4D 3N @ Hatyai & Penang Trip ~ Day 3&4

I had been super lazy lately, therefore, now I will continue my blog for Hatyai & Penang trip.

Please start your reading from the Day 1 and then continue to Day 2.

Well at Day 3, is actually the shortest since we have to travel to Penang from Hatyai by minivan. Most of our time is wasted at the journey and it took us like 5 hours to reach Penang. We woke up as early as 8am and had our simple breakfast opposite the place we stay. 

Opposite The Bed hotel 

We had our breakfast next to the seven-eleven which shown in the picture.

Since the minivan going to pick us up at the bed hotel at 9am, therefore having a quick breakfast from nearby is the only option for us. Since in a rush, I did not manage to snap of pic of our breakfast. However, I still will share the cost of our breakfast is 100THB, which include a pack of fried 'youtio', a bowl of noodle soup and a glass of coffee.

After check-out, we waited at the Bed hotel for 20 minutes before the minivan arrive. Haiz... it late ler, is it because of the time different?! after picking us up, the minivan going around other place to pick up more passenger. We leaving to Penang around 10:30am, then travelling to border of Thailand which taken around half hour there queuing. By the time we finally reach Penang, Komtar is at 3pm. OMG~ this is super long and I was so regret that maybe we should consider taking a flight instead... (but it won't be budget anymore....)

Having some friends in Penang do helps as she will be bring us around and continue with our food hunt. Since we are yet having any lunch, as soon as we reach Penang, our friends quickly bring us to some nice food.

from top left - famous teochew cendol, chai kueh, chee cheong fun

bottom left - char kuey tiew and asam laksa

When one person is hungry, he or she will.... order all the food available, eating and tasting all the available food and no talking or complaint about the food. Am I right? that is what happen to us while consume all the above food. As expected form the Penang road famous cendol, all the food is super delicious especially the cendol, all thumb up. Since the weather is super hot in Penang, having one of this cendol is like bringing me back to an heaven... (I think this is abit....- too much drama?)

The room for 4 pax

The view from the room and bathroom

Thanks for the help from our friend, she help us to book a big room with two king size bed. Cool right? Curious on where we stay? R-Residence at Gelugor, Penang. If I not mistaken, the room rate is at RM200 per night for the above room. To be honest, this is not a hotel or inn, basically is an corner lot Banglow, that converted to homestay. We do enjoy this place as it like a hostel which you can share the facility in the living room, kitchen and even car porch. Is not a bad place to stay over all.

After taken shower and rest, now is dinner time. From now on, my friend lead us to the best food in Penang and she even paid for all the food therefore, I had no idea where and how much is every meal cost. I was so touch and even feel bad since she had become our driver and even by us meal.

The market and the church in town

Pass by some cafe and shops

This seem to a popular place, and we are here for the wan tan mee

From R-residence to the town is about 20mins. I realize that parking is always an issue in Penang, as we had to park our car quite a distance to walk to Campbell street for the wan tan mee. The noodle is not bad but bit messy. Compare to the one I normally had in KL, is the chili and wan tan (soup) is separated and the sauces is bit dry.

Who said noodle can keep you full, so second round dinner is travelling all the way to another end of Penang which reach Bayan Lepas, Pisa Corner cafe. As you can see from the picture below, this is quite a happening place, and I can see there is lots of food stalls = more variety food.

The view of Pisa Corner Cafe

White Curry and Honey BBQ Chicken

Fried Oyster Omelette 

How can stop eating when you at Penang? now thinking back is like a food marathon here. After finish the second round dinner... guess what? time for supper!? hahaha~ is true... we tapao some food back and bought a 3 bottles of beer to continue happy hour at our room. Having a place where you can access and have the plate, spoon and fork, glass and others utensil is cool.

Apam, Satay, Roti Canai and Beer~ CHEERS!!!

Sleeping with the tummy full, this is how I get fat in Penang. I really duno how and when we fall asleep but we really have a nice sleep till the morning. So here come the day 4~

We planned to have breakfast at Toh Soon cafe but... what a luck~

CLOSED - OMG

What a bad luck we had... so change planned. Now my friend bring us to another famous cafe... 

Famous of lots rich people and political people use to have their coffee and tea here. This place name is... Kedai Kopi Kong Thai Lai. 

Nasi lemak and Coffee

Tea for me and Roti bakar and Steam roti

An authentic breakfast for local, the tea is nice since I don't take coffee and I had the nasi lemak and a slice of kaya butter roast bread. I not use to have the steam type of bread which I feel a bit too much yeast smell. My friends had the half boiled egg, which is not my favorite >>> scare of high cholesterol. 

After the breakfast, we have to check out by 12pm, therefore, we had everything pack and ready to go off as our flight back to KL is in the evening 6pm. We enjoy our stay and even made some friends in the home-stay. First thing after check-out will be... FOOD again? seriously?! Lunch time...

My friend wanted to drive us to the famous Asam Laksa in Balik Pulau... but guess what?! CLOSED

Again, we set for another alternative shop available there.

Asam Laksa, Nutmeg Drink, Popia and Fried Belacan chicken

We know Balik Pulau is famous with durian, however, we are too early for the season. Therefore, we finally set for the local kampung durian instead. Well, at least we had the durian at Balik Pulau. Mission accomplished... hahahaha~

Local Kampung Durian - RM15/Kg

Well, if I remember correctly is around RM15 or RM17 per kg. Since mostly the food is my friends paying so I really very much appreciate it. So touch with the hospitality provided and even keep on treating us meal by meal. No wonder I can gain 3kg after this trip. From Balik Pulau to Penang airport is around 30mins drive, but the three of us is already super sleepy with the stomach full. We reach the airport around 4pm and slowly taking our time to check in and waiting for our flight back KL. 

Overall, This 4D 3N Hatyai & Penang Trip is enjoyable and all of us is really enjoy eating lots until we totally forget about getting fat. Every time when we travel is always time flies therefore, we had to enjoy till fullest. That is life~ No waste and no turn back time... so continue step forward and explore the world!!! 

Cheers~  

Asam Laksa & Tong Sui @ Separk, Petaling Jaya

Let me take a break from blogging on my Hatyai-Penang trip~

Last weekend, both me and my husband went to IKEA Damansara to celebrate IKEA Turns 20'~ though is was fun and there are tons of people but it become pain when you want to dine in for a meal in IKEA restaurants. We was there for couple of hours to play games and then decided to leave IKEA for late lunch.

Decided what and where to have a quick lunch especially when you hungry is kinda make one depress. After getting my car, I decided to drive to Seapark and hope that the AIK Prawn Noodle is available. Too bad, by the time we reached around 2:30pm and they told us the prawn noodle is finish?! sold out?! Therefore, we had to settle down with their Asam Laksa.

Yes, is was a food truck~

AIK Prawn Noodle and Asam Laksa is located next to the market. They are super famous with prawn noodle and Asam Laksa and normally open from noon till sold out. If you go on weekend, that is the crowd from their open till sold out.

Up-close of the stall or food truck from inside

As written in the truck, they are open from 12pm till 5pm, but trust me, they probably sold out before that. Besides, they closed on Monday. Well it make sense, since the market also closed on every Monday too.

Asam Laksa - RM6.00 (small)

A small bowl of Asam Laksa cost RM6.00, cheap or reasonable? Personally, is was quite expensive if you ask me as we all know what are the ingredient normally served. The taste is not bad, and the broth or soup is so tasty which make me craving for more. As for the noodle was just so so, which I would expect it would be more tender and smooth.

After the quick lunch, thought of going back home due to the hot sun, but guess what, we found a newly open dessert restaurant, or I would rather refer to a snack or tea break shop. As we are curious to see people queuing for the fresh fried 'Youtiao' in mandarin or 'You Char Kway' in Cantonese. While passing the place, I wan eyeing since I saw they serve beancurb dessert, 'tou fu fah'.

Fried You Cha Kway and dessert Tou Fu Fah & Mak Chuk

I was too excited until forget to take picture of the shop. Well, I am still hungry even after the Asam Laksa. I had choose a plain 'you cha kway' and a another sweet type of 'you cha kway'. As for the dessert or 'tong sui', I had the beancurb with brown sugar and my husband go for 'Mak Chuk' or sweeten wheat porridge. The dessert is not bad but a little too sweet for us. If I not mistaken the total bill come out to be around RM 8.00+/- 

The small eatery shop named, Yuen Ting Cafe. Besides, they did serve several dessert and few common Chinese fried dough, They also have economy noodle and others sides. The small shop is located opposite the market before towards Seapark famous Pasembur and Cendol. It was super easy to located where they directly opposite the wet market.   

4D 3N @ Hatyai & Penang Trip ~ Day 2

If you missed the my first day in Hatyai, click here.

For the second day in Hatyai, first thing to do in the morning is breakfast!!! Whenever I travel, first thing to concern is a good breakfast to start my day. The hotel we are staying did not provide any breakfast therefore, we are good in our own. Upon walking out from the hotel there are lots of tuk tuk will ask you where to go or they will even suggest where you should go?!

After some research before going to Hatyai, Dim Sum is already in my check list. Trust me, non of the local especially tuk tuk, will not know this place, Chok Kee Dim Sum & Bak Kut Teh restaurant. we took a tuk tuk with 20THB per person this restaurant. Reaching there at 8 o'clock in the morning didn't seem to be early as the restaurant is fully pack.

The Chok Kee Restaurant signboard & my Thai ice tea

Self-pick dim sum and the morning crowd

Variety of dim-sum and bak kut teh  

Our choice of dim sum

Luckily, we are only 3 pax, so easily can get seat, once you seated they give you number so you can go to the counter to choose your dim-sum. The Bak Kut Teh is a must, since most of the table orderand we can have it while waiting for the dim sum to heat up. The total cost for the breakfast is 384THB, with 10 variety of dim sum, 1 small bak kut teh and 3 drinks. Overall, is still affordable but I still prefer the dim sum in Malaysia, maybe as I use to it.

After such a heavy breakfast, next destination will be... Shopping or walking around Hatyai. We took a tuk tuk from Chok Kee to Kim Yong market at 20THB per pax. This market is huge and they have 2 famous market in Hatyai, one is Kim Yong another is Talad Sat Market. Both market is along walking distance to each other.

The interchange road where the market start 

fresh vegetable 

local food?! 

Kim yong market - indoor 

Talad Sat market  

opposite of market is Hatyai Plaza

Things in Hatyai is not really cheap. Especially, in this two market since you might see more Malaysian or Singaporean shopping here. There are some local also shopping here, but I am sure they might getting cheaper price compare to us. Both market is huge and the things that selling almost similar or I would say is same. 

After walking for whole morning, we just realis is almost time for lunch. Therefore, we just stop at a stall nearby the market and have our early lunch.

Soup noodle and braise pork rice 

Chicken porridge

This stall is directly opposite the entrance of Talad Sat market, simple but cozy stall. They serve local food but the serving is quite small which is just nice for us, since we are still full with breakfast. The lunch cost us total of 130THB, which we did not order any drink. After lunch, we are too tired to walk back hotel under the hot sun, so tuk tuk again.

We are staying in P-residence, most of the Tuk Tuk do not know of this place, however, if you mention The Bed, trust me, they all know. This hotel is located next to the bed but you might need to walk all 50 meter in. 

P-Residence and the room with triple sharing

We booked the hotel online, if I am not mistaken the rate is around RM100/night, which seem quite reasonable and review seem to be not bad. About the location, I personally think is ok since is walking distance to Lee Garden Plaza and wifi is available throughout the hotel. The only thing about this hotel is they do not have any fridge and quite lots of mosquito. We are unlucky enough as there was a blackout in the afternoon when we want to have a nap after a long walk at the market. However, the electricity came back after 3 hours later.

waiting place for free shutter & the view of the Central Festival Mall 

The view of the outside the Mall

After some rest we walk to the central shopping mall which located opposite Lee Garden plaza to take the free shuttle service to the newly shopping mall, Central Festival Mall. It located at the southern Hatyai which directly opposite the bus terminal. 

Western Food

Out of curiosity, we tried the western food in one of the restaurant at the mall. We had type of steak and 2 drinks, the bill come out to be 401 THB. The weather is too hot and humid outside even though it already 6pm. We find it so comfortable to walk around this new central mall as it was clean, spacious and the air-conditioning is cold. 

Long after the sun down, we had decided to walk to the nearby night market. There are 2 night market nearby which is Asean night market and another one slightly further is Greenway night market. 

The stall 

Local Food

 

Variety of dessert and my favorite yum mama

As mentions earlier, the food in Hatyai is never cheap. The yum mama noodle which I ordered (forget to took picture due to super excited) is cost 60THB and a grill squid already cost me 75THB. The reason we did not go to the Greenway night bazaar is due to the review is not so good and mostly the vendor selling second goods and we might easily get cheated. TRUE???

After the supper, we went back to hotel by tuk tuk and surprisingly the price is at night is much more expensive than day. We manage to get a tuk tuk at 80THB back to hotel after long bargain with the driver... finally, I end my day by going to nearby 7 eleven to get a beer before going to sleep. It was a long and tiring day~