A traveller's reflection: Day 01: Year-end Trip: KL

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” - Buddha

(First entry after PKP)

Day 01: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Route: Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai
Distance: 534 km
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel, Hatyai

Last night we loaded our luggage and food stuff into the bigfoot. This morning by 8.30 am we started driving from our Bidara House for our 2022 Kembara Highlands of Thailand. For this trip, we planned to visit Phu Thap Berk, Phu Chi Fa, Doi Angkhang, Doi Sango and Doi Inthanon. And we will try to visit as many mosques along the route.

We drove on LATAR highway towards north and detoured to have breakfast lontong at Elmina R&R Southbound. We envisaged delays as there were many road works along the highway causing traffic jam at certain stretches.

(Lontong for breakfast)

(Crispy fried bawal for lunch)

We did not stop at Simpang Pulai as we normally do because it was a little crowded. We stopped for comfort break at Bkt Gantang R&R and bought longan at rm20/kg, more pricey than usual. Around 1.30 pm we had lunch at Restoran Ikan Bawal Kelapa Sawit in Juru. The ikan bawal, although smaller in size but still crisply fried. This eatery is always crowded especially during lunch hours.

(A good weather to start the trip)

By 3.40 pm we stopped for solat jamak at Toll Plaza Hutan Kampung. After refuelling in Changlun we then headed to the Malaysian CIQ Bukit Kayu Hitam. There was quite a big crowd and a long queue at the border because of the school holidays. Border clearance was fast and efficient on both Malaysian and Thailand sides. By 6.30 pm we completed border clearance and paid THB40 for vehicle and passenger fees.

(The passports were untouched for almost two years)

(A long queue at the border)

(Hatyai Walking Street, busy as always)

(Spoilt for choice of food)

(Nasi Lemak for dinner)

By 7.30 pm we checked in the Grand Crown Hotel in Hatyai. We did not make any prior reservation but luckily there was one room available and only for one night at the rate of B750/night. After we checked in, we went out to buy a local sim card from a nearby phone shop then walked to the night market around Lee Gardens Hotel to look for something to eat. Dinner was nasi lemak at one of the Muslim stalls. Most stalls sell Muslim food and they are reasonably priced. We thronged the night market amidst the crowd who were mostly from Malaysia.