HatYai, Thailand Trip (Part 2)

 So on the second day, is a jalan-jalan day.

We went breakfast at a Muslim restaurant called Rocky Muslim Restaurant. There, we asked about Municipal Park and Floating Market when the owner offered to bring us there by van for only 1000 baht (RM100). Malas to fikir banyak, we said ok. Later on, since another group of Malaysian joined us, the price lowered to 800baht/2 person. If you want a nicer ride (which I think our van is just fine), you can rent a taxi or ask a travel agency to arrange it

Breakfast.

 The trip was around 1pm. With 4 hours to spare, we went for mosque hunting.

We walked, and walked to the north side of the city for 1 hour with only the city map as our guide.

We got lost.

Then it started to rain. Really really heavily. Luckily, we were near a musholla/Muslim Hatyai Association centre. We run there, and rest for a good 40 minutes. You know how when an unexpected event happens (may it be because of nature or human error), and you can't do anything about it, but to just enjoy it? Well, this is one of it. Layann.

On our way to mosque-hunting when we've been attack.

Men with guns. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Motorbike biking.

Thailand's king. His Highness pictures were everywhere. I thing maybe our PM were inspired by him lah.

Musholla/Hatyai Muslim Association Centre.

Chillex-ing, waiting for rain to stop.

When it's near 1pm, we decided to leave and continue our search for the mosque. A helpful Muslim Thai help us, and within minutes, we were there. We took some pictures, and headed back (we didn't go inside, since many guys were there for Jumaat prayer).

As we walked back, we heard the call of prayer. Loud and clear.

"Allahu akbar, Allaaaaahu akbarr!"

It was still drizzling.  Lailah and I looked at each other, and just smile. Smile.

mosque hunting

Masjid Jama'

Sooooo off we go. We were joined with a family of 5 from Langkawi. Friendly bunch of folks.

First, we went to Ice Dome. For 300 baht, you can enjoy (and feel) a cold ice sculptured exhibition inside. Not really our thing, we just waited outside.

Then to Chang Puak Camp. It is an activity camp which has elephant riding, archery and ATV rides. Lailah chose elephant rides (500 baht for 30 minutes) whereas I chose to try Indian archery (150 baht for 10 arrows). The highlight for me there, was feeding the elephants. No elephant's snot are too big for me to handle. Hehe.

Then, we went to Buddha and Guan Yin temple. Located at a hill, it gives you an amazing view of Hatyai City. Well worth it. There's also a cable car there for 400 baht. We chose to walk between the Buddha and Guan Yin temple. Along the trek, you can find other statues, though it's not well maintain compared to the ones in the temple.

Thais pouring water to Buddha statues

At outside Ice Dome Park

Chang Puak Camp

elephant riding

Hasil archery saya!

Buddha temple

people praying.

Bells

View of Hatyai City

Kami!

Mari ber-trek ke bawah!

Guan Yin temple. See the Buddha statue? That is how far you have to come dowm from Buddha temple to here.

Statue on the way to Guan Yin temple

 So the last pit stop, is the Floating Market.

It is an attempted floating market like in Bangkok. They sell food from their sampan, which is kinda cool for someone who haven't experience that. Food price range between 20-50baht and sellers were mostly Muslims. My favourite is definitely their drinks. Instead of plastic or paper container, they use a designer clay thingie. The have a varieties of food to chose. So don't worry, and just eat.

Makan Lailah makan,

Buah shaped dessert

Sampan

Drinks!

Dinner. Yang last, ice cream kelapa dalam clay pot tak ambil gambar.

makan!

Then we headed back.

The city  was jammed pack with people. Traffic was crazy. Water was everywhere. It was Songkran Eve anyways.

When we arrived, Lailah chose to call it a day. I on the other hand, headed to the muay thai ring -again.

I will say this. There's something about watching live muay thai fights . The shirtless oily fighters, their pre-dancing ritual, those high kick ass kicks, the live instrumental music, the "hooo! hoo! hoo!" cheers from the crowds..ahhhh..I was glued there. Never did I thought I will enjoy such painful 'sport'.

And, that was the end of our 2nd day Alhamdullilah.