Jeepneys are a popular and cheap mode of transport used in the Philippines. Originally converted US Army Jeeps left over from the Second World War, they're now made to order.

These vehicles are often very brightly coloured, with all sorts of pattens and pictures both outside and in, of everything from religious icons to basketball stars. You'll find that the drivers make a little bit more effort than the average London mini cab's furry dice. They also happen to spew out vast quantities of rather stinky polluting disel exaust, and one or two may alarmingly appear to have a few rusty holes allowing you to watch the road beneath you.

They're somewhere between a bus and taxi, in that they follow a set route and carry lots of passengers but you can get on and off whenever you want. They're also very cheap to ride on, the average fare is around 5 pesos, which is about 10 pence.

First time users should try and get a seat, either in the two long rows in the back or if they're free you could enjoy the vista in one of the two seats next to the driver. More experienced Filpino travellers have been known to cling on to the back when there's no more room on the last Jeep home.

One word of advice for the taller Western travellers about to ride a Jeepney is to look what you're doing as you're getting in - many a head has been bashed! Once you've got used to that, as well as often having to squeeze in tight in your seat, you can sit back and relax as the driver somehow manages to perilously weave in and out of the traffic safely.