World Discoveries: Thailand: Bangkok Day 2

So today we hit tourist trap # 2. After taking a cab - metered of course, it's not like we're letting them rip us off - we arrive at the Grand Palace only to hear from the guy at the gate that it is closed for lunch until 1:30pm. It was 12pm at the time. BUT the guy had an ID around his neck so I thought this must not be scam. And right then there was a friendly tuk tuk driver who offered to take us to the Bhudda that was not closed for lunch - note to self: Bhudda does not take lunch breaks - for only 20 baht, wait for us while we look around, take us to some other place and then return us to the Palace at 1:30pm.

At the Bhudda we figured we fell vicitim to another scam and decided to skip the other place which would probably have been a tailor that makes "cheap" custom-fit clothes and walk back like the German tourists did that we met at the Bhudda. Being good Germans they had a map though, we didn't. So we walked, did not pass Khao San Rd. like expected where we were gonna have lunch, our first meal of the day. We had accidentally slept until 11am and skipped breakfast to get out the door. So after some walking we took a bus like a nice Thai guy told us after asking him how far it was to the Grand Palace. We were the only foreigners on the bus, but quickly learned the system of buying tickets from a lady on the bus who carries a long slim object in which she carries the change. So at around 2pm we finally made it to the Palace where there is a huge sign at the entrance "Open daily from 9am - 3:30pm". After the guys changed into long pants for approrpiate attire we finally got in, through the line for foreigners.

I have to say the Grand Palace was woth the wait! Besides discovering the temples and halls we also discovered something else: Asians take selfies to a whole new level:


Introducing the arm extender. Let's you take better group selfies. Man, I still remember the old days when you had to ask someone to take a pic.

I was also impressed by the number to toilet rules at the Palace. I thought Germans knew how to be overly organized and have an extra rule here or there. But this puts any good German public restroom to shame!

After the temple we took a tuk tuk to Kao San Road to have our first meal of the day at 4pm. Can't live on water alone. Had my first pad thai in Thailand which was delicious. We then headed to the river to try another mode of Bangkok transportation - the longtail taxi boat - bypassing several buses that we happily skipped.

We got a free ride by first taking the boat in the wrong direction and then had an extra long boat cruise that includedmeditating monks.

Oh, and then we discovered the outdoor gym. Notice the older guy in the back, he is awesome!

Glad we got to take the boat and subway, because Bangkok traffic can be a b...