This is my first ever review. I never thought I'd write a review before, because I'm not a good photographer. But I love to travel, so this time I thought I'd like to record this trip in writing so that I can come back and read it again in the future.
The journey began in Bangkok, flying to Hat Yai. We spent one night in Hat Yai. In the morning, my travel companion had to go to the office first, while I woke up late, showered, got dressed, and waited.
When my travel companion returned, they took me to eat at Pa Chua's, a restaurant serving Khanom Jeen (rice noodles) and fried chicken, a local favorite in Hat Yai.
Then, our international journey began. We rushed to book tickets to Penang. The staff at KST company were very helpful, helping us find tickets to Penang in time for the 12.30 pm round by contacting another company as the bus was already full. The van picked up passengers, and this time, there were only two Thais on the whole bus, the rest were foreigners (it reminded me of going to Vang Vieng several years ago). Then we fell asleep and woke up again at the Padang Besar checkpoint in Sadao district, Songkhla province.
We walked to the Thai passport checkpoint first, then queued up at the Malaysian checkpoint. It took about 2 hours because there were a lot of people. When we crossed the border, the van took us on a route that was not the main road because there were JPJ officers waiting to catch us on the highway. Along the way, the van driver kept calling other vans to ask where the JPJ were. The foreigners in the van had to open Google Maps and ask the driver, "Where are you going to Georgetown?" The foreigners must have been wondering why we were driving into the jungle. It took about 2 hours and 15 minutes from the border. We arrived at the Penang Bridge to enter Penang.
On the first day, we stayed at Link Hotel. The staff were very friendly and spoke fluent English. As for me, I just blinked and mumbled my way through it.
After washing our faces and brushing our teeth, we went out to find something to eat because our stomachs were growling loudly. There was a food court in front of the hotel, so we went in and ordered Char Gway Teow. The taste was nothing to write home about. For a South Thailand native like me, it was bland. But hey, it's their taste, right? I understand now why my mom always eats everything when she visits Malaysia. Our food is really delicious.
We were full and continued walking to the Comta building to catch a bus to Gurney Drive. We asked the locals for directions and were told to take bus number 103. The fare was 1.4 ringgit.
We arrived at Gurney Plaza, but we were confused about how to get to our next destination. We remembered seeing a review that said we had to walk through the mall, so we started walking randomly. "I think this is the way," I said. "Come on." "Oh, I found it! There it is! Let's go!" When we arrived at the market, we were confused about what to eat because everything looked the same. Each store seemed to sell similar items. We walked around once to find a seat, then bought three things. I don't remember what they were called. We started eating, but it wasn't delicious. (Why are you always tricking me, stars?)
After finishing our meal, we rushed to 7-11 to buy water and beer, and then sat down to relax by the sea. I have to say, our sea is really more beautiful. We sat there watching the scenery and observing the local way of life. After finishing a can of beer each, it was around 11 pm, so we headed back to the hotel. We waited for the bus for a while, and then we realized... Oh, this road is one way! Well, let's find a lucky person to ask for directions. And we got the answer: you have to walk through this alley and wait on the other side of the road. Along the way, why didn't we see any stray dogs like we do at home? 5555 After waiting for the bus for a long time, we finally got off at the bus stop near our hotel. We took a shower and went to sleep.
February 20, 16, morning. Our hotel includes breakfast, so I woke up the person next to me and said, "Let's go have breakfast." (This is breakfastttt? That's all?) We lowered our heads and ate.
After we were full, we went to the Kok Lok Si Temple to see the Chinese temple. On the way there, we took pictures of the scenery as we rode the bus.
Traveling by bus number 203 The bus stop here is very good. It clearly tells the time when the bus will arrive and how many minutes it will take to reach our stop.
It took about 45 minutes by car to reach the magnificent and impressive Kok Lok Si Temple.
And then walked into the temple, walked around to look.
Here, there is a cable car to take you up to pay respects to the Goddess of Mercy for 6 ringgit (round trip). Walk up to see the temple for 2 ringgit each.
We took the bus back to the Comta building and ate KFC. But KFC here doesn't have spoons or knives like back home. Looking around, every table was using their hands. We were so hungry, we just went for it.
After we were full, we walked to get tickets to Ipoh. We got tickets for 23 ringgit each and a van to take us to the bus station for 5 ringgit each. We traveled by bus, the roads in Malaysia are very good. People here travel on highways, the roads have no potholes like in Thailand.
After a 2-hour journey, we arrived in Ipoh at around 10 pm. We booked a hotel through Agoda, Golden Roof Hotel. We started asking people around how to get to the hotel. What bus route can we take? Then we heard, "Oh, so far from here!!!! Taxi only, no bus." The taxi fare was 35 ringgit. The two of us looked at each other. You tricked us again, Star! You said it was a small town where you could walk everywhere, but why does everyone say "So far !!!!!"
The kind taxi uncle chatted with us about this and that, and offered to take us to Cameron for 250 ringgit. We told him it was okay, we'd stay here tonight. We checked into the hotel, unpacked, and went out to find something to eat. We were so hungry and sticky, and really wanted to take a shower. I forgot to mention, Ipoh and Penang are very hot, even hotter than Thailand.
February 21st, 2016. Today, I have to go to Cameron Highlands. I woke up the person next to me and said, "Hey, wake up! We're going to be late." Here's the plan: We booked the ETS train back home for tomorrow. We'll take the high-speed train, check out the buses to Cameron Highlands, and then come back to Ipoh to sleep. We'll be able to go home tomorrow. I miss the food at home so much.
We checked out of the hotel and asked the hotel to call a taxi to the train station. The taxi fare was 15 ringgit, and the price was non-negotiable. So far!!! Where is anything close here? Why do I only hear "So far" everywhere? While riding in the taxi, I asked the taxi driver how to get to the train station and bus station. The taxi driver said, "Let me give you a discount. I'll only charge you 5 ringgit. You go book your train ticket, and I'll wait and take you to the bus station." I thought to myself, "I read reviews on pantip that Ipoh is a small city. You can walk everywhere." Why is everyone here saying "So far"?! Whatever, I'm already here, so I might as well take a taxi. We took a taxi from the train station and arrived at the bus station in less than 2 minutes. (I got scammed first thing in the morning.) You tricked me again, Star! The bus to Cameron Highlands leaves at 11 am. So let's go find a hotel first and come back in the evening so we don't have to look for a hotel. We dragged our luggage to find a hotel. Oh, there are no hotels here. We walked for a while longer, and our stomachs started to growl. We saw a hotel nearby with a food court next to it. Let's eat first, I'm so hungry.
Check in Check in to the hotel Go to the bathroom
I walked back to the bus station at 11:15 am. I asked the old man who sold the tickets, the bus had already left. There is another round at 3 pm. Oh my god, yesterday I arrived at the bus station before the bus left, the bus was late for an hour. Today I was 15 minutes late, it was gone. I missed the bus. I can't go to Cameron anymore. Because if I go at 3 pm, I will arrive at Cameron at 5 pm. There is a bus back from Cameron at 6 pm. I only have one hour on that, not enough. What should we do? Where should we go next? I walked around the bus station. Let's go to the temple. I asked the driver, it takes about 1.30 hours to get there by car. The next bus leaves at 1 pm. I asked the person next to me if they wanted to go to the temple. She said no, let's go back to the hotel and sleep. Let's rest. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped by Old town white coffee to eat kaya toast. It is the first shop of white coffee in Malaysia.
Walking around the IT mall here is like Pantip in our country, but things are much more expensive.
After a good rest, it's time to go out and explore the city. Stop by Old Town White Coffee for a cup of coffee and some of the city's famous food.
It's getting late. Let's go have a beer and enjoy the city view here on the rooftop of the Ibis Hotel. How do we get there? Where is it? Then we met a teenager and asked for directions. Oh, so far again? Why is it so far? Everything is far away. But luck was on our side when this kind young man said, "I'm going to eat nearby. Come with me." Wow, we got a free ride! He even dropped us off at our destination. We invited him to visit Thailand. Call us, we'll be your guide.
Enjoy a beer, read a book, and take in the view. The hipster way.
We're just getting hungry, girls. Let's go to the night market and then head back to the hotel to sleep. Let's walk from Ibis to the night market. I'm hungry, let's stop and eat first.
Full, go back to the hotel to sleep. The person next to me sips beer and watches TV. It's a relaxation.
22 Feb 16 Go home Get up, take a shower, get dressed, and go eat dim sum in Ipoh. When I got to the restaurant, it was closed. Let's go to the food court across the street.
Then I dragged my suitcase to the train station. It was very crowded.
The train is here! Let's go home. Train times, ticket prices and the atmosphere inside the train.
This trip made me realize that our neighboring countries have developed a lot, judging from the high-speed train. However, our food is much more delicious. I love Thailand even more.
wiwella
Friday, September 27, 2024 9:57 AM