ROAD TRIP HATYAI # DAY 3- SONGKHLA BEACH

7/12/2016

Time to go on the road again as after our breakfast and checked out.

The smooth drive now had most of us catching forty winks and before lunchtime we had arrived at the Thai border immigration.  There is no air-conditioning here and we can see the long queues especially those who are driving into Thailand in their own vehicles.  The guide who met us here told us that the weekend queues are worse...   

Finally our first Thai meal, boneless chicken rice shop. 

I was wondering what "boneless chicken"  and actually it was deboned chicken pieces. The rice is fragrant (its Thailand rice!)  with garlic and ginger and the chicken pieces smooth and moist.  

After a satisfying meal and shopping along the roadside- pulut rice (well known white glutinous rice)  as we walked back to the bus, we saw some of the offices/shops being draped with black mourning banners for their King.

The head of the Great Serpent "Nag" 

{There is a plaque with the inscription as follows: The Great Serpent "Nag" is the deity of the divine creation of water as well as fertility to all living things. The people of Southern Thailand believe that Nag sprays divine water so as to make people feel fresh and happy, as well as purify the blemishes which occur within our minds and bodies. As a result Nag is one of the most highly respected deities of Southern Thailand. Thus the local people frequently pay respect to Nag and ask him to forever bring happiness and good fortune to their life..... The first section is the serpent's head which symbolizes the intelligence and wisdom of the people of the city. The second section is the serpent's navel which symbolizes the city's riches. The last is the tail which symbolizes the charisma and strength of the community of the people. The sculpture's official opening ceremony was done in 2007} taken from Internet.

 

the other end of the Samila Beach.... 

and where the  the Golden Mermaid sit.

This sculpture was built in 1966 by Jitr Buabus, former director of the Art and Craft college in Bangkok, based on the story that the mermaid was frightened away by a fisherman while combing her hair on a starry night.  The Prince waited in vain to return the golden comb but the mermaid was never to be seen again.  

Along the beachside, giant posters of their King. 

There is also an altar for mourning in the hotel lobby. 

Festive decorations for the New Year 

ROAD TRIP TO HATYAI - #DAY 2 GEORGETOWN HERITAGE ENCLAVE

6/12/2016

Everyone bright and beautiful ...go gai gai..
Buffet breakfast was served at the hotel cafe, simple menu but satisfying to keep us going ......  

Georgetown Heritage Enclave.... listed as UNESCO Heritage city, Georgetown as founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light. 

Beautiful Guan Yin Temple... 

look at these artistic and ornate pillars

ema outside a Japanese cafe ...instead of  wooden plaque, these are tiny bells

all things owlish, no need to recommend this...

I don't mind having one of this .......

rusted tree..

No, we did not visit this place as we went next door....

Dr. SunYat Sen Museum, this airwell/courtyard in the middle of the traditional old house with its beautiful patterned tiles ...

many of his memorabilia

Dr. Sun Yat Sen came to Penang with his family in 1910 and he started his "underground" activities against the Qing Dynasty in this house which was formerly a reading club house.  On 14/11/1910 he chaired and delivered his famous 1910 conference and raised $8,000 on the spot for his rebellion. The Kwong Wah Jit Poh newspapers was started by him here and it was one of the oldest daily newspapers.  There are guided tours and entrance fee is only RM5.00 partly to support the museum plus you get free Chinese Tea!

the airy courtyard garden...rainwater is collected into the well. 

Note: Just read about the appointment of Ms Khoo Salma Nasution as appointed city councillor at MBPP (The Star 5/1/2017).  She is currently the custodian of the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Museum and president of Penang Heritage Trust. 

She loves cats.....

she said this reminded her of  school days where she was ferried to and fro by my eldest sister on bicycle 

Some of these wall murals are getting "worn out" with paints peeling off. 

While the rest of the group went to Kek Lok Si Temple, we wander around the shops at the foothill and enjoyed some cold coconut drinks and assam laksa.

Finally back to the hotel to freshen up before sitting down to a farewell Hainanese meal at the Hainanese Delights Cafe at the hotel... especially catered by the boss of the hotel himself..

Hainanese Spring Rolls. 

Hainanese Chicken Rice. 

Braised Duck in yam sauce.... yammy and yummy sauce which make you feel like drinking it!  

Sambal long beans with prawns 

Fried Omelette 

Assam Fish 

Fried okra with salted egg yolk 

Desserts was the popular Sago Pudding with Gula Melaka sauce and santan and truly was a delicious ending for a scrumptious meal.  Thank You for your hospitality. 

ROAD TRIP TO PENANG- HATYAI# Day 1 PENANG HILL

5/12/2016 TO 9/12/2016
This was a road trip which we took in December 2016

The Great Serpent  @ Songkhla beach.

As there were relatives and friends who specially came back  from Australia and Singapore for the wedding, my brother organised a road trip for them up north after the event.  So I happily tagged along as well. 

Day 1

KL-Penang 

Plenty of space for each of us in a bus that can accomodate 40 pax while there were only around  20 of us.

We started off early from KL and arrived in Ipoh before lunchtime.  As it was too early for lunch, our bus driver recommended that we take a stroll to "Little Guilin" of Malaysia.

Gunung Lang - a recreational park amidst  the limestone hills 

Multi-coloured bougainvillea plant.. the flower of Ipoh

 
So we have to wait to to take the boat across to the recreational park and  we were lucky that we were the last batch just before they close for lunch..

a pleasant boat ride with surrounding view of the limestone hills. 

Views of the park..... 

there is lookout tower ... 

the Chan clan group photo.

It was too hot to wander around the park so we beat a quick exit back to the jetty and the group adjourned for lunch at the air-con restaurant which was a cool relief.

After lunch we checked into 1926 Heritage Hotel. 

This hotel was built in 1926 and originally was home to British colonial immigration officers and administrators in Penang. 

There are 24 heritage link houses that has been restored which make up the hotel.  

These houses (individual rooms/suites) are surrounded by these long corridors and spacious balconies and beautiful wooden windows and decors. 

the swimming pool in center of the hotel. 

 
really old style rooms, but with a view of the swimming pool, besides room was clean and spacious.

After freshening up, its time to go shopping..

yes, he was featured in Ho Chak programme! but long before that this uncle is a popular star.... his banana apom (little pancakes) are really yummylious ...which we only get to taste the next  morning because there was this very long queue here and we were told no more pancakes  for the day.....

so, the next best street food, glutinous rice dumplings.. 

The hotel is located along Burma Road and close by is Ghee Hiang and also the Him Heang shops.  We went into Ghee Hiang first and bought their pure sesame oil and by the time we finished shopping here, Him Heang shop already closed (at 5.00 pm sharp!)  

Thankfully, there is this shop just next to the hotel and more happy biscuits  shopping before we departed for our dinner at around Gurney Drive.  Dinner was at the open food court to try their local food... which later proved "dangerous" as later in the night a couple of the group was taken to the hospital for food poisoning. And that more or less started the sickness among some of us as we continue with the road trip ....my sister and her hubby and myself included.

After dinner,  we headed for the tram ride up Penang Hill...this was a wise choice...

as there were no  huge crowds and  no queuing up under  the hot sun 

Keretapi Bukit Bendera 1923

Penang Hill was discovered by Sir Francis Light in 1788 who cleared the peak to plant strawberries. The first funicular train started its run in October 1923 and the present train is the 4th generation train system (modern and with air-conditioning) This is the oldest British hill station at the height of 833 meters above sea level and with a 27.9 degree steepness, it is also one of the steepest tunnel track in the world.

The enchanting night view of Penang.

Shadow play...around the Skyway which offers a 360 degree view 

the viewing deck ...

David Brown's Restaurant located at the highest peak in Penang Hill.

 
It was a relaxing and cooling walk around the peak..

goodnight Penang...