Rent bikes for transportation. They are a very common mode of transport, especially in Europe and East Asia - as I'm sure you've seen. I bet it would be cheap. It would also give you a different perspective on the places you visit.
Your reactions gave me a chilling flashback to my visit to Auschwitz and Berkenau in college. I actually blocked out a chunk of my trip - I have pictures of rooms I have no recollection of visiting. Human-kind's capacity for inhuman cruelty is staggering.
Well, Gary, nice work. You scooped National Geographic Channel with this video. They are running a series called Earth: The Biography. They've had 2 episodes that prominently feature the stromatalites since you posted this video. Nicely done.
You've inspired me, too. I'm going to start a Surf Rock band called the Stromatalites. First song: Stumpy is a Surf Rocker!