On the River to the Grand Palace Day 3 Part 1

Well, here we are, back to Bangkok. Monday the 27th we went on the river to go to the Grand Palace. We met some friends and walked down to the pier. Somehow we got mistaken for TOURISTS, no idea how the people got that impression. Anyways, we were hustled onto the tourist boat instead of the regular boat. The main difference between the two was that on the tourist boat there was a guy mumbling into a loud speaker that we couldn't hear and the small fact that the tourist boat costs 40 baht as opposed to 15-20 baht on the regular boat. Anyways, we made the most of it and took plenty of tourist-type pictures. Since we were on the boat and all.
Now before you get too excited, this isn't our boat. Many of the hotels on the river have a boat that will ferry you to the hotel if you want. For free apparently. Our boat was less glamorous and somehow I forgot to take a picture of it. Shocking since I take pictures of everything else.

We saw lots of interesting buildings. This is the Chee Chin Khor Moral Up-Lifting Benefiction Foundation. Now I don't know what that means, but is sounds very important. Plus, the building was very cool too!This is the Princess Mother Memorial Park. We didn't stop.
I call this one "Small Pink Building with Colorful Swirlies." Maybe I should be a consultant for naming important structures. What do you think?
You know how people in the states will try to imitate Asian architecture and decorating styles? And how it doesn't usually work in our landscapes and western houses? It soooo works here. Look at this cool set of buildings!
Check out the longtail boats in this picture. Can you see how big the engines are? We will show an up close look at those in another post.

On the river you see can see the imposing buildings, but also catch a glimpse of some places that seem to have grown out of the water.
We managed to get off at the right stop, thanks to the loudspeaker we were straining to hear. We went in search of the Grand Palace. Now, here is a tip for any of our friends that may potentially come here to a touristy spot. There are unfortunately some people who are interested in taking advantage of the lost tourist. Hence, if you are lost, don't act like it. (We weren't, I'm just saying IF you are.) Even if you know exactly where you are going there will be ones that try to "help" and tell you that where you are going is closed and suggest an alternate place to visit. Do not pay attention. Proceed to your final destination and find out for yourself. Now, if you are lost, what to do? Go INTO an actual place of business, talk to a respectable shopkeeper and you will be in a much better position to succeed in finding your destination. We did have a wily stranger tell us that the Palace was closed for a "special festival, til 1 pm, today only." Why he thought we were tourists I have no idea.  I mean we did have our Lonely Planet Bangkok Guide book out along with our very well used map, but who doesn't?  Just common sense to want to know and be sure of where you are going.  It's called street smarts!!  Anyways, we didn't listen and the Palace was NOT closed.

We did find it.

As we approached the walls, we heard a loudspeaker warning tourists not to trust people outside the palace walls. And to confirm it, they have a sign. Can you read that bottom line?

"DO NOT TRUST WILY STRANGERS"

Well, that is all for this one. I don't want to overwhelm you with pictures since the Grand Palace was VERY picturesque. Equals TONS of pictures. So, until next time, Ta-Ta!