Labuan Bajo – My Heart Is in Turmoil…

"Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths..." - C.H. Spurgeon

(Phinisi boat, Labuan Bajo)

For the past few months, we have been caught up in a whirlwind of festivities, doctors’ visits and, sadly, the passing of loved ones. All these left us with little time to even think about planning another trip.

Once the havoc began to settle, we started browsing travel brochures and websites, looking for somewhere interesting - preferably a destination we had never ventured to before.
Then, quite unexpectedly, a friend called and invited me to join a few other ladies for a holiday in Labuan Bajo, Flores Island, Indonesia. And, as always, hubby was more than happy to accompany me, even though this was supposed to be an all-ladies group!

Green Land Travel and Tours, a local travel agent helped arrange our flights and took care of all the ground arrangements. Everything was booked and paid for in full a month before our departure. The itinerary sounded exciting. We would explore some beautiful places, spend a few days sailing on a phinisi, go snorkelling, trekking and caving, and, of course, visit Komodo Island to see the famous Komodo dragons - another item on our travel bucket list.

(Komodo Dragon - google pic)

We were filled with excitement and had already started making preparations for the trip. Then, just two weeks before our departure, came the shocking news. On 15 August, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Flores region, followed by thousands of aftershocks expected to trigger a tsunami. The disaster caused considerable damage in parts of Flores and, tragically, many lives were lost.

Suddenly, our excitement was replaced by worry.

The news seemed to be filled with earthquakes and natural disasters from all over the world. And here we were, with our departure date just around the corner, heading towards a place that had only recently experienced such a major disaster.

According to our travel agent, Labuan Bajo was recovering and tourism activities were continuing, while the authorities remained vigilant about the situation. I am excited about the journey, yet at the same time, my heart is filled with anxiety. Perhaps this is one of those moments when we simply have to place our trust in Allah, take all reasonable precautions, and leave the rest to Him.

In a few days' time, we will leave for Labuan Bajo. The bags were packed, the passports ready, and the excitement will hopefully overcome the anxiety. We can plan our journeys, but ultimately, our safety is in Allah's hands.

Bismillah… Labuan Bajo, here we come.

Day 01 — Crossing into Thailand...

"Live your life by a compass not a clock..." - Stephen Covey

(The new Sadao ICQ)

Day-01: 09 Aug 26 (Sunday)
Route: Kuala Lumpur - Hat Yai
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel Hat Yai

Our travel bags were neatly packed and ready to be loaded into the pick-up. Today, we were heading north to cross into Thailand and spend two nights in Hat Yai. It had been a while since our last visit - the most recent one was in December 2025 during the big flood in southern Thailand. On our return journey, we planned to spend a few nights in Penang before continuing the drive home.

By 7.30 am, we were already in Bandar Baru Selayang, stopping for breakfast at Restoran Nasi Lemak Ujang. The restaurant had been closed for several weeks and reportedly compounded by the local council over some issues, most probably related to local authority regulations. I was glad to see it back in business, as it is one of my favourite breakfast spots. Their nasi lemak is delicious, while the lontong is very much to my taste.

(The start of the journey)

(A brief stop at Petronas Simpang Pulai)

With breakfast done, we continued our leisurely drive north, making a few brief stops along the way. We stopped at Petronas Simpang Pulai for a comfort break and later at the Bukit Gantang rest area to pick up some fresh fruits. After refuelling in Changlun, we made a slight detour to Restaurant Cik Jah Nasi Ayam Bakaq for a hearty lunch. It was a welcome opportunity to rest our tired bodies after the long drive.

 

(Restoran Cik Jah Nasi Ayam Bakaq)

(Tasty Nasi Ayam Bakar)

By 2.00 pm, we had crossed into Thailand. Border clearance at the new Sadao International Customs Quarantine (ICQ) was remarkably smooth. The new road has also made the crossing more convenient, bypassing the busy border town of Danok.

(A new highway bypassing Danok)

(The new Sadao Custom House)

(The Golden Crown Hotel)

(Boat noodles and Banana pancake for dinner)

 
We checked in at the Golden Crown Hotel, and I took a much-needed power nap while hubby went out to top up his local SIM card. For dinner, we simply walked next door to Ayutthaya Noodle Restaurant, which, as usual, was filled with Malaysian tourists. After dinner, we indulged in an hour of strong foot massage - a perfect way to soothe our tired legs after the long drive.

 
And with that, the day came to a relaxing end.

Day 02 - Hat Yai Free and Easy

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer..." - Anonymous

(A neat presentation for breakfast)

Day 02: 10 Aug 26 (Monday)
Activity: Hat Yai Free and Easy
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel Hat Yai

Today was meant to be a free-and-easy day, with no particular plans or must-see places on our list. We simply wanted to take things slowly, enjoy some good food and do a little shopping.

Our morning started with a very filling breakfast at Dimsum Chabura Hatyai, one of Hat Yai’s well-known halal dim sum restaurants. The place is especially popular with locals and Malaysian visitors. It was already bustling with families and groups, with an impressive selection of dim sum served in small plates. The service was quick, and before long our table was filled with enough food to keep us satisfied for most of the morning.

(A popular halal dim sum restaurant in Hatyai)

(A worthwhile breakfast, though a little pricey)

(A spread of mouth-watering food)

After breakfast, we drove to Makro Hat Yai, a huge wholesale supermarket and warehouse popular for its wide range of groceries, fresh produce, snacks and household items. This was our first time shopping at Makro in Thailand, and we were curious to see what it had to offer. It is particularly popular with Malaysians because of the wide selection of halal-certified products. We ended up buying quite a few things. Another bonus for Malaysian visitors is the free parking, we only had to show our passports.

(A trolley full of goods from Makro)

By the time we drove to Central Hatyai, formerly known as CentralFestival Hatyai, the rain had become quite heavy. The shopping complex is one of the largest lifestyle and entertainment centres in Southern Thailand, with a huge variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. We were particularly interested in the lower-ground food court, which has plenty of halal choices. And, once again, Malaysian visitors enjoy free parking - a welcome bonus.

(Central Hatyai SHopping Mall)

(A wide array of halal food on the Lower Ground)

Later in the afternoon, we walked to Kim Yong Market, one of the busiest and most colourful parts of Hat Yai. The market is a lively maze of indoor stalls and surrounding street vendors, selling everything from imported snacks and roasted chestnuts to local produce and assorted goods at bargain prices. It is one of those places where you can wander without really knowing what you might discover next.

(The long queue at the popular Kaitod Meena stall)

For lunch, we stopped at Kaitod Meena, located around the Kim Yong Market area and famous for its Hat Yai-style fried chicken. The chicken was wonderfully crispy on the outside, juicy and well-marinated inside, and generously topped with crispy fried onions. It was simple street food, but absolutely delicious.

(A Halal eatery in Kim Yong Market)

(Hatyai famous Nasi Komok)

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing what travellers sometimes need most, a good nap.

In the evening, we walked to the Lee Gardens Night Market, where I bought a pair of trousers and picked up some food for dinner. Back in our hotel room, we tucked into egg banana pancakes and pulut durian from the night market.

There was, however, one small problem. The smell of the durian was very strong! Our hotel had a strict rule prohibiting guests from bringing durian into the rooms, with penalties for those caught doing so. So, as we enjoyed our dessert, we could not help wondering whether we would wake up to a complaint or worse, a reprimand!

(Pulut durian and banana pancake for dinner)

Hopefully, by morning, the unmistakable durian aroma would have disappeared.

Worrying aside, we were exhausted and completely out of energy after a relaxed but surprisingly full day. I fell asleep soundly that night, leaving tomorrow’s adventure for tomorrow.

Day 03: From Hat Yai to Penang

"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow..." - Anita Desai

(Malaysian Football legends)

Day 03: 11 Aug 2026 (Tuesday)
Route: Hat Yai to Penang
Hotel: BNM Resort Batu Ferringhi

Breakfast was at Khaled Restaurant, right next door. This popular, budget-friendly halal eatery is known for its authentic and comforting Malaysian East Coast breakfast as well as local Southern Thai dishes. We had our usual favourites - nasi dagang and roti canai - a satisfying start to the day.

We checked out early and headed towards the Thailand–Malaysia border at Sadao. Border clearance was quick and hassle-free, and soon we were on our way to Penang for a three-day, two-night holiday.

(Ready to cross the border and head to Penang)

(Entering Malaysia at Bukit Kayu Hitam)

(Crossing the Penang Bridge to George Town)

We arrived in Penang early and stopped for lunch at the Tanjung Bungah Food Court, located directly across from Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bungah. The undisputed star of the food court is Lidiana Nasi Campur, which is incredibly popular for its delicious Malay dishes and wide selection of fresh ulam. With so many tempting choices, it was not difficult to understand its popularity!

(Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bungah at the background)

(The eatery is popular among locals)

(Simple tasty dishes)

As it was still too early to check in, we drove to Masjid Jamek Teluk Bahang for our prayers. The mosque is a well-maintained and peaceful community mosque in the coastal town of Teluk Bahang. It is also a convenient place for locals and visitors to stop for prayers while exploring nearby attractions such as Penang National Park, ESCAPE Penang and Entopia.

(Masjid Jamek Teluk Bahang)

By 4.00 pm, we finally checked in at the BNM Resort Complex in Batu Ferringhi. As a perk to BNM staff and Alumni members, we are privileged to stay at the Bank's resorts at a discounted rate. We were last here for a family holiday in November 2023, so it was lovely to be back.

The resort has direct access to Batu Ferringhi Beach and is situated in a vibrant part of the area, close to attractions such as Hard Rock Cafe Penang. The lively surroundings do mean that we can expect a little ambient music and noise at night, but the convenient location and beachfront setting make it a pleasant place to stay.

 

(The bungalow unit at the back)

For dinner, we headed to Hussain Pasembur King, a legendary, generations-old street food stall at the Medan Renong Food Complex, or Padang Kota Lama, in George Town. Operating since 1951, this Penang institution started as a humble handcart and has grown into a well-known name for authentic Penang-style pasembur, also known as Mamak rojak.

(Sharing a large plate of pasembor)

(The tasty paste makes the difference)

(A leisure stroll after dinner)

After a filling dinner, we drove back to the resort through the pouring rain. It had been another full and enjoyable day, from crossing the border and returning to Penang to good food and a relaxing evening by Batu Ferringhi.

Day 04: A Free-and-Easy Day in Penang

"We carry the places we have been and the people we have met..." - Unknown

(Chinese dolls at Hin Bus Depot)

Day 04: 12 Aug 2026 (Wednesday)
Activity: Penang Free and Easy
Hotel: BNM Resort Batu Ferringhi

Today was a free-and-easy day in Penang, with no fixed itinerary. We simply took things at a leisurely pace, exploring a few places, enjoying good food and making the most of our time on the island.

Early in the morning, we drove to Nazzeeras’ Roti Bakar Kacang Phool, a popular Muslim-owned breakfast spot at Desiran Tanjung Food Court. The stall is widely known for introducing traditional kacang phool to Penang. Their signature kacang phool is served with thick slices of toasted local bread, available in several varieties such as Garlic Cheese, Butter and French Toast. Besides the kacang phool, we also had their mushroom soup. It was a hearty and very filling breakfast - certainly enough to keep us going for the morning!

(Top spot for kacang phool in Penang)

(The menu display on the wall)

(Well presented and tasty)

We are certainly not art connoisseurs, but we never miss an opportunity to visit an art gallery whenever we come across one. Today, we visited the Penang State Art Gallery, located within the Dewan Sri Pinang building.

The gallery is a public art institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art from 1965 to the present. Its collection and exhibitions feature local and international works exploring themes such as identity, urbanisation and globalisation. There were paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photography and various emerging art forms on display. Even though we may not understand all the artistic expressions, it was interesting to see how artists interpret the world around them.

(Devoted to pioneer and contemporary artists)

(Displays of modern and contemporary arts)

From there, we headed to Hin Bus Depot, another of Penang's well-known creative spaces. Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic helped transform the former, rather neglected bus depot into an independent art and exhibition space. Today, the old depot has become one of Penang's popular cultural enclaves, blending heritage with creative markets, cafés, galleries and live performances, particularly during weekends.

(The former Hin Bus Depot)

(Taking a rest after a long walk from the car park)

(Collections of arts and sculptures)

By lunchtime, we were ready for another round of Penang food!

We headed to the Astaka Selera Food Court at Padang Kota Lama and made our way to Mee Sotong Hameed Pata, one of Penang's legendary Mamak-style street food stalls. The stall is famous for its vibrant red, intensely flavoured noodles topped with its signature sweet-and-spicy sambal sotong. We also bought some Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang to take away and, to cool ourselves down, had a refreshing bowl of air batu campur.

(Sharing a plate of Mee Sotong and ABC)

By the time we finished lunch, we were sweating profusely. The weather was unbearably hot and humid! Back at the resort, we spent the rest of the afternoon in our room with the air-conditioning running at full blast. The cool room was such a welcome relief, and before long, we were both enjoying a refreshing afternoon nap.

In the evening, we took a leisurely stroll to Ferringhi Walk, a modern two-storey beachfront retail and lifestyle hub along Jalan Batu Ferringhi. It combines indoor conveniences with a lively, open-air beach atmosphere and has become a popular hangout for both locals and tourists. We had a simple but satisfying dinner of Thai roti, shrimp doughnuts, iced Thai tea and iced white coffee. Nothing too heavy, but just right for the evening.

(Street food stalls along the Ferringhi Walk)

(Simple street food for dinner)

After dinner, we walked back to the Resort Complex. It took us about twenty minutes, and we were pleasantly surprised to see quite a crowd even though it was a weekday. The area certainly seems to be getting busier, and business appears to be picking up.

Back at the resort, we settled in for the night. Despite the lively sounds coming from the neighbouring Hard Rock Cafe, we managed to sleep well.

(BNM Resort Complex)

(Our single room apartment on the upper floor)

Another relaxed day in Penang - good food, a little art and culture, plenty of walking, and, most importantly, time to simply enjoy.

Day 05: Penang to Home

“Travel becomes a strategy for accumulating photographs...” – Susan Sontag

(BNM Resort Complex at Batu Ferringhi)

Day 05: 13 Aug 2026 (Thursday)
Route: Penang - Kuala Lumpur

Before checking out, we took a leisurely stroll along the beach. Just behind the Resort Complex is the Sungai Satu Outfall, one of Malaysia's early twin sea outfall structures, located along Batu Ferringhi Beach. Built together with the nearby Sungai Batu Ferringhi outfall, it serves an important infrastructure purpose while also becoming part of the beach landscape. The outfall helps to reduce the impact of strong surf and mitigate beach erosion.

(The Resort Complex from the beach)

(Sungai Satu Outfall)

(A popular place to chill out)

After checking out, we drove through Balik Pulau, hoping to find somewhere for breakfast. Unfortunately, our search was unsuccessful, and we continued our journey towards the Penang Second Bridge.

Officially known as the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, the Penang Second Bridge is the longest bridge in Malaysia and one of the longest in Southeast Asia. Stretching approximately 24 kilometres in total, with about 17 kilometres over the sea, the bridge provides a spectacular route connecting Penang Island with the mainland.

 

(Crossing to the mainland via the second Penang Bridge)

By then, however, our hunger had become impossible to ignore! We were feeling rather famished when we finally stopped for lunch at Teratak Warisan Kampung in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The highly rated traditional Malay restaurant is known for its authentic masakan kampung, extensive selection of lauk-pauk and nostalgic, traditional atmosphere.

Unfortunately, despite its popularity, the food did not quite suit our taste. Perhaps after several days of enjoying Penang's food, our expectations had become a little too high!

(Lunch at Teratak Warisan Kampung in Kuala Kangsar)

(Masakan kampung for a late lunch)

After lunch, we continued our drive towards Kuala Lumpur. We made a stop at Petronas Simpang Pulai Southbound to refuel and perform our prayers before continuing the final leg of our journey home.

 

(A massive southbound traffic)

By the time we arrived home, we were quite exhausted, but grateful for a safe and enjoyable trip.

And just like that, our little Hat Yai–Penang getaway came to an end. From crossing the border into Thailand, enjoying two relaxed days in Hat Yai, returning to Penang for good food and a little sightseeing, to finally making our way home. It was a short but satisfying escape.

Sometimes, the best trips are the ones that don't require a packed itinerary. A few good meals, interesting places, a comfortable stay and time together are more than enough.