KEEP LEFT. Shoulder to the shoulder. (Steering)Wheels near heels.
Pick your favorite memory aid. It still takes a good bit of mental gymnastics to back out of a hard-to-find parking spot. Here is my story of getting around in Paradise.
Before relocating, I had arranged to rent a private vehicle. The owner would pick me up at the airport, I’d drive him back to his place, and then head over to my apartment So far, so good. Then things got interesting.
I called to confirm pickup time at the airport the day before departure. Are you coming in on Sunday? I’ll be off-island, said the owner of the car. He was not going to be back till the following evening. No one else was available to drop off the car. I did not know where I was going from the airport (see: Leaving for Paradise). No problem, Doc. The owner had an idea: I’ll leave the car at the airport. I had never seen the car, but I was listening. What about the key? Oh, I’ll leave it under the mat on the passenger side. The mental image was not encouraging-getting arrested at the airport for allegedly trying to break into cars and check under mats, looking for a key to a car I had never seen. We eventually worked out a transfer arrangement that involved two drop-offs and three other people.
Months later, I shipped my car to Paradise. The cost of shipping, taxes and insurance added up to a third of the book value of the car. But buying a car is even more expensive, since those costs are passed on to the buyer as DOMA (Dealer Overseas Marketing Allowance) If you choose to work with a commercial agency, rental rates start around $800/month (best rates in town, the ads claim) And the gas prices are nearly a dollar higher than the mainland. Need a spare part? Expect to wait for weeks-ships may make a few stops along the way. (The patience of a saint-always get a chance to see if you still have it).
When I get on the road, each trip is a roller-coaster ride. Every hill-hugging narrow road resembles San Francisco’s Lombardi Street. If that’s not enough, the traffic goes both ways on undivided roads without shoulders. Steep slopes and hairpin bends add to the thrill of driving in Paradise. Did I mention the rain and wind? Through it all, one rule applies: To the left, to the left….
Any other options? Sure(check out the photos). All things considered, the best value in town is the “dollar ride” on a safari taxi. Between islands, there are seaplanes (or airboats, if you prefer) ferries and private boats . Each of these rides has its own special charm. And that is the secret of getting around in Paradise: you don’t have to drive to enjoy the best rides. But if you get behind the wheel, remember: When in Paradise, it is right to keep left.
Next post: The Lord blessed me today!!
Pick your favorite memory aid. It still takes a good bit of mental gymnastics to back out of a hard-to-find parking spot. Here is my story of getting around in Paradise.
Before relocating, I had arranged to rent a private vehicle. The owner would pick me up at the airport, I’d drive him back to his place, and then head over to my apartment So far, so good. Then things got interesting.
I called to confirm pickup time at the airport the day before departure. Are you coming in on Sunday? I’ll be off-island, said the owner of the car. He was not going to be back till the following evening. No one else was available to drop off the car. I did not know where I was going from the airport (see: Leaving for Paradise). No problem, Doc. The owner had an idea: I’ll leave the car at the airport. I had never seen the car, but I was listening. What about the key? Oh, I’ll leave it under the mat on the passenger side. The mental image was not encouraging-getting arrested at the airport for allegedly trying to break into cars and check under mats, looking for a key to a car I had never seen. We eventually worked out a transfer arrangement that involved two drop-offs and three other people.
Months later, I shipped my car to Paradise. The cost of shipping, taxes and insurance added up to a third of the book value of the car. But buying a car is even more expensive, since those costs are passed on to the buyer as DOMA (Dealer Overseas Marketing Allowance) If you choose to work with a commercial agency, rental rates start around $800/month (best rates in town, the ads claim) And the gas prices are nearly a dollar higher than the mainland. Need a spare part? Expect to wait for weeks-ships may make a few stops along the way. (The patience of a saint-always get a chance to see if you still have it).
When I get on the road, each trip is a roller-coaster ride. Every hill-hugging narrow road resembles San Francisco’s Lombardi Street. If that’s not enough, the traffic goes both ways on undivided roads without shoulders. Steep slopes and hairpin bends add to the thrill of driving in Paradise. Did I mention the rain and wind? Through it all, one rule applies: To the left, to the left….
Any other options? Sure(check out the photos). All things considered, the best value in town is the “dollar ride” on a safari taxi. Between islands, there are seaplanes (or airboats, if you prefer) ferries and private boats . Each of these rides has its own special charm. And that is the secret of getting around in Paradise: you don’t have to drive to enjoy the best rides. But if you get behind the wheel, remember: When in Paradise, it is right to keep left.
Next post: The Lord blessed me today!!
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