Last week I had the most imponderable joy of visiting Hat Yai with a few of my friends...Hat Yai is situated in southern Thailand (in case you didn't know) and it's the largest city of the Songkhla province.
Fun fact: Hat Yai is short for "Mahat Yai" which means big Mahat tree ( a close relative of jackfruits)
Not that I'm a fan of Jackfruits anyways...
We took off at 11pm on Friday night, only to arrive more than 12 hours later (due to the unruly jam at the Malaysia-Thai border). Nevertheless, this did not crush our anticipating spirits as we were all dying to sink our teeth into assorted Thai cuisine and delicacies...
Mind you, nothing can describe Thailand better than the word "Food". Everywhere you go, you see food...Fast food (some which by the way, you can't get in Malaysia)
Cause its PORK!
Familiar ones like these:
Local ones like these:
Refreshing ones like these:
Bizzarre ones like these:
Note to self: Malaysia isn't the only country with awesome food...
As you can see, it was a weekend of just stuffing ourselves with food, food and MORE FOOD...
Of course, we needed to see Hat Yai in more cultural way so there were a few places that we decided to drop by (just to make it seem it wasn't all about the food)
There were the buddhist temples to see (after all Thailand is a buddhist country). It doesn't matter though, if you're a not a buddhist, because the structure and architecture of the temples and statues are definitely worth a look.
And as you can see the scenery from above the templed hill tops is beautiful. Overlooking the city of Hat Yai, you'll be mesmerized by the breathtaking combination of nature and man-made.
And now,
3 tips on how to get over the blazing heat in Hat Yai...
Tip #1:
Get your sunblock on...
Tools like umbrellas, sunglasses and sunblock lotions are a must!
Tip #2:
Make use of the architectures, hide in shady places..
Also great places to pose for the camera with your friends..:)
Once you're in great company, you'll soon forget the blazing heat.
Tip #3:
Head over to the Hat Yai Ice Dome...duh...
Because as soon as you step inside this frozen dome, you'll start to worry of getting frozen instead...
This frozen refrigerator is home to various ice sculptures (much more to see than the pathetic snow world in Mines wonderland). The ice sculptures are actually original ice carvings from Harbin China, and this dome is to mark the good relations between Thailand and China.
With sculptures of famous landmarks from all around the world (including the Taj Mahal, the Merlion, Pagoda of 5 levels, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Petronas Twin Towers and so much more), the Hat Yai Ice dome, definitely on the places to visit checklist..:)
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Next place on the list to head over to: The Khong Hae Floating Market
One of the most popular tourist hit in Hat Yai, this unique little market consist of hundreds of tiny little "sampans" bobbing up and down along the local river (practically the main buzz of it)
How it works is you basically target a little sampan stall, tell the owner what you want..and they will hand over your purchase on a long bamboo stick, (consequently you pay through the same way)
Just about all kinds of Thai food, snacks, insects, drinks, souvenirs, handicrafts are sold here...
...even a mobile karaoke wagon where you get to be entertained by locals belting their vocals out while you shop (or perhaps even try it out yourself)
There's more...we were greeted by this lovely little giant...
...who seems have a huge craving for sugar cane, which you can purchase 3 packets and feed the elephant, at only 50 bahts (that's RM5 to you)
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A visit to Hat Yai cannot be complete without a visit to the local Hansa Cabaret show.
(Though I decided to pass it for some shopping instead)
Nevertheless I did get some share of fun browsing through the pictures and stories by my friends who went...
If you didn't already know, these are "Thai Girls" or in a more straightforward term, Transexuals..which is actually quite a norm in Southern Thailand...Tranny's flock around the city all the time, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference because they're so pretty...
even prettier than some of the local women to be exact...
Random fact: Thai boys/men (real ones) are mostly quite physically attractive and cute...;)
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This trip was definitely unforgettable...
it wasn't only about the food and the culture, it was also about the company..
and the crazy things some of us did
we did together...
And as all of us return to the hustle bustle working life, it was definitely a memory worth keeping...
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And now,
3 steps to enjoy a holiday in Hat Yai...
Eat
Drink
and be Merry:)
and book a flight ticket the next time,
a 14 hour bus ride home can be suicidal..
Photo credits to: Evelyn, Yannling & Keong
