Great Place To Go... 无处不去

Friday, August 24, 2018

Satun Trip 4D3N: Satun

Satun is the nearest town after crossing border from Wang Kelian.
It is about 30 - 40 min drive from the border.

Tammalang Pier (Satun Pier)
- You can take boat to Langkawi, Koh Lipe, etc from here
- There are plenty of parking lots available here

Satun Green Outlet + Malay Restaurant
- Located at Saridphoominart Alley.
- This restaurant is serving rice, spaghetti, or roti (local bread) set with chicken/fish gulai (curry)
- There is an green product outlet inside the restaurant which selling green agricultural products
(fruits, honey, rice, salted fish, processed agricultural products)
- The restaurant also selling durians (Golden Pillow / Bantal Emas), THB150/kg.

Satun Night Market
- Located at Satuntanee 3 Alley
- Selling various of local delights

Satun Big-C Supercenter

- Nearest hypermarket from city center

- MK Restaurant, KFC, Swensens, DTAC, and many other outlets available here

- We purchased various types of junk foods and bottle water at here

Khao To Phaya Wang Public Park (Monkey Park)

- Walking distance from V Valley Resort

- Great place for a walk at early morning

Satun Provincial National Museum (KuDen Museum)

- Located at Satuntanee 5 Alley

- Entrance fee for foreigner: THB50 (Adult) / THB30 (Children)

- Unfortunately it was closed during our visit (Hari Raya Qurban)

Satun Municipal Market

- Since Satun Museum is closed, we have opt to visit Satun Market

- This is a morning market for local to buy daily groceries

- We bought some fresh coconuts outside the market at THB20 / coconut

Nat Duson Khuan Don (Weekend Night Market)

- Open on Saturday & Sunday night only

- We have not visited this night market due to tiredness and insufficient time

Hot Spring Thung Nui

- Open daily from 05:00 - 20:00

- Entrance fee for foreigner: THB100 (Adult) / THB60 (Children)

- We have not visited this hot spring due to tight schedule

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Satun Trip 4D3N (Accommodation)

Hotel Accommodation for Satun Trip

V Valley Resort at Satun (Recommended to stay for 1 or 2 nights)
- Room rate about THB1200 / room / night
- Additional mattress about THB300 to THB350
- Including breakfast for 2 pax, additional breakfast THB90 / pax

Nice greenery environment with many rabbits hopping around
Clean room with friendly staff, able to speak Malay Language
Walking distance to Khao To Phaya Wang Public Park (Monkey Park)
Free flow of tea / coffee provided, breakfast provided are delicious
Possible to loan an universal adapter (upon availability)

SeeSea Resort at Pak Bara (Recommended to stay for 2 nights)

- Room rate about THB1500 / room / night
- Additional mattress about THB500
- Excluding breakfast (if book with Agoda or Booking.com)

See view with private beach (although the beach is not very clean)
Clean room with friendly staff, able to speak English / Malay Language
Walking distance to Pak Bara Pier & nearby 7-11
Mini bar items & bottle water are not free (charge at THB15 ~ THB30)
Breakfast is not provided (Chargeable at THB150 / pax)
Possible to loan an universal adapter (upon availability)
Room B101 and B102 might have mosquitoes, we killed many in the 1st day during check-in

Satun Trip 4D3N

4D3N Trip to Satun & Pak Bara on 19/08 - 22/08 2018.
Itinerary and expenses for your reference only.

Proposal vs Actual Itinerary & Expenses

Hotel Rates & Invidual Expenses (for 4 Adults + 2 Children)

Expenses Analysis (include Petrol + Toll + Insurance)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Betong Trip (Expenses Analysis)

* Assumption: THB -> MYR rate = 0.126 (Date: 09-Jun-2018)

Total Expenses (mainly Hotel, Meals & Entrance Fee)
- exclude petrol
- exclude shopping
- exclude passport processing fee
- exclude car permit fee

Expenses Per Adult

- exclude petrol
- exclude shopping
- exclude passport processing fee
- exclude car permit fee

Expenses Per Child
- exclude petrol
- exclude shopping
- exclude passport processing fee
- exclude car permit fee

Expenses Summary

General Expenses & Entrance Fee Listing

Correction: Passport Stampimg (TH-> MY) THB20/THB0

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Betong Trip (Attractions & Recommendation)

Betong 3D2N Trip Schedule

Important:

[ w.e.f. 2025-05-01 ] Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
[ w.e.f. 2025-08-21 ] Thailand Introduces New SIM Card Rules for Tourists

Day 1 (With * is Malaysia Time, without is Thailand Time)
*0900 Depart from Penang (Butterworth)
*1030 Arrive Pengkalan Hulu, pump full tank at Petronas
*1100 Crossing border, passport stamping & vehicle entry application
1030 Arrive Betong, lunch and get SIM card near Betong Market
1130 Check-In Hotel (early check-in, or luggage keeping)
1200 Depart to Peace Village
1300 Arrive Peace Village (Giant Tree, Waterfall, CPM Museum)
1500 Leaving Peace Village, return to Betong City
1600 Betong Sweety (Chinese Dessert)
1630 Free & Easy City Tour (by walking)
1800 Walk up to Betong Municipality Park (Sud Siam Park) - city view
1830 Dinner at Jia Yeah Restaurant (via lane beside Sri Betong Hotel)
1930 Betong night market hawker street
2100 Return to Hotel (Jung's Resort) - Optional: Free Karaoke at Hotel

Day 2 (With * is Malaysia Time, without is Thailand Time)
0700 Depart from Hotel
0710 Betong Tallest Postbox (World Biggest) - Photo session
0730 Betong Wantan Noodle
0830 Depart to Winter Flower Garden
0900 Arrive Winter Flower Garden, sightseeing & photo session
1000 Depart to Piyamit Tunnel
1030 Piyamit Tunnel (sightseeing)
1130 Depart to Betong Hot Spring
1145 Betong Hot Spring
1215 Return to Betong City
1230 Lunch at Krua Samui Restaurant
1330 Return to Hotel (Shower & Rest)
1530 Depart to BM Super Center (Wholesaler - Grocery & Junk Foods)
1540 Shopping at BM Super Center
1630 Betong Sweety (Chinese Dessert)
1700 Free & Easy City Tour (by walking)
1800 Walk-through Betong Mongkolit Tunnel to Betong Chicken Statue
1830 Dinner at Jung Shin Restaurant
1930 Betong night market hawker street
2100 Return to Hotel (Jung's Resort) - Optional: Free Karaoke at Hotel

Day 3 (With * is Malaysia Time, without is Thailand Time)
0430 Depart from Hotel to Ayerweng (i-yer-weng)
0530 Arrive Ayerweng (just before sunrise)
0600 Enjoy Sea-of-Clouds (Sea-of-Mist) - there are 2 viewing stations
0700 Return to Betong City
0800 Breakfast - dim sum (星点心) near Clock Tower
0900 Betong Wet Market (dumpling, fruits, etc)
1030 Return to Hotel (Shower, ready for check-out)
1130 Hotel Check-Out
1145 Lunch at Betong Chicken Rice
1215 Crossing border, passport stamping & vehicle entry form surrender
*1400 Arrive Pengkalan Hulu, pump full tank at Petronas
*1530 Arrive Penang (Butterworth)

Note:
i) Crossing border time might vary based on the daily crowd
ii) Always bring along your passport while traveling out of Betong

Vehicle Expenses (based on Proton Exora 1.6 CPS Automatic):
a) Petrol (RON95 @ MYR$2.20)
  i)   Petrol = MYR$20: Butterworth - Pengkalan Hulu
ii) Petrol = MYR$65: Betong 3D2N Travel
iii) Petrol = MYR$20: Pengkalan Hulu - Butterworth
b) Toll (BKE)
  i)   Toll = MYR$3.20: Butterworth - Kulim
ii) Toll = MYR$3.20: Kulim - Butterworth
c) Vehicle Entry Fee
i)   Application = MYR$3: Vehicle Entry Permit

Crossing Border Charges:
a) MYR$2: TM6 Form & Filing (per individual) - replaced by TDAC
b) MYR$2: Passport stamping per adult (Entering Thailand)
c) THB$20: Passport stamping per adult (Exiting Thailand)

Photos:

https://gr8place2go.blogspot.com/2018/09/betong-3d2n-trip-photos.html

Attractions Location:

https://gr8place2go.blogspot.com/2018/06/betong-trip-attractions-recommendation.html

Malaysia-Thailand Border Crossing By Car (for both Betong and Satun)

Important:
[ w.e.f. 2025-05-01 ] Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

[ w.e.f. 2025-08-21 ] Thailand Introduces New SIM Card Rules for Tourists

[ Betong via Pengkalan Hulu Border ]
1st time entering Thailand (Betong) by car via Pengkalan Hulu border. Hope to share this experience on how to cross the Malaysia - Thailand border.

Documents to be prepared:
1) Car Registration Card (original & photocopy)
2) Authorization Letter from Car Owner (if you are not car owner)
3) Car Owner IC Photocopy (if you are not car owner)
4) TM2 & TM3 (for Betong border, it is not necessary)
5) TM6 (White Card) for each individual (MYR$2 for form & filling service)

- replaced by TDAC (submit online)

6) Thai Insurance is not necessary
7) Passport (at least 6-month validity)

The figure shows the two-way flow (to/fro Thailand) via Betong border. The trip was on 09/Jun/2018 - 11/Jun/2018.

The procedures stated is solely based on my recent experience. It might vary from time to time.

Hope it is useful for future trip's reference.

[Reference]: https://www.riderchris.com/info/malaysia-thailand-border-crossing/

[ Satun via Wang Kelian / Wang Prachan Border ]

2nd time entering Thailand (Satun) by car via Wang Kelian / Wang Prachan Border.

Documents to be prepared, can request Ghanimi Agency (Changlun) to prepare with a small fee charged (RM20 ~ RM32). You can search this agency by Google Maps.
1) Car Registration Card (original & photocopy) - provided by owner
2) Authorization Letter from Car Owner (if you are not car owner) - can be provided by Ghanimi
3) Car Owner IC Photocopy (if you are not car owner) - can be provided by Ghanimi
4) TM2 & TM3 - can be provided by Ghanimi
5) TM6 (White Card) for each individual - can be provided by Ghanimi

- replaced by TDAC (submit online)
6) Thai Insurance - can be provided by Ghanimi
7) Passport (at least 6-month validity) - provided by owner & each individual

Immigration Counter Procedures
1) Malaysia Side: Drive-thru with passport submission for stamping
2) Thailand Side: Park the car, line-up for passport stamping and car permit submission at same counter

Saturday, November 25, 2017

1st Trip to East Coast (Day#1: Butterworth - Jeli)

After almost 9-months advance room booking thru AirBnB, I had finally step into Kelantan for the 1st time. This time, I am not alone, my family joined me for this wonderful journey.

Today, we started our journey from Penang by car. Immediately after lunch at home, we left Penang at 12:30.

It took us 3 hours to reach R&R Titiwangsa. A cooling place for an afternoon tea before we continued our journey to our 1st destination. On the way, we passed a landslide area before the Banding Island and an accident after Banding Island. Lake surrounded Banding Island is so beautiful...

R&R Titiwangsa is a great place. Located at the top of the mountain with cooling environment, scenic view and reasonable price of foods and drinks. Toilets are clean too.
- Burger Special (with egg): RM3.50
- Nasi Lemak Biasa: RM3.50
- Hot Milo: RM2.00
- Teh Tarik: RM1.40
- Toilet: RM0.30 (per person)

From R&R Titiwangsa, we took about 1 hour to reach our 1st desitnation, D'Jeli Hotel (opposite R&R Jeli). By simply clicking on Google Maps, I found this hotel opposite R&R Jeli. We called 2 days in advance and make a reservation. From 1st impression, the hotel looks clean and new. It costs us only RM70 per night for a standard room with 1 Queen bed and 1 single bed. There are free WiFi provided. Evening walk surrounding the hotel lead us to the female student hostel (terrace houses) of UMK (Universiti Malaysia Kelantan). UMK Jeli campus is just next door.

We make a round at Jeli town nearby and found nothing good for dinner. End up, we returned to D'Jeli Hotel and took our dinner here, at the restaurant attached to the hotel.

We ordered the following and it costs us RM30 nett. Reasonable price, foods are not bad.
- Maggi Goreng (Fried Maggi) x 2
- Sup Tulang (Bone Soup) + Rice x 1
- Maggi Kerabu x 1
- Fried Egg + Rice x 1
- Barli Madu x 2
We bought satay + nasi himpit across the road (night market in front of R&R Jeli which was no longer in operation).

We had a short chat with the restaurant owner. They moved back from KL to Jeli (after working there for 20 years), their hometown. A friendly malay family (grandparent, parent & children).

After dinner, we drove about 15 min to nearby town (Bukit Bunga) looking for the only supermarket operating in this area, Pantai Timur Supermarket. When we lined up for payment, only I realized the cashier counter splitted into Male Counter, Female Counter, and Family Counter. I believe this is normal practice in Kelantan, but for us, it is new experience.

Bukit Bunga is one of the newest path to enter Thailand. Thus, along the road at Bukit Bunga, you can see lotsa of small stalls selling goods from Thailand. We will try to visit this area again tomorrow morning if got time before heading to Kota Bharu.

Weather is cooling, raining season now.... but not so heavy rain for today, at least no rain at all during dinner time.
Heard that thunderstorm will be hitting Kota Bharu area by tomorrow ! (hopefully not)

Returned to hotel. Watch TV and sleep zzz...

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Yebisu Beer Museum

First time visited Yebisu Beer Museum. It is located at Yebisu Garden Place, the place are so windy and nice.

The entrance of the museum. Free Entrance. Yen500 to for tasting session.

Unfortunately, I am unable to take alchohol at all. This is the only can I took, the giant can besides main entrance. ;-)

Baby Panda in Japan

Because of the newborn baby panda in Ueno Zoo early of July 2012, whole Japan are so excited, and this baby panda had created a lot of "panda economy" effects. However, the baby panda died after 6 days.

You can see a lot of panda products everywhere, especially near Ueno Zoo.

This is the panda "man-tou". So cute.

And a lot of panda soft toys everywhere near Ueno Station.

Saturday, July 07, 2012

日本の七夕(Tanabata)

Again, I am back to Japan due to work. This is the 1st weekend over here. Coincidently, it was 日本の七夕 (Tanabata).

七夕节，又名乞巧節、七巧節或七姐誕，是華人地區以及东亚各国的传统节日，在农历七月初七庆祝（日本在明治维新后改为阳历7月7日），来自于牛郎與織女的传说。

Because this is in Japan, they are celebrating it on 7-Jul (Gregorian Calendar), but in fact Chinese celebrate it on Lunar Calendar (the 7th day of the 7th Month).

I do not know how they celebrate and what they are celebrating. Just can see these types of "lanterns" everywhere on the road. This picture was taken during my lunch at Hitotsu-bashi-Gakuen in Kodaira City, Tokyo.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Ulu Legong Hot Spring 烏魯樂貢熱水湖

[以下文章转载自光明日報‧2006/03/23]

（華玲訊）華玲（Baling, Perak）烏魯樂貢熱水湖（Ulu Legong）休閒樂園大整頓後開放近2年。夜班執勤主任多拉表示，由於經濟不景及其他熱水湖競爭影響，前來熱水湖的遊客人數與去年同一時期相比減少約20%，從原本的每月平均5萬人降至4萬人。

因此，當局將於未來一年內，在烏魯樂貢熱水湖展開擴建停車場、增建度假屋和小型商業單位，以及美化工程。管理層全力將該處打造成不夜城，藉此吸引更多國內外遊客前往遊玩。

主任多拉（42歲）說，熱水湖樂園目前僅有6間雙人度假屋，無法容納太多遊客留宿。因此，管理層決定增建至少10間度假屋。

他指出，小型商業單位將以售賣紀念品及美食為主，建造數量未定，而擴建停車場則是為了方便遊客。當局也打算增設更多營地設備，以吸引在籍學生前來露營。

另類醫療場所

另外，多拉表示，熱水湖可說是“另類”醫療場所。浸泡天然熱水能夠帶來各種療效，包括刺激穴道及促進血液循環等。

他說，白天，熱水湖的溫度較高，所以入場人次較少。到了週五、六或公共假期晚上，遊客蜂擁而至，人數一天平均可達2至3000人。

“我們設立了一個專門小組，在每天早上清洗熱水池，確保水池乾淨。因此遊客不需擔心熱水池水源不潔。”

多拉也說，由於熱水湖是24小時開放，當局已安排員工早晚輪班提供服務，讓遊客安心浸泡。

設4不同溫度水池

熱水池泉源：溫度介於55至70度，蒸氣清楚可見，不可浸泡。

共用大池：溫度維持在40至45度之間，可隨意暢遊或浸泡。

女性專用：溫度同上，男性止步。

兒童池：溫度介於35至40度，供12歲以下小孩嬉戲。

烏魯樂貢熱水湖簡介：

烏魯樂貢熱水湖佔地7依格，位於華玲北部，距離華玲市區約19公里。熱水湖全天候24小時開放，入門費為成人2令吉、兒童1令吉。該處目前共有6間雙人度假屋，普通套房收費80令吉；豪華套房收100令吉。另外還有10間大型度假屋，每間可容納10人。

熱水湖於1995年開始進行大整頓工程，在9年內共耗資570萬令吉改頭換面。全部工程於2004年竣工後，該處已崛起成為全國最受矚目的熱水湖休閒樂園。

據悉，除了本地遊客，來自台灣、日本、新加坡、中國及汶萊等國的遊客也被吸引前往遊玩。

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Penang's Firefly Haven 槟城萤火虫之乡

[Article from Philip's Site]

Take a cruise down the Krian River in Nibong Tebal, Penang, and witness a brilliant show of nature's light - courtesy of the area 's firefly colony.

The flickering lights of the fireflies on the mangrove trees remind one of Christmas trees but this magical scene is quite difficult to capture on photograph. The next best things for visitors to do is to cherish the moment in their mind.

At some parts of the river, the boatman would steer the boat nearer to the banks for visitors to reach out and cup the fireflies in their palms for a closer look at these little glowing insects.

Mr Heng Chor Snuah, 45, who runs the cruise business, said the idea to promote the river for firefly-watching activity came about five months ago.

"We read in the newspapers about the depletion of fireflies in Kuala Selangor and we jokingly told YB Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi assemblyman) that people don't have to go down to the south to see fireflies.

"We have our very own colony of fireflies in the nothern region, along the banks of Krian River," he added.

Heng said after that, Tan went on a cruise to check out the fireflies.

Impressed by what she saw, Tan approached the Pai Teik Old Boy's Association for help to promote the river for tourism activities.

Heng said so far, they had conducted many trips for outstation visitors as well as foreign tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Australian, English and France.

"Being relatively new, tourists only found out about this place through some tour agencies," he added.

The one-hour cruise begins at a jetty in the Nibong Tebal old town.

"We usually start our journey after 8 pm when it is completely dark so that the fireflies can be seen clearly." said Heng.

A note of advice from Heng:"Don't come during the rainy season or on full moon nights because you are bound to be disappointed.

He added that he should be informed one or two days in advance so that he could make the necessary arangements to avoid overcrowding the boats.

"For now, we have three boats - two big boat that can seat 15 each and a small one that only takes eight passengers at one time," he added.

Apart from watching fireflies, Heng said arrangements could also be made for a river cruise where visitors could watch the sunset at the river mouth.

Tan said the 4 kn-long river, which runs through Byram and Nibong Tebal towards the Kedah border, had tremendous tourism potential.

She said she had applied for a RM29 mil allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to beautify and strengthen the river banks.

"We also need to build a proper jetty for visitors to board the boat," she added. Apart from the cruise, Tan added that plans were also in the pipeline to set up a waterfront park. complete with seafood restaurants, along the river.

Nevertheless, at present, those who come for the cruises can also go for a sumptuous seafood dinner at Batu Kawan and Bukit Tambun, two of the states popular seafood areas.

Latest News:
The jetty costs RM20000 already completed recently.
The strengthening of the river bank almost completed.
Mr Heng's mobile No. : 0124595146