Hat Yai today

The last time I visited Hat Yai was more than 10 years ago. So when my son suggested that we go on a day trip, I agreed wholeheartedly.


Overall there are not much changes. The market place has not been upgraded - same layout, same stalls, same things on sale. The only changes I noticed are that there a couple of new supermarkets, more fast food outlets and the absence of street urchins (they should be adults by now. hahaha.... just joking).


Below are some photos which I would like to share with you...........


Hat Yai town as taken from the restaurant at the 33rd floor of Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel. Many high rising buildings have sprouted.










This photo was taken from inside our car. It was drizzling then. See the mess of wires? No wonder the roads in Hat Yai are in such good condition and so smooth to drive on, with no potholes. The reason is because they don't do diggings. Whatever for? All the wires are overhead!!!





I noticed that almost all the lamp posts in the town has a Thai figurine at the top. Different figurines on different roads. Sure helps to create a Thai atmosphere. I think these were put up quite recently. I am quite sure they were not around 10 years ago.







Thai motorcyclists are encourage to wear helmets but it is not compulsory, so many do not wear them. Hey, look closely at the photo on the left. The lady was not wearing a helmet neither was she wearing a head scarf. Make a guess...... Actually she was wearing a SHOWER CAP !!! Hahaha...... Did you guess correctly?

Day trip to Hat Yai

My family and I made a day trip to Hat Yai last Thursday, a public holiday (Malaysia Day). We drove off from Penang at 6.00am, anticipating large crowd at both the Immigration check points. Surprisingly there was no crowd at all and we reached Hat Yai at 9.00am Malaysia time, 8.00am Thai time.




We drove straight to the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel, parked our car there and had our breakfast at McDonalds on the ground floor. Photo on left is Mc Cafe. This counter is inside McD outlet and serves only coffee and pastries. You must try the coffee, its good. By the way, there is no Mc Cafe in Malaysia yet.

After breakfast, we took the toot-toot to the market place. Walked around for a while, shopped for some items and then back to Lee Gardens again.

It is now almost time for lunch. We had buffet lunch on the 33rd floor. There was a wide variety of food and everything tasted so delicious.

After lunch, back to the streets again for more shopping.





Return to Lee Gardens for tea. This time it is ice cream at Swensens which is also located on the ground floor. A most refreshing treat after sweating in the heat outside.


After cooling ourselves, we started our journey back to Penang, stopping at Tesco Lotus on the way out of Hat Yai. Reached home at around 9.00pm. A most enjoyable day.

Pottery class

Anybody game on taking up pottery lessons? I have a fl yer here with me. It is from Garden Ku, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang and it says...........

Pottery Class :
First time experience (RM50) shaping & creating (1 lesson only)

Beginner (RM120) complete a pottery with own creation (4 lessons)

Intermediate (RM500) Go through test, if pass certificate will be given (6 months class)

Advanced (RM1000) Go through test, if pass graduated certificate will be given (1 year class)
Time :
Thursday, Friday or Saturday (10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm)

I am interested in the Beginner course (4 lessons). Just want to have a feel of the clay and to shape something. Cannot do it in the home because it is quite messy and I do not have wheel for shaping and kiln for firing. The last time I did pottery was during my school days. I chose pottery for my Form 3 Art Paper.

I have already made enquiries and was told that clay will be provided. I was also informed that I can choose my teacher. There are 2 teachers, a guy and a lady Japanese. However, they can only converse in Japanese!!!! Hahaha.... Anyway, the management assured me that communication is not a problem. All their students are doing fine in spite of the fact that they do not speak Japanese. How about that!!!!

My favourite hobby

These are some of my cross stitch pieces. Framed and hanging in my home. I still have a few unframed pieces. Will upload them for you to see next time.









I started cross stitching way back in the 80s and until today I am still very much into it. Caught the fancy from a very good friend, Gomathy who did her pieces in the office during lunch break. The thread was only rm0.35 then but now it has increased 4 times to rm1.50









I have given away many pieces to friends and have turned out tote bags. Framed cross stitch pieces make very meaningful house warming gifts. Very personal indeed.

My latest hobby

Guess what is my latest hobby?


Right....... fish rearing. Not by my choice but my children's idea. They bought the materials and set them up. I take over from there. Nothing professional - no nice aquariums, no air pumps, no fanciful decorations. Just the basic - 2 big porcelain pots, coarse sand, small rocks and stones.




One pot is placed at one corner of the dinning area. Inside are 3 small goldfish and a small black guppy. The other pot is placed in the front balcony. Swimming inside this pot are 20 tiny assorted fishes. A packet of about 30 such fishes cost only rm2. Very cheap. Hahaha...

It is really fun to see them grow every day. However, I do have a problem here. Every time I change the water, a few of the tiny fishes will die. Could it be that I have no fish fingers? A person who is good with plants is said to have green fingers. Similarly, if a person is good at fish rearing, then he should be said to have FISH FINGERS ??!!!!