When I see (yet unopened) tiles on the kingdom board that cost 5 Expansion Permits, they seem totally out of reach for me. I work long and hard to earn enough Trade Tickets in the Royal Exchange to get enough Permits for the tiles that cost "only" 2 or 3 - I don't think I would have the patience or fortitude to get as many as FIVE permits.
For those who have opened those expensive tiles, I'm curious how you did it. Did you do all the work, or did you buy gems to speed through?