Sauba davasaka!
That’s what “good day” means in the national language of Sri Lanka, where we are heading in part 3 of our series on vespa cultures around the world.
The island nation in the Indian Ocean was a British colony under the name Ceylon until 1972. We leave this popular and more than dreamlike vacation destination out of the equation here and set off in search of Vespa culture and lifestyle.
We find what we are looking for around the capital Colombo
A small but very active and lively Vespa scene has developed there.
The Sri Lankan Vespisti are not just interested in the cult vehicle Vespa itself, but in the entire Italian lifestyle. This includes Italian ice cream parlors and cafés as well as vintage clothing and accessories.
What is most striking, however, is the design of the Vespa models. Sri Lankan Vespa riders do not attach importance to high-gloss scooters like in a museum; on the contrary, the trend is clearly towards “daily rides”. This means that Sri Lankan Vespisti go everywhere on their scooters. Be it to the south of the country to Galle to the great beaches or to the adventurous mountains near Kandy.
Good to know:
The Vespa scooters in Sri Lanka are all made in India, either by LML or Bajaj. The vehicles are rebuilt and repainted with great love and care.
Sri Lanka can also boast an authorized Vespa dealer:
Abans Auto Ltd, General Agent for Vespa scooters in Sri Lanka, headquartered in Peliygano, Negombo Road. Peliygano is located in the western province of Sri Lanka.
If you are on vacation here, you won’t know where to go first because of all the natural sites, dream beaches and sights.
Our journey continues to the next dream destination for a vacation, always in search of Vespa scenes and the Vespa lifestyle:
Archipelago Philippines in the western Pacific Ocean
No fewer than 7641 islands and islets, of which only 880 are inhabited, are waiting to be discovered and conquered.
Although the classic means of transportation for Filipinos are buses, cabs (water cabs) and tricycles, our Vespa scooters are also used extensively. Tricycles are crazy self-built vehicles, with a scooter serving as the base onto which passenger cabins are bolted. They travel distances of up to 20 km in rural areas, and any passenger can get on and off at any time. These improvised vehicles travel along the main road in Boracey, for example, and connect White and Bulabog Beach.
The central point for Vespa enthusiasts is the Vespa Café Manila
It can be found in the bustling capital of the same name. It’s buzzing with life, surrounded by Vespisti, which have enjoyed increasing popularity since around 1960. The café has been created with a great deal of love for the Vespa and there is a new detail to discover at every glance.
Another important player and driver of the Vespa culture and scene is Scooter-Depot PH, whose owner Eugene is a good friend and business partner of SIP Scootershop in Landsberg. Eugene was a participant in the 2023 Vespa World Day Tour to Interlaken in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. He organizes a Vespa Breakfast in Manila every year and is about to open his Scooteria, an Italian-inspired café-bar based on the Siperia of our SIP Scootershop in Landsberg, which is of course a great honor for SIP.
If you are ever on vacation in the Philippines, you should stop by the Scooteria, which is located about 1 hour south of Manila. You are sure to receive a warm welcome.
Vespa culture and Vespa lifestyle in the Philippines are centered around two important clubs:
Vespa Club of the Philippines (VCOP) and the Vespa Pilipinas. Hot-blooded competitions rage between the two clubs.
A lot of Vespa events for fans
The preferred model of the scooters is the Vespa PX. The Vespa community in the Philippines regularly organizes major events around Manila.
In 2023, this was the Philippine Vespa Days. This year, 2024, the Vespa Visavas Crossroads Ride, which took place from April 5 to 7, is already behind us. The Vesparade on April 13 and 14, 2024 is also history, but this year’s highlight was definitely the Philippine Vespa Days from May 24 to 26, 2024 in Olongapo.
For all mechanics, SIP has the right spare parts for the Vespa PX!
The cheapest means of transportation for Filipinos is the jeepney
Funfact: Jeepney – These are military jeeps left behind by the Americans, which are converted into minibuses by Filipinos.
They are artistically painted, usually with religious motifs and loaded to the roof with all kinds of equipment, people and luggage.
In the context of climate change and as a result of the stench of exhaust fumes and technical defects, these vehicles are coming under increasing criticism. So it’s better to switch to a Vespa.
For Vespisti it is worth joining the local clubs
This allows you to take part in numerous major events with like-minded people and explore the roads and surroundings. It’s simply much more fun in groups, as we Vespisti know!
With this in mind: Have a safe journey at all times!