The Art of Baht Pinching

Top of the Peak Tram in Hong Kong

Its the year of the rabbit...Yum

We passed through immigration without incident last night around 730.  We became instantly aware of a cultural phenomenon in situations requiring a 'que'...Lines are for foreigners.  I think we spent 45 minutes waiting to get to the immigration desk while watching countless scoundrels sneak in ahead of us.  I was groggy from napping so putting up a fight didn't seem worth it.
It took us about an hour and a half to find our way to the hostel I booked for our first three nights.  Some guy who passed us on the street stopped to help.  When he saw where we were pointing on a map he said 'There is nothing out there.'
It had us a bit concerned, but we trudged on.  Upon arrival, the owner of the hostel took us out to dinner and explained some of the basics of Thai living.  The food was amazing.
This morning we got up early, because I was awake at 430 AM...poor Nathan.  It worked out perfectly though.  We quite possibly met the most helpful woman in all of Thailand on our walk to downtown.  She just happened to mention that riding the Tuk Tuk (three-wheeled, open air, traffic menace)

Nathan in our Tuk Tuk

was 20 Baht for an all day pass for tourists (less than a dollar).  She also mentioned that due to a National holiday we were eligible (as tourists) for free entry to all temples, and a special government promotion on all travel in Thailand.  Our Tuk Tuk driver brought us to the tourist information center where we booked our next two weeks and purchased our next three visas. We spent about three hours Tuk Tuking to five of the highlighted Temples in the city (donated to the Lucky Buddha fund in hopes of continued fortune on our trip).

Golden Buddha (45 meters tall)

From canal tour boat

Hiking the Golden Mountain.  Ring bells for luck!

We topped off the afternoon with a boat ride through a maze of canals. 

House boat done right

Traveling sales woman, 2 beers 100 Baht

 

Homes on the Western canal

gas station

We'll be heading south on Monday to island hop, first on the East coast, then the West, then we'll fly to Chang Mai in the North to ride Elephants and do some river rafting.
Tomorrow we hit the Weekend Market just north of Bangkok.  I might buy a pet squirrel.  Nathan thinks I'm kidding, but there are knock off purses the perfect size for such a tiny lovable pet.  Markets are a wonder...we stumbled across one this morning selling a number of live aquatic creatures.  I'm partial to furry pets though, I hear owls are also available.

Note:  30 Baht = 1 US dollar