[Stewbonz]

This letter appeared in the Bangkok Post A a while ago:

Upon arrival in Bangkok a few weeks ago we were fortunate enough to see the
article in your newspaper regarding the possibility of trying out the new
segway transporters. Both my wife and I were quite curious about these
machines and a little skeptical to say the least.
While they might appear deceptively simple, the Segway
is what one person described as "a laptop on wheels". Mr Jarvis, our tour
guide at Thailand Segway tours, mentioned that $100 million dollars was
spent developing these and after using one for several hours I find the the
money was certainly well spent, for in the very near future the Segway will
be as common as the bicycle.

Anyone, and I mean anyone, can master a Segway in less time that it takes to
describe how to proceed. The machine literally thinks for you and somehow
anticipates your instructions: don't ask me how it does this but it
certainly does.

Our guide had us gliding about in less than 10 minutes and even my wife, who
is known to be somewhat reluctant to even use a bicycle, found herself
comfortable on her machine, and gliding is definitely the word that I find
most apt to describe this experience.

The tour itself must be taken to be appreciated. It covers a wonderful mix
of open spaces and parkland combined with the most intimate view one can
imagine of village life in the heart of Bangkok. One moves quickly enough
through this urban village, as one would on a bicycle in the same spaces, so
there is something new to appreciate at every turn and one can stop
instantly should you so desire. The area we traveled in is fascinating,
complete with shops of every sort and even a lovely Chinese temple tucked
away in a spot where I doubt few tourists have ever ventured.
Possibly one of the less known advantages derived from traveling on a segway
is the reception from everyone you pass. The famous Thai smile is everywhere
and the children are even more fascinated than the adults.
The most difficult part of the tour was giving up the machine and when they
become a little less expensive we plan to buy several.

All in all this was an experience not to be missed if one is visiting
Bangkok. A boat trip on the river is wonderful and the Temples must be seen
to be believed but this little taste of how we all be traveling tomorrow in
the real heart of the city was far and away our favorite memory of Bangkok
and possibly of our entire Asian tour.
Jim Farrel