Description of 5 strange ways of travelling, written by a 2nd ESO student.

1. Strange ways of travelling
BY NADINA

2. TRAGHETTO, VENICE
• Along the 3.5km stretch of Venice’s Grand Canal there are just three bridges, so how do
you get across? By Traghetto. These no-frills boats get passengers from one side of the
canal to the other for a meagre fee. You can pick up a Traghetto (meaning ‘ferry’ in
Italian) from any of the seven piers along the canal – just look for the yellow signs
pointing you towards the landings. Each boat is rowed by two oarsmen- one at the bow
and one behind the passengers

3. LONGTAIL BOAT, THAILAND
• Longtail boats are an icon of Thailand. Originally they were used in the canals that ran
through Bangkok – and although the canals have now been filled and replaced with
roads, the boats are still prolific in the country. As the name suggests, they are long and
slim – the ideal shape for canal cruising – due to the long rod in the back of the boat
which holds up the motor. Locals use these boats like public transport and riding one is
an experience you can’t miss on a trip to the country.

4. BARCO DE TOTORA, PERU
• Totora is a reed which is grown in Peru, most notably on Lake Titicaca. The Uros are a
group of people who live on the lake on floating islands fashioned from the reed. They
also make Barco de Totora from bundles of the dried reeds, and these boats have
become an icon of Peru. If you’re visiting Lake Titicaca, the Barco de Totora is a
wonderful, unique method of getting across the vast and beautiful stretch of water.

5. DOG SLEDS, ALASKA
• imagine drifting across a white canvas of snow as a troop of husky dogs pulls your
sledge – it’s like something from a Christmas movie. but nonetheless it’s a unique
journey. For most Alaskan locals this isn’t a day-to-day way of getting around, but for
tourists it’s a special way to travel, and something you can’t do in many other parts of
the world. The best time to go sledding in Alaska is January-March.

6. DUKW, LONDON
• DUKW, widely pronounced ‘duck’, are amphibious trucks that were designed by the
American military during World War II to transport equipment and troops over both
land and water. Nowadays, you can take a trip in a DUKW in central London, on the
aptly named Duck Tours. On a tour you’ll drive past famous London landmarks before
dramatically launching into the River Thames to get a view from the water. They’re the
only way to experience the sights of central London by land and river – without leaving
the comfort of your seat!

7. THE END 