10 May 2006 Hat Yai -Lousie Guesthouse (Evening)
In this time of the month, the Thai heat in the south is incredibly unforgiving. Late morning I decided to explore the town and look for something to eat. After a short search, I managed to grab a bowl of mee soup and nescafe for 50 baht. Minutes later my poorly used hand signs to signal the electrical shop owner that I need to buy a converter plug to charge my phone, which was crucial because my loved ones back home and friends can still keep in touch with me. Most importantly for safety and emergency situations, this tri-band phone might come in handy.
After gaining some biceps muscle, I finally brought the converter. I decided to explore around the town and inevitably got lost. The signs are pretty misdirectional because it's mostly in Thai, which send me round a wild goose chase. Despite the result of wet a T-shirt, I'll got a good orientation of the town. Eons later, I found my lodging again and went to a nearby tourist agency around my guesthouse to buy a van ticket to Krabi. From here on my journey will take me to Krabi which I hope will have more things to do and explore. No TV and haven't watch any so far. Funny thou, I felt tranquil and peaceful. Quite surprisingly, I'm kindda getting use to it.
travel Info:-
Plug converter - 50 baht
minivan ticket - 200 baht
Hat Yai to Krabi - 5 hrs.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
10 May 2006 Hat Yai - Lousie Guesthouse (Early morning)
It was a short walk from the station to my Guesthouse. The konsortium coach stopped in front of a tourist centre at Hat Yai. Most of the passenger eagerly rush down to book their hotel room. I ask the driver for the direction of the train station, and off I go. Louise Guesthouse was not difficult to find. In fact it was just around the corner of the train station. Surrounding the area, many cheap lodgings are available. Since it was recommended by the yellow bible, I decided to try.
When I reach Louise, an old man greeted me, Louise perhaps ? Just as I was checking in, one backpacking couple just check out. I take that as a good sign. Safe place and clean. Too tried to do anything, after reaching the room, I hit the showers to cool my body. The heat is crazy. I Have not been brushing my teeth properly, its time to be adoptive. Simple chores such as this can be a premium. That I learn from the army. I decided to do a quick count on my ledger.
Money belt contains:
1910 baht
237 RM + some coins
USD 200
SGD 60 + some coins
Travel info:
*Dbl fan private b'room - 300 THB
*Dbl A/C private b'room - 400 THB
It was a short walk from the station to my Guesthouse. The konsortium coach stopped in front of a tourist centre at Hat Yai. Most of the passenger eagerly rush down to book their hotel room. I ask the driver for the direction of the train station, and off I go. Louise Guesthouse was not difficult to find. In fact it was just around the corner of the train station. Surrounding the area, many cheap lodgings are available. Since it was recommended by the yellow bible, I decided to try.
When I reach Louise, an old man greeted me, Louise perhaps ? Just as I was checking in, one backpacking couple just check out. I take that as a good sign. Safe place and clean. Too tried to do anything, after reaching the room, I hit the showers to cool my body. The heat is crazy. I Have not been brushing my teeth properly, its time to be adoptive. Simple chores such as this can be a premium. That I learn from the army. I decided to do a quick count on my ledger.Money belt contains:
1910 baht
237 RM + some coins
USD 200
SGD 60 + some coins
Travel info:
*Dbl fan private b'room - 300 THB
*Dbl A/C private b'room - 400 THB
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
9 May Pekeliling Bus Station, KL - Malaysia (Time Unknown)
After reaching Pekeliling bus station in the afternoon, I was totally famished by then. I went to a nearby hawker center and eat some nasir padang. As I have nothing plan for the afternoon, I ask around for the direction to Batu Caves, which I know I could easily catch a bus here. Unfortunately, I have one problem - my backpack and time factor. After reexamining my situation, I'm not that crazy to walk up the steps of Batu caves with my backpack, and further more, most people visit Batu Caves in the morning, as the sightseeing can easily taken up the whole day. No problem, Batu caves can be visited again from Singapore, so I pass. Instead I took a LRT to Plaza Rayat to find out more about my transport option up north. The most famous bus station in KL or probably in Malaysia - The Puduraya Bus Terminal.
Almost immediately ! upon reaching the station, the heat, humidity, cigarette smokes and shouting from the ticket peddlers, drive my body to full alert. With my T-shirt half wet and a aching shoulder, I got a ticket to Hat Yai at RM40 for a overnight VIP coach from Konsortium. What a steal ! It was one of the best bus I ever taken in my life. The seat is comfortable and spacious with more than enough leg room. The bus was schedule to departed at late evening. Since it was a night bus, I would save money on lodging. No point staying any longer in Malaysia as I can come and visit it anytime from my home.
Having time to spare, I surf the internet nearby the station. The aircon inside the shop was welcoming. I chatted with my gerl for a while over the Internet, I wonder if she misses me? How wonderful technology is. Imagine life without technology? Bored and thirsty, I went down to the Indian coffeeshop to have a Teh terik drink and people watch to pass time. This place is swarm with travellers as it is the main bus station transporting travellers to anywhere in Malaysia.
Hours later I found a leftbag service and left my backpack. I went around KL sightseeing, little India, chinatown, KLCC and took more of Malaysia LRT service. Tried and exhausted by the traffic and humidity, I retire to the second level of KFC nearby the bus station where I rest there till it was time for me to catch my VIP bus to Hat Yai. VIP for a backpacker, how cool is that ?
After reaching Pekeliling bus station in the afternoon, I was totally famished by then. I went to a nearby hawker center and eat some nasir padang. As I have nothing plan for the afternoon, I ask around for the direction to Batu Caves, which I know I could easily catch a bus here. Unfortunately, I have one problem - my backpack and time factor. After reexamining my situation, I'm not that crazy to walk up the steps of Batu caves with my backpack, and further more, most people visit Batu Caves in the morning, as the sightseeing can easily taken up the whole day. No problem, Batu caves can be visited again from Singapore, so I pass. Instead I took a LRT to Plaza Rayat to find out more about my transport option up north. The most famous bus station in KL or probably in Malaysia - The Puduraya Bus Terminal.
Almost immediately ! upon reaching the station, the heat, humidity, cigarette smokes and shouting from the ticket peddlers, drive my body to full alert. With my T-shirt half wet and a aching shoulder, I got a ticket to Hat Yai at RM40 for a overnight VIP coach from Konsortium. What a steal ! It was one of the best bus I ever taken in my life. The seat is comfortable and spacious with more than enough leg room. The bus was schedule to departed at late evening. Since it was a night bus, I would save money on lodging. No point staying any longer in Malaysia as I can come and visit it anytime from my home.
Having time to spare, I surf the internet nearby the station. The aircon inside the shop was welcoming. I chatted with my gerl for a while over the Internet, I wonder if she misses me? How wonderful technology is. Imagine life without technology? Bored and thirsty, I went down to the Indian coffeeshop to have a Teh terik drink and people watch to pass time. This place is swarm with travellers as it is the main bus station transporting travellers to anywhere in Malaysia.
Hours later I found a leftbag service and left my backpack. I went around KL sightseeing, little India, chinatown, KLCC and took more of Malaysia LRT service. Tried and exhausted by the traffic and humidity, I retire to the second level of KFC nearby the bus station where I rest there till it was time for me to catch my VIP bus to Hat Yai. VIP for a backpacker, how cool is that ?
Monday, May 08, 2006
8 May 2006 11:19 pm (Green Leaf Traveller Inn, Jerantut -Malaysia)
After reaching Jerantut station, a short search bring me to Green Leaf Traveller Inn. I was greeted by Kak Nor who was in charge of the guesthouse. A pleasant lady with a friendly smile. After asking her some question on lodging and about Taman Negara, to my dismay, I was stunned by the sheer expensive-ness of visiting this old rainforest in Malaya. To visit Taman Negara, it is better to go with a least 3 - 4 person, as the cost of lodging, guide and food could be share among trekkers. It is interesting to talk to Kak Nor. A humble and deligent person. I would say a motherly figure which every person hope their mother is. As I'm the only guest there, we chated up a bit and I got to know her better. She told me about her life and the life of a guide in Taman Negara. She is actually a Chinese by orgins but was adopted by a malay family and brought up as a muslim. She marry a local and have kids of her own now. To supplement the family, she work for this company who run a tour and guesthouse business in Jerantut and Taman Negara.
While chating another guest came into the guesthouse. The guest was a handicap who had problems with his lower body and uses two clutches. He has difficultly climbing up the stairs as the guesthouse was located at the second level. He also has dark complexion, when at first glance, you might think he is Malay, but the fact is, he is Chinese. He and Kak Nor seems to know each other from the way they talk. Kak Nor told me that he met an accident while working on board a ship. Now he sell household posion and also service household call. I did not ask specifically his trip here today was for work or just passing through? Thou I'm curious, but I gather it is better to mind my own business. He was one of those mysterious and strange people I met on my trip (my trip has not even really started yet!) Which was wonderfully intriguing. Despite his handicap, he still continues to wander around Malaysia and sell household posion for a living. That touches my heart. If a person have the determination to set their mind to do something, no matter how bad and provertise the situation is, life will find a way to survive and succeed.
After a long day since my departure from Singapore, I slept in my bunk with three empty beds. I really can't sleep because it was my first night of my journey with the overwhelming feeling of spaces and the "New" world. The experience of taking a "aircon" train with the locals on my way to Jerantut was already a test of challenging situations to come? The feeling of meeting new people with stories of far flung travelers' tales to tell fill my imagination. The landscape, the history and the culture that I read in books have all come alive. It is better than any education I have ever received. The world is indeed a learning hub. It never ceased to amaze me.
That following night after a dinner of mee goreng, I told my plans of traveling north to Kak Nor and The Posion man, The Posion Man actually advise me not to travel by south of Thailand as the civil unrest there is still brewing. I took the advice and decided to go by Hat Yai instead and onwards to the coast of Andaman Sea.
The next morning, I help The Posion Man to get down the stairs as we happened to be checking out our rooms. He gave me some last minute traveling advice and we bid farewell and parted our way. I stood there for a minute and watch him as he limp away on his clutches. Life must be tough on him, and yet instead of taking pity onto himself, he choose courage - The courage to face life as it is, that has chosen for him. As I cross the road towards the bus station to search for my KL ticket, rethinking back, I thought he was here for two reason - to service the guesthouse whenever he passes through here and to lodge for a night before moving off to another place. How does the arrangement really take place between him and guesthouse, nobody knows.
Did I also mention that I saw him put some posion on the kitchen floor last night when I answer a nature call? " )
Travel Info:-
S'pore -> Gemas -> Jerantut by train would take you 8 hrs.
Green Leaf Traveller Inn
No. 2, 1st floor, Jalan Diwangsa, Prkt 3 Jerantut, Malaysia
After reaching Jerantut station, a short search bring me to Green Leaf Traveller Inn. I was greeted by Kak Nor who was in charge of the guesthouse. A pleasant lady with a friendly smile. After asking her some question on lodging and about Taman Negara, to my dismay, I was stunned by the sheer expensive-ness of visiting this old rainforest in Malaya. To visit Taman Negara, it is better to go with a least 3 - 4 person, as the cost of lodging, guide and food could be share among trekkers. It is interesting to talk to Kak Nor. A humble and deligent person. I would say a motherly figure which every person hope their mother is. As I'm the only guest there, we chated up a bit and I got to know her better. She told me about her life and the life of a guide in Taman Negara. She is actually a Chinese by orgins but was adopted by a malay family and brought up as a muslim. She marry a local and have kids of her own now. To supplement the family, she work for this company who run a tour and guesthouse business in Jerantut and Taman Negara.While chating another guest came into the guesthouse. The guest was a handicap who had problems with his lower body and uses two clutches. He has difficultly climbing up the stairs as the guesthouse was located at the second level. He also has dark complexion, when at first glance, you might think he is Malay, but the fact is, he is Chinese. He and Kak Nor seems to know each other from the way they talk. Kak Nor told me that he met an accident while working on board a ship. Now he sell household posion and also service household call. I did not ask specifically his trip here today was for work or just passing through? Thou I'm curious, but I gather it is better to mind my own business. He was one of those mysterious and strange people I met on my trip (my trip has not even really started yet!) Which was wonderfully intriguing. Despite his handicap, he still continues to wander around Malaysia and sell household posion for a living. That touches my heart. If a person have the determination to set their mind to do something, no matter how bad and provertise the situation is, life will find a way to survive and succeed.
After a long day since my departure from Singapore, I slept in my bunk with three empty beds. I really can't sleep because it was my first night of my journey with the overwhelming feeling of spaces and the "New" world. The experience of taking a "aircon" train with the locals on my way to Jerantut was already a test of challenging situations to come? The feeling of meeting new people with stories of far flung travelers' tales to tell fill my imagination. The landscape, the history and the culture that I read in books have all come alive. It is better than any education I have ever received. The world is indeed a learning hub. It never ceased to amaze me.
That following night after a dinner of mee goreng, I told my plans of traveling north to Kak Nor and The Posion man, The Posion Man actually advise me not to travel by south of Thailand as the civil unrest there is still brewing. I took the advice and decided to go by Hat Yai instead and onwards to the coast of Andaman Sea.
The next morning, I help The Posion Man to get down the stairs as we happened to be checking out our rooms. He gave me some last minute traveling advice and we bid farewell and parted our way. I stood there for a minute and watch him as he limp away on his clutches. Life must be tough on him, and yet instead of taking pity onto himself, he choose courage - The courage to face life as it is, that has chosen for him. As I cross the road towards the bus station to search for my KL ticket, rethinking back, I thought he was here for two reason - to service the guesthouse whenever he passes through here and to lodge for a night before moving off to another place. How does the arrangement really take place between him and guesthouse, nobody knows.
Did I also mention that I saw him put some posion on the kitchen floor last night when I answer a nature call? " )
Travel Info:-
S'pore -> Gemas -> Jerantut by train would take you 8 hrs.
Green Leaf Traveller Inn
No. 2, 1st floor, Jalan Diwangsa, Prkt 3 Jerantut, Malaysia
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
Yesterday night, before my train trip up to Malaysia, I was still doing my last minute packing. I was so disorganize and messy ! Thank God I finally "finished" stuffing clothes by 4 am this morning. I had a good breakfast with my beloved girlfriend and arrive early for my train. It is a good start for my trip, a good sign of better things to come ? Thinking back while still working for my old company, I have been dreaming of this day to arrive and finally it did. It seem so surreal. This overland trip towards the north and beyond have its cocktail of fears, uncertainly & adventure. To me it is a dream and experience worth more gold bars any man could possess.
The choices and decisions that I made in my life, I hope so far are the right ones. Including this backpacking up north. My initial plan was to try to reach Russia's Trans-Siberia railway via Beijing or other routes that I had not yet figure out. I had nothing, no plans at all. I recall Lao Tzu a famous Confucius for inspiration and he once said :" A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."
With that, I took comfort and push all the "what ifs" aside.
Yesterday night, before my train trip up to Malaysia, I was still doing my last minute packing. I was so disorganize and messy ! Thank God I finally "finished" stuffing clothes by 4 am this morning. I had a good breakfast with my beloved girlfriend and arrive early for my train. It is a good start for my trip, a good sign of better things to come ? Thinking back while still working for my old company, I have been dreaming of this day to arrive and finally it did. It seem so surreal. This overland trip towards the north and beyond have its cocktail of fears, uncertainly & adventure. To me it is a dream and experience worth more gold bars any man could possess.
The choices and decisions that I made in my life, I hope so far are the right ones. Including this backpacking up north. My initial plan was to try to reach Russia's Trans-Siberia railway via Beijing or other routes that I had not yet figure out. I had nothing, no plans at all. I recall Lao Tzu a famous Confucius for inspiration and he once said :" A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."
With that, I took comfort and push all the "what ifs" aside.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The Journey
I have always heard about other people's backpacking stories and how it change their life. This is after all A world that is created for human beings, animals, mammals, insect and other billions of living things living on this planet - The thing they called Life.
The basic curiosity of the human mind is mind blogging itself, but the need to explore and rediscover the world should be important because it can actually shows us how we are connected to each and everyone and every living thing on this planet - and not apart. We are inter-related to each other. By retreating into our own cocoons and safety net of our own society, we established comfort zones which I feel is one of the biggest problem we are facing in the society today. Working in different jobs and environments makes me understand that work experience does not complete a working professional mind. A professional will never be a professional if they don't understand the world we live in.
My last job was in a book distribution company, I figure its time to leave the rat race, and do what I dream and love best. As they say: "The rest is history" I quited my job, and brought a one way train ticket to Malaysia, not knowing the route of return make the journey full of unknowns and an adventure coming my way. I'll absorb whatever and whichever things come on my way, may it be good or bad I'll take it in my full stride, experiencing the whole world raw if I can. This is the only way (in my opinion) to experience life and the world outside.
In this blog, I account on my journey from Singapore to Tibet by overland. People that I have met, things that I do, see and experience. I hope that my account will bring some inspiration to myself once and again, and people who chance upon this blog to pickup a backpack and Travel.
I have always heard about other people's backpacking stories and how it change their life. This is after all A world that is created for human beings, animals, mammals, insect and other billions of living things living on this planet - The thing they called Life.
The basic curiosity of the human mind is mind blogging itself, but the need to explore and rediscover the world should be important because it can actually shows us how we are connected to each and everyone and every living thing on this planet - and not apart. We are inter-related to each other. By retreating into our own cocoons and safety net of our own society, we established comfort zones which I feel is one of the biggest problem we are facing in the society today. Working in different jobs and environments makes me understand that work experience does not complete a working professional mind. A professional will never be a professional if they don't understand the world we live in.
My last job was in a book distribution company, I figure its time to leave the rat race, and do what I dream and love best. As they say: "The rest is history" I quited my job, and brought a one way train ticket to Malaysia, not knowing the route of return make the journey full of unknowns and an adventure coming my way. I'll absorb whatever and whichever things come on my way, may it be good or bad I'll take it in my full stride, experiencing the whole world raw if I can. This is the only way (in my opinion) to experience life and the world outside.
In this blog, I account on my journey from Singapore to Tibet by overland. People that I have met, things that I do, see and experience. I hope that my account will bring some inspiration to myself once and again, and people who chance upon this blog to pickup a backpack and Travel.
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