I first encountered the rickshaw in 2005 when I was in India as an undergraduate. The idea of a tiny vehicle I had never seen before, wholly intertwined with a culture, fascinated me. You can imagine my surprise when, landing in Dar es Salaam two years ago, we saw them everywhere, but by another name. In Tanzania they are called bajaji but they serve the same purpose—quick cheap, open air transport.

Our travels around the world have only further blown my mind. You mean to tell me you can also call them tuk tuks? That they can be pulled by a motorcycle? Or have parallel side-bench seating? Other interesting facts: the drivers carry fuel in a plastic bottle under their seat for when they run out mid-trip, there are seemingly an infinite number of stereo setups possible (and they can get quite loud), and they don’t have much top speed but can accelerate quite quickly.

But this post is for seeing. Below are photos from every driver that would agree to a snap. They also include other interesting vehicles we rode in, or on. Transport is such an important part of travel and a lot of time is spent on the road. So it’s fun when the journey is fun too.

It all started in India in 2005. My first real trip abroad, where I spent 10 weeks volunteering at a hospital. At the time, these vehicles could only be rickshaws. And we learned to fit.

Then in Tanzania I took a bajaji nearly every day to work, to the supermarket, and to the beach. And I learned they weren’t only for people, but for just about anything, including our houseplants.

Later we landed in Cambodia and found that tuk-tuks were pulled by motorcycles, carriage style. This is Bong Thoo, who I wrote about as the best tuk-tuk driver in the world. He was an awesome guide around Angkor Wat.

In Luang Prabang, Laos the tuk-tuks were a bit brighter, more open, and the engines had a deeper rumble. Two thumbs up of course. (We never took the tuk tuk in the second photo, but I couldn’t help but snap a pic of this ritzy ride). And in the third photo it is easiest to see what they are converted from, small pick-ups, as best I can tell.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia they were more toned-down, made for the city, but still with some nice metalwork and a sweet TAXI sign up front.

And in Vietnam they were larger and canvas covered. Here’s Liv riding with are our new friends Chrissy and Tom, from the UK.

And the final shot is of us in Colombia’s coffee region on our way back from a hike. This is actually the back of a jeep, but it is the tiniest jeep I’ve ever seen and has been creatively converted into a taxi. We struck up a conversation with our fellow international riders and this was our selfie at the end of the trip.

The differences in the names, shapes, and sizes of these vehicles is just one small example of the vibrancy available to those who travel. I often have reflections or reactions like those shared above that live in the back of my mind until I bring them forward. These vehicles can remain just transport vehicles, or they can be a unique reflection of their drivers and cultural context. It is in these moments, sometimes spanning years and even decades, that the diversity and creativity of our world comes into full view.