Playing Tourist

Bangkok's a hard city to be a tourist in. I find most of my time is spent trying to figure out how to get from one place to another. Bought a ticket for tonight on the sleeper train to Chiang Mai. It leaves at 7:30, which gave me the day to do some sightseeing.

Someone recomended I check out the Golden Buddah. They told me it was a 20 minute walk (which in 38 degree heat feels like forever!) I was almost there when a tuk tuk driver stopped me & asked me where I was headed. Turns out the temple doesn't open until 1pm. Shoot.

Spent a couple hours hopping from one air conditionned establishment to the next. Finally decided to take a boat over to Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn). Arrived at the docks, and the ticket seller told me it would be 1000 baht (roughly $40). Was immediately suspicious, because I know it's not very far away. Turns out, that's for a private longtail boat. After a little prodding, she admitted I could always take the public ferry for 15 baht (50 cents).

Temple was beautiful - unlike most, there were stairs up the outside of it that you could climb to the very top. Got some good pictures, but can't find a computer with a usb... might have to wait until I get home. Huge thunderstorm has just rolled in. Hiding in an internet cafe for a bit, then off to the train station.