heading towards Bukit Kayu Hitam

At 10pm we departed Singapore and head straight to Malaysia. Causeway was cleared and we had no problem entering Malaysia. My dad drove all the way to our first stop which is at Machap. There, we had our very late supper before we continue our journey towards Ayer Keroh. This would be the best part I guess. Dad had to stop for a breather so I took over the wheel. By then it was 3am and I did my part, driving for 2 hrs non stop to our next pit stop which is at Sungei Buloh. I just proud of myself *yea* By then my dad was fully awake and ready to drive all the way through Hat Yai. At about 8am we reached Alor Setar. We had our breakfast there and continue to Bukit Kayu Hitam which is the boarder of Malaysia. By 10am we reached Sadao boarder of Thailand. The journey does not end there; we have to drive another 30-40km before we finally reached Hat Yai. By mid day we were all tired and egger to look for a hotel. The next thing we have to battle through would the roads in Hat Yai. The roads in Hat Yai are mainly one way street. Finally after battling with the roads, we managed to get a hotel for 680 baht a night. I can safely say that was the cheapest hotel I ever come across so far. After shower and freshen up we were all hungry. This time round we opt to walk and found a restaurant by the name Hamid. It’s the only restaurant we came for our meal almost everyday during our stay in Hat Yai. After restoring our energy, being a typical Singaporean we head for shopping. Where can I get a t-shirt for a 100 bath? I must admit its cheap to shop in Thailand.

Day 2
25th Dec 06-Goodbye Hat Yai, Sawadee Ka Koh Samui

We decided to go to Koh Samui after we do our “research” on how to get to Koh Samui by road. We saw a tour agency and ask them for more information on Koh Samui. Since we got to know that it took 4hrs of driving from Hat Yai to Surat Thani, we decided to give it a try. We were told that we have to go to Surat Thani before we can look for Donsak which is the ferry pier to Koh Samui. We took Seatran ferry which cost 110 baht per person and 285 baht for the car. The sad part was that it’s not systematic and the announcement was made in Thai. We know nuts about a language except “mai-ka”, “sawadee ka”, “kap kun ka”. So here we were waiting and waiting till we finally board the ferry at about 3 pm. We finally reached the island at 530pm and had to drive up to Bo Phut where we already booked our resort at the tour agency in Hat Yai. When we finally checked in we freshen up and head to look for food. In the island it’s quite hard to look for halal food, we managed to by asking around the town.

next in line

Day 3
26th Dec 06-Around Samui

We took Koh Samui map and found that there a Muslim village in the island. We then drove towards the Muslim village. There was only 500 Muslim living in Samui whereby most of them are immigrant from Pattani, another state in Thailand. The Muslim people live close by each other and had only one mosque but that was under construction. They still need funds to build their mosque. It was an eye opener for me. Looking at their living condition, I must count myself lucky. We then went to try riding on an elephant. It was a nice and bumpy experience. The ride was 30 min and from there we walk for another 10 min to the bottom of a waterfall which is our next stop. I intend to walk all the way to the top but since I’m travelling with my old mates (no offence mom) we stop only at the bottom. Nevertheless the water was cool. We had the whole waterfall all by ourselves since I guess no one likes the bottom part. In the meantime we had not had anything. Hungry we make our way back to the car park. Food is the thing we have to look for at least half an hour. Right after, we walk around Chaweng area for another shopping spree. My suggestion, the beach is better in Chaweng and Lamai compared to Bo Phut the place I stayed.

Day 4
27th Dec 06- Bye Samui

We intend to extend our stay in Samui but I ignore that idea. According to my mum, she has not got enough of shopping. In Samui we do shop but according to my mum she prefers shopping in Hat Yai. We make our way back home. As there no system, we were stuck once again. This time round we choose Raja ferry. There are 2 piers at Samui. Depending on which way you are heading, if its Bo Phut area, it’s nearer with Seatran but if its Chaweng and Lamai it’s nearer with Raja. Raja ferry looks old compare with Seatran and the fare is also cheaper by 10 baht per passenger but car fare remains the same. Back at mainland there another 4hrs of driving before we reached Hat Yai. By 7pm we checked in at the same hotel, Sakol. Before that we make a reservation at the same hotel, since the price is cheap and service is excellent. Once again we dine in at Hamid for our dinner.

confrim halal

Day 5
28th Dec 06- Alarm!

After discussing we decided to extend our stay in Hat Yai for more shopping in Hat Yai. We walk in the market area. It’s more of bargaining and spending. Eat our lunch and then……Ring!!!Ring !!! my sister called us and say that Era was being accepted for an interview on her nursing course. We were told that she need to attend the interview or else her chance in being a nurse might just go down the drain. We drove back to Singapore and finally reached home at 4 in the morning

So grab your swimsuit, shades, map and passport and down to Koh Samui.

Labels: holiday