Tuk tuk is a three wheeler vehicle having its name from a sound the originals with the two stroke engine makes (tuk tuk tuk tuk….).

There are thousands of them in Colombo, parked on the street, street corners, lay byes, shopping entrances, company entrances, everywhere, waiting to be used. Most of them look shabby and old, main colors are green, black, blue or red. It is basically a tricycle with canvas and seats attached to it.

We are getting to know the tuk tuk drivers who usually park in front of the exit from our apartment complex and we used them numerous times. Unless you are walking only 400-500 metres, it is better taking a taxi or a tuk tuk.  It is very quick and cheap way to travel (between £0.25 for a short journey to £3 across the city). Even though you haggle the price, you end up paying the same price you normally pay – at the end of the day, they have to make living for their family.

If you look at the picture, they are pretty small, however you can fit a family of 4 in it (we are squashed though and Emi sits on our lap), we can put shopping there at the same time too, and even a 24 pack of beers or an ironing board!

You are like in an open car, if it is raining and the sides are not sealing well, you will get wet (you will soon dry though!), if it is hot, you will get sweaty and very sticky. You are breathing all the fumes of all the other vehicles on road (Emi always shouts: “Hold your breath!” is she sees a fume of a big truck nearby), but the gentle breeze when you are riding is very pleasant. You are exposed 100% so no crumple zone if involved In accident.

They are small and flexible with a fantastic turning circle, the rides are scary, adventurous, fun, thrilling, you hang onto your dear life.  You never know if you get where you want to go, as the drivers wiggle their heads in a way that would mean “no” in England but actually means “yes” and most of them don’t speak English. They weave between other road users’ centimetres between each other and you have no time to soak it all in, hence each ride is unique.

You have to be very firm and strong when you are telling the driver where you want to go, as they can take you to a place you don’t want to go (a jewellery store or duty free shop as they have got profit from your shopping, they will tell you sad story about their life for you to feel sorry and give them more money or allow you to take them there).  

We have been traveling like that to go shopping, going for dinners, going to school – you can imagine all the other pupils arrive in big expensive cars with tinted windows such Audi, Mercedes, Honda, Suzuki, and I arrive with my children in tuk tuk – hilarious! Experience we will never forget and will laugh about it whenever we think about it!

Rennie