To Drive or Not To Drive

In my 13 years of travels, I have always taken public transportation. There is an upside and downside to that decision. I never have to deal with driving in impossible traffic in places like chaotic Cairo, but it also does not allow me the opportunity to stop at perfect photo opportunities when taking buses or trains. I have missed many photo ops, but have now figured out there is a way to deal with both by hiring a driver for portions of a trip.

In Morocco, we hired a driver/guide to take us through the Atlas

mountains and desert. I would have never wanted to navigate the mountain roads, and we were able to stop to take pictures wherever we wanted. In China, we visited villages and met people that would never have been accessible. In Egypt, we were able to visit a Camel market, which required us to drive, a ferry ride and then a tuk-tuk to get to the market. Doing this without a guide/driver would have been impossible.

I set these up through the hotels or guest houses where we may be staying as they use trusted drivers/guides or over the Internet based on recommendations from other travelers. The costs have been very reasonable considering the cost and hassle of renting a car.

Why not let someone else doing the driving?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Travel Photos