When in a Public Jeep Anywhere

Be sure to keep a good balance when riding public jeeps. It's not just a way of commuting--it's an adventure! Sometimes, drivers are unmindful what happens inside their jeeps. Their main focus is get more passengers in. Thus, sometimes, even while you're still trying to get a good seat, the jeep would move on and make you do fascinating balancing feats unseen even in China's wushu performances. Good thing jeeps have handle bars overhead.

And if you're too bulky or overweight, I suggest you take a cab instead. 18-seater jeeps are often made to seat 25 people; they force people in, by hook or by crook.

Well, not all jeeps, that is. Some are extra considerate.

[The Dane]

Speaking of jeepneys and crooks...

Last time I took a jeepney was on the way home from immigration about 9 years ago...

I had my passport in a velcro-locked pocket in my cargo shorts... When I allighted the jeepney close to my home I did not notice that my passport went missing while riding the jeepney. But when I got home you can understand my frustrations...

Getting a new passport made in a country on the other side of the globe is not easy, it involved several trips up to Manila to the embassy and 3 weeks of waiting. Plus it cost me an arm and a leg...

So be careful riding those jeepneys, hold on to your valuables and try to get a 'safe' seat with only one side squeezed up against somebody.

For me... That was my last jeepney ride...

I also caught a guy with a roaming hand trying to either cop a feel or get at my wallet. When I hit ihis hand very hard he backed off and jumped off the jeepney and ran away.

Been on many jeepneys (not many lately as I have a car and driver) but only had the problem once. Generally speaking they are semi-reliable but have a lot of time on your hands and don't be in a rush as these things stop more often than any other mode of transportation and can turn a 10 min trip into an hour long odyssey.

- Island Hopper