We didn't get to visit Samila Beach for various reasons e.g.g time, distance. But the core of it was that we wanted to stay close to the city and explore a bit more of the nightlife there as it was days before Christmas and thought it would be fun. When I say nightlife, I mean the shopping and food, but for some of my friends which I won't mention the names, were looking forward to getting a massage. I for one, am not comfortable by getting a stranger touches me. And my girlfriend specifically told me not to get a massage from a lady, so where's the fun in that :P JK LOL.
For the full video on Part 3 of the trip please click here.
However, due to the fact that I didn't want to feel left out, I reluctantly concurred and was promised to get to stroll around afterwards to get some food and hang out which I only wanted all long anyways.
The name of the massage parlor struck me and convinced me that it was THE place to get a massage :P I got a foot and head massage for just 250 Baht (an hour). I tell you, I wouldn't mind to get a massage again after that one. It felt great.
Who wouldn't want a massage from a place called SUPORN Massage :P
I pity this guy as he needed to massaged my fat and meaty skin LOL
Afterwards, we decided to get something to eat. I decided to get a pad thai as I've never had it before. I don't know what's about it, the texture of the noodles or the hint of sweetness to the coating of the noodles, it was so addictive. We also strolled along and get some snacks and street food as well as looking around for some souvenirs.
Delicious
Omelette with prawns. Yums.
I know, he needed to get his nails cut
Didn't get the chance to try this
I urge you all to try this!
It got crowded when it gets dark
You will see a lot of this
Security check up before Xmas I presumed?
I got one and did not regret it LOL
That pretty much concluded our trip to Hat Yai. It was a fun quick getaway with the usual bunch. Looking forward to more trips together. Maybe Bangkok for more massages :P
It was our second day in Hat Yai and we had planned to cover a few grounds visiting and eating what were there to offer. We headed to Kimyong Market early in the morning realising it was already packed with people. We were not really intrigued to enter the building - one, we weren't planning to buy anything that and two, it was just too crowded plus they were selling things that pretty much common at the stalls all over the city. The reason we came was to get breakfast. The market offered plenty of street food, but we settled for something familiar - Roti Canai.
Please click here for the full video of the Part 2.
Breakfast
I had the Roti Telur and milk green tea. The Roti Telur was good and it came with a sweet curry gravy with it. Since I love to flood my rotis with gravy, my only complaint was that the gravy was not enough. But you can always ask for more, right? I chose the green tea as I was fascinated with the colour. It was SWEET. Very. But, still good. All for just 25 Baht.
After breakfast, we took a Grab to the Municpal Park. It cost us 128 Baht. We were there before 8.30am and lucky enough the place was not yet swarm with tourist. So, we were able to get some good photos of the place. It was a calming as it was situated on a hilltop. I for one was grateful that the Grab driver dropped us just near the entrance. I would need another Roti Telur again to fuel me up should I have hiked up there LOL.
It was almost time for Zuhur prayer and we took the opportunity to visit Songkhla Central Mosque. The mosque made us feel quite close to home. Having to perform Zuhur congregation would be something we will never forget. The experience was soothing, quiet and like for all mosques, peaceful.
"This has been a long over-due post. How long? Since December 2017."
Last Christmas, my mates and I decided to explore and enjoy the food of Hatyai. Unlike the Langkawi trip, we came up (them really - I was useless as usual) with a plan on transportation, places we wanted to visit, and most importantly the food to EAT as if there was no tomorrow. We were there on a budget and had no intentions to shop or do the things people do in Thailand (if you know what I mean - jk :P). We just wanted to end the year eating amazing food, with great friends and reset for 2018!
1. From Arau, Malaysia.
Soon after Fajr prayer, we took the KTM from Arau - Padang Besar (RM3.20, one -way) to get to the Malaysia-Thailand border. The plan was to arrive there early to avoid the long queue. We reached immigration about 20 minutes to 7 am which we thought was pretty early.
Our plan didn't work LOL. I blame all the selfies we took while walking to immigration. We spent about an hour to get through.
*Please bring a pen with you as you are required to fill a form there.
2. We then scrolled downhill towards Padang Besar Train Station. We reached at around 8 am and bought our tickets to the city (50 Baht/ ticket). We were told that the next train was scheduled to arrive at 8.30 am but it didn't. What did we do while waiting? Well, we talked, we heard Syuk sang Adele, we learned a couple phrases in Thai (which I would be using frequently later on the trip - Yan would agree :P) and of course took some more photos.
3. The train only arrived at 10.30 am. We got on the train and tried looking for our seats (numbered according to the ticket) but it was hopeless. The numbering system was not applied. It was on the "first-come, first-serve" basis. The condition of the train was quite bad and needed refurbishment. It was not a comfortable 1-hour ride. But what do you expect - a bullet train?
4. Once we arrived at Hatyai Junction, the first thing we decided was to grab something to eat. That would be the first proper meal we were about to have in Hatyai.... and we got ourselves... burgers. LOL. We were too hungry and that's the fastest thing we could get at the station.
Halal and pretty good
5. After our meal, we agreed to WALK to our hotel. I couldn't recall the distance but trust me it was definitely not that short. Not at all. Tut tut drivers were all over us offering to take us on a ride but we refused as we wanted to explore the city a little bit first. It was noon, and we were with our backpacks - I was very close to ditch my friends and get in one of the tut tuts to the hotel. Hahaha.
Those are not my friends btw :P
6. Before checking-in, some of us bought the mobile internet plan. I couldn't remember how much but it was cheap. Trust me it's cheap.
I wished SHE was my friend :P JK
7. Check-in: Hi Season Hotel
View from the hotel
8. After freshened up and a little bit of rest, we were all hyped up (and hungry) to head to The Floating Market! We all took the tut tut that cost us 250 Baht to get there.
*We then realised it's cheaper and better to just book Grab. So, if you want to ride on the tut tut, just do it once or twice for the experience.
9. Floating Market
If you are in Hatyai and homesick, please come to the Floating Market. I think 80% of the tourists there were Malaysians. LOL. But hey, that's not the point. What's great about this place is - its FOOD! The price was affordable and yes, almost everything we tried tasted great! My personal favourite: sticky rice and fried chicken.
*The market also offers a wide range of souvenir products and it also provides a praying area for Muslims :)
So many people!
It was a hot day I guess...
These are nice! Sweet potato fritters!
They all put on make up here :)
TRUST ME YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY THIS!
If you are on a diet, and have the will power, you can have this :P
