloody way, taking a ferry in Asia, I mean what could go wrong??
I climbed down in my own nimble (..) way and walked to the front of the queue, the ferry almost arrived and “somewhat” of a frenzy broke out between the bikes…
I am still every time completely surprised by the fact that within this complete anarchistic traffic there are suprising precious few accidents, okay scooters etc bumping into the bumper of the car in front of them happens, but most drivers do not even come out of their car for that, at least none that I saw.
The ferry run empty really fast and now it was time for the cars, to come onto the ferry while mostly ladies walk on, with or without a motor helmet.
I followed and was completely flabbergasted by the amount of motors rushing towards the front of it, followed by screaming from the back, telling them to move nearer so the rest can also fit in.
I have taken many a ferry crossing in NorthHolland province, but I have never ever seen this many motors on one ferry in my entire long life.
It was amazing, frightening, smelly and completely nuts.
Witin 10 min everything had unloaded and reloaded with huge speed.
While we actually moved away, I saw Tokyo still standing in the first regions of the queue, he obviously had missed this one.
I waved and he made a sign that I wait at the other side, yeah like I go off on a wild goose chase with someone else…
I found a seat but needed to get up while realising I probably was one of the tallest people here, so with the last bit of my phones battery I shot a video, so at least anyone would believe me.
Thankfully Indians love having their photos taken, so they stand straight and look in the camera, while I put it all on video, after which Icarefully sat down again, trying not to get burned by the mufflers of the nearby bikes.
The ferry wobbles sideways, not because there are too much waves but more because of the huge heavy load trying to cross this part of the sea.
Thank G*d I can swim, though I probably get killed because of the revoltingly dirty water that comes past.
I almost pray, but hey presto we have already arrived, I keep my legs out of the way, while every one starts their bikes and drive off like they might do if they were in a race on the Isle of Man, the ladies with helmets calmly walk behind them and I follow them.
Shall I go back to the other side, I am wondering or better not, driving on the back of a scooter and crossing the sea in a wobbly ferry is enough testing my guardian angels for the day, I think it is wiser to wait here.
Meanwhile the whole proces restarts with lorries and cars getting on the boat, till one of the cars almost get stuck between the ferry and land, apparently some cable detached itself and due to the pull of the sea, the ferry is now askew such that the car could fall in the water any minute….
Quickly the guy runs upstairs and restarts the motor to get it straight again, another one semi attaches its cable rather nonchalant onto the boulder…
The car pushes forward like nothing happened, I am not really surprised, that is how they deal with everything here: take it like it is… now it is time for the bikes, 39 to be precise, I have counted them, which is almost half the number of the former journey, after that there is just one more space, a riksja is whistled over and can stand sideways with the two ladies sitting in it..
They leave and again I am surprised how much it wobbles, I have decided that I think I will pass this ferry a next time, I will take the bridge instead with all the risks of being run down by a bus driven mostly by huge fans of Max Verstappens driving style…
Meanwhile I am surrounded by dogs, it is quite interesting to see that dogs in India all look the same, high on their legs, a slim head, filthy coat, not taking a blind bit notice of any human around. I think they must be all related! While looking at them curiously I am interrupted by the ferry who has almost arrived back.
I tried to film it, because even after a week of seeing Indian traffic it is still fascinating to see it work.
Thankfully Tokyo has also come along, he waits till I see him, I get on as elegantly as I can ….. and off we go, only 3 km and we are back home!
Fort Kochi, Kerala India
Tuesday June 27th