No flood! No flood, don’t worry so much. That had been bothering me weeks before the trip too. We went on 25th November till 28th November 2011 just as the flood alert reaches Southern Thailand. This trip was organized by my cousin whereby it’s 4 days 2 nights (1 night on the bus). For those who hates to sit long hours, please take airplane. No doubt the bus was spacious, but lack of sleep and many many pee-stops during the journey can really make someone grumpy.
** Very sorry that this trip was pre-arranged by the tour company. Not very sure of the directions and I will help as long as I’m able to. Just enjoy the picture ya~
Our Thai tour guide…Ah OOOoooo
The journey started at 8.30pm and the bus went to a few stations to pick up more passengers. We managed to be the FIRST to arrive at the Padang Besar Immigration center @ 5.00am. Thank God. Much much shorter queue.
Our breakfast. Chicken and roasted pork rice
My super adorable auntie and uncle
Thai roasted pork is very yummy. Extremely crispy skin and not very salty @50 baht
i love Mogu Mogu
Guan Gong Statue
A few flight of stairs and you will see this beautiful scenery
Kuan Yin Statue (Goddess of Mercy)
The weather was very forgiving. Drizzle stopped and cloudy day. Couldn’t be better
You can buy birds to release them (as part of the good deeds but what’s the point?). I believed they will be caught back..sigh
Smiling Buddha Statue
After Kuan Yin temple, we proceed to a restaurant/nightclub/motel/lounge to have a taste of bird nest. Chinese has this belief that bird nest (which is actually saliva of cave swifts). If you really wish to know more, click here.
Seriously, I think they sell girls saliva at night…
Hmm..the texture is similar to un-dissolve jelly or shredded winter melon. Its tasteless and normally boiled with rock sugar. Give it a try…
According to the tour guide, this snack is the next big thing in Thailand. Crispy fish skins coated with slight Tom Yum powder
*****
Next, we proceed to Ice Dome. The entrance fee for an adult is 300baht. Not cheap but for me, I think it’s worth it. Trousers and shoes were not provided. If you came in sandals (like me), good luck.
Mini-briefing by Ah OOOOooooo
Female were given pink sweater, male; blue and little kid; yellow.
Welcome to Hat Yai ICE DOME!!!!
Look, Ma! We’re in China!!!
Giant fancy slide for adult and kids…Don’t worry. Your ass will be fine. Carpet was given for you to slide down.
Kung fu panda
My toes were freezing. Felt like dropping off soon
Just when you thought you were dying, they made you walk through an ice maze. @$)#$$@(#)$$(#$)! Winter and maze…big no no!!
Say “Freeze”
My little penguin
Journey to the West
My dear dear experienced sharp pain around his ears. They were very red. Utilize the hood ok? And if you guys really can’t stand the coldness anymore, nearby staffs will bring you out to the nearest exit.
WOW!
Us
Oh! My ass~
A few thing to remember when you entered Ice Dome:
1. For those who brought camera inside, “ON” it before entering and once you are inside, DO NOT switch it off at all. After exiting, then only switch OFF to let it settle down for about 15mins before using it again.
2. Same goes to Handphone
*****
@2.00pm, we checked-into our hotel. Diamond Plaza hotel. Ideal for shoppers. To go Central, Odean and Lee Garden Plaza, just take the Left turn from hotel and turn Left again at the junction. You will see McDonald signage and there you are!
View from our room. Sorry. Forgot to take the room picture
Follow hardcore aunties to shopping
Wet market
Coconut Ice-cream 20baht. So good after a hot day
Selling just outside the hotel
Diamond Plaza Hotel. Saw the ice-cream seller? Hehe
I will continue our journey to Stainless Steel temple in Part 2. It was very beautiful. Don’t miss it ok? Feeling sleepy now. Good night. Bye bye everyone.
