Bangkok - What Wat?

One of the must-sees in Bangkok is the Grand Palace. I decided to visit yesterday and, after picking up some rambutan from a fruit vendor to eat later, hopped into an idling taxi nearby.

I don't speak any Thai. The driver didn't speak any English. But, since the Grand Palace is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Bangkok, I didn't think communicating with him would be a problem. I was wrong. I showed him where it was on the map. I enlisted the help of a passerby. But he still didn't understand where I wanted him to take me. All this was happening while the meter was running. Finally, I pointed to Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which is nearby. He seemed to understand that, confirmed it with me, and we sped off.

Forty-five minutes through traffic-clogged streets later (only $3.00 on the meter), he dropped me off at....
Wat Traimit, in another part of the city. I groaned to myself, got out of the taxi, and was pleasantly surprised at where his mistake took me. (see photo)

I saw the Grand Palace later the same afternoon.