A traveller's reflection: Route 12: Day 12

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Monday, 21 April 2025

Route 12: Day 12 - Hatyai

“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not...” – Oscar Wilde

(A Red Indian teepee at the R&R)

Day 12: 29 April 2025 (Tuesday)

Route: Chumphon - Hat Yai
Distance: 486 km
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel, Hat Yai

We had our complimentary breakfast at the hotel dining room. Met a group of Thai Malays from Narathiwat who came to Chumphon for a meeting.

(We were among the early birds)

( A heavy breakfast, for the long journey)

By 8.00 am we checked out and drove out of Chumphon. The journey will take us more than 7 hours non-stop through normal traffic. But with massive roadworks and interval stops for coffee breaks and lunch, we may reach Hatyai in the very late afternoon

(Leaving Chumphon early on a clear morning)

(Driving on Route 41 towards Hatyai)

(An accident on Route 41)

(On-going roadworks and upgradings)

(Another major accident)

Our first stop was at Baan Na Daem PTT for refuelling and comfort break.

(Refuelling at a PTT)

In Thung Song we found a new halal eatery located at a PTT rest area southbound. This Muslim Satun Restaurant is before the northbound PTT where Pakju Restaurant Northbound is located. The lady owner was very friendly and talkative and explained all the dishes in her shop. Most of the dishes were cooked with cili padi and a little bit spicy for my stomach. There was a free-flow of bubur cha-cha for everyone.

(Muslim Satun Restaurant)

(The menu on the wall)

(Extra hot dishes for lunch)

After lunch we stopped to check out Kak Da Thung Song Muslim Food, another halal food outlet a short distance away. There is also a prayer room next to the eatery. With this

outlet, there are now three halal food establishments in three Thung Song PTTs.

(Kak Da Thung Song Muslim Food)

(A spread of tasty dishes)

When we reached Phatthalung, we stopped at Khok Muang PTT for prayer break. This PTT was once popular with the bikers as it has Cowboy themed cafè and well decorated. There is even a Muslim prayer room in the vicinity. Unfortunately when we checked the prayer room, there was no water for ablution. We then decided to drive on and would only perform our prayers once we checked in our hotel in Hatyai.

(Taking a rest on a cowboy's boot)

(The hot metal seat was occupied by the two cowboys)

(A Red Indian teepee, with a room converted into surau)

(The Muslim prayer room is behind the teepee)

Before the junction to Hatyai town centre, only one lane was opened to traffic causing quite a massive jam. Traffic was smooth once we entered town area. Around 5.30 pm we reached Golden Crown Hotel and checked in for tonight at a rate of Rm92/night.