The Bamboo Train

I've heard about the Bamboo train before, probably from Anthony Bourdain's show on CNN. It is just as flimsy as you might imagine. A simple bamboo mat, two small train axles, a tiny motor, and rail line that would never be legal in the US.

I took a rather thrilling video of the roughly 10 minute trip to the other train station, but it's size is a bit much for the Internet here at the hotel. Just picture yourself hurtling down the line at probably 30 to 40 mph. The click-clack sound is accompanied by the unnerving lift of the vehicle. You can see the joints coming that are less than ideal, but there's nothing to brace yourself on:

Even with all that, it was quite entertaining. Apparently they have a good history of safety. Tourists are not likely to go crazy with the very obvious threat of injury far from even a marginal hospital. They do maintain the track and you can see new sections. Plus, the bamboo structure is quite forgiving so it acts as a natural shock absorber. I highly recommend it.