Day 18: Da Lat - Cable Car, Monastery & Lake...

"Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and expect the unexpected..." - Gary Busey

(Gliding above the rolling hills)

Date: 30 September 2026, Wednesday
Activity: Robin Hill Cable Car Ride
Hotel: Du Lys Hotel, Da Lat

Today is Hana, our granddaughter’s 17th birthday. Though we are far away from home, we are sending her our love and warmest wishes for a wonderful and blessed birthday.

This morning, we decided to explore Da Lat’s Robin Hill Cable Car, Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake on our own. Travelling independently gives us the flexibility to move at our own pace, stop whenever we wish, and enjoy the day without being tied to a tour schedule.

Initially, we were a little confused about the name of the attraction. Was it Robin Hill or Da Lat Cable Car? Google Maps seemed to show different locations. In the end, we simply booked a Grab car, and fortunately, the driver knew exactly where to take us.

We soon discovered that Robin Hill Cable Car and Da Lat Cable Car refer to the same attraction. The cable car begins at the Robin Hill Station and travels across the valley towards the Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery.

Robin Hill itself is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Da Lat. From the top, we could see the city spread across the surrounding hills, with pine forests and misty valleys creating the familiar Da Lat landscape. We spent some time admiring the view and taking photographs before beginning our cable car ride.

The highlight was gliding above the rolling hills in one of the colourful cable car cabins. We bought a one-way ticket and joined the ride with a group of Russian tourists and a group of local ladies dressed beautifully in embroidered áo dài.

The cable car journey stretches for more than two kilometres, carrying us over vast green pine forests, patchwork farms and distant mountains before reaching Phượng Hoàng Mountain and the Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery.

The journey itself was part of the attraction. Looking down from the cabin, the landscape seemed to unfold beneath us in layers of green, mist and mountains - a very different perspective of Da Lat.

We arrived at Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery, one of the best-known Zen monasteries in Vietnam. Beautifully nestled on Phượng Hoàng Mountain, the monastery overlooks the tranquil waters of Tuyen Lam Lake and is surrounded by extensive pine forests.

The setting was peaceful and serene. After the lively cable car ride, the quiet surroundings of the monastery provided a welcome change of pace.

From the monastery gardens, we followed a long, shaded stone staircase leading down towards the lake. The staircase was flanked by pine trees and offered what seemed to be the most direct and scenic route to the lakeside.

Tuyen Lam Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Da Lat, surrounded by pine-covered hills and peaceful natural scenery. The misty waters and forested landscape gave the lake a quiet, almost dreamlike atmosphere. We spent some time simply enjoying the lakeside, taking photographs and appreciating the cool mountain air.

Walking down to the lake was relatively easy, but we knew the return journey up the long staircase could be tiring. We also had to keep an eye on the cable car operating hours, as the service takes a break around midday and the ticket counters close during that period.

Rather than risk being caught during the break, we decided to take a Grab car back to town. Our next destination was Sarah Halal Food Restaurant, where we had a satisfying lunch of seafood tomyam, crispy fried prawns, iced tea and Coke. We also packed some Malaysian-style mee hoon sambal tumis to have for dinner later.

Interestingly, Malaysian food here is considerably more expensive than the local food. Perhaps this is understandable, as Malaysian dishes require specialty ingredients and cater to a smaller niche market compared with the many inexpensive local eateries and street stalls.

After lunch, we walked back towards Du Lys Hotel and stopped at a bakery along the way. By now, our thoughts were increasingly turning towards Bangkok. The severe, non-stop rain and flooding there had caused widespread disruption, and we were hearing reports of food shortages in some areas. 7-Eleven and Tops supermarkets were reportedly experiencing depleted stocks of some essential items. So, before returning to the hotel, we bought some bread and a bottle of peanut butter to keep with us for our journey back to Bangkok tomorrow.

We were praying for the best, while quietly preparing for the worst.

That evening, after dinner, we packed our bags and prepared for the next leg of our journey. But there was still a lingering uncertainty. The news coming from Bangkok was not encouraging. The severe flooding was continuing, with reports of disruptions at Suvarnabhumi Airport and a backlog of luggage. Tomorrow night, we were due to return to Bangkok.

For now, all we could do was pack, pray and wait to see what awaited us when we arrived.

Day 19: Bangkok - Flight Delays and baggage chaos...

“I get pretty much all the exercise I need walking down airport concourses carrying bags...” – Guy Clark 

(Heavy rain and thunderstorm at Ho Chi Minh Airport)

Date: 01 October 2026, Thursday
Flight: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City – Bangkok
Hotel: Nasa Hotel, Bangkok

We had our final breakfast at Du Lys Hotel in Da Lat this morning. Today, we were flying back to Bangkok via Ho Chi Minh City, hoping that everything would go smoothly and there would be no delays.

Since there is no halal food available inside Lien Khuong International Airport, we decided to get our lunch before heading to the airport. We walked to Sarah Halal Food Restaurant and bought takeaway seafood nasi goreng for later. It was a pleasant morning walk. Da Lat's refreshing, crisp highland climate, with its cool temperatures throughout the year, has certainly been a welcome escape from Vietnam's usual tropical heat.

We took a Grab Car to the airport. Grab is generally reliable and convenient for getting around Da Lat, although it can become more difficult to get a car during bad weather. We decided to leave early and arrive at Lien Khuong International Airport well ahead of our flight, just in case.

Lien Khuong International Airport is the main gateway serving Da Lat and Vietnam's Central Highlands. The airport had recently reopened after a five-month closure for major infrastructure upgrades. Our online check-in had unfortunately been unsuccessful, so we had to check in at the counter.

Since we were early and the check-in counters were not yet open, we settled down with our takeaway seafood nasi goreng for an early lunch. We completed our meal with iced salted coffee - one of Da Lat's popular coffee specialties. It is made with strong phin-filtered Robusta coffee, sweetened condensed milk, ice and a rich topping of lightly whipped salted cream. The combination was surprisingly satisfying.

When the check-in counter finally opened, getting our boarding passes took much longer than usual. The Vietnam Airlines staff wanted to see proof of our onward journey out of Thailand to Malaysia. When we explained that we were driving our own car back to Malaysia from Thailand, they seemed somewhat confused.

We showed them our Thailand Customs Form, our Nasa Hotel confirmation and the QR code for our Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Eventually, our boarding passes were issued, but we were also required to sign a Waiver Declaration confirming that Vietnam Airlines had carried out their due diligence.

At last, we boarded our VN7383 flight from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City. The short fifty-minute flight was uneventful.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we went through security and then walked for about ten minutes to the international terminal. The transfer between the domestic and international terminals can be a little confusing, especially for passengers unfamiliar with the airport.

Immigration and security checks were thankfully swift. We still had a few million Vietnamese dong with us, so before leaving Vietnam, I decided to spend it at the duty-free shop and bought an Estée Lauder perfume. It may be considered an old-school or heritage beauty brand today, but it remains one of my favourites.

Then came the unexpected part of our journey. That evening, heavy thunderstorms, lightning and torrential rain affected central Ho Chi Minh City and Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The severe weather caused multiple incoming flights to circle, while some were diverted to Can Tho Airport and Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa Province. Looking at the situation, we had a feeling that we were going to be late getting back to Bangkok.

Vietnamese airports are rather quiet compared with many other airports. Routine public announcements for boarding, gate changes, delays and final calls are limited, so passengers need to keep an eye on the flight information screens. While waiting in the departure lounge, we began receiving email notifications about our flight delay.

Our Vietnam Airlines flight VN609 from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok was eventually delayed by about two hours, departing at 8:30 pm instead of the scheduled 6:25 pm. It was expected to arrive at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport at around 10:05 pm.

With reports of a baggage backlog at Suvarnabhumi, we were particularly concerned about our checked luggage. Since we needed to catch the Airport Rail Link before midnight to reach our hotel, we even made a mental plan to collect our luggage the following day if it failed to arrive tonight.

At Tan Son Nhat, we noticed that Vietnam Airlines was using remote parking stands and shuttle buses rather than aerobridges. Fortunately, by the time we boarded the shuttle bus, the rain had stopped. We were finally on our way to Bangkok.

Flying high over Cambodia, we enjoyed our halal samosas for dinner. We had requested Muslim meals when we booked our flights. Although Vietnam Airlines' Malaysia-route meals are halal-certified, on the Bangkok route Muslim meals are provided through the pre-order MOML system. Muslim meals are usually served first, which is always helpful when travelling.

When we finally landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, we were prepared for another wait. We had heard about the huge baggage backlog at the airport following the flooding and Thai Airways operational problems earlier in the week. With thousands of bags reportedly affected, we were worried that ours might be among them.

Thankfully, Vietnam Airlines uses a different baggage-handling arrangement, and to our surprise, our luggage was already waiting for us at the carousel. What a great relief!

We made the approximately twenty-minute journey from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ramkhamhaeng Airport Rail Link Station and returned to Nasa Hotel.

After checking in, the first thing we did was inspect our Hi-Lux in the hotel parking lot. We were so relieved to see that it had remained safe and untouched by the recent flooding in Bangkok.

By then, we were completely exhausted. There was still more to inspect and organise, but that could wait until tomorrow. Tonight, after a long day of airports, delays, rain, luggage worries and a late-night journey back to Bangkok, all we wanted was a good night's rest.

Sometimes, the end of a journey is not marked by arriving somewhere familiar, but simply by finally being able to rest.

Day 20: Bangkok - A Rest & Recovery Day...

"I am just going to put an 'out of order' sticker on my forehead and call it a day..."

(Down with a fever - wrapped in thick blanket)

Date: 02 October 2026, Friday
Activity: Rest Day in Bangkok
Hotel: Nasa Hotel, Bangkok

After so many days on the road, today turned out to be an unplanned rest day in Bangkok.

I woke up with a sore throat, while hubby was feeling feverish. Perhaps it was the changing weather after our time in Da Lat and the recent heavy rain and flooding in Bangkok.

After Subuh prayers, we took a couple of Panadols and went back to sleep, finally waking up much later in the morning.

A long, hot shower helped loosen our tired muscles and ease the stiffness in our backs and shoulders. We then had our usual simple breakfast in the room - a comfortable routine that required no dressing up or searching for food outside.

After breakfast, we went down to inspect our Hi-Lux. We were relieved to find no signs of water inside the cabin or cargo bay. Our food supplies and luggage were completely dry. Most importantly, our reliable Hi-Lux started on the first ignition, and the familiar sound of its 2.4-litre diesel engine was reassuring. After all the rain and flooding, it was good to know that our trusted travel companion was still ready for the journey ahead.

As it was Friday, hubby braved his fever and walked to the Islamic Foundation of Thailand for Jumaat prayers. The mosque is only a short walking distance from Nasa Hotel  - another reason we had chosen this hotel.

While he was away, I stayed in the room. I turned the air conditioning down, wrapped myself in the thick blanket and tried to rest, as I was also running a temperature.

For lunch, we had chicken biryani and beef soup with white rice. Our drinks were a pineapple smoothie and a 7-Eleven Espresso Latte. The Al Mubarak NASA Food Court was operating as usual, and it appeared that the recent flooding had not affected the area too badly.

The nearby 7-Eleven, however, told a different story. News reports had mentioned that several 7-Eleven stores across Bangkok had been affected by the severe flooding, with shortages, empty shelves and disruptions to deliveries. When we visited the 7-Eleven near the NASA Ramkhamhaeng ARL station, many of the shelves were indeed almost empty. Fortunately, we still managed to pick up a few snacks and a tube of toothpaste.

And so, our day continued quietly back at Nasa Hotel - resting, recovering and preparing ourselves for the next leg of our journey.

A couple more Panadols, thick blankets and plenty of rest became our prescription for the evening. Hopefully, by tomorrow morning, both of us will be feeling much better and ready to get back behind the wheel for our drive south towards Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Sometimes, even during a long journey, the body reminds us that it needs a day of its own - to slow down, rest and recover.

Day 21: Prachuap Khiri Khan - A Quiet Calm Evening...

"Let your thoughts settle like dust in a sunbeam - soft, silent, and not in a rush..."

(A dramatic sky at Masjid al-Ansor, Prachuap Khiri Khan)

Date: 03 October 2026, Saturday
Route: Bangkok – Prachuap Khiri Khan
Hotel: Saan Rak Resort, Prachuap Khiri Khan

We packed our bags in silence, checked out of the hotel, and collected our deposit. This morning, we would be driving southbound - the final leg of our journey.

News reports said that multiple roads in Bangkok were still flooded, although the situation was gradually improving. Floodwaters had receded from many of the central main avenues, but several roads were still badly affected by stagnant water. We plotted our route carefully on Google Maps, avoiding the flooded areas as much as possible and guiding ourselves safely out of Bangkok towards Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Once we were safely out of the city, we made a detour to one of our usual meal stops whenever we drive south from Bangkok. We had discovered this halal food outlet at a PTT station in Samut Songkhram through Google during one of our previous road trips. This was our third time stopping here, and their beef noodles and beef fried rice were just as delicious as we remembered.

Our next stop was at a PTT station in Phetchaburi for a comfort break. We happened to discover several halal food establishments there too, which we made a mental note to try on our next visit. Unfortunately, the men's toilet was under renovation, so after a quick look around, we had to continue on to the next PTT.

We had planned to have lunch at Maream Halal Food near the Prachuap Khiri Khan intersection, but it was closed. So, as usual, Google came to the rescue. We found a roadside halal beef soup restaurant and decided to give it a try.

We ordered beef soup, omelette and white rice, accompanied by our usual drinks - Thai iced tea and teh-O-beng. While waiting for our food to be prepared, we also joined our weekly Saturday Family Video Conference for a short while. Even while travelling, it is nice to stay connected with family back home.

After lunch, we made a U-turn to visit Masjid Al-Ansor, also known as An Ansar Mosque or Ban Ton Ket Mosque. Established in 1959, it is an active and prominent local place of worship conveniently located along Phet Kasem Road. For travellers driving through southern Thailand, it makes a convenient place to stop, rest and perform their prayers. When we arrived, the jema'ah were already preparing for the Asar prayers. It was comforting to see the familiar rhythm of mosque life continuing quietly along this busy southern route.

About 16 kilometres further north, we visited another mosque, Nurus Salihin Mosque, regarded as the main mosque serving the Muslim community in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Established in 1952, the place of worship reflects the faith, unity and enduring presence of the local Muslim community. The place of worship, now a modern structured mosque, functions as a gathering point for the community - a place where faith, friendship and tradition come together.

Tonight, we would be staying at Saan Rak Resort, conveniently located near Nurus Salihin Mosque. Its roadside location makes it a practical stopover for travellers like us, especially after another long day on the road.

After showering, we simply lazed in bed and watched whatever Thai-language movie happened to be showing on television. We were feeling too lazy to go out for dinner and thought we could probably skip it.

But hunger pangs soon reminded us that skipping dinner was not such a good idea! So, our simple dinner was Da Lat bread and peanut butter, washed down with hot Nescafé. Nothing fancy - just enough to keep us going until morning.

After so many weeks of travelling, sometimes the simplest meals and quiet evenings are exactly what we need.

Day 22: Thung Song - The Long Drive South...

"We do not realize the extent of the energy we are losing until we find where it is seeping from... " - Elliot Page

(Visiting an old friend in Khun Sarai)

Date: 04 October 2026, Sunday
Route: Prachuap Khiri Khan – Thung Song
Hotel: Smile Resort, Thung Song

The Saan Rak Resort provides on-site parking right outside our room, making loading and unloading our luggage especially convenient. We left the resort early this morning and continued our journey south towards Thung Song, our next transit town.

Before leaving Prachuap Khiri Khan, we stopped for breakfast. One of the things we appreciate about travelling through Thailand is how easy it can be to find halal options at many 7-Eleven stores. We usually look out for the official Central Islamic Council of Thailand Halal Logo when choosing ready-to-eat food.

There were plenty of choices this morning. We settled for shrimp burgers and crabstick sandwiches, accompanied by our current favourite drink - cappuccino hazelnut. A simple breakfast, but enough to fuel us for the long drive ahead.

By the time we reached Chumphon, it was time for lunch. We stopped at Khun Sarai R&R, where the Muslim food section has several vendors. As usual, we had our familiar combination of white rice, extra spicy beef soup and omelette with a full platter of complementary ulam and sambal belacan.

We noticed that the payment system has changed. Instead of paying cash directly to the individual vendors, we now purchase cash cards or coupons from the counter and use them to pay for our meals. Any unused balance is refunded immediately when the coupons are returned to the counter. TNG QR payment is also available as an alternative.

At PTT Tha Chana, we stopped to refuel the Hi-Lux. This was our fifth of the seven refuellings we had budgeted for our Thailand journey. Judging from the remaining mileage, this should be our final refuelling in Thailand for this trip.

As we approached Thung Song, we made a short detour to Muslim Satun Halal Restaurant, located at the PTT Thung Song Southbound station. We ordered takeaway fried meehoon for our dinner later that evening - one less thing to worry about after another long day on the road.

We checked in at Thung Song Smile Resort, our second stay here. It is a simple, down-to-earth chalet-style accommodation with free Wi-Fi, free parking, an on-site restaurant and a pleasant garden area. Most importantly for us, the Hi-Lux could be parked right beside our chalet door, making it easy to unload our luggage and settle in. We had our takeaway meehoon for dinner before retiring early.

Somehow, our bodies seemed more tired today. More than seven hours on the road had taken its toll, both physically and mentally. The long stretches of driving, road works, traffic and pouring rain all added to the fatigue.

After so many days of travelling, perhaps our bodies were simply reminding us that even seasoned road trippers need to slow down and rest. Tonight, it is time to recharge.

Thankfully, tomorrow's drive to Hat Yai will be only about three hours. We are getting closer to the end of our long journey, one final stretch at a time.

Day 23: Hatyai - The Good Old Days...

"Happy times come and go, but the memories stay forever..."

(A lonely cowboy)

Date: 05 October 2026, Monday
Route: Thung Song – Hat Yai
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel, Hat Yai

There is something comforting about staying in a familiar place. Familiar surroundings give us a sense of psychological safety, helping to lower stress and bring a feeling of calm and ease. For us, Smile Resort in Thung Song gave us exactly that feeling.

After checking out, the first thing we looked for was a place to have breakfast. This morning, we decided to deviate from our usual 7-Eleven breakfast routine and headed to Kak Da Restaurant at PTT Thung Song Southbound. It was our first time having breakfast there.

The restaurant offered a typical Thai breakfast spread, with a variety of local dishes served with white rice. We had omelette and kaeng som, a sour and spicy Thai curry, with rice. A simple but satisfying breakfast before continuing our journey south.

Along the way, we stopped at a PTT station in Pa Bon for a comfort break. Some PTT stations along Thailand's major highways have become destinations in themselves, with distinctive themes and designs. We particularly enjoyed the cowboy-themed, country-and-western-style stations, which turn an ordinary highway stop into a more interesting travel experience.

We were heading back to Hat Yai, and unfortunately, we had just missed the International Book Sale featuring Big Bad Wolf Books, which was held at Hat Yai Hall from 25 September to 4 October. One of the attractions of the book sale was the popular “Book Buffet”, where readers could fill a bag with books for a fixed price. Back home, we seldom missed the Big Bad Wolf Books sales whenever they came to town. So, knowing that we had missed it by just one day felt a little disappointing. Perhaps next time!

Since it was still too early to check in, we made a detour to Makro Hat Yai for some shopping. The large wholesale-style store is a popular stop for both locals and Malaysian visitors, particularly those looking to stock up on Thai groceries and household provisions. We browsed the aisles and picked up some of our usual favourites to bring home.

By the time we left Makro, it was raining quite heavily. Eventually, we arrived back at our familiar Golden Crown Hotel in Hat Yai. It felt good to be back. We noticed that the room rate this time was considerably cheaper than during some of our previous stays. Hotel prices can fluctuate quite a bit, especially with dynamic pricing, where rates are adjusted according to demand, availability, weekends and holiday periods.

Golden Crown is particularly popular with Malaysian visitors during Fridays, weekends, school holidays and long weekends. Unfortunately, we cannot always choose our travel dates according to hotel rates, so sometimes we simply have to take whatever price is available.

For a late lunch, we walked next door to Ayutthaya Halal Noodles, a Muslim-owned eatery specialising in halal Thai-style noodles. We ordered beef noodle soup and pad thai. It was convenient, comforting and just what we needed after a long drive.

Back at the hotel, we took a refreshing nap until it was time for our usual one-hour foot and shoulder massage. Hubby particularly chose his favourite masseur from Isaan. Many traditional Thai masseurs working in Hat Yai come from the northeastern region of Thailand, known as Isaan. Their style is often firmer and more energetic, incorporating deep pressure, stretching and acupressure rather than a gentle oil massage. That is exactly the kind of massage we both enjoy.

Later in the evening, the weather had cleared, with no sign of the earlier rain. So, we decided to walk to the Lee Gardens Night Market to look for something to eat. Although it was already quite late, the night market was still bustling with people. The streets were lively, colourful and full of familiar sights and smells.

Tonight, we had nasi lemak near the Lee Gardens Night Market, followed, as usual, by our favourite pulut durian for dessert. Sitting by the roadside, enjoying our food while watching the crowds go about their evening, brought back memories of our younger days.

Years ago, this was something we often did with the gang during our biking days, when Haji Stall would open late and remain busy well past midnight. Those were wonderful days of friendship, laughter, motorcycles and long nights in Hat Yai. Tonight, sitting there again brought back a little piece of that past. What a nostalgic brotherhood moment - a memory we will forever cherish in our hearts.

We eventually returned to the hotel, tired but happy. After a good shower, we slipped into bed and had a blissful, deeply recharging sleep.

A familiar hotel, familiar streets, familiar food and familiar memories - a simple but beautiful way to end another day on the road.

Day 24: Hat Yai – Time To Unwind...

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes - including you...” - Anne Lamott

(Do not disturb - Leave me alone...)

Date: 06 October 2026, Tuesday
Activity: Hat Yai Free & Easy
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel, Hat Yai

After 24 days on the road, today was all about slowing down, taking it easy, and simply enjoying our final full day in Thailand.

Breakfast was a delicious spread of nasi dagang and roti canai at Khaled Restaurant. The restaurant has its roots in the southern Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, where the culinary traditions are quite similar to ours. Perhaps that is why the food here always feels so familiar to us - making Khaled Restaurant our first choice whenever we are in Hat Yai.

We spent most of the morning in bed, watching movies and keeping up with the news on the flood situation in other parts of Thailand. We felt fortunate that we had left Bangkok in time, just before the second wave of flooding affected Bangkok and the surrounding provinces.

By noon, we were beginning to feel that we had rested enough. It was time to get some exercise, so we walked under the blazing afternoon sun towards Kim Yong Market.

For lunch, we headed to the famous Kaitod Meena stall, where we had nasi khaomok and their signature fried chicken, generously topped with crispy fried shallots. We washed it all down with refreshing coconut and sugar cane juice.

Kaitod Meena is one of Hat Yai's most famous and iconic fried chicken stalls. This Muslim-owned street-food business has been operating for more than 30 years and is located right in front of the bustling Kim Yong Market in downtown Hat Yai. Its fried chicken is especially popular for its wonderfully crispy exterior and juicy, tender meat inside.

After a short rest back at the hotel, we ventured out again for dinner at the Lee Gardens Night Market. The market was already buzzing with tourists, but thankfully, we managed to find a table for two and enjoyed a simple dinner of nasi lemak.

The Lee Gardens Night Market is truly the energetic pulse of downtown Hat Yai. Situated in front of the iconic Lee Gardens Hotel, the area comes alive every evening with food stalls, shoppers and visitors, transforming the heart of the city into a lively gathering place.

And, of course, we could not leave without our favourite dessert - pulut durian. The sweet, aromatic durian served with soft sticky rice drenched in creamy coconut milk was, once again, the perfect way to end our dinner.

Later in the evening, we treated ourselves to an hour of therapeutic foot massage at Leon's Four Seasons Massage, conveniently located not far from our hotel. It was good to see Leon again. We chatted and reminisced about the better business days before the devastating Hat Yai floods in December 2025. Leon was hopeful about the coming year's festivities and celebrations, looking forward to seeing Hat Yai once again filled with visitors from Malaysia and Singapore.

Back at the Golden Crown Hotel, it was finally time for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, we will leave Thailand and make our way home to Malaysia, crossing the border via Sadao and Bukit Kayu Hitam.

Twenty-four days on the road. So many places, roads, meals, unexpected changes and little memories along the way. Tonight, we rest - grateful for the journey, and quietly looking forward to reach home.

Day 25: Kuala Lumpur – The Journey Ends…

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back... ” - Wendy Wunder

(The storm is brewing on the horizon)

Date: 07 October 2026, Wednesday
Route: Hat Yai – Kuala Lumpur

Our final morning in Thailand began with breakfast at Khaled Restaurant before we checked out and headed towards the border.

Before leaving Hat Yai, we made one last stop at 7-Eleven for our favourite Thai iced latte. Then it was time to say goodbye to Thailand and make our way to Sadao CIQ.

The immigration and customs procedures at both the Thai and Malaysian borders were swift and hassle-free. Soon, we were safely back on home ground.

The weather was initially cloudy and hazy as we drove southbound. Our first stop in Malaysia was at Haji Jo Cendol in Napoh, where we had a satisfying lunch of mee rebus daging and ais batu campur.

As we continued our journey, dark clouds gathered on the horizon. Before long, heavy rain began to fall as we entered the PLUS Highway. Traffic was surprisingly heavy, and with poor visibility, everyone seemed to be moving more cautiously. When the rain eased a little, we stopped at R&R Semanggol for a prayer break before continuing our journey south.

The rain followed us for much of the way, so we took our time and drove carefully. We made one final stop at R&R Ulu Bernam for another prayer break. By then, we were not particularly hungry, so we simply shared some egg and tuna sandwiches with teh tarik for dinner.

There were a few accidents along the way, but thankfully, once the rain finally stopped, the journey became smoother. After thousands of kilometres, countless highways, border crossings, hotel rooms, meals, prayers, unexpected changes and little adventures along the way, we were home. Alhamdulillah...

Everything was just as we had left it. There is something deeply comforting about returning home after a long journey. No matter how much we enjoy discovering new places, there is always a special feeling in crossing our own doorstep again.

This journey has taken us through Thailand and Vietnam, tracing borders of Cambodia and Laos, across changing landscapes and weather, through busy cities and quiet towns, with plans that sometimes worked and sometimes changed along the way. But perhaps that is what travelling is really about - not simply reaching the destinations, but embracing whatever the road brings.

We are tired, but grateful for the miles travelled together, for the memories made, for the experiences shared, for the prayers along the way, and most of all, for being able to make it home safely.

Another journey, another beautiful chapter in our life story. 

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.

(The endangered 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 2026, 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.

(Sailing on a Liveaboard Phinisi)

Labuan Bajo Adventure Itinerary:

(31/08/26 - 05/09/26)

01 - The Journey Begins...

02 - First Night at Sea...

03 - Into the Heart of Komodo...

04 - From the Sea to Golo Mori...

05 - A Taste of Flores Cultures...

06 - Leaving with unforgettable Memory...

01 - The Journey Begins...

“Every journey begins with a single step, but the best ones begin with a little anticipation...”

(My first glimpse of Labuan Bajo harbour)

Date: 31/08/2026 (Monday)
Flight AK310: KUL - LBJ
Hotel: Meruorah Komodo Hotel, Labuan Bajo

Today was Malaysian Independence Day.

At 4.30 am, we quietly loaded all our bags into our Hilux pickup and drove to KLIA Airport in the stillness of the early morning. We parked at the Long-Term Car Park, which we had booked online earlier.

At KLIA2, our group of nine gathered for an early check-in. During the introductions, I could sense a certain tension in the group. There were worried faces and a little uncertainty about what lay ahead, especially in the aftermath of the recent major earthquakes. None of us really knew what to expect from the trip.

 

(Waiting for another member from Singapore)

(Ready to board the plane)

Our AirAsia flight, AK310, departed on time. After a four-hour flight, we landed safely at Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo, the modern gateway to this beautiful corner of Indonesia and the famous Komodo National Park. Conveniently located just about 2 km from the town centre and main harbour, the airport makes the transition from flight to hotel or speedboat remarkably easy.

(Komodo International Airport)

(Arrived safely in Labuan Bajo)

Airport clearance was smooth, and we were met by Rafi, our cameraman-cum-tour guide, who would be accompanying us throughout the trip. From the airport, we headed towards our hotel in Labuan Bajo.

Before checking in, we made our first stop at Puncak Waringin Viewpoint, one of the most accessible elevated viewpoints in the heart of Labuan Bajo. From here, we had a spectacular panoramic view of the harbour, the traditional Phinisi boats and the surrounding tropical islands of Komodo National Park. The calm blue waters of the bay, dotted with boats and islands, were a beautiful welcome to Labuan Bajo. For a while, at least, the worries in our hearts seemed to drift away with the gentle sea breeze.

 

(Panoramic view from Puncak Waringin Viewpoint)

We checked in at Meruorah Komodo Hotel. The hotel has been thoughtfully designed with clean, understated aesthetics that complement rather than compete with the natural beauty outside. Our Horizon Sea View room was comfortable and welcoming, and we enjoyed a tastefully prepared Indonesian packed lunch there.

(The Labuan Bajo Marina in the background)

(Our spacious room in Meruorah Hotel)

The lunch arrived in a traditional woven bamboo basket - a simple yet charming touch that gave the meal an eco-friendly and distinctly Indonesian character. It felt like a warm welcome to our first day in Labuan Bajo.

(Having packed lunch at the balcony, overlooking the harbour)

Our First Sunset in Labuan Bajo

Our original itinerary was to watch the sunset from the hotel rooftop. Instead, plans changed and we headed out for a sunset dinner at Taman Laut Handayani Seafood Restaurant, just a short drive from the hotel.

 

(The sun is setting over the horizon)

Perched near Puncak Waringin, the restaurant offered a lovely uninterrupted view of Labuan Bajo harbour, the Phinisi boats and the surrounding sea. As the sun slowly descended, we settled down to dinner and enjoyed a spread of Indonesian dishes. Among them, the signature grilled fish served with Indonesian sambal was a particular favourite of ours.

(Absorbing the view from the restaurant's upper floor)

(Sunset dinner at Taman Laut Handayani)

After dinner, we walked back towards the hotel, passing through Wisata Kuliner Kampung Ujung, the lively open-air waterfront food market of Labuan Bajo.

Located right beside the harbour, the market comes alive in the evening as local vendors set up rows of stalls displaying the day's fresh catch. The colourful seafood, bustling atmosphere and variety of fresh juices made it an interesting glimpse into the local evening scene.

(Vibrant coloured fish at the market)

Back at Meruorah Komodo Hotel, we spent some quiet time looking out at the marina. The lights reflected beautifully on the water, illuminating the traditional Phinisi boats and smaller local vessels. Their reflections shimmered like a mirror beneath the night sky. 

Lingering worries aside, it was a beautiful and memorable ending to our first day in Labuan Bajo.

(A fleet of phinisis anchoring for the night)

 
And there was something particularly special about this trip. We were here to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary, in a place neither of us had visited before, surrounded by new friends, beautiful islands and the promise of adventures yet to come. For now, we were simply grateful to have arrived safely.

02 - First Night at Sea...

“The sea has a way of reminding us how wonderfully small we are in this vast world...”

(Watching giant fruit bats during sunset)

Date: 01/09/2026 (Tuesday)
Activity: Rangko Cave & Sailing Day 01
Destination: Rangko Cave, Kelor Island and Kalong Island

Today began on a particularly special note - it was our 47th wedding anniversary.

We celebrated with breakfast at the rooftop Bay Restaurant, where we enjoyed a panoramic view of the bay. The breakfast spread was excellent, offering a generous selection of international favourites. We had omelettes, waffles, pancakes, assorted pastries and freshly baked breads. The coffee was particularly good - we kept asking for refills!

(The early birds, celebrating their 47th Anniversary)

(The view of Labuan Bajo Marina from the rooftop)

It was a hearty and satisfying breakfast, just what we needed to keep us going until lunch later, when we would be dining aboard our phinisi.

(Girls just wanna have fun...)

(Celebrating Independence Day in Labuan Bajo)

Turquoise pool of Rangko Cave

After breakfast, we headed to Tanjung Boleng, a coastal landmark tucked beneath lush, steep hills along the shoreline. It is one of the departure points for travellers heading to the famous Rangko Caves.

(Mural on the wall - a man riding a Komodo Dragon)

As it was low tide, reaching our boat was an adventure in itself. We had to be pulled across the shallow water on a rather makeshift raft to get to the boat. It was certainly an unusual, and memorable way to begin our excursion!

(The sea at low tide)

(Wading in the low tide to the speedboat)

(Boarding a makeshift raft for a fee)

(A villager pulling the raft to the speedboat)

(Safely on board, to Rangko Island)

From Tanjung Boleng, it was about a 15-minute boat ride by speedboat across the sparkling waters of the Flores Sea to Rangko Island. From the landing point, we trekked for several minutes under the hot sun before finally reaching Rangko Cave. The cave is a beautiful limestone ocean cavern, famous for its hidden, crystal-clear turquoise saltwater pool. Unlike conventional inland caves, Rangko is connected to the sea through fissures in the limestone. The mineral-rich seawater gives the pool an extraordinary clarity and buoyancy, making it a wonderful place for a refreshing swim.

(Crystal clear waters of Rangko Island)

(The jetty of the uninhabited Rangko Island)

(A secluded beach of Rangko Island)

(The start of a short climb to Rangko Cave)

And yes, we had come prepared to swim! After enjoying our time at the cave, we made our way back to Tanjung Boleng on the NTT mainland. We were more than ready for the fresh coconut juice waiting for us there. After the heat and exertion of our excursion, that cold, refreshing coconut water tasted absolutely wonderful.

(Sharp rugged stone steps into the pool)

(Natural light reflection of Rangko blue pool)

(The best lighting was from 2.30 pm - 3.00 pm)

(A refreshing coconut drink after the steep climb)

Our First Liveaboard Phinisi Experience

Back in Labuan Bajo, we headed to the Marina waterfront to board our traditional phinisi. These magnificent handcrafted wooden vessels are an important part of Indonesia's maritime heritage. Because of their considerable draft, they cannot always come right up to the shallow piers. Instead, they anchor in deeper water, and passengers are ferried out to them by tender boat. It was roughly ten-minute ride to our waiting phinisi. And there she was - our home for the next three days.

(On board of the phinisi - the beginning of our sailing adventure)

Modern phinisi liveaboards beautifully combine traditional Indonesian wooden craftsmanship with the comforts of a modern vessel. Our boat had comfortable cabins, a cosy dining area and all the facilities needed for our adventure, including a tender boat and equipment for snorkelling and diving.

(A spacious room with attached bathroom)

(Each room has a cozy balcony)

Soon after boarding, we sat down to our first lunch on board. Dining aboard a traditional Indonesian phinisi is part of the experience itself. The meals are generally centred around fresh local ingredients, particularly fish and seafood sourced from local markets and fishermen. Our first lunch was hearty and filling, and we certainly enjoyed it.

(A spread of delicious dishes awaited us)

(Our first meal on board of the phinisi)

Swimming With Baby Sharks at Kelor Island

After a short rest, it was time for our first island stop.

We sailed towards Kelor Island, a small, uninhabited island within the Komodo National Park. With its white sandy beach, clear turquoise waters and beautiful panoramic viewpoints, Kelor is often the perfect introduction to the islands before venturing deeper into Komodo territory.

(Off to Kelor Island)

(Joining the girls for a dip)

I joined the ladies for a swim in the shallow waters while hubby decided to tackle the climb to the summit. It was only about a 15-minute climb, but it was extremely steep, with an incline of roughly 45 degrees over loose soil and dry grass. Not exactly an easy climb!

(A few steps more to the viewpoint)

(The view from the summit)

But the effort was rewarded with a spectacular 360° panoramic view - the brilliant turquoise waters surrounding the island, stretching towards the silhouette of Flores in the distance. The descent was another matter altogether. With the steep slope and loose ground, hubby had to make his way down very carefully. It could have been quite dangerous if one wasn't cautious.

(Good humored cheerful baby sharks)

(Caught one in the shallow waters)

Back on the beach, we took a leisurely stroll along the white sand. Then came an unexpected little treat - we spotted baby sharks swimming remarkably close to the shoreline, darting playfully through the shallow water. What a sight!

Back aboard our phinisi, we enjoyed afternoon tea with fried bananas generously topped with grated cheese, accompanied by refreshing dragon fruit juice. Cookies, coffee and tea were also available throughout the day.

Bats Watching During Sunset at Kalong Island

As the afternoon faded, the phinisi sailed on towards Kalong Island, where we would anchor for the night. Kalong is famous for its spectacular sunset and for the thousands of giant fruit bats that take flight around dusk. As the sun slipped towards the horizon, the sky turned a beautiful shade of orange. Then, almost as if on cue, thousands of fruit bats began emerging from the island.

(Sailing towards Kalong Island during dusk)

(Anchoring for the night at Kalong Island)

(Thousands of fruit bats emerging from Kalong Island)

Watching them take flight against the glowing evening sky was magical. What struck me most was the almost awe-inspiring silence of the spectacle. The bats simply glided overhead, one after another, passing directly over our phinisi as they began their nightly journey.

It was one of those moments that photographs can never quite capture.

Our First Night at Sea

Our Muslim chef, Pak Ramdan, prepared a delicious seafood-based dinner for us that evening. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to enjoy much of it. My stomach was beginning to feel a little queasy. While everyone else was enjoying themselves listening to music and stargazing from the top deck, I stayed in bed, nursing a slight nausea.

(Everyday can end beautifully)

The choppy sea conditions had aggravated my existing vestibular issues, and the gentle rocking of the traditional wooden phinisi was no longer feeling quite so gentle to me! So, while the others enjoyed the evening under the stars, I decided that the best thing I could do was rest. After all, tomorrow promised another full day of exciting discoveries.

Hopefully, I would wake up feeling much better in the morning.