Leaving our ship, most of the landing party took the long walk through the town market, but on our way we were hailed by ladies who offered to take us in sedan litter chairs on a shortcut up a hill and stairs that by-passed the market. 

The ladies were slight of build and grey-haired, but were determined to carry us - for a fee, of course. For a lark we decided to climb on board the sedan chairs -- although we felt a bit guilty and foolish being carried by such tiny ladies. When we came to a steep flight of stairs we offered to get off and walk up, but the ladies were determined to carry us all the way up. They turned their poles parallel to the stairs and stepped up sideways.