Taxi Rides in the Arctic...

You might think Taxi's are city things...but even in small remote places they are pretty important.  Pang hasn't had a taxi since the middle of the summer.. so my experience with the taxi system to date has been a flat rate of $6/ride (per person too)... it kind of makes sense because distances could be 'potentially' not that far... (kind of make me wish that toronto cabbies join this movement!)...

The taxi system in Arctic Bay--is different... the ride from the Nanisivik Airport (which use to be a hub for a mining town but has been shut down for awhile--but the airport is still there) to Arctic Bay is about a 30-45min drive... the cost of this trip? $40 Cash only!! (now you've heard how I've blogged about the flights being a bit sketchy getting in or getting out...right?)... Well that's $40 to the airport--if your plane doesn't land; that's $40 back to Arctic Bay (total trip $80) now if the weather is sketchy for a few days? Makes me wish that I had a taxi buisness here.....

At one point in the ride I said to the driver (and other passenger).. "MAN this is beautiful... can we umm stop? so I can get some photos? I mean if it's ok with you? and the passenger?"...the guys laughed and the driver said... "sure I can have a smoke then!"

This is a photo of the lake that the water for the community is taken from.... on the other side of that rock.. is the ocean... pretty cool!

Here's a shot of the road AND the taxi... or should I say HUGE van... kind of brought me back to my summer camp days.. and the trips in the 'day off van'!