“The simplest pleasures - good food, a quiet ambiance, the friendly people - set the tone for the whole trip...”
 |
| (Spicy tomyam glass noodles) |
Part I – From Kuala Lumpur to Northern Thailand
Day 01: 19 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Route: KL – Hat Yai
Hotel: Hat Yai Golden Crown Hotel
We began our journey on the morning of 19 November 2025, leaving our Bidara house just after sunrise. Our Toyota Hi-Lux pickup was packed neatly, and our GPS marked the first destination: Hat Yai. Although my sore throat is far from recovering, still there was excitement in the air - a sense of freedom that only an open road can offer.
Before 10.00 am we stopped at Petronas Simpang Pulai for comfort break. It was raining on and off along the PLUS highway to Changlun where we had our lunch at Cendol Pulut Hj Johari Restoran - rice with tasty gulai itik, kerisi sambal and sweet cendol and ABC, generous with toppings.
After jamak prayers at the old Masjid Ihya Ulumuddin Changlun, refuelling at Petronas and changing some bahts at the CTC, we headed straight to the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS. Crossing the Malaysia/Thailand border was smooth with no hassle - a pleasant mixture of relief.
Once in Thailand, the landscape changed subtly - road signs shifted into Thai script. We topped up our sim cards at Danok where small roadside stalls offered aroma of sweet tea and crispy fried chicken.
By late afternoon, we reached Hat Yai and checked into our favorite hotel in Hat Yai, the Golden Crown Hotel at Thb770/night, conveniently located with ample on-site parking.
That evening, we walked through the rain toward the Lee Garden night market. The aromas of street food drifted in the air, and the vibrant colours of the souvenirs glowed softly under the dim, neon lights - inviting, even in the downpour. Yet the non-stop rain and the absence of the usual chatter of tourists seemed to dampen not only the market, but also the spirits of the vendors who waited patiently for customers who never quite came.
Escaping the heavy downpour, we slipped into Sawasdee, our favorite massage outlet and treated ourselves to an hour of gentle, relaxing body massage - a warm respite from the cold rain outside. Later, we went to a nearby halal Hamid Restaurant and enjoyed a hot, spicy dinner.
Soaking wet to the skin, we finally made our way back to the hotel, grateful for the comfort of dry clothes and a long, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
Day 01: 19 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Route: KL – Hat Yai
Hotel: Hat Yai Golden Crown Hotel
We began our journey on the morning of 19 November 2025, leaving our Bidara house just after sunrise. Our Toyota Hi-Lux pickup was packed neatly, and our GPS marked the first destination: Hat Yai. Although my sore throat is far from recovering, still there was excitement in the air - a sense of freedom that only an open road can offer.
Before 10.00 am we stopped at Petronas Simpang Pulai for comfort break. It was raining on and off along the PLUS highway to Changlun where we had our lunch at Cendol Pulut Hj Johari Restoran - rice with tasty gulai itik, kerisi sambal and sweet cendol and ABC, generous with toppings.
After jamak prayers at the old Masjid Ihya Ulumuddin Changlun, refuelling at Petronas and changing some bahts at the CTC, we headed straight to the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS. Crossing the Malaysia/Thailand border was smooth with no hassle - a pleasant mixture of relief.
Once in Thailand, the landscape changed subtly - road signs shifted into Thai script. We topped up our sim cards at Danok where small roadside stalls offered aroma of sweet tea and crispy fried chicken.
By late afternoon, we reached Hat Yai and checked into our favorite hotel in Hat Yai, the Golden Crown Hotel at Thb770/night, conveniently located with ample on-site parking.
That evening, we walked through the rain toward the Lee Garden night market. The aromas of street food drifted in the air, and the vibrant colours of the souvenirs glowed softly under the dim, neon lights - inviting, even in the downpour. Yet the non-stop rain and the absence of the usual chatter of tourists seemed to dampen not only the market, but also the spirits of the vendors who waited patiently for customers who never quite came.
Escaping the heavy downpour, we slipped into Sawasdee, our favorite massage outlet and treated ourselves to an hour of gentle, relaxing body massage - a warm respite from the cold rain outside. Later, we went to a nearby halal Hamid Restaurant and enjoyed a hot, spicy dinner.
Soaking wet to the skin, we finally made our way back to the hotel, grateful for the comfort of dry clothes and a long, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment