Faez Writes Here: September 2018

HATYAI TRIP - PART 1

"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!

You can also watch it here!

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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 :)