Trip to Thailand

Went on a trip to Thailand with both my parents on Thursday. After a 4 hours ride in the bus from 8am to 12pm, which is 11am in Thailand time, we finally arrived at Hatyai. Due to the schedule where we will be going to Songkla beach first before checking into our hotel, the tourist guide brought us for lunch at a typical Thailand restaurant with atap roof and we were served with dishes cooked in Thai methods. 150 Baht per pax. Too bad I wasn't able to snap any pictures due to the inconveniences.

Another 1 hour journey and we reached Somali each at Songkla where the famous mermaid statue is located. There are a lot of vendors selling varieties of goods alongside the beach. My parents bought souvenirs of the mermaid mimicked pen holder at 10 Baht each. Super cheap!

Thai ice-cream cart

Selling roasted peanuts in the traditional way

Accessories

Various stalls selling the same thing, coconut water and atap seeds

A booth along the beach

See the mermaid? Its surrounded by tourists taking pictures

The black rocks on the beach

On our way back to the hotel, we passed by a temple where a huge sleeping buddha is located. It is strikingly painted in gold. There are other buddha as well such as the four-faced buddha and 'guan yin'.

At around 7pm Malaysia time, we finally checked into our room in Novotel Hotel again. It's a strategic location as it is located in the middle of the chaos where shopping can be done within walking distance. The ambiance of the hotel is nothing one can complain much about as well.

Sit back while resting legs before the journey at night continues. The window beside can overlook the whole city.

And tadaa~ I spotted Torres in the fridge. Hehe

What's for dinner? Having no where else to go and limited energy left, we went for McDonalds opposite Novotel.

We had Samurai Pork Burger and Pineapple Pie which are not available in Malaysia. Yummy.

Swensen's is just beside and we heard that the price is cheaper there so we went there to have a try. I guess we did ordered some local specialty with atap seeds and cashew nuts. Haha. But the price is of no differences.

We went for a walk nearby before going back to our room and registered for the day. I wondered if the people there sleep that early as the streets are almost quiet already at around 10 something.

Next morning I woke at 8am Malaysia time and got ready for our morning shopping. Hehe. Full of hope to at least get myself something. We went to Plaza Shopping Centre recommended by our tourist guide. According to her there are more choices there so why not listen to the experienced?

Went there by 'tut-tut' as its beyond walking distance. 20 Baht each for a ride. I'm not sure if distance is taken into account for that rate

A dress for myself. Hopefully this is not too girly. Hehe. Managed to cut the price from 350 Baht to 200 Baht.

I had been eyeing this kinda shoes since the first day I got there. Sold in most places. Got it at 220 Baht reduced from 350 Baht.

In conclusion, always bargain for the price when you shop at Hatyai. Cut it half and the vendors lose nothing.

Before heading back to Malaysia, we were promised the Floating Market. Something everyone is looking forward to. The front part of the market is actually stalls alongside the road before one actually reaches the river where goods are sold from the small sampan.

There was this stall which attracts the crowd. Worm feast. Totally creepy. Deep fried crickets and scorpions are in the menu as well. They actually smells delicious. Too bad I don't have the guts to try them out. Maybe next time when I decided to get adventurous.

Ice-cream made the traditional way. No electricity required.

A very old Thai temple

Pandan leaves folded into rose-like bundle selling at 10 Baht each

We reached the other side where the actual floating market located. This market is of total environment friendly as the containers for all the food including soup noodles are made of leaves, coconut shells or earth.

Mark the crowd

The drinks served in these cute container.

Colourful traditional delicacies

Different kinds of traditional Thai food

The market was crowded and more people came poring in as the day went by when its less hot.

We went back after our last stop and bid Thailand farewell. Reached Penang at around 12 midnight.