Published: 08.12.2024
Like last year (Blog link: Rollers that delight...), I would like to conclude my vacation blog with a tribute to my favorite mode of transport in China. Unfortunately, this year, my use of electric scooters in Cangzhou is limited due to the cold season. I have ridden a short distance on the scooter, but on that day, it was more mild with sunshine; however, we walked back due to my wife's concerns about the chilly temperatures. Most Chinese, however, continue to use scooters despite the cold and have dressed their vehicles with appropriate 'clothing.' It's a thick blanket mounted on the scooter that they slip into, protecting their hands and bodies from the cold wind (as seen in the photos). I'm still getting used to this solution, so when we live in China in the future, I'll have to come up with a different solution for winter unless I get accustomed to the scooter clothing. My plan is to have a small electric car for longer trips, especially since we already own a parking spot in an underground garage. However, city driving amidst heavy traffic is more comfortable and relaxing on the numerous dedicated scooter lanes. As long as I can't make peace with the scooter blanket, I find myself constantly looking at glazed and altered scooter variants during our city walks. Despite the cold, this year we used my in-laws' two-seater red electric Tuk Tuk and my brother-in-law's big silver electric Tuk Tuk to run errands and visit the countryside in sunshine and mild temperatures. I thoroughly enjoyed this drive, especially since I was at the wheel this time, cruising from village to village on secondary roads without truck traffic. A mask and a thick jacket protect against the cold wind, and I have a view of the vast countryside as the harvested fields allow visibility to the horizon. While the drive to Zhaizi on the main road demands my full concentration due to constant traffic, including trucks, I enjoy the cozy tour on the narrow side roads between fields and small villages. The 6.5-kilometer journey to relatives through the prairie, avoiding potholes and absorbing bumps, and skirting market stalls takes me a brisk 25 minutes. Thus, ends my travel blog for this year about my China/Singapore trip 2024. The next trip is already planned for half a year from now during spring-like or summer temperatures, ensuring the blog break won't be too long. Until then, I'll be blogging about impressive events and news from China and Singapore on my Taibang Blog: taibang.home.blog
