My wheels

Car ownership is only allowed if your house has an "assessment number" - it's like a right attached to land. As a result (and the cost I guess), most people get around the Island by scooter or motorbike.

The speed limit is 35 kph everywhere but it's fair to say everyone travels at around 50. You've got to be a little carfeul though because a taxi driver I had was telling me how he was caught going 57 a few years back and he lost his licence for a whole year. Also. any speeding violation results in a court appearance - something that I'd quite like to avoid!

After a couple of days of getting the bus to work, I had to hire a scooter. The bus trip (from door to door) took over 45 minutes in rush hour traffic (!!) while the scooter takes 20.

Using a 50cc scooter like this one doesn't require a licence - hence all tourists and newbies to the Island use these. Most people who live here own at least a 100cc scooter or motorbike - these require a licence, which consists of a medical, written and practical tests.

I've had the medical, and surprisingly you have a blood and urine test, yet they didn't test my eyesight from further than half a metre. Very strange.