Transport : Chitra the Kia (with original vehicle grant)
Budget : RM100
From Alor Setar, took the highway towards Bukit Kayu Hitam. Fill up the fuel and randomly pick an outlet for Thai car insurance coverage. There was one beside a mosque by the road. Walked in, paid RM21 for an MPV insurance (7-days policy). On top of that, RM1 perperson for the border slip and booked our room in President Hotel for RM58 pernight. Drove to the border checkpoint, entered the no-man-land and reached the Thai border. We were told to slip in RM1 with our passport to be stamped, if not the Thai Immigration officer may refuse us. Next is to declare our Chitra the Kia. Its a bit unorganized there.
From Danok (the border), it took us about an hour to reached the heart of Hatyai. Along the way, there's plenty of pick ups truck with passengers (be reminded, these are not tuk tuk). The driving scenario is similar as to driving in Penang. Thanks to Mr Garmin for showing us the way to President Hotel. While checking in, the receptionist girl asked to keep our passport with them. Definitely a BIG no from us. The room was spacious enough for three of us to stay. For RM58, it comes with a bathtub!
Log Terrace with crocs
Was told by a friend of ours about it existence. Search mr.Garmin and only manage to locate the street name.We drove to the location, try our luck to asked around (while there was a billboard in front of us with the huge sign of LOG TERRACE). It's truly a very unique thai restaurant. Located beside a river, it was huge! Felt like I was trapped in a Flinstone era.
Nice decorated drift wood and artificial ones. Indoor & outdoor dining area. Basement with plenty fish tank, a small cage area with two crocodile. Language is a barrier here, but we manage to ordered:
Nice decorated drift wood and artificial ones. Indoor & outdoor dining area. Basement with plenty fish tank, a small cage area with two crocodile. Language is a barrier here, but we manage to ordered:- tom yum kung
- crab omelet
- mango salad (kerabu mangga)
- mixed vegetable
- sweet sour garoupa fish
- plenty of bottle water & ice
The food was awesome and dBomb! Caution : only extreme hot & spicy eaters. We don't have to wait very long for the food to arrived. However, the bill did come rather late. After splitting the bills, it only cost each of us THB200 per person for the marvelous food.
The night is still pretty much young. Headed to the heart of Hatyai after dinner with no real agenda. It rains for a short time. Plenty of t-shirt sold along the street. Bought a mango sticky rice (pulut mangga) for THB40.
The stall was located in front of McD (the same bulding with Lee Plaza hotel). The mango was tender, juicy & very yellowish colour. Its time to pampered ourself. When into one of the massages shop, and paid for the foot massages at THB250 for an hour service.
The stall was located in front of McD (the same bulding with Lee Plaza hotel). The mango was tender, juicy & very yellowish colour. Its time to pampered ourself. When into one of the massages shop, and paid for the foot massages at THB250 for an hour service.
Once done, tea was served to us. Walked our way back to the car, and stumble upon a huge elephant. It walked calmly on the road, with tiny red reflector with LED attached to it tiny tail. Warning those driver that there is an elephant crossing the streets.
Bargaining skill at test
Woke up to an early start. Return the room key and head into the heart of Hatyai. The housekeeping checked our room before we manage to surrender the key at the counter. Efficient service, indeed. Went back to the town, parked our car by the roadside and paid THB20 for as long you needed the space. Went in to their market (looks like Petaling Street with roof and in a confined area), just browsing through. I was looking for hammock in particular, but there was none.
Mala bought a few batik sarongs from this lovely Thai girl. She keep on saying "made in Thailand" when the label was clearly stating "batik Indonesia". Bargaining as good as its get. Start your price as low as 25% from the given price.
Mala bought a few batik sarongs from this lovely Thai girl. She keep on saying "made in Thailand" when the label was clearly stating "batik Indonesia". Bargaining as good as its get. Start your price as low as 25% from the given price.Big appetite calling for buffet
We are hungry, reminded that the President hotel does not comes with free breakfast meal. Only available with Ala Carte. Next eating spree will be at the Lee Plaza hotel. The tallest building in the heart of Hatyai. The restaurant was located on the top floor, and you get to see the entire panoramic view of Hatyai. Buffet at the price of THB149 per person (there was no hidden charges). Plenty of variety of authentic thaifood. The lunch buffet starts from 1100, and after 15 minutes pass 11. there crowd are starting to build up.
Signature : floating market
We drove from the city centre towards the floating market in Khlong Hae district, northern of Hatyai. It is a new tourist attraction. Food and drinks were sold here. From delicious 'otak-otak' to the creepiest insect can be found here. Did not try the insect. Look gross despite its only cost you around THB100 per packet. Advise, there are plenty other delicious food that are edible, only go for the insect if you are brave enough.Dinner with style
Another restaurant which was highly recommended to us. Located just by the border in Danok, it was the Waterview Restaurant. 
Garmin did not have the location at this very moment. So we have to do it the old skool way by asking strangers. Language is not a barrier in Danok. Most of them can talk Bahasa Melayu fluently. One of the strangers we approach was a young man. He was getting ready for football when we stopped right in front of his house. We arrived safely at the restaurant after were thought by him.
Garmin did not have the location at this very moment. So we have to do it the old skool way by asking strangers. Language is not a barrier in Danok. Most of them can talk Bahasa Melayu fluently. One of the strangers we approach was a young man. He was getting ready for football when we stopped right in front of his house. We arrived safely at the restaurant after were thought by him.
It was a huge lake with alot of dining pod by the lakeside. Ordering was painful, it took the third person to actually understand what we actually wanted. Menu are pretty much the same. They will comes in a small modified boat and serves us. That was their unique trademark. We can't be long as home is still far from Danok. And again after splitting the bill, it cost each of us THB200.
Going back, don't forget to slip in your RM1 with passport for the officer to stamped. With all the driving around town, we still have another quarter tank.
It was one crazy adhoc trip into Thailand with a mission to : eat till you drop!
1 comment:
besnye!
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