Hatyai - Krabi, 26 Oct 2012

HATYAI~~
By 8am (Malaysian time, i.e. Thailand is 1hr behind Malaysia). Note ~ entire trip, we based our timing on Malaysian timing so as not to confuse one another :)

Alex, Rocker57 and I set off to a restaurant a "javelin's" throw away from where we stayed for breakfast. This time we are having Dim Sum! Thai style. We had plenty of time to kill as we had to wait for 2 other bikers to join us on our ride to Krabi. Another 4 bikers (1 from KL and 3 from Penang) were already in Krabi the night before. They arrived a day earlier while we decided to stay in Hatyai instead. All in all, 8 bikers heading to Krabi but traveling on different timing & route.

Cook Chai Dim Sum

Cook Chai serves Bak Kut Teh & some place to order meals as well. Half an hour after we sat down, the entire restaurant was filled leaving many patrons waiting to be seated! When we arrived, we had to luxury of choosing where we wanted to seat. What a sudden change. Must be a good place to eat judging from the crowd, both locals and visitors alike.

We had this, this, and this and that :

12 'baskets' of dim sum & 3 black coffee

"Lor-Mai-Kai" aka Glutinous rice with Chicken

"Har Kau" aka prawn dumpling

"Siew Pau" aka BBQ pork dumplings & steam pork ribs

Siew Mai

Chive with minced meat dumpling

Stuff Bitter gourd & taufu

2 types of chili. foreground chili is sweet.

12 baskets and 3 coffee = 270baht! so cheeeeaap!!! Taste wise? Acquired taste but it's passable. We returned to our rooms to pack while waiting for the 2 bikers to arrive from KL. About 11.40am, loud Vrrrrroooom was heard from my room on the 7th floor! They have arrived!!! Poor guys must be tired : Sam & Ah Yat started their ride at 4.30am!!! And they were caught in the rain for two hours from Slim River until Juru!!

Sam was hungry, so after a quick shower & short rest, we headed for some Thai street food. And so, how was it? See picture :

My verdict of our chicken rice? The free range chicken did regular work out at the nearest gym before being slaughtered!! It was lean & mean with not even a milligram of fat on it's skin. Each serving comes with sliced cucumber, gizzards & half of the heart, I think?!? And a bowl of soup. Despite the gym work out, the meat wasn't tough. I gave half my rice portion to Ah Yat that's why my plate looks empty. The bird's eye chili concoction was good - tangy, spicy and tantalizing. What's the garlic for? Tell you later. A plate costs 40baht.

Well fed & sated, we were geared up for our 292km ride to Krabi. Sam with his Garmin ZUMO GPS led the way to Krabi but Ah Yat led us out of Hatyai using all the shortcuts!! In no time, we were on the Phatthalung freeway towards Krabi. We stopped at Trang's Robinson for tea break. Trang is a huge township!

We had our cuppa at Richy, inside Robinson

Happy riders (L) : Sam, Rocker57, Alex & Ah Yat

drinks & cake.

Trang is about 151km from Hatyai. We have another 141km to reach Ao Nang Sunset Resort, Krabi (our lodging). Just for info, fuel fluctuates daily & differs from station to station. Our rates were :

KRABI!!!
So, Malaysian's should keep mum & be pleased with the subsidized fuel (I am!). We arrived at our resort at 6pm. 5 hours on the road! We rested at the lobby with our welcome drink.

Big bikes : 2 BMWs, 2 Yamahas & 4 Kawasakis

And our room?? For RM167 two nights stay, it was a really good bargain. Check out the room :

 A short routine rest, shower & freshen up, we walked the town of Ao Nang in search for dinner. Alex recommended all you can eat Buffet at Bernie's place for 250baht.

 My verdict? Worth every baht considering a huge burger set meal at Burger King's was 265baht, Bernie's Place is truly value for money. Ryan & his girlfriend joined us. We chatted, laughed and dined. Meanwhile, the 3 Penang bikers rented scooters and was happily zooming around town.

A short walk after dinner, we entered Haagen Dazs for drinks and ice-cream. 2 scoops of ice cream was 250baht, a tad pricier than Malaysia. Ryan & partner did not join us at Haagen Dazs, it was only Alex, Sam, Ah Yat and us. 

At Haagen Dazs, we traded a lot of stories and even shared some personal stuff in confidence. In that relatively short few hours, I really got to know these guys better and truly appreciate their sharing.

We were joined with the rest of the bikers close to midnight at the resort's coffee house. We chatted till 1past before calling it a day.

Great ride, good company and fabulous weather. Aaah....life is good.

Join me tomorrow as we check out Ao Nang beach & what they have. Until tomorrow... Kob Kun Kaa for reading my blog :)