BANGKOK BYWAYS
After an extended period of island-hopping and backpacking through the peninsula, we finally arrived at Bangkok for some Siamese sightseeing. After flagging a taxi, we quickly discovered the alternative economic system that has developed here. Taxis boast extreme low rates, offering to personally follow you about town all day and give you local tours. Halfway into your ride, he will turn and explain that he needs "stamps" and would like you to browse the nearest jewelry or tailor shop. We pull over and window shop for black pearls and sapphires, while the driver receives a much-coveted stamp from the proprietor for bringing him "business." Turns out, the stamps are part of a government promotion to boost the Thai economy, and the driver can turn them in for gasoline, which is far more expensive than the fare! If you play along and accumulate 3-4 stamps, the driver will often let you off no-charge. It's the cheapest and most informative transportation around!
Flight back to Hong Kong tomorrow night, followed by intensive photo coallating. More to come!
After an extended period of island-hopping and backpacking through the peninsula, we finally arrived at Bangkok for some Siamese sightseeing. After flagging a taxi, we quickly discovered the alternative economic system that has developed here. Taxis boast extreme low rates, offering to personally follow you about town all day and give you local tours. Halfway into your ride, he will turn and explain that he needs "stamps" and would like you to browse the nearest jewelry or tailor shop. We pull over and window shop for black pearls and sapphires, while the driver receives a much-coveted stamp from the proprietor for bringing him "business." Turns out, the stamps are part of a government promotion to boost the Thai economy, and the driver can turn them in for gasoline, which is far more expensive than the fare! If you play along and accumulate 3-4 stamps, the driver will often let you off no-charge. It's the cheapest and most informative transportation around!
Flight back to Hong Kong tomorrow night, followed by intensive photo coallating. More to come!
posted by Nate at 8:09 AM
2 Comments:
Nate
So proud of you and your adventures! They say vicariousness is a state of mind - but that didn't say the province of Hong Kong. Thanks for taking me there. Have a safe trip home and work on your pics. Maybe you can sell them to National Geograhpic! -- Love - Dad
Free cab rides huh? That's just wacky.
Just in case you haven't been checking all your mail, I thought I'd bring this to your attention.
www.uc.edu/coolco-ops
It's a "who has had the coolest co-op" contest. You get a FREE T-shirt. It will go well with your free cab ride.
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