As Carmen mentioned, once you jump in a tuktuk you are at their mercy. Instantly (as a torist) you are transported to shops where the driver gets gas you get your time wasted. This was no exception.

We started the morning by looking around the Grand Palace. It was very impressive (Photos), and hot. As we walking out the door, one of the gaurds indicated that our tickets allowed us into other sites. Into a tuktuk, he will take us their for 50baht ($2). First stop, a tailor. As we walk into the building, I sense some deja vu, its out first tailor mates we managed to insult somehow. Back into the tuktuk, it was hot, we are escorted to the Golden Mountain. A temple created on a man-made mountain, at the centre of which is a cemetry. It had very good views of the city. Carmen is going to blend some photos together to create a 360 degree photo. Did I mention it was hot? After decending the thousand odd steps (they were so close together you had to take 3 at a time). Jumped in the tuktuk again.

A few shops later, the driver took us to Pan-Siamese Gem Co. It was actually very interesting. They gave us a quick tour of the process of making rings and other jewelry. Thy even had some nice silver jewelry with presious stones set for Carmen to look through. She found a very nice Sapphire ring which cost 1100Baht (NZ$40).