My journey began in Thailand with its southernmost point, city of Hat Yai. Railway – the easiest and cheapest way to get around Malaysia in Thai. Train ticket cost only RM57, especially since the city is the largest transportation hub between the countries, and from it is quite simple to go further inland.
What is the Hat Yai? At first sight it seems to be very busy. This is not surprising, because the city is the commercial center of southern Thailand and one of the largest cities provinces Songhla (Songhla Province), located in 30 minute drive from the border with Malaysia. Thanks to the constant stream of customers, it looks like an anthill. All somewhere in a hurry, have or carry the goods, a glimpse here and there.
In Hat Yai there are many hotels, which are located near the train station. I stopped in Cathay guesthouse. This is a guest 32 years ago, facilities are located on the second floor. The staff is very friendly and responsive. At the bottom is a travel agency. I got a room for two persons 200 Baht / night – room with fan, huge, but hard bed, even given towels. The windows of my room looked out onto the street, so it was quite noisy in the afternoon. In the same room were a guestbook type dorm (several people in one) по 160 Bat, but they were all busy.
Externally, the city is not very different from the cities in Malaysia, уж очень он выглядит китайским 🙂 с его красно-золотыми магазинами, kitayskimi kafeshkami, people and their goods. And as it turned out here to find Thai food, which should differ from the total, I tried in Malaysia, not so easy. I had quite a long time to wander through the small, crooked streets in search of delicious. Eventually, happened. Yzryadno proholodavshys, I found a soup with pork and noodles. Almost every corner has restaurants with Malay / Muslim food, but many of them are empty.
All major tourist attractions are within walking distance, but air pollution and heavy traffic on the roads does not walk very pleasant.
Temple Wat Nai Hattyai (Wat Mahatthamongkalaram) known tempera, that here is the huge statue of the reclining Buddha (Phra Buddha Mahatthamongkol) 30 m in length, and 15 m in width. Reclining Buddha is revered not only among Thai Buddhists, but also Buddhists all over the world.
In the vicinity of the temple is a market, where to buy cheap fruit, Vegetables, fresh fish and not only. They also sell a lot of turtles and other animals, I would not have.
The most exciting and memorable place for me was the floating market Khlong Hae Floating Market. This is the first floating market in southern Thailand. He looks like an old traditional market of locals, which is largely dependent on water transport. Therefore, they sell all sitting in a boat. Among the goods here, mostly, food and souvenirs. The market is open from Friday to Sunday с 15 to 21.
The cost of one dish 20-40 Bat. So many delicious and varied, you can try: Thai Soup, Noodles, fish, meat, pastries and desserts. This Thai food! Lovers of the exotic will find fried beetles, cockroaches, worms and other insects.
Standartnaya price vkusnosti – 3 package 100 Bath or for Odin 35.
Various fruits, made of jelly and sweet potato. Looks better, than it tastes.
In Hat Yai, I spent 2 Day. On the second day, I found the bus station, where I bought a ticket on the island of Phuket and had time to explore a few more attractions.
Another Buddhist Temple, where the huge statue of the Buddha and the school of Buddhism Thavornwitthayaai School of Buddhism. At the temple there is a huge Chinese cemetery with lots of gold pieces . Some of them have information, when a person was born and died, photo. On the plates there are signs, talking about, it is a place for prayer. On the back of some of the statues are made hollow. Initially, they all have this recess, but as soon as a person dies, his remains were placed inside, and the opening is sealed.
After staying at the guesthouse, I and my friend from Japan, I met on the train / railway station, went to the night market, to buy some food and dining. On one of the streets we saw a lot of trays with hot food. There we went. Stopping at the first aunties hot soups, we ordered chicken soup for my friend and fish soup for me. On ugovory TETENKO «Spicy, spicy!!!», I just said:«It’s ok!», as a positive attitude to the spicy food in moderation. But this soup was just the devil!!! This is not to describe or put into words. He was super-duper-mega-sharp and obzhog my whole mouth with the first spoons. Never in my life I did not eat anything like this, I hope and I will not. Trying to put out the fire in your mouth, I tried everything. It was beans, fresh cabbage, boiled egg, I chopped up in the soup. Water! Of course I drank several glasses of water, but it is also not saved. And not satiated, leaving all the attempts to make it edible, I had to go ahead and buy a bunch of small bananas for 10 Bat.
Walking the streets at night, we noticed a tray with some colorful jars. It was a place with Thai desertikami, I fell in love with all my heart. They are called Ruam Mit. Make a mixture of coconut milk, ice, colorful pieces of jelly, add sweet potatoes, corn, green pasta, pieces of dried mango, red sweet beans. Composition can select the most. It's sooo tasty! Price of the dessert 35 Bat. Great end of the day!
The next morning I packed my things, said goodbye to a Japanese friend, discharged from Gest and went to the bus station, which is disposed in 20 minute walk. Bus leaves at 13.30, so I have to be in Phuket later 6 hours. It would seem that enough time, to find a place to sleep, but it was more prosaic and was waiting for me 12 hour trip by bus.
