Getting around Songkhla ---> Hat Yai, Thailand

From Satun, we moved on to Songkhla.. Just a quick stop  where we had our lunch in picnic style along the Samila Beach, Songkhla... On the way from Satun , we have packed our lunch to be eat here....

The food are just like what we normally have here.. but in Southern Thailand, it's very easy to get Muslim and Halal food because 80% of its population is Muslim.....

No one dare to swim in the sea.. the wave is very big and dangerous... the recent flood has causes great erosion to the beach. Lots of fallen tree and the whole place seems to be very quiet.... Normallly, along the roadside is a line of hawkers seling variety of local foods and snacks... but this time it's not that many...

There's two must visit sculpture here.... One is the Sculpture of a Mouse and a Cat

and another sculpture is the Mermaid Statue... it's located right on the rock at the sea... This bronze statue of a mermaid is a prominent symbol and landmark of Songkhla.

Konvoi continue journey to our last destination...  the most awaiting town to be visited... Hat Yai... we checked in at Sing Golden Place Hotel...

Very relief to see that we have a comfy place to sleep after long hours of sightseeing

The hotel is located right in the centre of Hat Yai.. moving around here is by Tuk Tuk THB20 (RM@) per person per ride.. very convinient.. you just tell the tuk tuk driver where you want to go.... and he'll bring you right at the doorstep of your destination... the tuk-tuk is everywhere..... you don't have to wait even for a second to go on a tuk-tuk ride...

A little problem with the tuk-tuk for a big size guy and whose height is more that 6 ft...

Got to bend a bit..

Or to make it easier ..get the head out of the tuk tuk... anyway... it's fun

The most famous first stop for tuk tuk is Lee Garden... the rest of the shops are within walking distance.

Most of the shopping stuffs are just like what you normally see in uptown back in KL... found 1 or 2 interesting stuff but that's not my priority... doesnt feel regret of not buying....

What I regret most is not visiting the floating market... when we reached Hat Yai...it was on Sunday... the local advised us to go to the floating market... but we didnt take his word.. so we thought of going on the next day... that night we went to the most famous night market.....

On the next day, we asked the tuk-tuk man to bring us to the floating market.. he said no floating market on Monday... I felt so frustrated... and if I want visit Hat Yai again could be because of this... a part from that.. nnnooppp...

So we went to the local market... selling clothes... During the flood the water level is above normal human height.... everything flows with the water...

Last minute, decided to buy one handbag, sunglasses and few blouses...total damage of RMxxx.00.... okay la...

Took my last tuk-tuk ride to hotel...

Bon Voyage for Hat Yai

We had special visit to special historical place in Sadao.... to be continued in my next entry

Journey to Pak Bara , Satun Thailand

Where shall I begin... maybe I should share with all of you how the whole things was initiated. EOCM has organised a charity konvoi to Pak Bara Thailand... they have identified an islamic based school which are really in need of financial assistance... then after the mission accomplished the konvoi will continue journey to Songkhla and Hat Yai .... enche hubby proposed we joined the konvoi... I have no objection ... in fact was counting the days to go... so excited.

This trip has many first to me:

First time going to Thailand

First time going abroad by car (Driving)

First time joining charity konvoi

First EXORA konvoi

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The list can go on and on...

What more can I say... lots of experience, meeting new friends... learn new things... words are just not enough to described my mix feelings.... let's share some great pics taken while on board....

Money changer to get some Thai Baht - checked

Thailand Plate No - checked

Fuel full tank- checked (it's not advisable to fill fuel in Thailand .. it is very expensive - THB32.3 (RM3.23)per litre for RON 92)

Start our journey from KL heading towards Perlis... meet all the konvoi member and continue journey to Wang Kelian immigration....

Get passport clearance from Malaysia and Thailand Immigration... including getting entry permit for the vehicle...

After everything has settled.... we are now in territory of Thailand... automatically , the extra cautious feelings came to my mind.... heard many negative things about the southern Thailand... but comforting myself that everythings going to be okay... plus we are moving in group...apart from the little worries.. I'm more than okay... enjoy the whole journey and happy to announce that I have safely arrived in my hometown after 4 and  a half day away... missed my kids so much... especially my two kiddos....

In Pak Bara... we stayed in BARA Resort... enche hubby has warned me not to expect very much on the accomodation... but Alhamdullah sometime it is right to say.. expect less for more....

The accomodation is superb.. facing the sea..it's new chalet and super clean.. very comfortable after long hours driving... it's almost 17 hrs journey... time to get rest...

If you think that is not good enough.. wait till you see this... this is our mission... went to this Islamic Tahfiz  school Darul Faridh... (hopefully I got the name correct)... they have about 40 students mix boys and girls.. stayed in a hut for shelter... they have nothing to afraid except Allah.. redha dengan keadaan yang begitu dhaif....

Alhamdulillah , the EOCM team has made some collection of fund to be used for the development of the school which are lacks from many aspects.... with this little sincere contribution, hopefully may relief a bit of burden to the students...

We bring Qurans, picture dictionaries, computer and projector for their used in their learnings...

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these are some pics while in Pak Bara

The next day, we stop by at Pak Bara Pier....

 you can take boat to Island nearby including Pulau Langkawi...

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Konvoi continue to Tesco Lotus... even before we started the konvoi... I have heard the plan to visit Tesco Lotus.. I am not sure what's so special here... moment I enter saw the building, I understand why they prefer to come here.. there's a big halal sign stated on it's main signage... it's very easy to get halal stuff here...

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Konvoi continue journey to Songkhla and Hat Yai

 to be continued in my next post......